How to decide whether to accept admission

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.

tdod

Full Member
10+ Year Member
Joined
Oct 30, 2011
Messages
260
Reaction score
37
I am a California resident and I will apply to AMCAS MD schools and TMDAS M.D. schools, and D.O. schools (as safety-net). I know that most schools only give about two weeks to accept an admissions offer. So, I am wondering:
  1. If I accept an admissions offer from one school, then get an offer from a higher ranking school, can I accept the new offer?
  2. If I accept an offer from one school, will my acceptance alter the likelihood of receiving interviews or admissions from other school?
  3. Can the fact that I am applying to AMCAS, TMDAS and AACOM schools complicate the matter in any way? My main concern is that I receive an admissions from a D.O. school and accept it, which in turn prevents or lowers the likelihood of admission into other schools.
For the record, my stats are: 3.98 GPA, 35 MCAT, 6 months research, 80 hours shadowing, and 200-350 hours of clinical and volunteering.
 
Last edited:
1) You can accept as many offers as you obtain and hold onto all of them until April 30th when you must withdraw all but one.
2) No. Only in rare cases such as being on a wait list and holding an acceptance at a much higher ranked university will holding an offer help.
3) Nope, just more work for you.

Based on your short app summary, you may find a hard time receiving love from out of Texas if you are a TX resident. Many schools will think you won't attend. You probably don't need any D.O. schools. Good luck!
 
The only issue to think about is that fat check that DO schools expect from you to hold an acceptance. Best way to alleviate that would be to submit the AMCAS as early as you can and hold off on AACOM until ~Sep or Oct. I'm not sure on the TMDAS timelines, but I'd imagine they are similar to the AMCAS ones.
 
I know that most schools only give about two weeks to accept an admissions offer.

This is false. You get two weeks to accept the offer to hold your spot. That agreement is NOT binding, it does NOT mean you plan to attend that school, simply that you'd like to hold on to your acceptance.
 
I am a California resident and I will apply to AMCAS MD schools and TMDAS M.D. schools, and D.O. schools (as safety-net). I know that most schools only give about two weeks to accept an admissions offer. So, I am wondering:
  1. If I accept an admissions offer from one school, then get an offer from a higher ranking school, can I accept the new offer?
  2. If I accept an offer from one school, will my acceptance alter the likelihood of receiving interviews or admissions from other school?
  3. Can the fact that I am applying to AMCAS, TMDAS and AACOM schools complicate the matter in any way? My main concern is that I receive an admissions from a D.O. school and accept it, which in turn prevents or lowers the likelihood of admission into other schools.
For the record, my stats are: 3.98 GPA, 35 MCAT, 6 months research, 80 hours shadowing, and 200-350 hours of clinical and volunteering.

Applying to Texas schools is very low yield for a non resident.
 
I know TMDAS has some sort of Match-esque system, but don't know how it works, if any Texas care to comment/clarify.

Why only Cali and Texas? I would apply to MD schools outside those 2 areas before just going DO.

Cali is low yield even for IS, and Texas' are probably some of the lowest yield (and most expensive) schools for OOS.
 
I know TMDAS has some sort of Match-esque system, but don't know how it works, if any Texas care to comment/clarify.

Why only Cali and Texas? I would apply to MD schools outside those 2 areas before just going DO.

Cali is low yield even for IS, and Texas' are probably some of the lowest yield (and most expensive) schools for OOS.
It's only for TX residents. I was accepted OOS and the match did not apply to me. I found out through the usual way post-interview.

And TX schools are cheap even for OOS. The OOS tuition is TX is cheaper than the IS tuition at the school I'll actually be attending.
 
It's only for TX residents. I was accepted OOS and the match did not apply to me. I found out through the usual way post-interview.

And TX schools are cheap even for OOS. The OOS tuition is TX is cheaper than the IS tuition at the school I'll actually be attending.
Not to mention that the overwhelming majority of OOS accepted to TX schools receive IS tuition anyways.
 
As has been said, Texas is cheap, even for OOS. But it may be low-yield. Yes, they must accept 90% IS, but a 35 is a great MCAT that they may find attractive for OOS acceptances. But given the risk, don't make TX your safety net.

Given your great numbers, choose lower-mid-tiers (not traditional safety schools) for your safety schools. I don't see that you're likely to need DO.
 
I don't see a problem applying to CA DO schools but I would wait until September or October since you will lose that deposit.

Sent from my QTAQZ3 using SDN mobile
 
I have similar stats and only got into my state school and another school where I have a connection. Friends that I have from California with similar stats didn't get in at all this year. Better to add DO and waste a grand if it is financially feasible than to do more than one cycle.

Sent from my QTAQZ3 using SDN mobile
 
Top