Deposits and Deferrals

[JmanDO]

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So I'm an MD/PhD applicant and I'm almost done with interviews and I have a question. I would very much like to defer my acceptance, should I receive one and I have some interesting service projects lined up so I won't be sitting on my ass for a year.

I want to know whether, when I send a letter asking for a year's deferral, if my request holds more weight if I pay the deposit for the school before asking. Does it show that I'm really committed to attending their school? Does it anchor my acceptance (can they rescind your acceptance for asking since these programs are very competitive and selective)?

 

[Catalystik]

I would pay the deposit. You generally have a limited timeframe in which to acknowledge an offer of acceptance with a deposit. When you petition for a deferral (the MSAR will tell you which schools will even consider such a request) it might take awhile for your request to be considered at the next committee meeting.

You will get your deposit back if you withdraw before May 15 anyway. You'll surely know the answers before then.

 

[JmanDO]

Is there a way to view the MSAR by now w/o buying it? At least to view what you just mentioned?
When would be an appropriate time to ask in order to hear their decision by May 15th? I haven't even received financial info yet.

But yea, I was drifting the same way, pay first, ask later.

To get a deposit refund, do I have to request a withdrawal before (or on) May 15th or do they just send refunds to anyone they don't have confirmed as attending that year? (which would be a ton easier b/c I only have to make one call of acceptance instead of many of wthdrwls.)

 

[Catalystik]

You should be able to find a copy of the MSAR in your pre-health advising office or reference library.

You will automatically get the refund if the school gets the Withdrawal of Acceptance letter from you before May 15, but it's fine to mention that you'd appreciate the refund in the letter you send.

By sending in the deposit, you are accepting a school's offer of a seat. If you don't send in the deposit within the timeframe specified in the Letter of Acceptance, they will assume you didn't want it and give it to someone else. There is no limit to the number of seats you can hold (unless you have a small checking account). But you will have to withdraw from each one specifically to get your money back. If you keep more than one seat after May 15, you will get annoyed letters from AMCAS, risk losing all the seats you hold since that is a violation of their services, and lose your money.

 

[JmanDO]

So its generally a better idea to make your decision (which means asking and receiving a deferral response) before that date and be settled by the 15th, maybe start wdrw the week before.

 

[Catalystik]

Yes.