I have decided to withdraw my application, now how do I courteously complete the process?

[Z.Marie]

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Situation: I took my MCAT (for the first time) in late June after being pleased with my AAMC Official Practice exam scores, submitted my primaries while waiting for my scores, and ended up receiving a very bad score (<505). I want to note that all of my practice exams had been 8-10 pts higher than my actual score, so this was a bit of a shock to me. My primary has been processed/verified and was only submitted to ONE school (my state school) because I had planned on adding more schools once I received my score. I received a secondary from that school, but have not completed it. After much consideration, I have decided to withdraw my application from that school and this application cycle, as I want to have more options for schools and time to improve my MCAT score.

Questions:

(1) Do I need to formally withdraw my AMCAS application?
(2) Do I need to call the school that I am withdrawing my candidacy from? In the secondary, they had a form link copied for candidacy withdrawal. They also automatically withdraw you if you don't submit the secondary by a deadline. Would it be nice to also call or is it unnecessary?
(3) How do I notify my letter writers and supporters? This may seem trivial, but I was originally hesitant about the withdrawal process because I did not want to disappoint/lose the confidence of my letter writers, pre-health committee (who also wrote me a committee letter despite my low score), and essay reviewers. I dislike the feeling that all of their work and support was wasted after this cycle.
(4) Can someone confirm that schools which I apply to in the future (other than the one I am withdrawing from) will NOT be notified about this withdrawal? I know that I will be considered a re-applicant for the state school.

In summary, I want to end this process in the most courteous way possible, without burning any bridges or losing the confidence of my networks. This was a very difficult and frustrating decision for me to make, as my other stats (GPA, research, extracurriculars, etc) were considered competitive by my pre-health advisors.

Thank you in advance, I appreciate any advice.

Z.Marie

 

[imbesrs]

1) I dont think you need to do anything with your AMCAS app if it is already processed/verified
2) It is courteous to email the school that you submitted to and state in a brief email that you intend to withdraw your app - do any formal withdraw procedures if they have any. That way you stay on good terms for next cycle
3) I would talk in person and be honest and say you werent ready after you got your score back. Mention that your score ended up not being near the scores you were getting on practice exams so you didn't want to follow through. You came to your senses and wanted to make a mature decision. Being honest can potentially help you get updated letter revisions for next cycle! They would appreciate the fact that you reached out to them because you do care about the value they contribute to your application.
4) Because your application has been verified (i assume), you are a reapplicant in every sense of the word. Some school secondaries may not ask about general reapplicants, and only ever ask "Have you ever applied to our school in the past" to which you can say no. But some secondaries ask "Have you ever applied to medical school" to which you must say yes because you have a previously verified application.

 

[DNAJB6]

Why withdraw? You'll still be considered a reapplicant next year. I'd ride the one application out. Granted you are unlikely to get an acceptance unless it is a DO school, but you could get lucky.

 

[deleted480308]

Do not withdraw. You’re already going to be a reapplicant, on the chance you get in you save ~200k by getting started.

It’s not a given you will do much better (if at all) on a retake

 

[907914]

It is still relatively early in the DO cycle. If the rest of your app is as good as you thought your MCAT would be, you should throw 5-10 apps at DO schools and try that route.

 

[993444]

It is still relatively early in the DO cycle. If the rest of your app is as good as you thought your MCAT would be, you should throw 5-10 apps at DO schools and try that route.

I wouldn't be too sure about that. The DO cycle gets more and more competitive each year. I spoke recently with the director of admissions of a DO school and she said that this year completing your file by the end of September is crucial.

 

[Z.Marie]

I wouldn't be too sure about that. The DO cycle gets more and more competitive each year. I spoke recently with the director of admissions of a DO school and she said that this year completing your file by the end of September is crucial.

Personally, I am pretty set on attending a MD school and willing to wait an extra year if that means I will actually I have chance to apply with a score that is more reflective of my abilities.

 

[Z.Marie]

Why withdraw? You'll still be considered a reapplicant next year. I'd ride the one application out. Granted you are unlikely to get an acceptance unless it is a DO school, but you could get lucky.

From my understanding, I would only be considered a re-applicant to the one school I applied to. I do understand that there are a few schools that ask if you have applied to med school before on their secondaries, but after looking at some (posted on SDN) from schools on my list none ask this question. If you have any sources stating otherwise, please let me know.

 

[imbesrs]

From my understanding, I would only be considered a re-applicant to the one school I applied to. I do understand that there are a few schools that ask if you have applied to med school before on their secondaries, but after looking at some (posted on SDN) from schools on my list none ask this question. If you have any sources stating otherwise, please let me know.

Sometimes the question are asked in a yes/no checkbox format that SDN does not post. Usually the more descriptive prompts are posted only

 

[DNAJB6]

From my understanding, I would only be considered a re-applicant to the one school I applied to. I do understand that there are a few schools that ask if you have applied to med school before on their secondaries, but after looking at some (posted on SDN) from schools on my list none ask this question. If you have any sources stating otherwise, please let me know.

My post wasn't meant to suggest either way. I meant you have already applied to School X, so I don't see where withdrawing really is beneficial to you at all at School X. Whether you are rejected or just withdraw, the net effect will be the same. The only "downside" is the secondary application fee. That's what I meant.

 

[rdyotz]

I agree with those that say at least finish the secondary. You already paid $170 to apply there, why not spend another $100 and at least have a shot, even if it's slim. You will be a reapplicant regardless. Assuming you will be happy at that school, if you get in, you have an extra year of attending pay. Public schools will often go for lower MCATs (not guaranteed) from in-state students and if you tailor that secondary really well, then you might have a shot. I would not add any more MD schools unless you have killer ECs and tailor your list really well. although it is starting to get late.

I'm not sure why you are deadset on MD, clinically speaking, there is no difference between MD/DO. MD might make more competitive specialties 'easier' to get into, but no one really knows how things will play out after the residency merger.

 

[Z.Marie]

I agree with those that say at least finish the secondary. You already paid $170 to apply there, why not spend another $100 and at least have a shot, even if it's slim. You will be a reapplicant regardless. Assuming you will be happy at that school, if you get in, you have an extra year of attending pay. Public schools will often go for lower MCATs (not guaranteed) from in-state students and if you tailor that secondary really well, then you might have a shot. I would not add any more MD schools unless you have killer ECs and tailor your list really well. although it is starting to get late.

I'm not sure why you are deadset on MD, clinically speaking, there is no difference between MD/DO. MD might make more competitive specialties 'easier' to get into, but no one really knows how things will play out after the residency merger.

Thanks for your response. I decided to withdraw for a variety of reasons, some regarding the assumptions you made in your post. I should add that I am interested in a career of an academic physician specifically. I have a strong research background (more so than clinical), so it is important that I attend a school with similar goals. My application was catered towards mostly MSTP programs with MD-only options. I have absolutely nothing against DO, in fact, one of my mentors is a DO and I have received quite a bit of clinical experience from him. He agrees with my choice for pursuing MD.

Now, I guess it is time for me to start preparing for next cycle. If anyone has advice for improving MCAT scores by 12+pts let me know!

 

[mwsapphire]

I wouldn't be too sure about that. The DO cycle gets more and more competitive each year. I spoke recently with the director of admissions of a DO school and she said that this year completing your file by the end of September is crucial.

But if OP submits primary now they can be completed by the end of Sept, easily.
Edit: assuming they filled out a DO primary.

 

[bluepeony]

But if OP submits primary now they can be completed by the end of Sept, easily.
Edit: assuming they filled out a DO primary.

OP is against the idea of applying DO so the timing is moot anyways.