Is it OK to decline interviews without having any acceptances?

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Droofus

Droofus

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OK, so I am considering declining an interview even though I don't have any acceptances yet, but the decision makes me a little nervous. I am a decent but rather unspectacular applicant. However, I have managed to pull off a number (7) of high quality interviews at reach schools I'd love to attend. However, I am either waiting for decisions or waiting to interview at all of them--no acceptances yet. Today I received another invite from a lower tier school that I honestly cannot see myself attending. I applied there just because I was worried I didn't have enough safeties on my list, and the school really seemed nice, but now that I have a clearer idea of what I'm looking for in a school, I don't think I'd be happy there. The curriculum, location, price, and overall quality aren't what I'm looking for, and I'd feel like a failure if I ended up there.

And besides feeling nervous about this decision, I also feel guilty, like it is really arrogant to turn down an invite at a solid school, especially without any acceptances.

My question is this: for anyone that has declined an interview without an acceptance under the belt, what made you sure it was a good decision? For me, I think I'd be happier reapplying than going to this school, and that helps me make the decision.
 
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Droofus said:
OK, so I am considering declining an interview even though I don't have any acceptances yet, but the decision makes me a little nervous. I am a decent but rather unspectacular applicant. However, I have managed to pull off a number (7) of high quality interviews at reach schools I'd love to attend. However, I am either waiting for decisions or waiting to interview at all of them--no acceptances yet. Today I received another invite from a lower tier school that I honestly cannot see myself attending. I applied there just because I was worried I didn't have enough safeties on my list, and the school really seemed nice, but now that I have a clearer idea of what I'm looking for in a school, I don't think I'd be happy there. The curriculum, location, price, and overall quality aren't what I'm looking for, and I'd feel like a failure if I ended up there.


And besides feeling nervous about this decision, I also feel guilty, like it is really arrogant to turn down an invite at a solid school, especially without any acceptances.

My question is this: for anyone that has declined an interview without an acceptance under the belt, what made you sure it was a good decision? For me, I think I'd be happier reapplying than going to this school, and that helps me make the decision.
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Firstly, no reason for feeling like a failure if you get into a school, in the end every school you would graduate from makes you a doctor. That being said, unless you truly can't afford to go or have a very important engagement why wouldn't you go reapplying wouldn't make it any more likely that you get your choice school unless you improve your application. Plus maybe you would like what you see when your at the school and change your mind...
 
Droofus said:
OK, so I am considering declining an interview even though I don't have any acceptances yet, but the decision makes me a little nervous. I am a decent but rather unspectacular applicant. However, I have managed to pull off a number (7) of high quality interviews at reach schools I'd love to attend. However, I am either waiting for decisions or waiting to interview at all of them--no acceptances yet. Today I received another invite from a lower tier school that I honestly cannot see myself attending. I applied there just because I was worried I didn't have enough safeties on my list, and the school really seemed nice, but now that I have a clearer idea of what I'm looking for in a school, I don't think I'd be happy there. The curriculum, location, price, and overall quality aren't what I'm looking for, and I'd feel like a failure if I ended up there.

And besides feeling nervous about this decision, I also feel guilty, like it is really arrogant to turn down an invite at a solid school, especially without any acceptances.

My question is this: for anyone that has declined an interview without an acceptance under the belt, what made you sure it was a good decision? For me, I think I'd be happier reapplying than going to this school, and that helps me make the decision.
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:laugh::laugh::laugh: Strong words.

To address your pseudo-conundrum: Are you a gamblin' man?
 
Droofus said:
I think I'd be happier reapplying than going to this school, and that helps me make the decision.
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in the case you get rejected from the others, you will probably reconsider this statement... Just go, unless you have to spend a fortune flying across the country and staying in a hotel or something like that. You may see something on interview day that you like.

But then again, if you really feel like you will be truly miserable at this school then fuggit...
 
Reapplying puts you at a huge disadvantage ESPECIALLY after you gain an acceptance somewhere. Schools don't want doctors that only want to conditionally become doctors.
 
DonutShot said:
Reapplying puts you at a huge disadvantage ESPECIALLY after you gain an acceptance somewhere. Schools don't want doctors that only want to conditionally become doctors.
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This is why he's thinking about turning down the interview. If they don't interview him they can't accept him, and therefore if he has to reapply next year he can still say he was never accepted.
 
Go to the interview. With the top schools even if you have great stats, ECs, and fit well it can still be a crapshoot.
 
Droofus said:
OK, so I am considering declining an interview even though I don't have any acceptances yet, but the decision makes me a little nervous. I am a decent but rather unspectacular applicant. However, I have managed to pull off a number (7) of high quality interviews at reach schools I'd love to attend. However, I am either waiting for decisions or waiting to interview at all of them--no acceptances yet. Today I received another invite from a lower tier school that I honestly cannot see myself attending. I applied there just because I was worried I didn't have enough safeties on my list, and the school really seemed nice, but now that I have a clearer idea of what I'm looking for in a school, I don't think I'd be happy there. The curriculum, location, price, and overall quality aren't what I'm looking for, and I'd feel like a failure if I ended up there.

And besides feeling nervous about this decision, I also feel guilty, like it is really arrogant to turn down an invite at a solid school, especially without any acceptances.

My question is this: for anyone that has declined an interview without an acceptance under the belt, what made you sure it was a good decision? For me, I think I'd be happier reapplying than going to this school, and that helps me make the decision.
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We are all looking for top-tier qualities in the schools we interview at. The funny thing is, not only top-tier schools have top-tier qualities. The interviews at your reach schools made you look at things differently, so why not give the other school a chance to change your mind as well?
 
wanderer100 said:
Go to the interview. With the top schools even if you have great stats, ECs, and fit well it can still be a crapshoot.
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I agree with this. If you know that one of your top choices would let you know of admission by a certain date, I might try to push the interview behind that date. That way, if you get into your top choices, you don't need to spend all that money (assuming that's your concern) going to the interview. This might put you at a slight disadvantage with the school you don't really want to attend, but it seems like that would be a chance you're willing to take.
 
come on people, His screen name is DROOFUS which is similar to Doofus. I hereby call shenanigans.
 
This question is so ridiculous that people think you are a troll.

Does that tell you anything?

Go to the interview.
 
You need to go to that interview and treat it like it's your only chance to go to medical school ever. Then, if they accept you and no one else does, you need to attend that school. You will, in fact, feel like an ***** if you fail to do either of those things.
 
Hey all, thanks for the responses. I am definitely reconsidering. I do want to add a dew things though. When I say I would be happier reapplying than going to this school, I mean it. I applied really late this year (sep to nov) and have significantly improved my application. If I were to reapply, I could have a much better app, and I could turn it in earlier. Given that I am doing OK on interviews as things are, I think I could get into a better school as a reapp.

I understand why people say that I should take any acceptance I get and be happy with it, but it is hard for me to agree. Being an MD isn't reason enough to sacrifice mmy mid-twenties being unhappy somewhere. I don't want to be in a sleepy suburb, I don't want a H/HP/P/F school, etc etc, and I don't want to spend top dollar for this place. Abd, however immature it makes me, I don't want to go to a place ranked so much lower than seven other schools I have invites for.

I agree that schools are worth visiting because they can always surprise you, but I don't see that happening. I see what y'all are saying, but I don't know if I agree, and I at least know that the decision isn't as obvious as some of you seem to think. I think I will schedule an interview really late and see if I get in elsewhere beforehand...but that almost seems worse 🙁
 
Droofus said:
Being an MD isn't reason enough to sacrifice mmy mid-twenties being unhappy somewhere. I don't want to be in a sleepy suburb, I don't want a H/HP/P/F school, etc etc, and I don't want to spend top dollar for this place.
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That's a really dumb reason, coming from someone who went to one such school.
 
Droofus said:
Hey all, thanks for the responses. I am definitely reconsidering. I do want to add a dew things though. When I say I would be happier reapplying than going to this school, I mean it. I applied really late this year (sep to nov) and have significantly improved my application. If I were to reapply, I could have a much better app, and I could turn it in earlier. Given that I am doing OK on interviews as things are, I think I could get into a better school as a reapp.

I understand why people say that I should take any acceptance I get and be happy with it, but it is hard for me to agree. Being an MD isn't reason enough to sacrifice mmy mid-twenties being unhappy somewhere. I don't want to be in a sleepy suburb, I don't want a H/HP/P/F school, etc etc, and I don't want to spend top dollar for this place. Abd, however immature it makes me, I don't want to go to a place ranked so much lower than seven other schools I have invites for.

I agree that schools are worth visiting because they can always surprise you, but I don't see that happening. I see what y'all are saying, but I don't know if I agree, and I at least know that the decision isn't as obvious as some of you seem to think. I think I will schedule an interview really late and see if I get in elsewhere beforehand...but that almost seems worse 🙁
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I have a feeling that people like you comprise the majority of otherwise well-qualified individuals that don't get in to a school every year.
 
ColeOnTheRoll said:
I have a feeling that people like you comprise the majority of otherwise well-qualified individuals that don't get in to a school every year.
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A friend of mine turned down a DO offer, reapplied and got into a MD program, and then decided that she/he did not want to be a doctor in the first place.
 
wanderer100 said:
Go to the interview. With the top schools even if you have great stats, ECs, and fit well it can still be a crapshoot.
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👍

Basically the way you need to look at it is: Would you rather go to the lower ranked school, or not go at all this year?

If you decline the interview, you're basically saying you'd rather not go to medical school at all this year than go to the lower ranked school.
 
I don't understand why people on here criticize applicants for turning down interviews, then go ballistic when someone is considering turning down his/her only offer of acceptance. Don't interview at a school that you wouldn't go to. Period.

That being said, do you think you might be convincing yourself that you don't like this school simply because it's one of your safeties? It's amazing how easily an interview day can change your perception of a school.

If you do decide to decline the interview, make sure that you are 100% positive that you would rather do the entire application process over again (this includes taking steps to improve your app because NO med school will accept a reapp who submits the same application two years in a row) than go to that school.
 
Kinda late not to have an acceptance yet, but go ahead and gamble if you want to.
 
dohlo said:
in the case you get rejected from the others, you will probably reconsider this statement... Just go, unless you have to spend a fortune flying across the country and staying in a hotel or something like that. You may see something on interview day that you like.

But then again, if you really feel like you will be truly miserable at this school then fuggit...
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I was JUST about to post this!!! That would be quite a satirical twist 🙄...

Silverman780 said:
come on people, His screen name is DROOFUS which is similar to Doofus. I hereby call shenanigans.
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trolling? hmmm....

But seriously, consider if that school was your only acceptance. Now, would you be so turned off by the school that you'd turn down the acceptance and reapply next year??? If yes, then decline the interview.
 
Seriously OP? Its almost feb and you are going to turn down an interview? It might cost you your dream to become a doctor for all you know...and at the very least might be a $150,000 minimum mistake.

One dude I know easily had the stats for any DO out there...but couldnt for the life of him get into an MD school. Applied FOUR times and refused to go to any DO school. I think he took the MCAT 6 times and finally broke 30 on his last try. Still never got that MD acceptance despite decent stats...and now is my classmate @ PCOM. Could have been a resident by now.

Just because you think you are improving yourself doesnt mean you will get in anywhere. Its a crapshoot and you are not making a very good decision by turning this down. I cant see how anyone would be unhappy to get an interview invite at any US school MD or DO. Just sayin.
 
I turned down an interview before having an acceptance. I was running low on cash, the interview was on the other side of the county, it was at a school I wasn't super interested in, and I was feeling burnt out from other interviews I had just been on (I went on a lot of interviews during the course of a month). At the time, I still had a few more interviews lined up, so canceling one didn't seem like a huge deal. After I received an acceptance to one of my top choices, I canceled the remaining interviews.

Was it a gamble? Sure. Did it work out and did I save money/time? Yes.

You could just try to reschedule your interview for a later date, then after you've heard back from the other schools you can cancel your interview risk free (or keep it if you still don't have an acceptance).
 
If you'd honestly rather reapply than go to this school that's your decision. That's your very, very bad decision.
 
Given that I am doing OK on interviews as things are, I think I could get into a better school as a reapp.
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I disagree. Being a reapplicant is a disadvantage that will outweigh whatever advantages impvoing your application could have offered.

I understand why people say that I should take any acceptance I get and be happy with it, but it is hard for me to agree. Being an MD isn't reason enough to sacrifice mmy mid-twenties being unhappy somewhere.
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To be honest, you're going to sacrifice your mid-twenties to be unhappy somewhere. Medicine is a field of delayed gratification. Even in an ideal school in a fun city you spend most of your time studying for national standardized tests or, later on, working in the hospital. Honestly, one reason not to wait out a year is so that you can get over the sacrifice part faster and get to the fun part.

I don't want to be in a sleepy suburb,
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If you're doing medical school right you're not going to see much of the neighborhood wherever you are. I know life is a journey, but be aware that your location might have a more limited affect on your life than you think.

I don't want a H/HP/P/F school,
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It doesn't matter if your school is P/F or H/HP/P/F for the first two years, no one looks at those grades. As long as you know that it shouldn't change the stress level.


and I don't want to spend top dollar for this place.
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This would be an excellent point, except for the fact that you're about to lose a year of income. Uness you're currently a successful engineer/Ibanker the lost year of Doctor income, coupled with the fact that you're going to need to shell out cash both to work on your application and to reapply, means that sitting out a year is a losing proposition.

Abd, however immature it makes me, I don't want to go to a place ranked so much lower than seven other schools I have invites for.
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What makes this immature is that you're letting an artificial marker from US News get in the way of your goals. Residency programs care almost exclusively about research, letters of rec (which you get from away rotations), and your scores on standardized tests. The only thing they do care about from your school is your third year grades, and for those honestly it's probably best to be a big fish in a small pond rather than competing for Honors and AOA with everyone else at Hopkins.

I would agree, though, that turning down an acceptance is a career killer, so if you do interview you need to go with the understanding that you need to attend if they accept you. If you can't do that then skipping the interview is the (relatively) wise move.
 
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Cruzerthebruzer said:
Why did you apply for a school you don't want to go to an interview for..
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I applied there really late in a very panicked way, thinking I needed more safeties. I didn't think hard about it at all. At the time I was doubting myself a lot, but now that I have seven interviews at top 20 schools, I am confident I can get in somewhere I like more, this year or next. People seem to think reapplying would be a bad decision, and maybe they're right, but I don't think it would be a big deal in my case.

Soundofsilver, thanks for your response. This situation is similar: the school doesn't excite me, is across the country, I'm poor, etc.
 
n3xa said:
A friend of mine turned down a DO offer, reapplied and got into a MD program, and then decided that she/he did not want to be a doctor in the first place.
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😕 I can think of better ways to waste time and money.
 
Oh my god....is this even a question?

Bottom line: Do you actually want to be a physician? If so, get OFF your high horse. You admitted you're an unspectacular applicant. What gives you the right to say you're better than this school you want to decline?


I really wish I could do :slap: right now.
 
phnerd1105 said:
Oh my god....is this even a question?

Bottom line: Do you actually want to be a physician? If so, get OFF your high horse. You admitted you're an unspectacular applicant. What gives you the right to say you're better than this school you want to decline?


I really wish I could do :slap: right now.
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Of course I want to be a physician. I guess I just don't think turning down an interview offer is as dangerous as y'all do.
 
Droofus said:
Of course I want to be a physician. I guess I just don't think turning down an interview offer is as dangerous as y'all do.
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It's almost February and you've received a grand total of zero offers of admission, the decisions that you are awaiting are, apparently, all from top 20 schools, and you, by your own accounting, are a thoroughly mediocre applicant. Explain how turning down an interview from a safer option is not dangerous?
 
Droofus said:
I'd feel like a failure if I ended up there.

And besides feeling nervous about this decision, I also feel guilty, like it is really arrogant to turn down an invite at a solid school, especially without any acceptances.
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This part confused me...

OP, I think you need to just name the school so we can all laugh at you when it turns out to be a great school, but you think it totally sucks because it's in a small town and doesn't use abc grades.
 
Follow your heart, Droofus. Follow your heart. 👍
 
yeah just follow your heart. you know our viewpoints. youre an adult. you make a decision and you live with your decision. best of luck to you bra
 
Perrotfish said:
[...] you're about to lose a year of income. Uness you're currently a successful engineer/Ibanker the lost year of Doctor income, coupled with the fact that you're going to need to shell out cash both to work on your application and to reapply, means that sitting out a year is a losing proposition.
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This is an excellent point.
 
OptionsQuote message in reply? *Posting Quick Reply - Please Wait « Previous Thread | Next Thread » Currently Active Users Viewin
 
I believe you have to do whatever you think is best. It's your life, so do whatever you feel best by. Good luck in making your decision! 👍
 
Droofus said:
I applied there really late in a very panicked way, thinking I needed more safeties. I didn't think hard about it at all. At the time I was doubting myself a lot, but now that I have seven interviews at top 20 schools, I am confident I can get in somewhere I like more, this year or next. People seem to think reapplying would be a bad decision, and maybe they're right, but I don't think it would be a big deal in my case.

Soundofsilver, thanks for your response. This situation is similar: the school doesn't excite me, is across the country, I'm poor, etc.
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Doofus, what are your stats?
 
ColeOnTheRoll said:
What would make anyone think this is a good idea?
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👍


Seriously. I tend to agree with the general trend that it does not matter where you go to med school, assuming that it is not in the Caribbean.
 
Dude. If you don't like the school, don't interview. Med School isn't the end-all be-all, contrary to what all of the loonies think on this site. If you don't think you'd enjoy yourself there, what's the point?
 
To people who want to become doctors, then yes, medical school is the end-all be-all cause you can't be a doctor without medical school.

Mizoodles said:
Dude. If you don't like the school, don't interview. Med School isn't the end-all be-all, contrary to what all of the loonies think on this site. If you don't think you'd enjoy yourself there, what's the point?
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rhesuspieces said:
I don't understand why people on here criticize applicants for turning down interviews, then go ballistic when someone is considering turning down his/her only offer of acceptance. Don't interview at a school that you wouldn't go to. Period.
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Everyone here would say don't APPLY to a school you wouldn't go to.
 
DonutShot said:
To people who want to become doctors, then yes, medical school is the end-all be-all cause you can't be a doctor without medical school.
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I guess I should re-phrase.. becoming a doctor shouldn't be the end-all be-all. Try it. It works.
 
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