Waiting List realities and logistics?

[Longcatislong]

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I have accepted an offer to attend dental school A. However, I am also on the wait list for dental school B, my top choice. If I got offered a position off the wait list at B, I would accept it. The problem is, there is a very real possibility that should this offer ever come through, I may have already moved halfway across the country to start at school A. What are the realities and logistics of accepting a spot at another school when you've already made real financial commitments at another school?

For instance, I understand if I moved to another state for school A, only to relocate back to attend school B, I would of course lose the money for relocation costs. Perhaps some months of rent before finding someone to take over my lease. What about financial aid? If I accept the loans offered to me by school A, will I also be able to to take out additional financial aid money from B? I won't ask about getting tuition payments reimbursed and withdrawing from classes, since that's entirely up the schools administration/policies.

Has anyone ever dealt with getting off a wait list very late in the game (we're talking, weeks-to-days before the start of classes at your waitlisted school)? How did you go about scrambling to relocate and get all your your financial aid and other paperwork in order? Did you ever have to withdraw from another school to attend the one from which you got a waitlist acceptance offer?

Of course, questions like these are completely premature given my position on the wait list. I may never get an acceptance offer from School B, and that's ok. It's just that my mind if racing at this point. I have many questions, and anyone who can share their thoughts/experiences, I would very much appreciate. Thank you!

 

[Jbrowndds]

If you already got accepted an offer you have one the battle. Get ready for dental school at school A and be done. At least that's what I would do.

 

[#kalel]

If school B is UCSF, it's DEFINITELY worth the hassle. It was painful to withdraw from UCSF because it's such an amazing institution in an incredible area, so I'd say whatever headaches or roadbumps you gotta go through, even if you're accepted VERY last minute, I'd say it's worth all of that and more.

Best of luck

 

[kingenamel]

Especially if you are a CA resident.

 

[Longcatislong]

School B is UCSF...and yes I'm a CA resident. I know it'll be worth the inevitable hassle (should I be lucky enough). I'm just wondering if and how all the logistics work out.

 

[monstromyfishy]

I'm in the same position. I have set a date for the absolute last possible moment I can hear back about getting off the waitlist prior to making large financial investments with the school I am already accepted at. Once I make those financial commitments, I will remove my name off the waitlist so I'm not heartbroken or have to lose so much money once I'm committed to my school.

 

[Troyvdg]

It's expensive, but possible. At my interviews I met a guy committed to Columbia, but got accepted to UCLA in late August. Had already been going to Columbia for a month. Lost tuition money when he moved back to the west coast to start at UCLA in sept. I'm sure he lost money on rent, etc. plus had to find a new place to live. Even for instate UCSF is pricey, if you still end up saving money (even after the lost tuition money at school A) it's worth it, but if you aren't saving money, what's the point.

 

[aqz]

Same situation. I don't plan on finding an apartment until late June for my school A, maybe even waiting longer depending on what the other school is saying about their waitlist movement.