Quitting activities after acceptance

[TheBossDoctor]

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Hi everyone. I'm fortunate enough to have been accepted to an MD school this cycle. However, I'm on one wait-list, and depending on how much money they would give, that school could end up being higher on my list.

Now with 4 months left til school starts, I'm looking to start dropping my activities and travel a bit/pick up hobbies since this is my last stretch of freedom for a while.

So my question is, if I've been accepted to one school but am holding out for a school I'm wait listed at, would it be OK to start dropping some of my activities?

 

[BrawnsNBrain]

I don't think it matters what you do.

I would recommend, however, to not drop every activity at once. Slowly take yourself out of activities you don't enjoy as much and transition into other things you enjoy.

 

[Planes2Doc]

Unless you're planning on writing an update letter to that school you're wait-listed at, I wouldn't hesitate to drop everything. As long as you were doing these ECs when you interviewed there, it's all Kosher. You already got in somewhere, so whether you make it off the list or not will not be affected by anything unless you decided to submit an update letter highlighting these ECs.

Otherwise, you got in to medical school! Congrats! Have fun!!! You don't have much time left.

 

[Pacna]

It's all check boxes and everyone but the ADCOMs know it. Drop them like they're hot.

 

[Elewynne]

Hi everyone. I'm fortunate enough to have been accepted to an MD school this cycle. However, I'm on one wait-list, and depending on how much money they would give, that school could end up being higher on my list.

Now with 4 months left til school starts, I'm looking to start dropping my activities and travel a bit/pick up hobbies since this is my last stretch of freedom for a while.

So my question is, if I've been accepted to one school but am holding out for a school I'm wait listed at, would it be OK to start dropping some of my activities?

I believe Goro mentioned in a thread a month or so ago schools don't usually give money to those they pull of waitlists, so I would try not to get your hopes up in that regard.

 

[NoDakDok]

It's all check boxes and everyone but the ADCOMs know it. Drop them like they're hot.

Partially true. AdComs are very aware there's a checklist for medical school. That doesn't mean you can't enjoy your activities.

However, in the case of OP, I'd drop anything that interferes with getting the most enjoyment out of his/her last 'free' summer. Do what you truly love, whether it's traveling or finally getting 8 hours of sleep a night.

Like others said, this won't have any influence on your admission.

 

[Pacna]

Partially true. AdComs are very aware there's a checklist for medical school. That doesn't mean you can't enjoy your activities.

However, in the case of OP, I'd drop anything that interferes with getting the most enjoyment out of his/her last 'free' summer. Do what you truly love, whether it's traveling or finally getting 8 hours of sleep a night.

Like others said, this won't have any influence on your admission.

I think ADCOMs have a quasi-relationship with the truth on this one. They expect people to be genuine about how their school's mission statement resonates with the applicant's core being. If you ask them why they work there, they'll tell you it's because the food in the area is good and they get paid well. (I've asked.)

I thought this was implied, but my apologies if it didn't come across. Definitely keep doing things that you like, OP.

 

[DermViser]

Hi everyone. I'm fortunate enough to have been accepted to an MD school this cycle. However, I'm on one wait-list, and depending on how much money they would give, that school could end up being higher on my list.

Now with 4 months left til school starts, I'm looking to start dropping my activities and travel a bit/pick up hobbies since this is my last stretch of freedom for a while.

So my question is, if I've been accepted to one school but am holding out for a school I'm wait listed at, would it be OK to start dropping some of my activities?

No question, YES.

 

[NoDakDok]

If you ask them why they work there, they'll tell you it's because the food in the area is good and they get paid well. (I've asked.).

I've determined "Why'd you choose to work/study at school X" to be one of the worst questions you can ask an interviewer. Some are fine with it and understand why you ask the question. However, I've had an interviewer turn that question into a rant about how PhD jobs are limited and another flat decline to answer the question because "it's irrelevant." Not fun ways to end an otherwise positive interview.

I'm a strong proponent of OP traveling, if that's what brings him/her joy. I wouldn't trade my abroad experiences for the world.

 

[Planes2Doc]

It's all check boxes and everyone but the ADCOMs know it. Drop them like they're hot.

I think everyone knows it, but it would open up a big nasty can of worms if anyone admitted it, since a large portion of one's medical school application rests on what is ultimately a huge dog and pony show.

I remember after I was accepted, a hospital I wanted to volunteer at previously but had too much red tape was suddenly asking me to volunteer months later, which coincided with applicants getting into medical school. 🙄

Once again, the OP would only by shooting themselves in the foot if they were to drop ECs either after filling out AMCAS, or if they didn't have any acceptances. The OP is definitely going somewhere. So no, they shouldn't drop the ECs like they're hot. They should drop them like it's hot magma fresh from the volcanic source. 😉

 

[Pacna]

I've determined "Why'd you choose to work/study at school X" to be one of the worst questions you can ask an interviewer. Some are fine with it and understand why you ask the question. However, I've had an interviewer turn that question into a rant about how PhD jobs are limited and another flat decline to answer the question because "it's irrelevant." Not fun ways to end an otherwise positive interview.

I'm a strong proponent of OP traveling, if that's what brings him/her joy. I wouldn't trade my abroad experiences for the world.

I also had that question turn into a negative... Guess people are just unhappy. 😛