Deciding between multiple acceptances

[mitoman77]

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So I've been accepted to two different programs and wait-listed at a third. The question becomes how do I make a decision. I'm also waiting to hear back from another school and have two more interviews coming up in the next month.

Anyone have any suggestions/advice on how to make the decision of which school to go to. Obviously I have my own criteria that I'm using but I thought I'd see if others have any ideas/advice on things I may be overlooking.

Also, how bad is it to hold acceptances at two schools for a few weeks while I try to decide? I know technically I have until May to make the decision, but how bad is it to hold both for another 1-2 weeks while I try to decide.

 

[Neuronix]

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=590481

That thread will give you some recent insight... I'm also a big fan of location preferences when selecting a school, but you'll definitely get opinions that location doesn't matter much or should be low on your list. But for me, location would be close to #1.

 

[tiamat360]

I'm of the opinion that for MD-PhD, things like the ranking of the university matter a bit more. Your MD education is probably going to be more or less the same no matter what school you attend, but I think people may actually care whether the school is known for producing successful PhDs or not. Of course, this is probably secondary to whether the school has faculty you're interested in researching with and whether it's located somewhere you want to live for 7+ years.

As for holding on to multiple acceptances, I think it's only a problem if you absolutely know you'd go to one over the other. It's more helpful for everyone if you let a school know you're not interested if you're really not, but they understand that accepted students are often faced with difficult choices between programs and might take a while in deciding between them.

 

[QofQuimica]

I agree that the quality of research/finding a good mentor is what would matter most to me. Not to discount location, mind you, particularly if you have strong preferences on that front. Do MD/PhD programs have second looks? If so, you should consider going on a second look to each school, OP. You might even try setting up some meetings with potential PIs; look at each school's website and pick out a few researchers whose work sounds interesting. You can also get more of a look at each city and see if you think you could live there for 7-8 years.

Don't feel bad about holding two acceptances while you make your decision. You will have to withdraw from one school within the next few months, so it's not like you're preventing someone else from getting that spot. It may even be that the programs overaccept anyway, in which case you're not holding a spot that anyone else could take at all. Best of luck. 🙂

Edit: Neuro, I love your new sig. I was wondering why, on all of SDN, that message only comes up on this forum. 😛

 

[Neuronix]

Edit: Neuro, I love your new sig. I was wondering why, on all of SDN, that message only comes up on this forum. 😛

There is more to that story, but I can only share it in private. I'm not sure whether to be pissed or honored 😕

 

[QofQuimica]

There is more to that story, but I can only share it in private. I'm not sure whether to be pissed or honored 😕

I'll look forward to hearing it. No one else has any stories quite like you do. 😉

 

[britishmafia]

So with this whole multiple acceptances issue, I'm pretty sure I will be heading to Tri-I in the fall... withdrawing from all others. 😀

Exciting feeling. 😍 I loved Tri-I

 

[GliaGirl]

I'm pretty sure I will be heading to Tri-I in the fall... withdrawing from all others. 😀

Congrats on falling in love. Hurry and withdraw from Vandy so I get a shot at the spot! 😉 I'm very much in love with UVa, but I have to visit Vandy one more time to be sure its not the place for me. BUT first they have to accept me, so you know what to do. 😛

 

[britishmafia]

On it!

 

[goldish]

Hi guys! I decided to write here in order not to make a new theme.
I have the following problem: I am 3th year in pharmacy and in my school now is the moment we have to choose between 2 opportunities for further specialization. They are clinical profile and productional profile. The first, for hospital care mostly whereas the second- for work in production of drugs.
Please, advise me which kind of specialization is better well-paid? And which in your opinion has greater chances of success? I'll be thankful 🙂🙂