Deferring enrollment

[dbleoh7]

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I got accepted into this fall's class at a good DO school, but I think I want to defer my enrollment a year. I don't have a good excuse other than wanting to get into my first choice MD school which I am currently waitlisted at (have about a 50% chance of getting in this year). If I don't get in this cycle, next year I will have a very good chance of getting into the MD school and want to give it another shot. The thing is, since I obviously don't want to tell the DO school admissions my reason for deferment, will they look down on me saying I want to take a year off to just work? Since this is my first choice for DO schools I don't want to put them off so I have a chance again next cycle again. Thanks.

 

[EyeTooth]

Not sure what school you've been accepted to, but when I went through, I deferred my acceptance for one year. I however had much more legitimate reasons. If it helps you at all, when I deferred, part of the deal was signing a contract committing to the school. Which means not accepting a waitlist acceptance elsewhere, or pursuing applications for other schools in the next year. Not sure what would happen if you broke said contract, but if you had any integrity whatsoever, you wouldn't.

 

[dudechiefboss]

One question that comes to mind is: Would a deferred acceptance be considered an enrollment in to a professional school/program? I believe that is one question on the AMCAS application. If deferral of acceptance is considered to be enrollement in a professional program, you would need to list the school and what program you are enrolled in. In my mind: if an MD school sees you are holding a deferred acceptance it is game over for the MD school.

Don't defer an acceptance from a school you do not wish to matriculate to; instead, withdraw your applications this cycle and apply next cycle to schools you WILL go to if it is the ONLY acceptance you receive.

Good luck!

 

[Chocolate Bear]

One question that comes to mind is: Would a deferred acceptance be considered an enrollment in to a professional school/program? I believe that is one question on the AMCAS application.

The AMCAS question used to be basically "Have you ever matriculated to medical school?" We've had debates about what exactly it means to have "matriculated," but I think that's different from "being accepted." I personally don't think matriculation happens until you're completely cleared for entry into class before the first day, as opposed to just getting a letter in the mail (an *acceptance*).

So, personally, I'd put NO for that question if I had deferred because deferring doesn't usually require everything that enrollment does. No medical records, no payments except a deposit, no signing up for classes, etc., etc.

But to answer the original question, OP, I think you need a much better reason for deferment than, "I'm going to work." I mean, feel free to try it, but I'd give you like a 15% chance of success. Thus, I'd come up with something more ambitious that you could do with your off-time so they actually might think it's worth holding a spot for you for a whole year as opposed to just making you go through this again like everyone else.

 

[cabinbuilder]

I got accepted into this fall's class at a good DO school, but I think I want to defer my enrollment a year. I don't have a good excuse other than wanting to get into my first choice MD school which I am currently waitlisted at (have about a 50% chance of getting in this year). If I don't get in this cycle, next year I will have a very good chance of getting into the MD school and want to give it another shot. The thing is, since I obviously don't want to tell the DO school admissions my reason for deferment, will they look down on me saying I want to take a year off to just work? Since this is my first choice for DO schools I don't want to put them off so I have a chance again next cycle again. Thanks.

I think it is selfish and tragic that you are taking a spot away from someone who really wants to go to medical school. If you were dead set on the MD school you never should have applied anywhere else. It's not right to have the school hold your spot. Withdraw and apply where you want to really be and let someone else who wants to be a DO have a chance.

 

[Chocolate Bear]

I think it is selfish and tragic that you are taking a spot away from someone who really wants to go to medical school. If you were dead set on the MD school you never should have applied anywhere else. It's not right to have the school hold your spot. Withdraw and apply where you want to really be and let someone else who wants to be a DO have a chance.

I'm not sure if you get how deferment works. He/she is not keeping anyone out of school. The school will not proceed for a year with one less student than originally planned.

It's just that the school would be granting a privilege of not having to apply again next year. Regardless of what the OP does, school XCOM is going to have XYZ number of students in this year's entering class as well as next year.

 

[cabinbuilder]

I'm not sure if you get how deferment works. He/she is not keeping anyone out of school. The school will not proceed for a year with one less student than originally planned.

It's just that the school would be granting a privilege of not having to apply again next year. Regardless of what the OP does, school XCOM is going to have XYZ number of students in this year's entering class as well as next year.

Ok so I'm an attending and I don't get it? Still taking up a lot of folks's time when you don't want to go to that school in the first place. Still not right in my book for the reasons given. It's a moral issue. Whatever.

 

[RitaHayworth]

What are some of the "valid reasons" that people defer for?

 

[illegallysmooth]

Illness, finishing a research program, family commitments, etc.

My two cents: you're being a little ridic. If you don't want to go to the DO school, I'm not sure why you applied. Is it worth losing a year of a doctors salary and going thru the whole application process again?

 

[Chocolate Bear]

Ok so I'm an attending and I don't get it

I know you are an attending, based on your self-selected status. However, I don't *assume* you know all details of admissions just because you've "been there, done that." No disrespect, meant, however. I was merely pointing out that your argument said that the OP would be, quote, "Taking a spot away from someone who really wants [it]," which is incorrect. That's all. 🙂

Still taking up a lot of folks's time when you don't want to go to that school in the first place. Still not right in my book for the reasons given. It's a moral issue. Whatever.

Now that's a valid argument, and I won't be arguing against it. I don't like the idea of people's time getting wasted and lies being thrown around to work the system. But I'm just discussing the OP's plan and not personally throwing my ideals into it. I figured everyone else would do that, since I've seen it happen a thousand times. And nobody is letting me down. 😀

 

[creativename]

I got accepted into this fall's class at a good DO school, but I think I want to defer my enrollment a year. I don't have a good excuse other than wanting to get into my first choice MD school which I am currently waitlisted at (have about a 50% chance of getting in this year). If I don't get in this cycle, next year I will have a very good chance of getting into the MD school and want to give it another shot. The thing is, since I obviously don't want to tell the DO school admissions my reason for deferment, will they look down on me saying I want to take a year off to just work? Since this is my first choice for DO schools I don't want to put them off so I have a chance again next cycle again. Thanks.

So you applied to the DO school just to see if you could get in? Seems like you're confused. If you don't come off the waitlist at the MD school this year then don't bank on getting in next year. There's no such thing as a sure thing in this business. And if your reason for applying to the DO school was out of fear that you wouldn't get into the MD school and it's actually a backup school then it's not serving its purpose if you're still hung up on your primary school of choice. I'd advise you not to try and have your cake and eat it too but odds are you're going to try anyways. I'm just hoping you're honest with yourself and you realize that the risk you take in not accepting the DO school's offer is one of regret for lost time. Just realize that your intentions aren't really so bad as they are illogical when you're holding out on the hope of getting into plan A yet putting plan B on hold when plan A has obviously failed (I stand corrected if that 50% chance of coming off the waitlist is realized). Take plan B off the table completely if you have no intention of ever using it.

Otherwise 50% is such a good number(sarcasm), I'd say you should risk it all and bet on MD since you're willing to give up a year of practicing medicine for it in the first place.

 

[mechanictodr]

I think it is selfish and tragic that you are taking a spot away from someone who really wants to go to medical school. If you were dead set on the MD school you never should have applied anywhere else. It's not right to have the school hold your spot. Withdraw and apply where you want to really be and let someone else who wants to be a DO have a chance.

Man you guys are so hard on people who are a little concerned with being a DO. Most people don't even hear about being a DO until they get a so so MCAT or something else doesn't go quite right in the application cycle. I've only known about them for about 2 years or so and I'd take my state MD of over the DO too for only one reason, peace of mind. You spend a lot of time working to become a physician and most of us can't come to grips with not getting that MD after our names. I'm pretty sure that I will be a DO and I have no real problem with it, but at the same time I will always know it was because my GPA was low and if I had tried harder when I was younger I would not have had to have that DO title. Don't be so hard on people who can't cope with the DO title. If the AOA was more proactive about getting on TV shows and being in the media letting people know that they are true physicians then it wouldn't be an issue. I work with a girl right now whose parents refuse to let her apply DO because they're new to the country and think DO's are second rate. It's now her 4th time around for MD schools and she's not going to get in, all rejections so far. However, with her work ethic, background, EC's, and MCAT she'd have a great shot at DO schools.

You can't blame people for being afraid of this "unheard of" degree. It's not their fault, and the fact that it comes with another label at the end is like a branding that you were just not up to snuff. That's why I figure many people go to the caribbean schools.

 

[nascardoc]

I got accepted into this fall's class at a good DO school, but I think I want to defer my enrollment a year. I don't have a good excuse other than wanting to get into my first choice MD school which I am currently waitlisted at (have about a 50% chance of getting in this year). If I don't get in this cycle, next year I will have a very good chance of getting into the MD school and want to give it another shot. The thing is, since I obviously don't want to tell the DO school admissions my reason for deferment, will they look down on me saying I want to take a year off to just work? Since this is my first choice for DO schools I don't want to put them off so I have a chance again next cycle again. Thanks.

Couple of things.....First, you need to have a valid reason for deferment. You can't just tell them you want to wait a year. Saying you want to work is NOT a valid reason and actually looks bad, IMO. The question you will inevitably get is, "What would you expect to get out of foregoing a year of school and working? Why put yourself a year behind right off the bat?" Second, even if you defer, you are accepting your spot at the school.....it is not an extended waitlist position. In essence, you are taking a spot for NEXT year's class. Thus, you can't apply to another school. Third, why do you really want the MD school? Is it because you have family, etc in the area or because you don't like the idea of being a DO? If it's the first, you have decisions to make. Either move away and start school or decline your acceptance and give it another go around next year? Do you really want to turn down a guaranteed acceptance for "very good" chance at getting in next year? Do you want to go thru the entire application process again? If it's because you don't want to be a DO, then that is another issue. Either get over it or you shouldn't have applied in the first place. I hate to be blunt, but there is no other way around it.

 

[Chocolate Bear]

In essence, you are taking a spot for NEXT year's class. Thus, you can't apply to another school.

This isn't necessarily true. Not every school makes you sign a contract that says you won't reapply elsewhere.

 

[creativename]

Man you guys are so hard on people who are a little concerned with being a DO. Most people don't even hear about being a DO until they get a so so MCAT or something else doesn't go quite right in the application cycle. I've only known about them for about 2 years or so and I'd take my state MD of over the DO too for only one reason, peace of mind. You spend a lot of time working to become a physician and most of us can't come to grips with not getting that MD after our names. I'm pretty sure that I will be a DO and I have no real problem with it, but at the same time I will always know it was because my GPA was low and if I had tried harder when I was younger I would not have had to have that DO title. Don't be so hard on people who can't cope with the DO title. If the AOA was more proactive about getting on TV shows and being in the media letting people know that they are true physicians then it wouldn't be an issue. I work with a girl right now whose parents refuse to let her apply DO because they're new to the country and think DO's are second rate. It's now her 4th time around for MD schools and she's not going to get in, all rejections so far. However, with her work ethic, background, EC's, and MCAT she'd have a great shot at DO schools.

You can't blame people for being afraid of this "unheard of" degree. It's not their fault, and the fact that it comes with another label at the end is like a branding that you were just not up to snuff. That's why I figure many people go to the caribbean schools.

You sound like you're ashamed to become a DO, as if they're the scarlet letters of medicine. Nobody's twisting your arm to become an osteopathic physician. Show some pride in your second choice profession and act like your training meant something and that's all the peace of mind you'll need at the end of the day.

Could be that the OP just prefers the MD school is all and would be willing to forgo any school (including other allopathics) for the sake of getting into their dream school. My point is it's a balancing act of hope and desperation. You're either unwilling to go to your second choice school because it's not where you have your heart set on going or you're desperate enough to take it because you know realistically it's the smart move. Then there's the can of worms of whether they even like the second school based on what little they know about it. That being the case, there's no telling what the future may hold. There's lots to discover about a place that maybe don't get mentioned in the brochure or tour around the campus. Additionally, I'm not gonna judge the OP even if it's simply a matter of having reservations about going the DO route. Totally understandable. Many of our predecessors probably felt the same way at some point.

But back to the point I was trying to make. Why did the OP even apply to a school they had no intention of attending? Obviously next year they'd be all on board with the idea assuming their first choice remains an unrequited affair. It seems foolish and a waste of time and money. Sure they got in but what difference does it make in the grand scheme. There's peace of mind I suppose since 50% becomes 0% when classes start but they'd be able to keep that 100% on the back burner by getting a deferment. My guess is they can get a deferral and next year they either get into their #1 school or they'll finally give up and settle for second best before wasting too much time in premed limbo. And if it's a matter of money saved at the allopathic university then I retract my reproach against the OP's logic. Do not construe this an endorsement for lying however.

 

[mechanictodr]

You sound like you're ashamed to become a DO, as if they're the scarlet letters of medicine. Nobody's twisting your arm to become an osteopathic physician. Show some pride in your second choice profession and act like your training meant something and that's all the peace of mind you'll need at the end of the day.

Ummm... no.

 

[beckhunter116]

My guess is they can get a deferral and next year they either get into their #1 school or they'll finally give up and settle for second best before wasting too much time in premed limbo.

No every thread on SDN about deferrals are that they are really hard to get. The only thread I ever read about an easy deferral was for class of 2013 at NOVA they were offering people the option to defer if they wanted because of economic issues (it was only that year). Otherwise you need an urgent family issue, or illness.

 

[MLT2MT2DO]

I got accepted into this fall's class at a good DO school, but I think I want to defer my enrollment a year. I don't have a good excuse other than wanting to get into my first choice MD school which I am currently waitlisted at (have about a 50% chance of getting in this year). If I don't get in this cycle, next year I will have a very good chance of getting into the MD school and want to give it another shot. The thing is, since I obviously don't want to tell the DO school admissions my reason for deferment, will they look down on me saying I want to take a year off to just work? Since this is my first choice for DO schools I don't want to put them off so I have a chance again next cycle again. Thanks.

Agree with everyone else, knowing you don't want to go DO why the F are you even trying to defer?

I will now exit this post before using any real obscenities.

 

[dbleoh7]

The matter of deferring is of both monetary and personal reasons. The MD school is less than half the price tag of the DO and I will be taking out loans for 100% of the cost. That is a big concern for me; coming out of medical school with the least amount of debt. The second reason is a peace of mind, as mentioned by someone earlier. All of the residencies that I am interested in are highly competitive, and being a DO puts me at a disadvantage in obtaining these (derm. is my primary choice right now). If I go to the DO school I realize I will probably have to give up my derm. dream, and I'm not sure I want to do that.