How do I avoid yield protection? (527 / 4.0)

[princeofmediocrity]

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Hi everyone,

I am wondering about yield protection and to what extent that exists as well as to what extent I may be able to curtail it.

I am a VA resident with a 527 MCAT and 4.0 GPA. In many cases this puts me several MCAT points above the 90th percentile matriculant for schools I am applying to.

I have a pretty solid application otherwise (I think) with no red flags, solid ECs, great letters, the whole nine.

I am a bit worried about yield protection, especially at some of the state schools and "lower-tier schools" I am applying to. Examples include VCU, Iowa Carver, Cincinnati, Rochester, Hofstra, and Einstein. Is there any good way to avoid this?

I'm especially concerned about Einstein, not so much that they're "known" for yield protecting or whatnot but moreso I want to signal that they are one of my absolute top choices (due largely to the fact that they are $400-450k less expensive than many T20 private MDs when you factor in tuition+interest through residency).

I would really hate to get rejected/waitlisted there because someone doubted I would attend.

Same with the other programs I mentioned, even through it is true that in many cases I would attend a higher ranked program if finances were relatively comparable. I want to have options of course.

Anyways, if anyone has ideas about how I might avoid yield protection so I can make sure I attend a solid program (or Einstein especially, fingers crossed!), I would appreciate it.

Thanks again!

 

[Faha]

Your state public schools will not "yield protect". Schools such as Washington University (in St. Louis) and Vanderbilt like high stat applicants. Einstein, Rochester, Hofstra and Cincinnati will not "yield protect".

 

[LizzyM]

Is there any reason you would expect U VA not to admit you? Is Einstein less expensive that U VA for you as an in-state applicant? You've got your answer right there as to why Einstein might yield protect you. Would you pay full-tuition at Einstein if you also had a 50% tuition scholarship at Wash U in St. Louis? There's another reason to yield protect. The school that knows that it can't compete on price or prestige will yield protect itself when faced with a highly desirable candidate. Don't collect offers just to collect them. Apply to the 15 or 20 schools you will attend if offered a slot and be done with it.

 

[princeofmediocrity]

Is there any reason you would expect U VA not to admit you? Is Einstein less expensive that U VA for you as an in-state applicant? You've got your answer right there as to why Einstein might yield protect you. Would you pay full-tuition at Einstein if you also had a 50% tuition scholarship at Wash U in St. Louis? There's another reason to yield protect. The school that knows that it can't compete on price or prestige will yield protect itself when faced with a highly desirable candidate. Don't collect offers just to collect them. Apply to the 15 or 20 schools you will attend if offered a slot and be done with it.

Not particularly, I think I have an excellent chance at UVA, but Einstein is tuition free now, so it is way less expensive than UVA for me. To the tune of ~215k plus interest for however many years. Barring a large merit scholarship at UVA or elsewhere, I'd attend Einstein.

I'm not really interested in super competitive (or well-paid) specialties and will need to pay full sticker anywhere I go, so cost will be a big factor for me. WashU 50% tuition would be an interesting question though, since a powerhouse like that would have some advantages in terms of clinical training, research, and other opportunities.

 

[LizzyM]

Wash U is pretty well known for offering big scholarships (sometimes 100%) to high MCAT applicants. I had forgotten about the big gift to Einstein. You'll be in line with every other 4.0/524 and you'll need to really make the case for WHY Einstein in keeping with their mission etc. If you had that free ride and Wash U's, or NYU, or wherever else, how would you choose?

 

[princeofmediocrity]

Wash U is pretty well known for offering big scholarships (sometimes 100%) to high MCAT applicants. I had forgotten about the big gift to Einstein. You'll be in line with every other 4.0/524 and you'll need to really make the case for WHY Einstein in keeping with their mission etc. If you had that free ride and Wash U's, or NYU, or wherever else, how would you choose?

Fair enough. I would certainly choose NYU or WashU, to your point. However, such offers are of course far from guaranteed.

I also do have some mission fit with Einstein due to their location, focus, and clinical population especially in my areas of interest. I will be sure to highlight this point in interviews, and also if their secondaries provide a "Why Einstein" or the like.

Thank you very much for your advice!

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Previously

Thread 'Deleted'

Jun 2, 2025

Deleted

• princeofmediocrity
• Replies: 2
• Forum: What Are My Chances? WAMC Medical

Your in-state programs should not exclude you due to yield protection. However, they could exclude you if your profile clearly doesn't fit with their mission and offerings. They can make the call because of their experience with other applicants with a similar profile as yours.

Again, you need 250 hours of service orientation experience MINIMUM to keep pace with other applicants with your metrics. Your mission fit with a place like Einstein isn't just about where you have lived... your actions and history must back your vision.

 

[Goro]

Hi everyone,

I am wondering about yield protection and to what extent that exists as well as to what extent I may be able to curtail it.

I am a VA resident with a 527 MCAT and 4.0 GPA. In many cases this puts me several MCAT points above the 90th percentile matriculant for schools I am applying to.

I have a pretty solid application otherwise (I think) with no red flags, solid ECs, great letters, the whole nine.

I am a bit worried about yield protection, especially at some of the state schools and "lower-tier schools" I am applying to. Examples include VCU, Iowa Carver, Cincinnati, Rochester, Hofstra, and Einstein. Is there any good way to avoid this?

I'm especially concerned about Einstein, not so much that they're "known" for yield protecting or whatnot but moreso I want to signal that they are one of my absolute top choices (due largely to the fact that they are $400-450k less expensive than many T20 private MDs when you factor in tuition+interest through residency).

I would really hate to get rejected/waitlisted there because someone doubted I would attend.

Same with the other programs I mentioned, even through it is true that in many cases I would attend a higher ranked program if finances were relatively comparable. I want to have options of course.

Anyways, if anyone has ideas about how I might avoid yield protection so I can make sure I attend a solid program (or Einstein especially, fingers crossed!), I would appreciate it.

Thanks again!

None of those schools will resource protect you.