When are you considered as fully "committed" to a school?

[Novamagic]

Hi everyone!

So, I am an applicant who has been admitted into Michigan State University School of Osteopathic Medicine, and I am writing this to see if any of you could help me figure out the answers for the following questions regarding the steps I may need to take after this admission decision.

1. I have already paid MSU the deposit ($1000) in order to secure my seat in 2015 entering class, and I was wondering if there is any other step that an applicant is expected to take before the class (and the orientation) starts, especially when he/she has more than one acceptances. More specifically, As I have checked AACOMAS manual to find the relevant information but have not been able to find any deadline such as May 15th, AMCAS deadline that requires applicants holding multiple acceptances to choose one while withdrawing the rest of the options, I would like to know if there is such date/ or such action required for the AACOMAS process. Is there anyone who knows the answer for this?

2. Although this is a difficult question to ask, I would also like to know when exactly an applicant is considered fully "committed" to a school (such as MSU) (that is, an applicant may NOT rescind the previous acceptance EVEN IF he/she gets an acceptance off from the waitlist of the person's first choice program). When browsing, I have found many people saying that an applicant is not considered committed even after paying the deposit to initially secure the spot until the very first day of orientation. To be more specific, I am currently waitlisted on one of the MD programs while having MSU orientation on June 10th (the first class starts on June 15th). May I ask you for help to find out the answer for until exactly when I would actively be considered as a waitlisted candidate for this MD program? Would that be until June 10th (orientation) or June 15th (class start)? Or would I already be considered fully committed to MSU once enrolling the classes/paying the tuition? This is important as I am planning to communicate with the school (that has waitlisted me) about this personal deadline.

3. Finally, I am wondering if you think I should email MSU directly to know the answer. Maybe I should, to make things sure, but I definitely do not want them to think that I am any less interested in attending their program (I do like it!). Maybe it'll be a matter of wording...

Thank you all so much for your time and help in advance.

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[ortnakas]

1) There's no such magical date for AACOMAS. As far as I know, DO schools don't share that information with each other.

2) There were people in my class who dropped out during orientation, but after that I'd guess you're committed-- both because you've already paid your tuition and because classes start. MSU isn't going to tell the other school you're not going there; that's your job. I suppose you could rescind your acceptance after that, but it would be poor form and complicated financially.

3) Emailing them to tell them they're your second choice would not be a good move. There's not a good way to word "you're actually not my first choice, what's the latest date I could drop out?" You may be able to email the MD school, tell them you're sitting on another acceptance but would be thrilled to attend their school if notified by (insert date here).

Best of luck.

 

[Novamagic]

Hello Ortnakas,

Thanks a lot for your reply. Yes, I do agree with you that to communicate with MSU that way would not be a good move.
But still, I feel the necessity of having the definite answer for the question "what's the latest date I could drop out" so that I could possibly communicate with my first choice school more effectively ( I wouldn't worry about this too much if MSU starts in the middle of August, like the other schools, but as they start really early, I know that I do not have much time unless I would take the risk of hoping to get off the waitlist while jeopardizing the acceptance from MSU, which I currently do not consider wise in my circumstance).

Do you think that I should come up with different reasons (rather than the fact that I am waiting to hear back from the other school) when speaking with MSU to find out the answer? What would possibly those be, and would that even be right or effective? I have messaged AACOMAS with the same question to see if they could help, but they have not responded me yet; do you think I should not talk to MSU but rather talk to other authoritative groups (such as AACOMAS), or would it be inevitable for me to speak with MSU about this...?

On a different note, I will definitely put forth my greatest effort into letting my first choice school know of my continued interest and into updating my application accordingly.

I thanks so much for being willing to think through this with me!

 

[Novamagic]

1) There's no such magical date for AACOMAS. As far as I know, DO schools don't share that information with each other.

2) There were people in my class who dropped out during orientation, but after that I'd guess you're committed-- both because you've already paid your tuition and because classes start. MSU isn't going to tell the other school you're not going there; that's your job. I suppose you could rescind your acceptance after that, but it would be poor form and complicated financially.

3) Emailing them to tell them they're your second choice would not be a good move. There's not a good way to word "you're actually not my first choice, what's the latest date I could drop out?" You may be able to email the MD school, tell them you're sitting on another acceptance but would be thrilled to attend their school if notified by (insert date here).

Best of luck.

Hello Ortnakas,

Thanks a lot for your reply. Yes, I do agree with you that to communicate with MSU that way would not be a good move.
But still, I feel the necessity of having the definite answer for the question "what's the latest date I could drop out" so that I could possibly communicate with my first choice school more effectively ( I wouldn't worry about this too much if MSU starts in the middle of August, like the other schools, but as they start really early, I know that I do not have much time unless I would take the risk of hoping to get off the waitlist while jeopardizing the acceptance from MSU, which I currently do not consider wise in my circumstance).

Do you think that I should come up with different reasons (rather than the fact that I am waiting to hear back from the other school) when speaking with MSU to find out the answer? What would possibly those be, and would that even be right or effective? I have messaged AACOMAS with the same question to see if they could help, but they have not responded me yet; do you think I should not talk to MSU but rather talk to other authoritative groups (such as AACOMAS), or would it be inevitable for me to speak with MSU about this...?

On a different note, I will definitely put forth my greatest effort into letting my first choice school know of my continued interest and into updating my application accordingly.

I thanks so much for being willing to think through this with me!

 

[kinzav]

There's no deadline. It's kind of lame for the school, cause they might lose a payment for a year, but med schools make enough money.

The only thing is the money. Paying deposits is 1.5k or so, but when you make that non refundable 40k payment, it's hard to see that money go. But if you really think it's worth it, go to the other school. I started school at KCOM, and paid tuition, and setup my living situation in kirksville, but I was on the good wait list at USUHS. USUHS started a month later, and I would've dropped even after all those payments cause USUHS would pay me to go there(it's the military school) and it was my dream school. Tell the first choice your still interested and keep them updated, don't worry about MSU. They don't actually care, people drop out all the time.

Just to add, I'm really happy I'm at KCOM and don't regret not going to USUHS, especially since I don't want to be military anymore.

 

[Novamagic]

There's no deadline. It's kind of lame for the school, cause they might lose a payment for a year, but med schools make enough money.

The only thing is the money. Paying deposits is 1.5k or so, but when you make that non refundable 40k payment, it's hard to see that money go. But if you really think it's worth it, go to the other school. I started school at KCOM, and paid tuition, and setup my living situation in kirksville, but I was on the good wait list at USUHS. USUHS started a month later, and I would've dropped even after all those payments cause USUHS would pay me to go there(it's the military school) and it was my dream school. Tell the first choice your still interested and keep them updated, don't worry about MSU. They don't actually care, people drop out all the time.

Just to add, I'm really happy I'm at KCOM and don't regret not going to USUHS, especially since I don't want to be military anymore.

Thanks so much Kinzav!

I have actually called MSU and been told that I can still withdraw from the classes after I join the orientation but would be considered fully committed once the class starts, and I think that, as you explained, the "refundable/non-refundable tuition" issue definitely plays the major role in actually defining such deadline.

1.Do you know how I would be able to find out whether the payment I am making is refundable/non-refundable? I assume that the information will be included in the bill?

Also, as I have found out that I have until June 15th ( I would say June 10th-the orientation, just to be safe) to wait to hear from the school on which I am waitlisted, I am thinking of letting them know of this "personal deadline" ( this term was found on the school's website where I had to go to confirm my waitlist status; it says that the applicants could let them know of such deadline (e.g., other acceptances, apartment rentals, etc) and they would try their best to work with the applicants).

2.Who do you think I should email, the admission office or the actual deans of admissions? Maybe I should email both?
If I were to email the admission office, since they are the people responsible for administrative work, I think I can honestly tell them where the deadline comes from (in other words, I can probably say that I am holding acceptance from other school but I would be thrilled to attend this school and it's my first choice if notified by June 10th).

3.However, the situation gets a little trickier when I am thinking of how to write such note to the dean. Although it is important for me to let them know of my situation, I am greatly concerned whether this inquiry would be taken as I am any less interested in joining this program. Do you think I should still give him the honest note, or do you think it would not be a good move? I know that there is no definite answer for this but would appreciate if you could share your insight..!

Thanks so much!

 

[PlaqueBuster]

Thanks so much Kinzav!

I have actually called MSU and been told that I can still withdraw from the classes after I join the orientation but would be considered fully committed once the class starts, and I think that, as you explained, the "refundable/non-refundable tuition" issue definitely plays the major role in actually defining such deadline.

1.Do you know how I would be able to find out whether the payment I am making is refundable/non-refundable? I assume that the information will be included in the bill?

Also, as I have found out that I have until June 15th ( I would say June 10th-the orientation, just to be safe) to wait to hear from the school on which I am waitlisted, I am thinking of letting them know of this "personal deadline" ( this term was found on the school's website where I had to go to confirm my waitlist status; it says that the applicants could let them know of such deadline (e.g., other acceptances, apartment rentals, etc) and they would try their best to work with the applicants).

2.Who do you think I should email, the admission office or the actual deans of admissions? Maybe I should email both?
If I were to email the admission office, since they are the people responsible for administrative work, I think I can honestly tell them where the deadline comes from (in other words, I can probably say that I am holding acceptance from other school but I would be thrilled to attend this school and it's my first choice if notified by June 10th).

3.However, the situation gets a little trickier when I am thinking of how to write such note to the dean. Although it is important for me to let them know of my situation, I am greatly concerned whether this inquiry would be taken as I am any less interested in joining this program. Do you think I should still give him the honest note, or do you think it would not be a good move? I know that there is no definite answer for this but would appreciate if you could share your insight..!

Thanks so much!

Admissions office will not help you. Contact the dean for the best answers or the director of admissions. Don't write an email to the secretaries

 

[kinzav]

Thanks so much Kinzav!

I have actually called MSU and been told that I can still withdraw from the classes after I join the orientation but would be considered fully committed once the class starts, and I think that, as you explained, the "refundable/non-refundable tuition" issue definitely plays the major role in actually defining such deadline.

1.Do you know how I would be able to find out whether the payment I am making is refundable/non-refundable? I assume that the information will be included in the bill?

Also, as I have found out that I have until June 15th ( I would say June 10th-the orientation, just to be safe) to wait to hear from the school on which I am waitlisted, I am thinking of letting them know of this "personal deadline" ( this term was found on the school's website where I had to go to confirm my waitlist status; it says that the applicants could let them know of such deadline (e.g., other acceptances, apartment rentals, etc) and they would try their best to work with the applicants).

2.Who do you think I should email, the admission office or the actual deans of admissions? Maybe I should email both?
If I were to email the admission office, since they are the people responsible for administrative work, I think I can honestly tell them where the deadline comes from (in other words, I can probably say that I am holding acceptance from other school but I would be thrilled to attend this school and it's my first choice if notified by June 10th).

3.However, the situation gets a little trickier when I am thinking of how to write such note to the dean. Although it is important for me to let them know of my situation, I am greatly concerned whether this inquiry would be taken as I am any less interested in joining this program. Do you think I should still give him the honest note, or do you think it would not be a good move? I know that there is no definite answer for this but would appreciate if you could share your insight..!

Thanks so much!

My advice would be

1. Don't tell MSU anything more. You've already done more than enough to keep them informed. The best they will do is let anyone else on their wait list know that a student may drop out soon, but they won't be keeping a wait list after classes start.

2. Email admissions, or send a letter to admissions, saying that you're committed to being on their wait list as long as possible as long as you can get in this year. Let them know it'd be really painful to commit tuition to another school you've been accepted to by (insert whatever date the deadline is here) but their school is definitely your top choice for these reasons... Etc. (keep it down to 2 paragraph I'd say). This letter of intent might not mean anything but it shouldn't hurt.

3. Plan on your tuition being non refundable. Plan on all your payments being non refundable. That's just how most medical schools work, and it will hurt, but if it's worth it to you, then it's a sacrifice you will have to make. There's really no way around it.

 

[keels99]

Most schools prorate tuition if you drop out later. I know for a fact that Kirksville does this because one of my friends came off the waitlist at Mizzou while she was still at Kirksville, but did not have to pay the full tuition for dropping out and going to Mizzou. Hope that helps.

 

[Novamagic]

Most schools prorate tuition if you drop out later. I know for a fact that Kirksville does this because one of my friends came off the waitlist at Mizzou while she was still at Kirksville, but did not have to pay the full tuition for dropping out and going to Mizzou. Hope that helps.

Thanks a lot for your reply.
I am happy for your friend!🙂

I have always been curious about this issue: So it is possible for the applicant who comes off the waitlist to drop out the school that he/she was initially attending and go to the first choice school if the financial situation works out, but I am wondering whether this transition would technically be considered as a "transfer" or else that violates the admission policy of the "first choice school"? I came up with this question because the situation is that the student "once" matriculates at a medical school but tries to go to another medical school after spending "some" time at the second choice school (different from the situation where the student decides to drop out before the class starts). It seems that such transition does not violate the admission policy at Mizzou (I think Mizzou must have known the fact that your friend once attended at Kirkswille by the time your friend moved in). Is this case in general?

I appreciate your thought in advance!!

 

[Novamagic]

There's no deadline. It's kind of lame for the school, cause they might lose a payment for a year, but med schools make enough money.

The only thing is the money. Paying deposits is 1.5k or so, but when you make that non refundable 40k payment, it's hard to see that money go. But if you really think it's worth it, go to the other school. I started school at KCOM, and paid tuition, and setup my living situation in kirksville, but I was on the good wait list at USUHS. USUHS started a month later, and I would've dropped even after all those payments cause USUHS would pay me to go there(it's the military school) and it was my dream school. Tell the first choice your still interested and keep them updated, don't worry about MSU. They don't actually care, people drop out all the time.

Just to add, I'm really happy I'm at KCOM and don't regret not going to USUHS, especially since I don't want to be military anymore.

Thanks a lot for your reply. Looks like you made the right decision for yourself!🙂 Your case by the way made me think about the following question.

I have always been curious about this issue: So it is possible for the applicant who comes off the waitlist to drop out the school that he/she was initially attending and go to the first choice school if the financial situation works out, but I am wondering whether this transition would technically be considered as a "transfer" or else that violates the admission policy of the "first choice school"? I came up with this question because the situation is that the student "once" matriculates at a medical school but tries to go to another medical school after spending "some" time at the second choice school (different from the situation where the student decides to drop out before the class starts). It seems that such transition does not violate the admission policy at USUHS (in other words, you could go to USUHS if accepted off the waitlist even after you spent some time at Kirksville- of course if the financial situation works out), is this the case in general?

I appreciate your thought in advance!!

 

[Novamagic]

My advice would be

1. Don't tell MSU anything more. You've already done more than enough to keep them informed. The best they will do is let anyone else on their wait list know that a student may drop out soon, but they won't be keeping a wait list after classes start.

2. Email admissions, or send a letter to admissions, saying that you're committed to being on their wait list as long as possible as long as you can get in this year. Let them know it'd be really painful to commit tuition to another school you've been accepted to by (insert whatever date the deadline is here) but their school is definitely your top choice for these reasons... Etc. (keep it down to 2 paragraph I'd say). This letter of intent might not mean anything but it shouldn't hurt.

3. Plan on your tuition being non refundable. Plan on all your payments being non refundable. That's just how most medical schools work, and it will hurt, but if it's worth it to you, then it's a sacrifice you will have to make. There's really no way around it.

Thanks so much for your response, I appreciate it a lot..!

 

[Driftinglily11]

.

 

[Goro]

When you show up for matriculation.

Hi everyone!

So, I am an applicant who has been admitted into Michigan State University School of Osteopathic Medicine, and I am writing this to see if any of you could help me figure out the answers for the following questions regarding the steps I may need to take after this admission decision.

1. I have already paid MSU the deposit ($1000) in order to secure my seat in 2015 entering class, and I was wondering if there is any other step that an applicant is expected to take before the class (and the orientation) starts, especially when he/she has more than one acceptances. More specifically, As I have checked AACOMAS manual to find the relevant information but have not been able to find any deadline such as May 15th, AMCAS deadline that requires applicants holding multiple acceptances to choose one while withdrawing the rest of the options, I would like to know if there is such date/ or such action required for the AACOMAS process. Is there anyone who knows the answer for this?

2. Although this is a difficult question to ask, I would also like to know when exactly an applicant is considered fully "committed" to a school (such as MSU) (that is, an applicant may NOT rescind the previous acceptance EVEN IF he/she gets an acceptance off from the waitlist of the person's first choice program). When browsing, I have found many people saying that an applicant is not considered committed even after paying the deposit to initially secure the spot until the very first day of orientation. To be more specific, I am currently waitlisted on one of the MD programs while having MSU orientation on June 10th (the first class starts on June 15th). May I ask you for help to find out the answer for until exactly when I would actively be considered as a waitlisted candidate for this MD program? Would that be until June 10th (orientation) or June 15th (class start)? Or would I already be considered fully committed to MSU once enrolling the classes/paying the tuition? This is important as I am planning to communicate with the school (that has waitlisted me) about this personal deadline.

3. Finally, I am wondering if you think I should email MSU directly to know the answer. Maybe I should, to make things sure, but I definitely do not want them to think that I am any less interested in attending their program (I do like it!). Maybe it'll be a matter of wording...

Thank you all so much for your time and help in advance.

 

[chizledfrmstone]

Thanks so much for your response, I appreciate it a lot..!

There should be a student handbook that outlines the payment protocol. As someone mentioned before the tuition is often prorated and if you dropout before a certain date you only pay a certain amount.

It should come up when you fill out your financial aid stuff.