Choosing to withdraw from interview/waitlist

[musicalfeet]

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I've been lucky to have been accepted at a school recently that I'd LOVE to attend-- and so far, only 3 other schools I've interviewed at would give me pause about attending over my current school (Loyola). I'm now wondering if I should withdraw from an interview at Rochester (while I do believe it's a great school, I think due to location and taking into consideration my SO, it's pretty unlikely for me to go there over Loyola), and also a WL from Georgetown (also same issues).

The cost of the interview is giving me HUGE pause, but it's also sort of a "what if" scenario because then I'd never have a chance to see the school. As far as the Gtown WL, it's just a school I don't think I care that much for (while impressions of the facility and everything was amazing, the long speech during the interview day gave me a weird vibe), and reading around SDN makes me think Loyola + Gtown are about equal in terms of "prestige".

What should I do?

 

[asquared]

First off, congrats! That's great! I also love your avatar.

If you truly don't see yourself going to school in Rochester, you should do yourself (and other applicants) a favor and withdraw. You open up an interview spot for someone else who may not have had a chance to interview and would really like to go to that school. Again, do the same with Georgetown, if you don't think it's a right fit, withdraw. Someone else on the waitlist may be bumped up and eventually accepted.

In the end you can only go to one med school, if you can whittle your list down early, it makes it easier for you and other applicants. Good luck.

 

[futuremdforme]

Personally I'd go because multiple acceptances might make you more competitive for financial aid. Also I think it's fun to get to see different schools.

I think the standard answer is not to go though lol.

 

[BeachBaby]

Once I got into my favorite school I withdrew from everywhere else, even schools I interviewed at. It feels like a relief to know where I will be going.

 

[musicalfeet]

Once I got into my favorite school I withdrew from everywhere else, even schools I interviewed at. It feels like a relief to know where I will be going.

You don't feel like you might have "missed an opportunity" or anything? That's just something I'm afraid of, but am unsure if that fear is worth the cost of the interview (both financially and emotionally). UGH it's like picking someone to marry...you get weird moments of commitment-phobia.

 

[BeachBaby]

haha I am sort of curious if I would have been accepted more places but I knew I wouldn't pick a different school over my favorite

 

[musicalfeet]

First off, congrats! That's great! I also love your avatar.

If you truly don't see yourself going to school in Rochester, you should do yourself (and other applicants) a favor and withdraw. You open up an interview spot for someone else who may not have had a chance to interview and would really like to go to that school. Again, do the same with Georgetown, if you don't think it's a right fit, withdraw. Someone else on the waitlist may be bumped up and eventually accepted.

In the end you can only go to one med school, if you can whittle your list down early, it makes it easier for you and other applicants. Good luck.

Do you think the relative "name" power of all three schools are pretty much the same? I'm guessing so, but it would really suck if I was dead wrong. My impression is that SDN has a very positive view of Loyola though..and a negative one of Gtown. Not sure about Rochester. And I guess I'm worried about there being any sort of hidden advantages over going to either of these schools over Loyola...am I missing something?

 

[asquared]

Do you think the relative "name" power of all three schools are pretty much the same? I'm guessing so, but it would really suck if I was dead wrong. My impression is that SDN has a very positive view of Loyola though..and a negative one of Gtown. Not sure about Rochester. And I guess I'm worried about there being any sort of hidden advantages over going to either of these schools over Loyola...am I missing something?

I like to compare schools using this website (it should already be comparing the three schools you're interested in): http://medical-schools.startclass.c...University-Chicago-Stritch-School-of-Medicine

But you've got to keep in mind that rankings only tell you one side of the story. At the end of the day, any MD school will give you a solid education and allow you to practice medicine. However, if you are interested in working in academic medicine, clinical research, or basically do more than just practice medicine, then the rankings hold more value. If we strictly look at rankings, then Rochester is ranked the "highest."

It sounds like Loyola's location has a huge draw for you, and Chicago would certainly have more easily accessible opportunities to volunteer than Rochester (since it's a bigger city). Unfortunately, this is going to be a huge personal decision... personally speaking, I chose to withdraw everywhere else because I knew 100% I wouldn't attend any other school I had an II from than my top choice. Do you feel that strongly about Loyola? If you don't then you should go to the interview, you earned the interview and deserve to see the school. Regarding the money getting to Rochester, yeah it sucks to blow >$500 for an interview, but if it ends up being the place where you matriculate, then it's completely worth it.

I'm a huge fan on pro/con lists, you should definitely make one, see how you feel about Loyola, and then make a well-educated decision. Even though this is a difficult decision, you should be happy to be in this position! Definitely tell us what you decide to do 🙂

 

[URHere]

Do you think the relative "name" power of all three schools are pretty much the same? I'm guessing so, but it would really suck if I was dead wrong.

Others may disagree, but I think Rochester is probably the strongest program of the bunch. Top notch research, top notch facilities, and very solid training straight through to fellowship. That being said, Rochester is abnormally snowy and cold, and many people ignore it because of location. I say all of this as someone who used to live in Rochester and interviewed there back in the day (but ultimately chose to go somewhere else).

If you know you wouldn't move there given your personal/family situation, that's one thing. If you would consider moving to almost-Canada, I think Rochester is worth a look.

 

[Nietzschelover]

Based on what you've said, I would axe Georgetown and go to the Rochester interview. Rochester IMHO is a very under-appreciated spot. While there are sketchy areas, like any city, there is much more there to like than most realize. The University and the School of Medicine are very well respected. I personally like the area a lot. Winters are rough, but are they that much rougher than Chicago?? Also, for a city, there is very little traffic, easy shopping, easy access to restaurants and clubs, and there is a proud progressive history in that part of Upstate NY. Summers are superb with quick access to all that the Finger Lakes region offers. And yes, Rochester is the most prestigious of the 3 you've mentioned (and probably by a significant margin).

 

[Psai]

I like to compare schools using this website (it should already be comparing the three schools you're interested in): http://medical-schools.startclass.c...University-Chicago-Stritch-School-of-Medicine

But you've got to keep in mind that rankings only tell you one side of the story. At the end of the day, any MD school will give you a solid education and allow you to practice medicine. However, if you are interested in working in academic medicine, clinical research, or basically do more than just practice medicine, then the rankings hold more value. If we strictly look at rankings, then Rochester is ranked the "highest."

It sounds like Loyola's location has a huge draw for you, and Chicago would certainly have more easily accessible opportunities to volunteer than Rochester (since it's a bigger city). Unfortunately, this is going to be a huge personal decision... personally speaking, I chose to withdraw everywhere else because I knew 100% I wouldn't attend any other school I had an II from than my top choice. Do you feel that strongly about Loyola? If you don't then you should go to the interview, you earned the interview and deserve to see the school. Regarding the money getting to Rochester, yeah it sucks to blow >$500 for an interview, but if it ends up being the place where you matriculate, then it's completely worth it.

I'm a huge fan on pro/con lists, you should definitely make one, see how you feel about Loyola, and then make a well-educated decision. Even though this is a difficult decision, you should be happy to be in this position! Definitely tell us what you decide to do 🙂

Your mdapps is amazing

 

[occams_razor]

I like to compare schools using this website (it should already be comparing the three schools you're interested in): http://medical-schools.startclass.c...University-Chicago-Stritch-School-of-Medicine

But you've got to keep in mind that rankings only tell you one side of the story. At the end of the day, any MD school will give you a solid education and allow you to practice medicine. However, if you are interested in working in academic medicine, clinical research, or basically do more than just practice medicine, then the rankings hold more value. If we strictly look at rankings, then Rochester is ranked the "highest."

It sounds like Loyola's location has a huge draw for you, and Chicago would certainly have more easily accessible opportunities to volunteer than Rochester (since it's a bigger city). Unfortunately, this is going to be a huge personal decision... personally speaking, I chose to withdraw everywhere else because I knew 100% I wouldn't attend any other school I had an II from than my top choice. Do you feel that strongly about Loyola? If you don't then you should go to the interview, you earned the interview and deserve to see the school. Regarding the money getting to Rochester, yeah it sucks to blow >$500 for an interview, but if it ends up being the place where you matriculate, then it's completely worth it.

I'm a huge fan on pro/con lists, you should definitely make one, see how you feel about Loyola, and then make a well-educated decision. Even though this is a difficult decision, you should be happy to be in this position! Definitely tell us what you decide to do 🙂

that website and compare feature is awesome!!

 

[asquared]

Your mdapps is amazing

Thank you so much!

that website and compare feature is awesome!!

Right?? I've wasted so much time comparing schools unnecessarily.

 

[Lawpy]

I like to compare schools using this website (it should already be comparing the three schools you're interested in): http://medical-schools.startclass.c...University-Chicago-Stritch-School-of-Medicine

But you've got to keep in mind that rankings only tell you one side of the story. At the end of the day, any MD school will give you a solid education and allow you to practice medicine. However, if you are interested in working in academic medicine, clinical research, or basically do more than just practice medicine, then the rankings hold more value. If we strictly look at rankings, then Rochester is ranked the "highest."

It sounds like Loyola's location has a huge draw for you, and Chicago would certainly have more easily accessible opportunities to volunteer than Rochester (since it's a bigger city). Unfortunately, this is going to be a huge personal decision... personally speaking, I chose to withdraw everywhere else because I knew 100% I wouldn't attend any other school I had an II from than my top choice. Do you feel that strongly about Loyola? If you don't then you should go to the interview, you earned the interview and deserve to see the school. Regarding the money getting to Rochester, yeah it sucks to blow >$500 for an interview, but if it ends up being the place where you matriculate, then it's completely worth it.

I'm a huge fan on pro/con lists, you should definitely make one, see how you feel about Loyola, and then make a well-educated decision. Even though this is a difficult decision, you should be happy to be in this position! Definitely tell us what you decide to do 🙂

that website and compare feature is awesome!!

Agreed. Really valuable stuff. Thanks for posting this asquared.