-
The 2026-2027 DO School Specific Threads are now available in the School Specific Discussions forum. The 2025-2026 discussions are now available in the prior year discussions forum.
declining acceptance
Started by same21
since my primary has already been submitted to those schools can I just choose to not submit a secondary to them? will that offend the schools? If in a few years I change my mind and wish to move away can I reapply to them or will they say you never submitted a secondary to us the first time around, we don't want you.
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
I have a few schools that I just decided I was not interested in upon doing some further research, thus just did not complete the secondary and return it. If I wasn't interested in them now, I won't be interested in them in another cycle, so I don't really care if they don't like me. I do realize that your circumstances for declining may be very different, but that was just my take on it.
Just be honest, and tell them why. You have a good reason and they'll think it was a mature decision. BUT hopefully your allopathic list isn't significantly longer than your osteopathic list, because then it may seem that DO is your backup plan. Or at least if I were on a DO Adcom, that's how I would take it.
Not sure how much help this is, but I kept seeing you adding to your own post so I thought I would at least attempt to quell your suffering. 🙂
you don't have an acceptance yet, so you wouldn't be declining an acceptance to begin with...
but anywho, are you ONLY applying to 3 schools? sounds to me like you need to add more schools unless you're really determined to stay near home for some reason.
but anywho, only apply to schools you'd attend. there is no point in applying to a, b and c when you'd only go to c. reapplying after an acceptance to a and b would look foolish on your part. i've seen a few threads on that.
but anywho, are you ONLY applying to 3 schools? sounds to me like you need to add more schools unless you're really determined to stay near home for some reason.
but anywho, only apply to schools you'd attend. there is no point in applying to a, b and c when you'd only go to c. reapplying after an acceptance to a and b would look foolish on your part. i've seen a few threads on that.
Does anyone know if not submitting a secondary to a school and then a few years later re applying to that school destroys the chance of getting into said school? I know that only applying to three schools is very unwise but I cannot leave home right now. If I do not get in, and my situation changes in a few years I would like to still have a shot at those schools.
I'm assuming you have already submitted your primary to these schools and received the secondaries. If you haven't submit your primary, then don't send it to those schools. If you have... I would say that not submitting your secondary would make you a lot less memorable than if you were to complete your application, get accepted, and then decline. If you just don't send it, then apply again and if you either don't get an interview or don't get a secondary, then just call them and see if that has anything to do with it and explain the situation. As I said above, I'm sure you have a great reason and the fact that you put your own life and dilemmas above this will show them some great maturity and I think it may actually help you.
I think there is another way that this can go though: IF you complete your applications, interview, then get waitlisted or rejected, it will only help your cause when you apply again further down the road. They'll see that you've improved your application (as I'm sure you will be continuing to do) and that you have perseverance and the dedication to go to their school.
The choice is ultimately yours and it won't be an easy one to make but I think you should weigh out all of the possible scenarios beforehand. Probably not the answer you were looking for, but I hope it helps.
I submitted the primary it has been verified and not gone to schools yet. Will go on Tues. I will call tomorrow and beg that they remove the schools before sending it out but if they do I guess I will just write letters saying that unfortunately I withdraw from the school application.
