Good "problem"...attend interviews or not?

[closertofine]

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Hi, I haven't been here in a while, since I've been out interviewing, so I may have missed a thread about this subject... but I have a dilemma about whether or not I should accept offers for interviews at two schools. Just to clarify, so that I don't really offend someone (though I may still do that accidentally), I know very well that this is a GOOD problem to have...and I am very thankful to have it. Still, I'm not sure what to do.

So I've found out already that I've been accepted at two schools, Wash U and Baylor. I liked both schools when I visited them, and I'm applying for merit scholarships at Wash U. And I know that if I did get a full-tuition scholarship to Wash U, I would definitely go there.

But I won't find out about the scholarship until late March...and I've been invited to interviews at three other schools (Emory, Tulane, and Cornell) scheduled before then. I know that generally, it makes sense to go to all the interviews because I don't know which school I would like best, or where I would get in.

But after these past few plane flights, my money is running low... my parents have offered to take money out of my med school fund to help me pay for them, but I'd rather not do that. Plus, I don't want to interview at a school that I would not attend if I was accepted there.

So I think I'd rather go to Wash U than to Tulane (so I may not go to the Tulane interview), but Cornell poses more of a problem...because I have never visited there, and I don't know how it compares to Wash U. Still, maybe I should just be happy with my acceptance at Wash U (and I am happy with it!) and not bother with interviews anywhere else.

Anyone have ideas on how to decide this? One of my main issues is the thought that if I get a scholarship at Wash U, I will probably give little consideration to going to another school...so I would have "wasted" my money going to these extra interviews. But of course, I don't know that I'm going to get a scholarship, so if the money were equal at both schools, I'm not sure whether I would go to Cornell or Wash U.

And I think that the knowledge that I do have an acceptance at a great school makes me not try as hard at interviews. I just came back from Harvard, and I'm not sure how the interviews there went, but I tried to keep from "falling in love" with the school because I know that I couldn't really go there if I got a scholarship at Wash U.

The weather up in Boston is probably too cold for me, anyway! That's unfortunately a consideration for me...I'm dealing with more muscle pain than usual from my trip up North...so I have even considered choosing Baylor over Wash U simply because of the weather! But I guess med students don't get outdoors too much so I guess maybe it doesn't matter so much...

OK, I apologize again if I offended anyone with my "problem"...I repeat that I am very relieved and glad to be dealing with this issue, and I'm not complaining...just trying to figure out what to do!

Thanks,

Karen44

 

[omarsaleh66]

yo i think u should stick w wash u and baylor

unless u think the other schools can give u a scholarship...


peace

Omar

 

[Eraserhead]

Dont go to the Cornell one... it will reduce my chances of getting in... JK...

No, seriously I'd stop where you are unless you have a specific interest in the particular school. I think if you have to ponder the decision for awhile you might as well not go... there are tons of us who would kill for those opportunities and board a plane the following day.

 

[jlee9531]

just stick with what you got. you prolly have a good chance at the scholarships at washu. baylor is an awesome school to have as a "backup"

now if you didnt have acceptances then id say go to all of them...but you are basically all set. save your money.

 

[bigbaubdi]

Originally posted by karen44
So I think I'd rather go to Wash U than to Tulane (so I may not go to the Tulane interview), but Cornell poses more of a problem...because I have never visited there, and I don't know how it compares to Wash U. Still, maybe I should just be happy with my acceptance at Wash U (and I am happy with it!) and not bother with interviews anywhere else.

First of congrats on getting into WashU and Baylor - those are both fantastic schools! Hats off to you!

Personally, I would definitely go to WashU over Cornell and Baylor, if I had the choice between the three schools.

That said, I would still go to the Cornell interview. Cornell has a unique teaching style that may or may not suit your specific interests. Though WashU might be a better opportunity for you than Cornell, Cornell might be a better fit for you (if you get in).

If WashU gives you a full tuition scholarship though, then the choice is a slam dunk!

 

[sgilani]

save your money or use whatever's left to go on a vacation. the number of times you mentioned washu in your post makes it clearly that your heart is pretty much set.

 

[markus21]

I think if your mind is not settled, go to one more interview like Cornell (it sounds like that's the one you would go for if you had to choose just one). I think deep inside, you know the answer to that yourself.

 

[BerkeleyPremed]

First of all...CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wash U and Baylor are both amazing schools.

Ok..now to business...If you're 100% POSITIVE that Washington University is for you...then I would just cancel the interviews at Cornell and the rest of the schools. However, I really do think you should at least give the Cornell interview a shot because you stated that you don't know very much about the school, location, etc and ..who knows? You could fall in love with that school...or you could hate it with a passion not yet realized by modern man.

Personally, if I was in your position...I would go to all the interviews that I was given...then again, my circumstances are different because I don't have to worry about financial difficulties (my parents would pay for it). However, keeping your financial situation in mind, I think you should maybe just go to to the Cornell interview and cancel the rest.

Whatever you choose, best of luck to you. And again, congratulations! ***applause***

 

[Mr. Rosewater]

i would certainly take a look at Cornell. it's a top school in the greatest city in the world. you will make amazing connections for residency that you just can't make anywhere else (at least if you're interested in the NE). As for the money, think of it this way:

If Wash U gives no scholarship, then you might really consider Cornell.

If Wash U gives full scholarship, then you're saving 140K, who cares that you dropped a few hundred on a trip to NY.

 

[bonez318ti]

just curious..

what kind of stats does it take to get a full merit scholarship to a med school?

i didnt even think that there were merit scholarships once u get to the grad school level..

 

[ek6]

Cornell is a top notch school - maybe you'd like NYC too! The other two, maybe, wouldn't be as appealing when you compare them to the schools you've gotten into thus far - but Cornell is tough to top relative to any school.

I think 4 years is a LONG time, so taking another 400-500 bucks to see another couple schools is nothing. You're worrying about dipping into your parents "medical school funds"? Wow, that's awesome that you even have one set up! In that respect, especially, another couple of plane tickets and hotel costs are NOTHING.

 

[Newquagmire]

Originally posted by Mr. Rosewater
If Wash U gives full scholarship, then you're saving 140K, who cares that you dropped a few hundred on a trip to NY.

Agreed. If you do end up getting a full ride, think of it as a nice holiday in NYC paid for by WashU. I understand the money situation, but it's a relative drop in the bucket.

That said, WU is probably a better medical school, but Cornell's location is enviable if you're a city person. If you don't like the cold weather in Boston, you're probably not going to like the cold weather in Manhattan. You're also going to have to explain to people outside (and inside!) medicine that Weill is not in Ithaca.

Congrats!

 

[zepplinfan]

Originally posted by bonez318ti
just curious..

what kind of stats does it take to get a full merit scholarship to a med school?

i didnt even think that there were merit scholarships once u get to the grad school level..

You'd be surprised actually. From what I've seen (friends I've seen get full tution at schools) it's really all about the impression you make on the adcoms (I don't think it's really the numbers). My friend had an avg. GPA 3.5 or so and nothing spect. MCAT (34 or 5) and got offered full rides at 2 med schools. Most of all, he didn't even have to apply for the scholarship. both schools gave it to him when they found out the other gave it to him.

Me on the other hand, well I'll just settle for a measly acceptance letter if/when it ever will arrive.

OH, and CONGRATS on the acceptances at Baylor and WashU! WELL DONE!

Zep

 

[closertofine]

Originally posted by bigbaubdi

That said, I would still go to the Cornell interview. Cornell has a unique teaching style that may or may not suit your specific interests. Though WashU might be a better opportunity for you than Cornell, Cornell might be a better fit for you (if you get in).

Thanks, bigbaubdi...I have been trying to find out more about Cornell...what do you mean by a unique teaching style? Sorry for asking if this is something I could easily find on the internet...but I have checked the MSAR, and it does seem like they have a lot of small groups and tutorials (the main reason I applied), but I'm not sure how the teaching style is different.

Thanks,

Karen44

 

[closertofine]

To all of you who replied, thanks for the congrats...I know that I am lucky to have two acceptances already. I'm still on the fence about whether or not to go to the Cornell interview, although I've pretty much decided that I will decline the Tulane offer.

One other factor I forgot to mention...I still haven't heard a word back from UCSF after I sent in my secondary...and although I haven't visited there, it's been my "dream" school since I first decided to apply to med school. If I get an interview there, it will be hard for me to turn it down...but then again, getting an interview is not very likely...so we'll see...

Anyway, thanks for the advice and congrats...

Karen44

 

[closertofine]

Originally posted by ek6
Cornell is a top notch school - maybe you'd like NYC too! The other two, maybe, wouldn't be as appealing when you compare them to the schools you've gotten into thus far - but Cornell is tough to top relative to any school.

I think 4 years is a LONG time, so taking another 400-500 bucks to see another couple schools is nothing. You're worrying about dipping into your parents "medical school funds"? Wow, that's awesome that you even have one set up! In that respect, especially, another couple of plane tickets and hotel costs are NOTHING.

Yes, well, the "medical school funds" were actually college funds... but since I got a full ride in undergrad, they've turned into med school funds! Right now I'm leaning towards agreeing with you that I should go to the interview...although time to reply to the offer is probably getting tight, since I got the email from Cornell nearly a week ago, I think. So I'd better decide quick... but you definitely make a good point.

 

[Eraserhead]

Cornell, my first choice, is huge on PBL... MWF mornings at 8am you have a small group discussion that you prepare for beforehand and it usually stems from a patient anecdote/situation... but don't quote me on that...

The number of lecture hours is very small... and they have a journal club that meets once a week... let's see... block system... nothing is traditional about Cornell...

so if you are into learning in groups but are independently motivated to read and research on your own, then it would probably suit your learning style. Also, I really hate sitting in the same place all day taking notes on things I won't remember anyway, and so the small amount of lecture time is great too.

I'm not sure there is anything unique about the "teaching style" per se... its more about the non-traditional set up and increased time and freedom to learn on your own... they are done by 1pm everyday too, I remember that...

Good luck deciding.

 

[MeowMix]

I decided to simplify the process for everyone - me, the adcoms, and other students - by withdrawing from as many places as possible once I got accepted to a decent school.

 

[Chrisobean]

Originally posted by MeowMix
I decided to simplify the process for everyone - me, the adcoms, and other students - by withdrawing from as many places as possible once I got accepted to a decent school.

how gracious of you... but too bad that you are the minority!

 

[JohnHolmes]

Originally posted by karen44
I just came back from Harvard, and I'm not sure how the interviews there went, but I tried to keep from "falling in love" with the school because I know that I couldn't really go there if I got a scholarship at Wash U.

LOL,

It's hard not to, isn't it 🙂

Coops

 

[ixitixl]

Originally posted by MeowMix
I decided to simplify the process for everyone - me, the adcoms, and other students - by withdrawing from as many places as possible once I got accepted to a decent school.

Same. If I get into my state school, I'm withdrawing everything else.