HELP! Possible to accept then back out?

[catattack292]

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So I've been accepted to one school so far, and I've got to decide within the next week to accept or decline the offer and pay a $100 deposit. The thing is, I know this school isn't a good fit, but I'm scared I won't get offers elsewhere even though there are many schools I haven't heard from yet. Is it possible for me to pay my despot and accept then back out if I get in elsewhere?

 

[pvn]

Yea, you can always back out.

 

[redrose424]

So I've been accepted to one school so far, and I've got to decide within the next week to accept or decline the offer and pay a $100 deposit. The thing is, I know this school isn't a good fit, but I'm scared I won't get offers elsewhere even though there are many schools I haven't heard from yet. Is it possible for me to pay my despot and accept then back out if I get in elsewhere?

Yes you just lose the deposit.

 

[scrawnyguy]

You'd lose the 100 bucks, but that's not too bad. I think Nova Southeastern charges $1000. It'd be a little harder to eat a grand if you changed your mind.

 

[katelly]

If you know the school isn't a good fit would you go there? If not- don't lead yourself on thinking you might end up there. Cross it off and move on. Also don't sell yourself short that you won't get other acceptances.

I feel like I would appreciate the offer but ultimately I would hold out for other schools, and then start making the most of the next year knowing that I may be waiting an extra year. I originally was going to apply to a lot of schools, and then whittled it down to ones I would love to go to. If I don't get in this year I will wait an extra year, but I would rather that then go just anywhere.

 

[steveyk]

If you know the school isn't a good fit would you go there? If not- don't lead yourself on thinking you might end up there. Cross it off and move on. Also don't sell yourself short that you won't get other acceptances.

I feel like I would appreciate the offer but ultimately I would hold out for other schools, and then start making the most of the next year knowing that I may be waiting an extra year. I originally was going to apply to a lot of schools, and then whittled it down to ones I would love to go to. If I don't get in this year I will wait an extra year, but I would rather that then go just anywhere.

I think it depends on your age. If you're a new college grad or a senior, you might be okay waiting a year but for some other non-trads in mid 20s or 30s, an extra year is a bigger deal. If I were you I would secure a spot on a DPT class if offered one for sure. $1000 is a lot of money, but not in the grand scheme of things. I admire the boldness and fully committing to a certain program that you enjoy but it really depends on where you are at personally and what your goals are.

 

[redrose424]

If you know the school isn't a good fit would you go there? If not- don't lead yourself on thinking you might end up there. Cross it off and move on. Also don't sell yourself short that you won't get other acceptances.

I feel like I would appreciate the offer but ultimately I would hold out for other schools, and then start making the most of the next year knowing that I may be waiting an extra year. I originally was going to apply to a lot of schools, and then whittled it down to ones I would love to go to. If I don't get in this year I will wait an extra year, but I would rather that then go just anywhere.

Agreed with steveyk. It seems silly to me to spend all the time, heartache, and money interviewing and applying to schools and then not going to one because it isn't your "dream school." I mean, the idea of this is nice but I just don't find it to be realistic. I would go to my last choice school if it were my only option and meant me becoming a PT.

 

[catattack292]

Okay thanks for the answers. This isn't a PTCAS school, so I'm not sure if that makes a difference. The school is Texas Tech, and I didn't realize until the interview that lectures are broadcasted from different campuses. I'd be at the Odessa campus, and there would wouldn't be many professors on campus to be there to help which hands on which really turned me off from the school. I did well in my undergrad because I had such easy access to my professors. And I went to a gigantic public university so being a at a campus with less than 15 other PT students really bothers me as well.

 

[katelly]

Ultimately this is about as personal decision as it gets. I am 29 so definitely a nontraditional student. But I have a great life right now. I don't make much money but I also don't want to upend it all to go to a school that isn't appealing. Mostly it comes down to getting into an affordable program for me. I feel like I can afford an extra year to get into the right school more then I can afford extra tens of thousands of dollars to go to a lot of programs that I might have an easier time getting into.
I would also have a pretty big problem with broadcasted lectures so I can understand your hesitation. On the other hand I appreciate small class sizes. Do they have one or two faculty who are always on campus and can help with any of the broadcasted classes you take? I have had quite a bit of trouble contacting the professors for online classes I have taken this year. I would want to know that wouldn't be an issue.
Maybe in the end 100 dollars isn't that much and would be worth paying to hold your spot until you can make a more informed decision. In the end I have heard from a lot of PTs that as long as you get a degree and get licensed it doesn't matter where you go to school. If you are motivated you will do well even with broadcasted classes.

 

[tcpt]

So I've been accepted to one school so far, and I've got to decide within the next week to accept or decline the offer and pay a $100 deposit. The thing is, I know this school isn't a good fit, but I'm scared I won't get offers elsewhere even though there are many schools I haven't heard from yet. Is it possible for me to pay my despot and accept then back out if I get in elsewhere?

It is curious that you were committed enough to apply in the first place, accept an offer, and then consider backing out. If the school wasn't a good fit, then why did you apply?

 

[starrsgirl]

This is an easy decision for me....you seem pretty clear about what you need and what has been successful to you in the past. Doing a distance type program is for some people and not for others. I would trust your gut on this one and just turn it down if that style of program isn't the best match At this point in your academic career, I think it's important to trust yourself and your history. It would be the most respectful move to turn the school down now and allow them to pass on the slot to someone else. Sure, you run the risk of not getting in somewhere else, but there's also the risk of not doing very well your first year in PT school if you are really a poor fit for distance type lectures (and being miserable).

 

[okramango]

While everyone brings up good points, it is completely fine to put down a deposit and then back out later, whether it's a PTCAS program or not. This is a very common part of applying to PT school.

 

[catattack292]

It is curious that you were committed enough to apply in the first place, accept an offer, and then consider backing out. If the school wasn't a good fit, then why did you apply?

I didn't know it wasn't a good fit until my interview. That's why.