If I get into/reserve a seat at a DO school, will MD schools find out? and vice versa

[TheNorthWaves]

We're working with two application services - AMCAS and AACOMAS. Do they crosstalk?

When you get into (and accept their invitation to) a med school, you're supposed to withdraw your application so you can't stay actively interested in other schools. But for example, what if you got into an MD school and wanted to hold out for a DO school you liked (or vice versa)

- so what if you withdraw your AMCAS like a good boy but keep your AACOMAS in place? will anyone know? Yes I realize schools require deposits and such. This is just a question of "will the other application service/schools know"...

No one-word answers please. If you know the answer please explain how you know or think it works. Thanks

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[Depakote]

We're working with two application services - AMCAS and AACOMAS. Do they crosstalk?

When you get into (and accept their invitation to) a med school, you're supposed to withdraw your application so you can't stay actively interested in other schools. But for example, what if you got into an MD school and wanted to hold out for a DO school you liked (or vice versa)

- so what if you withdraw your AMCAS like a good boy but keep your AACOMAS in place? will anyone know? Yes I realize schools require deposits and such. This is just a question of "will the other application service/schools know"...

No one-word answers please. If you know the answer please explain how you know or think it works. Thanks

No, AACOMAS and AMCAS are separate systems. So they shouldn't find out. The exception would be if you applied to a DO school that has a MD school at the same University, ex. UMDNJ or MSU.

 

[112258]

But if you reserve a seat at a D.O. school and keep waiting for other D.O. schools they will know? What happens then?

 

[scpod]

But if you reserve a seat at a D.O. school and keep waiting for other D.O. schools they will know? What happens then?

They won't know unless you (or someone who really doesn't like you) tells them. However, there is still nothing they can do about it because there is no deadline like the MD schools have where you HAVE to give up all but one spot. Since they have no deadline, many DO schools have pretty outrageous non-refundable deposits, with some as high as $3000. They are "banking" on your inability to hold multiple acceptances for financial reasons. I really wish there was a deadline instead, though, since the only people that are hurt by it are those who have less money.

All that aside, some people seem to enjoy holding onto DO school acceptances because they believe they "earned the right" to do so by being accepted to multiple places. AACOMAS states that you should give up any other acceptances as soon as you make a decision. So, they give you the opportunity to act like an adult, but still don't do anything to you if you want to act like a child.

One last note-- many people hold one acceptance while waiting for a "better" one. Thats' OK, as long as you give up the old one when you decide. Just don't wait months.

 

[Dr JPH]

I dont think its wrong for someone to hold multiple acceptances while deciding or waiting for the best option to present itself.

You earned those acceptances through hard work and a strong interview. You shouldnt be pressured to hurry up with your decision and to guilt-trip someone into that is ridiculous.

With that said I think making your decision as early as possible can only help your situation. The sooner you are set to where you are going the sooner you can start working on used books, housing, financial planning, etc.

But again...you have to make the decision that is best for YOU...not what is best for the rest of the applicant pool. You dont want to make the wrong decision. Many DO schools realize they are "backups", thus the need for the outrageous non refundable deposits. If someone want to penny up the cash and hold the spot it is their right to do so.

 

[TheNorthWaves]

DO schools don't have that? I always assumed aacomas worked like amcas, in that you had to revoke your other schools once you took an acceptance. Neat.

 

[112258]

DO schools don't have that? I always assumed aacomas worked like amcas, in that you had to revoke your other schools once you took an acceptance. Neat.

Yeah I am unsure about this still. Can someone who knows the details of this for sure explain this to me? Sorrrrrrry 😳

 

[dr.z]

DO schools don't have that? I always assumed aacomas worked like amcas, in that you had to revoke your other schools once you took an acceptance. Neat.

I don't think they work like AMCAS.

 

[scpod]

Yeah I am unsure about this still. Can someone who knows the details of this for sure explain this to me? Sorrrrrrry 😳

You can hold as many DO acceptances as you have the money to pay for. However, the polite thing to do is to give up any that you are not going to attend.

According to the instructions from AACOMAS:

https://aacomas.aacom.org/applicants2007/help/ins_gen_instructions.htm
"Applicants aspiring to become osteopathic physicians (D.O.) are expected to act professionally in their interactions with the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (AACOMAS) and with each college of osteopathic medicine. Responsibility, respect, good judgment and cooperation are qualities valued by the osteopathic medical profession and it is expected that applicants will demonstrate these qualities throughout the application process...

5. Applicants who have made a final decision on the medical school they plan to attend have the obligation to promptly withdraw their applications from all other schools."

 

[Dr JPH]

5. Applicants who have made a final decision on the medical school they plan to attend have the obligation to promptly withdraw their applications from all other schools."[/I]

Right.

But this says nothing about not holding multiple spots or how long each spot can (should) be held.

This simply says once you have made your final decision, notify the schools that you will not be attending.

If an applicant is still deciding for one reason or another it is perfectly appropriate for them to hold onto the acceptances from any school they are considering.

 

[kmbowdoin]

yes, but what happens if you have an acceptance with a 2 week accept/decline deadline--and you have yet to hear from schools that are higher up on your list of interest?

 

[Fermata]

yes, but what happens if you have an acceptance with a 2 week accept/decline deadline--and you have yet to hear from schools that are higher up on your list of interest?

Soul-searching time.

 

[scpod]

yes, but what happens if you have an acceptance with a 2 week accept/decline deadline--and you have yet to hear from schools that are higher up on your list of interest?

You can ask the school to extend the deadline. Sometimes they will; sometimes they won't. At that point it's a gamble. Most people will pay the deposit just to make sure they have a spot somewhere. Who knows whether or not any other school will accept you? Some people, though, have decided that they would rather take the chance on another school giving them an offer and just give the other one up. Each case is sooooo individual. This is a case of it being totally up to you. Do you take the sure thing...or do you gamble? Nobody can answer that for you.

 

[mommy2three]

yes, but what happens if you have an acceptance with a 2 week accept/decline deadline--and you have yet to hear from schools that are higher up on your list of interest?

my pre-med advisor told me this when i asked him this exact question...call the school that is higher on your list and tell them you have an acceptance but you are hesitant to accept it because you would much rather go there for x,y,z reason(s)

 

[Dr JPH]

my pre-med advisor told me this when i asked him this exact question...call the school that is higher on your list and tell them you have an acceptance but you are hesitant to accept it because you would much rather go there for x,y,z reason(s)

Agreed