Foxy's Temple Dilemma

[Doctora Foxy]

I posted this on medicalgold.com, but I thought you guys might have some good advice as well:

Today I found out that I'm in the probable category of acceptance off the alternate list to Temple University (the categories are probable, possible, and unlikely). The letter seemed extremely optimistic and said that chances of acceptance over the summer for people in my category are high, and usually most people in that category get in.

My problem is that the school at which I hold an acceptance to (Finch/CMS) starts very early, with orientation on July 22nd and classes on July 29th. Temple says they accept people up until August 28th. <img src="http://www.uniquehardware.co.uk/server-smilies/cwm/3dlil/puke.gif" alt=" - " />

Is there anything I can do to get into Temple before I'm forced to go to CMS? I'm very happy to be accepted anywhere right now, but Temple is close to my relatives and I'd much rather be on the east coast where I grew up.

Any advice? Do you think there's a good chance I'll get into Temple by the end of July? Any way around that aamc rule about withdrawing all applications once you matriculate? Should I write a letter to Temple even though their files are closed? Should I have my undergrad premed advisor make a call?

I was about to send in a deposit for an apartment near CMS, but now I'm not going to...so I might have to scramble for housing if I end up going there afterall.

Thanks everyone, I appreciate your advice

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[Darth Vader]

I *think* that most people that are taken off the waitlist are taken off well before august. You should call temple though and inform them of your predicament. Make sure that they know that they are your number one choice. If possible, and your not too nervous about it, I would suggest trying to speak to the dean of admissions him/herself. Receptionists are more likely just to tell you that there is nothing that they can do about it.

 

[oldman]

awww, if you aren't in chicago, how am i gonna road trip out there??? j/k go where your heart takes you!

 

[Doctora Foxy]

Oh and by the way, Gower from medicalgold (that retired premed advisor) says most movement for Temple occurs in August <img src="http://www.uniquehardware.co.uk/server-smilies/otn/sad/mecry.gif" alt=" - " />

 

[Diogenes]

I think you pretty much have to start class in late July, if you haven't heard from Temple by then. Because if you don't, and don't get in to Temple, you're screwed. Let Temple know exactly what the situation is, and maybe they will make an effort to give you a spot, if there is one available before late July.

 

[vixen]

I think you should tell your premed advisor your dilemma...see what they can do...also tell Temple you'll def go there, but need to know before CMS's orientation...see what they can offer.

 

[Doctora Foxy]

Thanks for the advice so far everyone

I'm kind of scared to say to them that they are my number one choice because UF is! But I know I would definitely attend Temple over CMS. :wink:

 

[Katie]

foxy,

i read on another thread that the temple waitlist is due to start moving next week, so you are in good shape. but it still wouldn't hurt to let them know that you are holding onto another acceptance but would rather go to Temple and need to know before Finch's start date. I did this with Tufts (which was my #1 choice since my state school told me I had virtually no chance of getting in)right after I got into SLU and received an acceptance via phone less than 24 hours after sending the e-mail. good luck!

 

[Diogenes]

Even if they are closed-file at this point you should be able to speak with someone in their admissions office about the specifics of your circumstance. Tell them that you would rather go to Temple than CMS but that you must start classes at CMS by that date. See what they can do.... maybe it's nothing, but maybe there is something they can do.

 

[mamadoc]

Hey Foxy.....

It's okay to tell Temple that they're your #1 choice - really, it is. I know it feels a little skanky to do that but AdComs are familiar with the situation you're in. I suspect that, as much as we'd all like to think that it makes a huge difference to tell a school that they're our #1, their reaction is "Yeah, right, until s/he hears from their *real* #1." I have a sneaking suspicion that they don't pay as much attention to those statements as we'd like. (I've heard of too many people never getting love from the schools they swore were their #1 choice, even when they really WERE #1)

Anyway, the bottom line is, what can they do to you if you tell them they're #1 and then you don't go there? Answer: nothing. They're not *interested* in doing anything to you! They'll just move to the next person on the list. Their goal is to make sure they've got people in the seats on the first day -- whose deposit checks have cleared :wink: They won't be mad at you or hold a grudge, or tell the residency director at Temple that you were a skunk. Honest, they just don't.

I agree with everyone else who has said that you should tell Temple honestly about your dilemma and throw yourself on their mercy, AND get your pre-med advisor to work the phones as well. Good luck!

(and I'd really like to see you get into GWU too!)
MS-III, GWU SOM

 

[Jalby]

What I would do is write them a letter about how much you would love to go there, just like you would write a letter of intent, but then let the letter get hijacked by your situation. But definately call and harass them as much as posssible and always say stuff like "I really really want to go to Temple, but CMS starts in 21 days"

But congratulations on getting into temple. This means that you prolly will get to sit through a lot of other waitlists.

 

[maitai]

i got a similar call from usf before i was accepted. they said you're in the next 5 to get off, and we think you will, are you interested. and i didn't tell them they were my number one choice (they aren't, and i would feel bad if later i turned them down), but i did say that if accepted, i would DEFINITELY accept them over wake forest. i think that's all they want to hear; they can't really ask for more right now. so yes, i'd talk to your advisor and also contact temple and tell them your dilemma and how much more you love them than finch. good luck!

 

[encee]

I agree w/ what others are saying--CALL! CALL! CALL! The files are closed so they might not re-review files (I think they already have a ranked list but won't disclose the info), so I think calling over phone is the best option.

It is a suggestion but if you had a good interviewer, you might want to contact interviewer too. Perhaps interviewer could reach the adcom from the other end and convince them they NEED you there!

I have heard that CMS starts earlier so that they don't have to deal w/ people dropping spots last minute. I don't know of any way to get out of going there if another school accepts you.

For all your waitlisted schools, you gots to be aggressive. Time is limited before CMS starts, so do what you can elsewhere. If it does not happen, then go to CMS with a smile knowing you are going to be an MD and you did what you could. If it does work and you go elsewhere, then know that your efforts really counted.
I know the waitlists are SO AGGRIVATING, but remember--it could be worse, like having to reapply again !

Hang in there!

 

[psyche]

I applaud Temple for giving you a more accurate view of your chances, but it still seems weird that a school would go on record as saying you'll "probably" get in but not give you the official welcome. Talk about a tease!

Foxy, you are extremely likable--this whole board seems to be pulling for you. Use your charm. Call monday morning and do your thing with the admissions folks. Explain the timing problem without sounding like you're asking for special treatment. Finch's unusually early start date may actually work in your favor if it prods them to act sooner. Write a letter making clear why you're a good fit for Temple. Enlist the help of your pre-med advisor if you think that will help. You have nothing to lose and no one is going to fault you for over-enthusiasm. Don't dwell too much on Gower's info about late acceptances at Temple. He's helpful but tends to be downbeat. Now is the time for you to be up. Knock 'em dead.

 

[UCLA2000]

FOXY! Here's what you should do.

1. Call Temple and tell them that if they accept you off of the probable list that you'll go to their school. Make sure to tell them that you are currently accepted to Finch and since Finch starts earlier than Temple you need to know ASAP.
Explain that you were told that most people were accepted in August and Finch starts in July.

I would also write a letter AND an email. If you can get your premed advisor to write a letter on your behalf I'd do that too. It can't hurt!

If temple accepts you, make sure to get it in writing (Even if it's just a fax) before you withdraw from Finch.

I hope Temple takes you, it would be great to be in the same city as you!

 

[Doctora Foxy]

Wow, thanks for your advice everyone! I really appreciate it.

I'll definitely write a letter and an email this weekend and Monday morning I'll call up my advisor and see what he can do and then I'll call Temple. I hope it works out!

 

[anxiousmed]

Foxy I wish you the best of luck...(if you stay in chicago...we would be classmates!)

 

[Doctora Foxy]

This was Gower's response to my post:

•••quote:•••How much of a gambler are you and how steely are your nerves? You can withdraw from CMS and wait on Temple. You are not forced to go to CMS, and if necessary you can reapply the next year (I erred in saying you cannot). You might ask Dean Simmons to make a call to Temple for you; he is more likely to find out more than you are. He or you might ask if you do not make Temple this year, is it worth applying ED for next year.

Good luck!••••I don't have the guts to withdraw from CMS just to wait on Temple....would any of you do that?

 

[Mystique]

I wouldn't withdraw from CMS w/out an acceptance from Temple in hand. That's too risky IMHO. I would let Temple know that you really really want to go there (and let it be known when CMS starts) and would drop your spot at CMS if accepted. Leila and UCLA2K have very good advice.

 

[scootad.]

I dont think that's very sound advice. That would be very risky, and if you don't get in off the Temple waitlist and reapply after having withdrawn a guaranteed acceptance this year, schools will look down on that when you reapply.

 

[jalan2]

I don't have that kind of guts. But sounds like you have a great plan to follow up with.

You're a way-cool gal and we're all rootin' for you. Best of luck, Foxy!

 

[Biffer]

Foxxxxxxy!! U must do all in your power to persuade temple admissions to accept you NOW!! penn, temple, hahneman, jefferson,and PCOM--philly must have the most SDNers! you gotta make yourself known to admissions--my advice: send a picture!haha.
best of luck and hope to see you here in the fall,
biff

 

[Spiderman [RNA Ladder 2003]]

Or you can call them and tell them that you do have an acceptance frm another school but you really want to to fo to TEMPLE and will matriculate if accepted. Tell them that Temple is you first chocie.
You can even send a letter of intent but a phone call would be the speedies thing to do.

 

[KyGrlDr2B]

You would have to be crazy to withdraw from your only acceptance thus far because you *might* have a chance at another school. I would let them know that your school starts really early. Other than that, there really doesn't seem to be much you can do, besides wait. At least you know you are going to be a doctor no matter what.

 

[UCLA2000]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by Doctora Foxy:
•This was Gower's response to my post:

•••quote:•••How much of a gambler are you and how steely are your nerves? You can withdraw from CMS and wait on Temple. You are not forced to go to CMS, and if necessary you can reapply the next year (I erred in saying you cannot). You might ask Dean Simmons to make a call to Temple for you; he is more likely to find out more than you are. He or you might ask if you do not make Temple this year, is it worth applying ED for next year.

Good luck!••••I don't have the guts to withdraw from CMS just to wait on Temple....would any of you do that?•••••I think that maybe you need to reread my advice Foxy. I think it was pretty sound.

 

[Doctora Foxy]

UCLA2K: I am taking your advice, I was just wondering what others thought about that situation. :wink:

 

[Acro Yali]

Someone said writing to Temple and let them know your situation and I think this is the best way to go. If they really want you and are considerate enough, they will probably let you in. If they dont, you probably don't want to go there anyway.

 

[Doctora Foxy]

Thanks for the advice everyone I called yesterday morning to tell Temple of my predicament and they accepted me today by phone! I had NO IDEA I would get into UF yesterday by mail, so I feel so weird about this....I'm pretty sure I'm gonna withdraw from Temple, but I'm giving myself a day to think it over since I've been tortured for so long waiting! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" />

 

[oldman]

yay, this is the kind of problem many people dream about!