Is early decision really a good idea?

[Artimacia]

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I've talked to my pre-med advisor and he said if I keep my grades up, etc..., then I should consider early decision if I find a school I really like. I know that if you're accepted you have to go there, can't apply anywhere else unless rejected or released, etc...but is it really a good idea? The information I read says schools have to release their decision by October 1st. Will you have already been reviewed (not interviewed) by other schools or are you not even allowed (by the EDP) to submit an AMCAS application? The information said they do it by October 1st to give ample time for other schools, but if anyone could clear this up for me, that would be great.

(If there is already a thread like this somewhere, please someone send me a link, and delete this thread)

 

[p30doc]

i have heard that early decision is a bad idea, unless for some reason there one school you absolutely must good to or unless you have insane stats

 

[shemarty]

I think it depends on the school.

If you're, for example, a resident of a state with a not-super-competitive state school whose mission statement is to train primary care physicians who will practice in that state, then EDP might be a good idea.

EDP to one of the top research institutions might not be a good idea unless you have a really compelling reason for needing to go there and only there, and even so, EDP doesn't actually improve your "chances", since they often only accept 0-1 people anyway.

 

[Artimacia]

Yea, there is one school I really want to go to due to family there and how good the school itself is (just from what I've heard from med students there) but it's not an absolute must go there kind of thing. I was thinking it probably isn't a good idea just because of the fact of how late the decision is.

Oh, and that school only accepts about 6 a year, so probably not a good idea

 

[Raryn]

Horrible idea. If you dont get in via the EDP, your application is handicapped by not having the primary be released until October. That means you'll still be getting secondaries in late Oct/early Nov, and will be way behind in the interview season...

Honestly, if you're good enough to get in EDP, you'll get in during the normal cycle too. It might just cost you a bit more to apply to other schools in addition, but its much better to be safe than to throw away a year...

 

[nylfmedli14]

i suggest u read the pre-med article on this site. even if u apply early 4 early decision u still would've been better off taking ur MCAT/PCAT or whatever by May and applying in June but if you are rejected by EDP u will be put behind and chances won't look so good plus w/ regular application u should return the secondary quickly

 

[Asp]

A terrible idea, in your case.

 

[UVAbme2009]

Do not do EDP unless you are a perfect candidate from a strong undergraduate program, and you've hand contact with the admission's office of the school you're looking at.

 

[Artimacia]

Yea I know it's a terrible idea (Not mine, it was my advisor's idea but he didn't even seen very interested to be at work let alone helping anyone haha). Plus, it seems kindof exciting picking schools and waiting anxiously to see what happens (except for the money part). That's just me though

 

[Chuckwalla]

You are not applying for another two years and you already made a MD apps profile? Enjoy college, seriously. You will have plenty of time to worry about this crap.

 

[Dedikated2liftn]

I've talked to my pre-med advisor and he said if I keep my grades up, etc..., then I should consider early decision if I find a school I really like. I know that if you're accepted you have to go there, can't apply anywhere else unless rejected or released, etc...but is it really a good idea? The information I read says schools have to release their decision by October 1st. Will you have already been reviewed (not interviewed) by other schools or are you not even allowed (by the EDP) to submit an AMCAS application? The information said they do it by October 1st to give ample time for other schools, but if anyone could clear this up for me, that would be great.

(If there is already a thread like this somewhere, please someone send me a link, and delete this thread)

In most cases, EDP is a bad decision. From what I understand, you're only allowed to apply to that one school until you hear back from them. By that time (generally early October), you're going to be at a huge disadvantage if you're not accepted. You will be considered a late applicant at other schools, and we all know what a kick in the nuts that is. Anyway, if you're a competitive applicant, why not roll the dice and increase your chance of an acceptance.