Summer research deadlines for accepting

[zoopers]

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I applied to a bunch of summer research programs, and was fortunate enough to get one recently, but they want me to respond by mid-February, whereas almost all of the other programs I applied to say they would get have final decisions in mid-March.

I'll likely accept this one because a bird in the hand, but I was wondering if anybody else has had this issue and how they went about it. Like if I got something from one of my top choices, like Sloan-Kettering, could I just reject this program I currently have after I had already accepted, and is this a common practice? I'm sure I'm not the only person who's encountered this problem.

 

[JJMrK]

You will certainly burn a bridge if you accept and then back out later.

You need to decide how into this spot you are. If you'd be happy with it, go for it and don't look back. This isn't really a question other people can answer for you.

 

[zoopers]

Thanks!

 

[Elizabeth Woolridge]

Where did you get in?

I have a friend who got accepted into a program VERY early. However, she applied to other programs as well, and wants to hear from them but doesn't wanna lose the opportunity, just in case the other programs don't accept her. She emailed the other programs asking if her app could be reviewed a little earlier

 

[zoopers]

I accepted my placement into the FAER research program since the deadline already passed. Ultimately, I applied to it because I would go if I was accepted (and I got to choose where I wanted to go on my application), so I'm not really going to worry about the other programs.

Best not to burn bridges, just didn't know if accepting these things was similar to medical school acceptances where you can back out later. You guys have been a lot of help!

 

[GoPelicans]

How did you guys apply to so many of these programs? Don't most require a LOR from the potential research mentor? I applied to one (AATS scholarship) I will hear back from in Mid March, if I don't get into that I'll need to scramble. I wish I applied to more but we had exams every two weeks around when all these deadlines were happening :-/

 

[zoopers]

Most of these deadlines I think were in January, so I pretty much just burned up my winter break doing applications. Good advice for the next class when it comes time for them, but I did get into the program I had applied to in mid-December prior to break anyways. It is a struggle with exams and stuff though.

Most of the programs I applied to did not require a LOR from the potential research mentor, just previous research mentors. It appealed to me because I could seek out mentors who had participated in such a program before and were receptive to having medical students come do research for a summer. So that's probably why I applied to more. I would think if you got a LOR from the potential research mentor, then it's very likely you would get that research anyways, so there would probably be no need to apply to so many. Good luck!

 

[Elizabeth Woolridge]

How did you guys apply to so many of these programs? Don't most require a LOR from the potential research mentor? I applied to one (AATS scholarship) I will hear back from in Mid March, if I don't get into that I'll need to scramble. I wish I applied to more but we had exams every two weeks around when all these deadlines were happening :-/

I have never done research, so I don't have a research mentor. I applied to 9 or 10 programs. They required at least two LORs from faculty who knew me well. I started VERY early, though. I contacted my recommenders in october and started writing all my essays in November. By december, all my apps were submitted and my transcripts were ordered. One recommender did all of the letters in december (I love my professor, I swear). The other professor was a tad slow. She completed hers by jan 29. By this time, my transcripts already arrived. So yeah. You just have to start very early and secure your recommendations. It was so stressful but I am glad I'm done with them all. And make the most out of your winter break. I spent a good week writing, deleting, editing, reviewing my essays... I was never satisfied with them. Just start early next time.