Turning down acceptances and reapplying in the future?

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
I

i love cookies

Full Member
10+ Year Member
Joined
Apr 30, 2009
Messages
32
Reaction score
0
Members don't see this ad.
I have been blessed to have been accepted to what is considered by many to be the best public school in my state. I really liked the school when I interviewed, and I am truly grateful to have been accepted. However, since being accepted, I have heard some disconcerting things about the school. I heard these thoughts from 2 current students and from a recent alum, which makes me even more worried (most people only talk about their school with pride). So, I have started slightly considering turning down my only acceptance, taking a few years off, and reapplying. If I were to do so, I think I would do some research and get some clinical experience to fill gaps in my application.

This is obviously very risky with medical school admissions being such a toss-up. I'll probably have to retake my MCATs. On the plus side, it gives me a chance to improve my application, to gain some more experience, and to take some time off.

Has anyone heard of people doing this? Am I plain crazy to even think about this? Will medical schools look down upon me if I reapply after having been accepted?
 
Are you kidding me? You are going to turn down an acceptance to a medical school because of what other people tell you?
 
There would have to be some very very disconcerting things (the school is losing its accreditation or a large percentage of the class drops out -- not just stuff like "some rotations are lame" and "some attendings are mean") before I would recommended applying all over again (and taking the MCAT again! Yikes!)
 
Being a doctor consists of making good decisions on your own.
 
i love cookies said:
However, since being accepted, I have heard some disconcerting things about the school. I heard these thoughts from 2 current students and from a recent alum, which makes me even more worried (most people only talk about their school with pride).
Click to expand...
I've heard Harvard graduates bad-mouth Harvard. There are always going to be people who weren't happy with where they went.

The alum from the school clearly finished with his/her studies, and while the two current students may have a negative opinion, they're still there. I've heard some really terrible things about certain schools' administrations and the directions that they're taking the school in, but I'm not sure that I'd turn down an acceptance even to those schools if it was the only acceptance I had.

Unless the school is on the verge of losing its accreditation (that is, its ability to grant an MD that is recognized and accepted) I'd go there and make the most of it.
 
As someone who has seen some good friends not get accepted anywhere, I can say with certainty that you should count your blessings that you've gotten accepted at all and not play the lottery again.
 
Don't be crazy. Take the acceptance and go there! Or at least tell us what the negative things are.
 
Has anyone heard of people doing this? Am I plain crazy to even think about this? Will medical schools look down upon me if I reapply after having been accepted?
Click to expand...

No, yes, yes.
 
Wow, didn't quite expect such a strong response. I guess that answers my question pretty well. I do feel extremely grateful and fortunate to have been accepted, and I certainly understand there are thousands who would pay a lot to be in my position which is why I feel bad even thinking about doing this. And no, this school is not about to lose its accreditation. Thanks for the responses though!
 
Out of curiosity, what negative things have you heard that make you want to consider turning down the acceptance?
 
I guess the answer depends on if you want to be a physician or not. Assuming you want to practice medicine: unless the LCME is yanking their accreditation you should take the acceptance. No medical school is perfect. They are a means to an end.
 
Definitely don't turn down an acceptance. You have no idea how another cycle would turn out and it would be absurd to turn down med school this year and not get in next time.
 
i love cookies said:
I have been blessed to have been accepted to what is considered by many to be the best public school in my state. I really liked the school when I interviewed, and I am truly grateful to have been accepted. However, since being accepted, I have heard some disconcerting things about the school. I heard these thoughts from 2 current students and from a recent alum, which makes me even more worried (most people only talk about their school with pride). So, I have started slightly considering turning down my only acceptance, taking a few years off, and reapplying. If I were to do so, I think I would do some research and get some clinical experience to fill gaps in my application.

This is obviously very risky with medical school admissions being such a toss-up. I'll probably have to retake my MCATs. On the plus side, it gives me a chance to improve my application, to gain some more experience, and to take some time off.

Has anyone heard of people doing this? Am I plain crazy to even think about this? Will medical schools look down upon me if I reapply after having been accepted?
Click to expand...

How did i guess you were talking about UF?

I have friends who turned down acceptances to Miami and USF for UF. They don't regret it. There are actually 4 people who I can think of who fall in this category. They don't regret not going to USF or Miami. Some of them were in 7 year MD program and turned them down. So yes while I know 2 people who quit UF med school, there are many others who liked it better then USF or miami and don't regret their decision for leaving their former schools.

Its a strong program with a strong reputation. Yes there is arrogance but there is arrogance across from Fl. as I've now realized since leaving. It is still cheaper then most private institutions and still a state school where you can go visit your parents any time more easily since you dont have to fly to see them, and it is a decent school which will get you a residency you want if you work hard.

Do not be stupid and turn down an acceptance just because a few bitter people. That shows immaturity on your part because that is like quitting a job just cuz the going got tough and quitting is not something a school wants to see. learning to cope is going to be important regardless of what kind of career you have or what stage of your career you are at.
 
I'm a current UF undergrad, and frankly I've heard some complaints about UF COM from current medical students too; it did strike me as odd as I continued to hear them. To be fair, I've now met a lot more medical students and there have been the same amount if not more of them who praise the school. The biggest complaint I heard was that the ABCDF system creates unnecessary competition (I guess I can see where that's coming from when some medical schools are true P/F). My Princeton Review biology teacher was a second year medical student and he really enjoyed UF and their grading system. He said the mean of classes was actually usually around a 90 and that UF was better with ABCDF because the schools who rank with P/F rank based on your numerical grades (ie 0-100+) in your preclinical years. I'm undeterred from applying to the school, though. I have really enjoyed my time at UF and the medical students I have met seem like really cool and easy-going people. Take the acceptance and become a doctor.
 
why-773722.jpg
 
I've been looking for Highway W. Thanks for finding it!
 
i love cookies said:
I have been blessed to have been accepted to what is considered by many to be the best public school in my state. I really liked the school when I interviewed, and I am truly grateful to have been accepted. However, since being accepted, I have heard some disconcerting things about the school. I heard these thoughts from 2 current students and from a recent alum, which makes me even more worried (most people only talk about their school with pride). So, I have started slightly considering turning down my only acceptance, taking a few years off, and reapplying. If I were to do so, I think I would do some research and get some clinical experience to fill gaps in my application.

This is obviously very risky with medical school admissions being such a toss-up. I'll probably have to retake my MCATs. On the plus side, it gives me a chance to improve my application, to gain some more experience, and to take some time off.

Has anyone heard of people doing this? Am I plain crazy to even think about this? Will medical schools look down upon me if I reapply after having been accepted?
Click to expand...


I want some of whatever your smoking. Your going to waste a year of making $100k+ out of your career, to go to a different school????

WTF?

wow.
 
CaptainSSO said:
Haha. He won't be able to get in his nightly wank/WoW session.
Click to expand...
ZING! :meanie:

I'm sorry OP, but this needs to be said straight up: if you decline that acceptance, YOU ARE A *****!

Think before you ask:

everytimeyouaskastupidq.jpg
 
Why would u give up studying teh stuff you (I HOPE) would love to learn, rather than go and "improve on your app"? which is clearly not waht u enjoy most.
 
I blame low verbal scores.
 
Morsetlis said:
I blame low verbal scores.
Click to expand...

what are you talking about?

and like you are the last poster on more than 50% of the threads on the first page. i don't know if that is a compliment either.
 
I'm bored and watching House!

I don't have to make sense!
 
i love cookies said:
I have been blessed to have been accepted to what is considered by many to be the best public school in my state. I really liked the school when I interviewed, and I am truly grateful to have been accepted. However, since being accepted, I have heard some disconcerting things about the school. I heard these thoughts from 2 current students and from a recent alum, which makes me even more worried (most people only talk about their school with pride). So, I have started slightly considering turning down my only acceptance, taking a few years off, and reapplying. If I were to do so, I think I would do some research and get some clinical experience to fill gaps in my application.

This is obviously very risky with medical school admissions being such a toss-up. I'll probably have to retake my MCATs. On the plus side, it gives me a chance to improve my application, to gain some more experience, and to take some time off.

Has anyone heard of people doing this? Am I plain crazy to even think about this? Will medical schools look down upon me if I reapply after having been accepted?
Click to expand...

Dude/Dudette, is it cookies you love or brownies? I mean are u high???
As the saying goes, "a bird in hand is worth bazilllioons in the bush"

Short of the faculty molesting med students, i'll say go!!!
 
If there is a school that may extend you an offer that you feel you might turn down why apply there in the first place?

The only way this makes sense is if whatever disconcerting things you've heard about the school are major issues.
 
oaklandguy said:
I want some of whatever your smoking. Your going to waste a year of making $100k+ out of your career, to go to a different school????
Click to expand...

Bernoull said:
Dude/Dudette, is it cookies you love or brownies? I mean are u high???
Click to expand...

All you guys guessing that the OP must be on drugs to even think of giving up the acceptance might just be right! "Cookies" apparently can be a slang term for weed. Therefore, we should assume the OP made this thread in a drug-induced state. :laugh:
 
First of all the application cycle isn't even over yet. If you're on a waitlist anywhere, you have a very good chance of getting pulled off and going somewhere else you might like better. But my advice is just go to the school. Every school has good sides and bad sides and the closer you are to the school the more you hear about both. I work in the top ten school and many people have legitimate complaints about the school. On the bright side the school has amazing resources and many people are very happy working there. In the end going to medical school is about getting an MD. If you work hard and are friendly, most of the time you can make something out of even the worst situations.
 
If you go to med school now, with some hard work, in exactly 4 years you'll be waiting for the match list and about to receive your M.D. Your school won't be perfect and you'll have had some hard days but that's to be expected at any school.

If you decline this offer of admission, buff your application and reapply, there is a chance that you will never be admitted anywhere. Can you live with that possibility? Do you want to roll the dice and take the chance that you'll get an offer of admission a few years from now?
 
i love cookies said:
I have been blessed to have been accepted to what is considered by many to be the best public school in my state. I really liked the school when I interviewed, and I am truly grateful to have been accepted. However, since being accepted, I have heard some disconcerting things about the school. I heard these thoughts from 2 current students and from a recent alum, which makes me even more worried (most people only talk about their school with pride). So, I have started slightly considering turning down my only acceptance, taking a few years off, and reapplying. If I were to do so, I think I would do some research and get some clinical experience to fill gaps in my application.

This is obviously very risky with medical school admissions being such a toss-up. I'll probably have to retake my MCATs. On the plus side, it gives me a chance to improve my application, to gain some more experience, and to take some time off.

Has anyone heard of people doing this? Am I plain crazy to even think about this? Will medical schools look down upon me if I reapply after having been accepted?
Click to expand...

It isn't a matter of other medical schools "looking down" on you but the fact that you only have one acceptance which is likely going to be zero acceptances if you turn down and reapply. If you can't bring yourself to attend medical school this year, defer and enter medical school next year otherwise, you are most likely not going to have any acceptances in future years.

Numbers go up and you won't improve your application enough to be that much more competitive. Additionally, you will have to explain why you turned down an acceptance which is going to be a huge red flag. You already have an AAMC number which follows you and to which you can be traced which means that if you think you can just "lie" about a previous acceptance and pretend it didn't happen, think again.

In this case, "a bird in the hand is worth more than 160 in the bush". Please don't be stupid and ruin your future career. On the other hand, if you idiot enough to do this, then medicine doesn't need you.
 
Beta Cell said:
I'm a current UF undergrad...the biggest complaint I heard was that the ABCDF system creates unnecessary competition (I guess I can see where that's coming from when some medical schools are true P/F).
Click to expand...

OP, I think everyone else has covered it. Go where you get in!

As an aside, with their grading system, IF they grade on a curve then you are likely to have a 1:2 shot of meeting a student who is bitter that they are no longer "above average." And med students didn't get where they are by being "below average." Big adjustment that some just can't handle I'm sure.

Just a thought.
 
Beta Cell said:
I'm a current UF undergrad, and frankly I've heard some complaints about UF COM from current medical students too; it did strike me as odd as I continued to hear them. To be fair, I've now met a lot more medical students and there have been the same amount if not more of them who praise the school. The biggest complaint I heard was that the ABCDF system creates unnecessary competition (I guess I can see where that's coming from when some medical schools are true P/F). My Princeton Review biology teacher was a second year medical student and he really enjoyed UF and their grading system. He said the mean of classes was actually usually around a 90 and that UF was better with ABCDF because the schools who rank with P/F rank based on your numerical grades (ie 0-100+) in your preclinical years. I'm undeterred from applying to the school, though. I have really enjoyed my time at UF and the medical students I have met seem like really cool and easy-going people. Take the acceptance and become a doctor.
Click to expand...

EXACTLY!!! I have known two people who dropped out of UF, but for everyone that did, there were several others who finished the program and did not regret going there. I know one of them that quit had a sister who went there and enjoyed her time there and she is now in residency up there as well. One of her graduates is a family friend's child and he also did well and is now in residency and I'm sure wouldn't have quit. A lot of people I know have no regrets about going there despite its more competitive environment. Many of them could've and did have the chance to choose Miami or USF over it as well as other out of state schools. Most of them are fine and happy from what I can tell.
 
This is stupid...

Unless by "home state" you mean "Caribbean island"
 
Okay, okay, that was a pretty stupid idea I guess. I just got really concerned after hearing from three different people (out of four I talked to) that they wish they would've gone elsewhere.

And, "I love cookies" is in no way a drug reference. When I was signing up, I was trying to think of a name, and my top three choices were all taken. I just happened to be eating a delicious cookie at the time, and viola, the name came.
 
oaklandguy said:
I want some of whatever your smoking. Your going to waste a year of making $100k+ out of your career, to go to a different school????

WTF?

wow.
Click to expand...

He said a few years!

This is too potent to be an inhalant. He's injecting smack straight into the vein.

OP: I've changed my stance. Take a few years to get yourself cleaned up.
 
i love cookies said:
And, "I love cookies" is in no way a drug reference. When I was signing up, I was trying to think of a name, and my top three choices were all taken. I just happened to be eating a delicious cookie at the time, and viola, the name came.
Click to expand...

lulz, I was joking.
 
i love cookies said:
I have been blessed to have been accepted to what is considered by many to be the best public school in my state. I really liked the school when I interviewed, and I am truly grateful to have been accepted. However, since being accepted, I have heard some disconcerting things about the school. I heard these thoughts from 2 current students and from a recent alum, which makes me even more worried (most people only talk about their school with pride). So, I have started slightly considering turning down my only acceptance, taking a few years off, and reapplying. If I were to do so, I think I would do some research and get some clinical experience to fill gaps in my application.

This is obviously very risky with medical school admissions being such a toss-up. I'll probably have to retake my MCATs. On the plus side, it gives me a chance to improve my application, to gain some more experience, and to take some time off.

Has anyone heard of people doing this? Am I plain crazy to even think about this? Will medical schools look down upon me if I reapply after having been accepted?
Click to expand...

You're a fool. Who cares what they think? As long as you get a diploma and are eligible for a subsequent license suck it up.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

electricalspray
Reapplying after turning down MD acceptance
Replies
6
Views
3K
kinnencan
kinnencan
G
TMDSAS OOS Acceptance - Do I Turn it Down?
Replies
6
Views
2K
NotTheOne
N
M
  • Locked
How bad is reapplying after being accepted?
Replies
33
Views
5K
chilly_md
chilly_md
A
Reapplying while on WLs
Replies
1
Views
429
wysdoc
wysdoc
A
Concerned about my future
Replies
3
Views
872
pablo213
pablo213
Top