Rejecting MSTP and re-applying

[ryanairtotherescue]

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Hi,

I am looking for insight on how rejecting a seat to an MSTP program can potentially affect the re-application process. I had interviewed at 6 MD/PhD programs, and was accepted into one MSTP and waitlisted at 4 programs. I am currently holding one acceptance (Not T10) and remaining on one waitlist (T10 school). Due to specific family circumstances that have recently occurred, it has made making this final decision to attend very difficult due to location of the school I am holding an acceptance to. The one school waitlist I am still on has basically finalized their class and this school would have been a much better fit to be closer to my family. Another school I was waitlisted at but withdrew earlier would also be a much better fit for my situation now, even though initially my research interests matched better with my current acceptance which lead me to withdraw. I know I can’t get back in consideration for that school now, so I am now contemplating re applying in hopes to be accepted to one of these two schools or two other programs that I initially wasn’t accepted to. Out of the 4 schools I would be re applying to, I would also apply MD only to them. 3 of them I interviewed at for MD/PhD, 2 waitlist and 1 rejection already.

thanks for any input

 

[Small Cell Carcinoma]

Could you maybe be more specific with the family situation if it wouldn’t be too personal? It’s just hard to advise you without more details. In general though, you would be foolish to pass this opportunity up especially with the uncertainty that applicants will face next cycle due to COVID.

 

[ryanairtotherescue]

Could you maybe be more specific with the family situation if it wouldn’t be too personal? It’s just hard to advise you without more details. In general though, you would be foolish to pass this opportunity up especially with the uncertainty that applicants will face next cycle due to COVID.

I understand this is a extremely foolish decision to make, and I am in no way feeling like I should have been accepted to these other programs in the first place or that I’m too good for my current acceptance or any sort of other selfish reasoning. I am extremely grateful to have even been accepted somewhere as it is extremely competitive and rare to have an opportunity to be in an MSTP program and I know it seems arrogant to re apply and give that chance up. I was extremely happy with my current choice and still am happy and appreciative, but this is the next 8 years of my life and after recent events these next 8 years will be more difficult to handle, and thus I’m willing to consider taking another year to reapply and give myself and my family a chance to be in a better place. I don’t really feel comfortable sharing details, but it’s enough of a change that it would make things for my family difficult to deal with if I’m not close by. I don’t know anything about how reapplicants are viewed in general, and having already been accepted somewhere I’m sure impacts how schools may again consider me.

 

[PumpernickelCloudberry]

I think if you were rejected/waitlisted already at these schools the first time, unless something substantial happens in the next month or two before your reapplication, your chance in a hypothetical next round at those very same programs is very slim. It's also rumored that my program is hesitant to take people who concurrently apply to the MD-only track because they're worried that you're not committed enough to stay for eight years and continue with research afterwards. Additionally, with the covid situation that's forcing everyone to resort to virtual interviews (so now applicants can attend as many interviews as they want in the comfort of their homes without worrying about travel time and costs), I have a feeling that programs will be even more conservative in who and how many they admit. It's not the best year to be applying imho.

There are, of course, many things in life worth giving up your MSTP spot for, but definitely think carefully and know what you're getting yourself into.

 

[PumpernickelCloudberry]

If you have a family situation that requires you to be in a particular location for only a year or two, then it may be a better idea to talk to the program director at the place you've already been accepted to to delay your matriculation instead.

 

[Seihai]

This is, frankly, a bad decision. What makes you think your cycle would be any better the second time around, especially with the stigma of having turned down an acceptance already? Most of the secondaries I filled out asked me if I had ever been accepted to or attended medical school in the past, and I'm assuming that's the lowest hanging fruit to screen out applicants after their scores.

 

[dl2dp2]

defer for 1 year.