How to withdraw an acceptance?

[jc235693]

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I'm looking to withdraw from schools I have been accepted to but was looking for some advice on what to put in the e-mail. Should I write a paragraph saying what I liked about their school but that I ultimately picked school X for another reason? Should I tell them where I am going or just not mention it all? Or should I just write a sentence or two saying I am withdrawing from here and going to school X?

I am not sure what the etiquette is on this issue and want to be polite. Also these are MD/PhD programs so I am e-mailing the directors who I have now met multiple times since I have gone on second visits. So I am thinking they should be more formal/personal than an e-mail that is going to someone at the admissions office you never met. Any advice or help is appreciated. Thanks!

 

[goldenwest]

I'm looking to withdraw from schools I have been accepted to but was looking for some advice on what to put in the e-mail. Should I write a paragraph saying what I liked about their school but that I ultimately picked school X for another reason? Should I tell them where I am going or just not mention it all? Or should I just write a sentence or two saying I am withdrawing from here and going to school X?

I am not sure what the etiquette is on this issue and want to be polite. Also these are MD/PhD programs so I am e-mailing the directors who I have now met multiple times since I have gone on second visits. So I am thinking they should be more formal/personal than an e-mail that is going to someone at the admissions office you never met. Any advice or help is appreciated. Thanks!

Here's one of mine:

To Whom It May Concern:

I have received an acceptance from UTHSCSA (my hometown), and have decided that it would be in my family and I's best interest to stay close to home during my journey through medical school. I appreciate so much your assistance, kindness, and understanding. You have an excellent program that I am sorry to turn down, but at this point it's the considerate thing to do in the interest of other applicants. I gratefully decline my acceptance to your program and am certain there are other amazing applicants who are eager to take my place.

Regards,
goldenwest

 

[slatermd]

I'm looking to withdraw from schools I have been accepted to but was looking for some advice on what to put in the e-mail. Should I write a paragraph saying what I liked about their school but that I ultimately picked school X for another reason? Should I tell them where I am going or just not mention it all? Or should I just write a sentence or two saying I am withdrawing from here and going to school X?

I am not sure what the etiquette is on this issue and want to be polite. Also these are MD/PhD programs so I am e-mailing the directors who I have now met multiple times since I have gone on second visits. So I am thinking they should be more formal/personal than an e-mail that is going to someone at the admissions office you never met. Any advice or help is appreciated. Thanks!

It would be an easy spot if they were MD only programs. The PhD program directors picked you personally, so it does deserve some personal correspondence.

You don't have to give them explanation for why you chose a different program. Just thank them sincerely for their time and their interest in you, but let them know that you have chosen a different program.

 

[jc235693]

Thanks. Goldenwest that example is real helpful.

 

[Musclemass]

... In my family and I's best interest...

rly?

 

[ucsfstudents]

Graciously.

 

[venacontracta]

(via email to main admissions email address)

Dear Dr. [Dean of Admissions]:

I would like to withdraw from the X University School of Medicine Class of 2011. Thank you for your consideration throughout the application process.

Sincerely,

me
AMCAS # x

 

[goldenwest]

rly?

What are they gonna do? Call up my medical school and be like "O NUH HE DI ENT?"

 

[NedStark]

Gonna have to start drafting these. Not sure why, but it's really hard to write them. I genuinely liked all the school's I was accepted to.

Should we tell them in the email where we chose to go instead (and why? ie. scholarship $$$)?

 

[bortenson]

Gonna have to start drafting these. Not sure why, but it's really hard to write them. I genuinely liked all the school's I was accepted to.

Should we tell them in the email where we chose to go instead (and why? ie. scholarship $$$)?

You can tell them as much or as little as you want. I don't think it's going to keep them up at night either way. Sending a letter is merely a courtesy to the school and waitlisted applicants, so as long as your email isn't ambiguous, I don't think it really matters.

If you want to send a nice longer letter, then do it to make yourself feel better/more polite, I really don't think the schools care.

Edit: Also lolnecro

 

[NedStark]

I was thinking of taking the rejection letter they sent to other students and just retooling it for my own purposes.

 

[LaughingMan]

Gonna have to start drafting these. Not sure why, but it's really hard to write them. I genuinely liked all the school's I was accepted to.

Should we tell them in the email where we chose to go instead (and why? ie. scholarship $$$)?

You could also send

"Dear Adcom,

Winter is coming.

Thanks
Ned Stark"

In seriousness, no need to tell them anything about scholarships. Just say thank you but no.

 

[Mako555]

What are they gonna do? Call up my medical school and be like "O NUH HE DI ENT?"

the amazing part is that you wrote it, not the consequences.

Should we tell them in the email where we chose to go instead (and why? ie. scholarship $$$)?

I wouldn't, unless you can do so without saying anything bad about their program.

(via email to main admissions email address)

Dear Dr. [Dean of Admissions]:

I would like to withdraw from the X University School of Medicine Class of 2011. Thank you for your consideration throughout the application process.

Sincerely,

me
AMCAS # x

this is perfect for MD programs but insufficient for MD/PhD where by now you might have a relationship with the dean.

I was thinking of taking the rejection letter they sent to other students and just retooling it for my own purposes.

this will just put the secretary in a bad mood, it's not like the adcom who does the rejecting is going to read this and be like "oh we got burned." Plus, you are sending this to one of the few schools that didn't send you that letter! How ungrateful. It's and old and bad joke, IMO.

 

[WIMNFamilyMed]

Gonna have to start drafting these. Not sure why, but it's really hard to write them. I genuinely liked all the school's I was accepted to.

Should we tell them in the email where we chose to go instead (and why? ie. scholarship $$$)?

I did, in a letter attached to an email where the email said short and simple “I’m withdrawing my acceptance” type statement. I wrote a 3/4 page letter about how good the school was to work with during the cycle cuz I genuinely felt that way - their portal sends a lot of updates about when your application parts have been looked at, and the school even sent like a New Years postcard to its WL candidates and an invite to the Match day live stream. Some other schools didn’t even bother to send me a decision post interview until Feb for a September interview, if I hadn’t called in November to know I was on the waitlist I would’ve have heard anything until Feb.

 

[gyngyn]

Email is fine.

 

[getdown]

What's with all the necro bumps lately.

Anyway, I would go with:

With sincere regret, I must report that I have completed my selection for the 2019 application cycle and will not be able to accept your offer.

I am most grateful to have received an offer from such excellent and qualified institutions. This year, I was accepted to __ number of schools but can only attend one. With so many talented and highly qualified institutions to choose from, I faced a very difficult task.

Although you may be disappointed, my personal wish for you is that you find fulfillment accepting another fine medical applicant.

I thank you for offering me and I send you my very best wishes for a successful class.

Sincerely,

>>>>>>>>>>>

FYI that's the gist of the Harvard Med Rejection letter I found on google with a few changes. Feel free to use, I won't even get mad.

 

[cherrytaffyz]

If I emailed them to withdraw my acceptance and they don't respond, should I assume my acceptance has been withdrawn? I know that admissions' email gets bombarded by material from applicants...

 

[WIMNFamilyMed]

If I emailed them to withdraw my acceptance and they don't respond, should I assume my acceptance has been withdrawn? I know that admissions' email gets bombarded by material from applicants...

No, withdrawal of an acceptance is absolutely something they should confirm. If the school uses a portal, check on there to see if it says your acceptance has been withdrawn. How long has it been since you emailed?

 

[cherrytaffyz]

No, withdrawal of an acceptance is absolutely something they should confirm. If the school uses a portal, check on there to see if it says your acceptance has been withdrawn. How long has it been since you emailed?

2 days ago. I normally wouldn't be worried over a slow response but the April 30 deadline is drawing near...

 

[WIMNFamilyMed]

2 days ago. I normally wouldn't be worried over a slow response but the April 30 deadline is drawing near...

Wait another 2 business days and then try calling is what I would do.