Waitlist Ethics???

[jopdo]

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Does anyone have any opinions about the ethics of accepting a schools offer of admission while still being on a waitlist at another school? Also, if accepted off a waitlist, what are the ethics of accepting the offer and then rejecting the offer(of either school) if need be. As I am in this position, I am ethically confused.

 

[exmike]

you can hold as many waitlist as you want, even if you area accepted elsewhere. YOu can only hold one acceptance at this point in time. Those are the only real rules.

 

[mikeyboy]

It's how it works. Don't accept an offer that you plan on rejecting, since it just delays everything, but if you still need to decide, just let them know. Just keep taking the acceptances as long as it's one you prefer, and reject the school you're holding an acceptance at ASAP so they can make an offer to someone else.

 

[jopdo]

you can hold as many waitlist as you want, even if you area accepted elsewhere. YOu can only hold one acceptance at this point in time. Those are the only real rules.

Thanks for your responses. ( and Mikey boy too...) In response to your second sentence EX MIKE, what do you mean that you can only hold one acceptance? If I accept my waitlist, and have accepted my other offer, doesn't that mean I hold two acceptances????

 

[uclacrewdude]

you can hold as many waitlist as you want, even if you area accepted elsewhere. YOu can only hold one acceptance at this point in time. Those are the only real rules.

well, more important than that are one of the basic life rules:

Just don't be a chode!

 

[pjv2410]

accepting a place on a waitlist is NOT the same as accepting an offer of admission. At this point in the game you may hold only one offer of admission, but as many waitlist places as you want.

 

[jopdo]

well, more important than that are one of the basic life rules:

Just don't be a chode!

I won't be a chode, but I don't know what a chode is. Please explain...

 

[mooklyster]

All this worry about the ethics involved...screw ethics...go where you most want to go

 

[delicatefade]

I won't be a chode, but I don't know what a chode is. Please explain...

Dood, if you don't know

 

[superunknown]

I won't be a chode, but I don't know what a chode is. Please explain...

Chode: A penis that is wider than long.-Insult-
Ex."dude, you are such a chode!"

http://www.urbandictionary.com/

 

[Syranope2]

here's the deal. you can hold one offer of admission at a time. you can be on as many waitlists as you want. if you get in off a waitlist, that would make two offers of admission that you hold, so you must forfeit one by withdrawing from either your first accepted school or the school who's waitlist you just got pulled off of. schools communicate among each other about who they are taking off waitlists, so it's not like you're going to shock a school by withdrawing. and this is just the way it works. there's really no ethical dilemma to consider. the only thing that i could see as unethical would be to stay on a waitlist of a school you know you wouldn't attend. you might as well get off that list so someone else can get your spot earlier.

 

[jopdo]

here's the deal. you can hold one offer of admission at a time. you can be on as many waitlists as you want. if you get in off a waitlist, that would make two offers of admission that you hold, so you must forfeit one by withdrawing from either your first accepted school or the school who's waitlist you just got pulled off of. schools communicate among each other about who they are taking off waitlists, so it's not like you're going to shock a school by withdrawing. and this is just the way it works. there's really no ethical dilemma to consider. the only thing that i could see as unethical would be to stay on a waitlist of a school you know you wouldn't attend. you might as well get off that list so someone else can get your spot earlier.

Thank you for the clarification. Do DO & MD schools communicate among eachother???I have accepted an offer of admission at a DO school. The point is that I am REALLY confused if I get accepted off the current waitlist (an MD school) that I am on. I feel like I have to say yes--and decide as soon as possible afterward. The waitlist that I am waiting on gives you one day to make your decision.

 

[TRUE]

Thank you for the clarification. Do DO & MD schools communicate among eachother???I have accepted an offer of admission at a DO school. The point is that I am REALLY confused if I get accepted off the current waitlist (an MD school) that I am on. I feel like I have to say yes--and decide as soon as possible afterward. The waitlist that I am waiting on gives you one day to make your decision.

I feel that "your problem" is really quite simple. You're on one waitlist. You have been accepted to one school. You simply need to decided ahead of time whether you woudl rather go to the waitlist school or the school where you have already been admitted. Then, when you get off the waitlist, you have no decision to make since you've already made it. Furthermore, if you do think that you don't want to go to the waitlist school, why not just withdraw altogether?

 

[WalterSobchakk]

Does anyone have any opinions about the ethics of accepting a schools offer of admission while still being on a waitlist at another school? Also, if accepted off a waitlist, what are the ethics of accepting the offer and then rejecting the offer(of either school) if need be. As I am in this position, I am ethically confused.

Does anyone have any opinions about hacking into the school's computer, obtaining the waitlist, and systematically killing everybody ahead of you? As I am in this position, I am ethically confused... 😱 😱

 

[avicoo]

Does anyone have any opinions about hacking into the school's computer, obtaining the waitlist, and systematically killing everybody ahead of you? As I am in this position, I am ethically confused... 😱 😱

Although I considered this route, I decided that it would be unethical for me. However, I think this is certainly a gray area . . .
😉

 

[felipe5]

Does anyone have any opinions about hacking into the school's computer, obtaining the waitlist, and systematically killing everybody ahead of you? As I am in this position, I am ethically confused... 😱 😱

dude, thats the most unique suggestion I've heard in a while.......unfortunately, I don't think adcom's view manslaughter as a good post-secondary, but what a better way to stand out?????? It definitely is a tough call............

 

[jopdo]

I feel that "your problem" is really quite simple. You're on one waitlist. You have been accepted to one school. You simply need to decided ahead of time whether you woudl rather go to the waitlist school or the school where you have already been admitted. Then, when you get off the waitlist, you have no decision to make since you've already made it. Furthermore, if you do think that you don't want to go to the waitlist school, why not just withdraw altogether?

Good advice. Except for the fact that I have spent almost every day that I have been in this predicament trying to make an "ahead of time" decision. It is not easy being that it is only a hypothetical decision. Some would say that I have no problem, because I don't yet have a decision to make. Some would say that this is a luxury problem. Ultimately, I think you are right. The issue is I just can't make the decision. Any thoughts: I am in at UMDNJ(osteo). I have been offered a position in their PBL Curriculum. (They only accept 6 people- All learning is "problem based", i.e. case based. All learning is done in a round table seminar format. I can go to whatever lectures I want, provided that it doesn't conflict with the seminars. Graduates from the program have higher board scores than the rest of the UMDNJ(osteo) students. It seems like a great opportunity. Then, my waitlist option is SUNY Buffalo--which I really like as a solid school. I can get state tuition at either. There are location concerns which are obviously secondary. I just don't know?

 

[TRUE]

Good advice. Except for the fact that I have spent almost every day that I have been in this predicament trying to make an "ahead of time" decision. It is not easy being that it is only a hypothetical decision. Some would say that I have no problem, because I don't yet have a decision to make. Some would say that this is a luxury problem. Ultimately, I think you are right. The issue is I just can't make the decision. Any thoughts: I am in at UMDNJ(osteo). I have been offered a position in their PBL Curriculum. (They only accept 6 people- All learning is "problem based", i.e. case based. All learning is done in a round table seminar format. I can go to whatever lectures I want, provided that it doesn't conflict with the seminars. Graduates from the program have higher board scores than the rest of the UMDNJ(osteo) students. It seems like a great opportunity. Then, my waitlist option is SUNY Buffalo--which I really like as a solid school. I can get state tuition at either. There are location concerns which are obviously secondary. I just don't know?

If you get in, I would choose SUNY Buffalo which is a great school. That's just my personal opinion. I definitely think, that as you admit, it boils down to making that decision. The problem isn't really the waitlist ethics, but just making your decision ahead of time (you only have one waitlist to worry about as well). Good luck.

 

[prayerfulMD_MPH2009]

I am in a similar situation. All You can do is wait. If you really want to go to Buffalo, Wait until the last minute to officially enroll at UMDNJ because once you are enrolled, I don't think you are allowed to accept another school or withdraw from their school. ( Unless you want to call them and ask anonymously about academic consequences and financial penalties ect...)

Right now, sit tight, wait and be happy that you are in an enviable position. If Buffalo starts school before UMDNJ and you don't get pulled off the WL then, you will know for sure that your only choice left is UMDNJ.

On the other hand, If Buffalo starts school after UMDNJ and at some point you are pulled off the WL whlile in NJ then, You will just have to decline.

Good luck with your decision. I can empathize with your problem.

 

[i61164]

Once offered admission, don't you have a time limit to make your decision? Is there a distinction between "accepting" an offer and "holding" an offer? Could the OP mean that he has "accepted" the offer rather than "holding" the offer?

 

[jopdo]

I am in a similar situation. All You can do is wait. If you really want to go to Buffalo, Wait until the last minute to officially enroll at UMDNJ because once you are enrolled, I don't think you are allowed to accept another school or withdraw from their school. ( Unless you want to call them and ask anonymously about academic consequences and financial penalties ect...)

Right now, sit tight, wait and be happy that you are in an enviable position. If Buffalo starts school before UMDNJ and you don't get pulled off the WL then, you will know for sure that your only choice left is UMDNJ.

On the other hand, If Buffalo starts school after UMDNJ and at some point you are pulled off the WL whlile in NJ then, You will just have to decline.

Good luck with your decision. I can empathize with your problem.

Thanks for your help. What does it mean to "officially" enroll? I have accepted their offer of admission. I have begun the process of dealing with FIN Aid. Have I shot myself in the foot????

 

[JohnnieBlue]

Unethical? Please. You want to hear unethical? When you call a school to see where you are on the waitlist and you get an answer like "its unranked" (ie at Columbia) when you know it clearly is ranked. Spare me the drama. Do whatever is best for you and your career. They don't care one bit about you, so do whatever you want as long as it doesnt come back and bite you in the a@#. Everyone here who has worked in corporate America can attest that there is no loyalty between employers and workers. The same goes for schools and students in admisions. If you pull out, they'll just get someone else. Just don't do anything stupid like give deposits to two schools and tell them both you're coming. Once taken off of a waitlist, if you're not sure what to do, take 2 weeks to think about it. They won't want an answer on the spot unless they are completely pompous jerks (see school above). Thats just my two cents.

 

[felipe5]

Unethical? Please. You want to hear unethical? When you call a school to see where you are on the waitlist and you get an answer like "its unranked" (ie at Columbia) when you know it clearly is ranked.

Johnnie, I totally agree with you. I am currently on an 'unranked' waitlist, and I honestly believe that there HAS to have some sort of ranking to it.....i mean, how are they going to review such a massive amount of applicants EACH time a position opens up??? That doesn't sound very efficient to me at all. So many waitlister's really are living their lives day by day hoping for some glimpse as to what the future holds (and by future, I mean within the next month).....for me, I still have NO idea where I could be in one month, and thus have not secured a place to live for next semester.....I could seriously end up in 3 different areas of the country. How can they just not tell us anything!?!?!?! withholding information that could help us decide what do to with our lives just doesn't seem right to me, but there's nothing more for us to do but take it. I mean, we paid the application fee, they might as well throw us a frickin' bone. Sorry for the rant

 

[jopdo]

Once offered admission, don't you have a time limit to make your decision? Is there a distinction between "accepting" an offer and "holding" an offer? Could the OP mean that he has "accepted" the offer rather than "holding" the offer?

Could someone please clarify the quote above between holding and accepting an offer of admission. What happens once you have officially accepted an offer? Does that mean you HAVE to go, or are you still open to waitlist debating???

 

[TRUE]

Could someone please clarify the quote above between holding and accepting an offer of admission. What happens once you have officially accepted an offer? Does that mean you HAVE to go, or are you still open to waitlist debating???

Once you have accepted the offer from the waitlist school, then I believe you have to go there, unless of course you get pulled off yet another waitlist that ranks higher than the first one. I do not believe it is acceptable to accept the 1st waitlist offer while still being "enrolled" in the initial school. That's because you'd be "enrolled" to two schools at once which is illegal under the AAMC traffic rules. Basically, the only thing you need to know is that once you are offered that waitlist spot you ahve a day or two (or perhaps more depending on the school), to decide if you want to attend that school. If you do, it is suppossed that you call the school you were planning on attending and withdrawing.

 

[i61164]

Once you have accepted the offer from the waitlist school, then I believe you have to go there, unless of course you get pulled off yet another waitlist that ranks higher than the first one. I do not believe it is acceptable to accept the 1st waitlist offer while still being "enrolled" in the initial school. That's because you'd be "enrolled" to two schools at once which is illegal under the AAMC traffic rules. Basically, the only thing you need to know is that once you are offered that waitlist spot you ahve a day or two (or perhaps more depending on the school), to decide if you want to attend that school. If you do, it is suppossed that you call the school you were planning on attending and withdrawing.

If you accept an offer of admission, does that mean you are "enrolled?" Also, what if you are on two waitlists and you are holding one offer? Say that you make it off of one of the waitlists but you are still waitlisted at your top choice. How can you make a decision in one or two days if you are still on a waitlist? Can you drop your first acceptance and hold the second acceptance beyond the 1-2 day limit while you wait to hear from the third?

 

[TRUE]

The rules are you cannot be holding two acceptences at once past May 15th. The exception to that rule is you can hold 2 acceptences for a day or so to decide about the waitlist school if you are accepted.

As for being accepted off one waitlist while still waiting for a second, that is perfectly legal. You can tell the 1st waitlist school you are going (but at this point you ahve to withdraw from the original school you were accepted to), and keep your name on the 2nd waitlist. Then, when you are pulled off the 2nd waitlist, you repeat the same steps. You just can't be on two "accepted lists". Being taken off the waitlist, but not deciding whether you're going or not does not count as being "accepted".

 

[thewzdoc]

I think you are ?supposed? to remove yourself from the waitlist of all other schools as soon as you get an acceptance at another. I don?t think you will run into ?legal? or ?ethical? issues if you delay the removal a few weeks. If you get an acceptance at another school and you would prefer to go there then just immediately tell the first school that you decline the acceptance. If you don?t decline the first acceptance before accepting the second you are on thin ice and guilty of being a ?chode?. That sounds like the old ?Who?s on first? skit??

 

[pjv2410]

Wow. I can't believe there is so much confusion here. I thought the AAMC rules were pretty clear.

You CAN be on as many waitlists as you want for as long as you want. You are considered automatically removed from all waitlists as soon as you start classes at a school. You are under no obligation to withdraw from waitlists if you really are interested in going to the schools that waitlisted you.

After May 15, you can hold an offer of admission at only one school. "Holding" and "accepting" an offer of admission are the same thing.

So, say you've been accepted at School A, and waitlisted at School B and School C. If School B contacts you to say that they're giving you an offer of admission, then you must decide ASAP if you want to attend School A or School B. The turnaround should be no more than 1-2 days. If you decide to go to School B, you must contact School A and say "I changed my mind and I'm going somewhere else". If you decide to stick with School A, you must tell School B "no thanks". Either way you can stay on the waitlist at School C.

If you then later get off the waitlist at School C, you have to make the same evaluation process.

I agree with the earlier post that it's best to have your mind made up about your rankings for your waitlisted schools so that you can give them a decision immediately.

Hope this helps

 

[prayerfulMD_MPH2009]

Thanks for your help. What does it mean to "officially" enroll? I have accepted their offer of admission. I have begun the process of dealing with FIN Aid. Have I shot myself in the foot????

Enrolled = registered for classes, paid fees, attended orientation ect...

Basically it would be too late for the school to fill your spot, should you decide to withdraw.

Ethically, there is nothing wrong with remaining on the WL until the last minute , though it might be nerve wrecking.

 

[jopdo]

Wow. I can't believe there is so much confusion here. I thought the AAMC rules were pretty clear.

You CAN be on as many waitlists as you want for as long as you want. You are considered automatically removed from all waitlists as soon as you start classes at a school. You are under no obligation to withdraw from waitlists if you really are interested in going to the schools that waitlisted you.

After May 15, you can hold an offer of admission at only one school. "Holding" and "accepting" an offer of admission are the same thing.

So, say you've been accepted at School A, and waitlisted at School B and School C. If School B contacts you to say that they're giving you an offer of admission, then you must decide ASAP if you want to attend School A or School B. The turnaround should be no more than 1-2 days. If you decide to go to School B, you must contact School A and say "I changed my mind and I'm going somewhere else". If you decide to stick with School A, you must tell School B "no thanks". Either way you can stay on the waitlist at School C.

If you then later get off the waitlist at School C, you have to make the same evaluation process.

I agree with the earlier post that it's best to have your mind made up about your rankings for your waitlisted schools so that you can give them a decision immediately.

Hope this helps

I know this seems like a silly loop hole, but do the AAMC rules hold true if the school you are waitlisted at is a DO program, i.e. not part of the AAMC system... I know I am being silly by looking for such a loophole.

 

[pjv2410]

I know this seems like a silly loop hole, but do the AAMC rules hold true if the school you are waitlisted at is a DO program, i.e. not part of the AAMC system... I know I am being silly by looking for such a loophole.

Hmmm.... interesting question.

I'm not sure what the "official" answer is, but my guess is that you could probably hold an acceptance at an allopathic and osteopathic school at the same time. It would seem that the AAMC rules would not apply, and I don't believe that the AAMC schools share acceptance and waitlist information with the DO schools.

But, either way you'll have a choice to make eventually, and it's always better to do it as quickly as you can to be fair to other people on the waitlist whose lives are on hold.