When is it ethically okay to sit on >1 acceptance?

[Tbonez]

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I have been accepted at two schools so far and interview one more in a couple of weeks. One acceptance I'm going to drop (tuition too expensive, location, etc.). One I'm going to keep as it is my first choice. If I get in at the school I am going to interview however, the decision will be harder. It will all come down to whether my wife gets the job position at choice #1 city. She may not know for sure until around Jan. / Feb. So my question is, I know it is ethically unsound to sit on more than one acceptance for no reason, but I have heard people say it is okay if there is legitimate reason such as finanacial aid negotiations, relocation issues, etc. What is YOUR opinion? When is it okay to sit on two acceptances?

 

[mamitch4]

You gotta do what you gotta do. A lot of money and the next 4+ years of your life depend on it. Sounds like you have a pretty legitimate reason to wait. This is why schools give you time before you pay your deposit to decide.
However, I have already received the acceptance that I wanted so it's easy for me to be calm about it...

 

[DireWolf]

I agree with mamitch. This is one of the most important decisions of your life. You earned the acceptance. Sit on it if you have a legit reason, which I believe you do.

 

[skypilot]

People sit on acceptances just to see what kind of financial aid package they are going to get from each school.

As long as you are not sitting on them for no good reason, and it is not more than a couple, I don't see any issue at all.

 

[Pooh Chong]

I don't know if it is ethically wrong to sit on more than one acceptance - what is really wrong with it? You putting down a deposit to hold a seat in the class that was offered to you. It would mean and dirty to hold seats in classes that you have no intention to ever going - but also financial damaging, have you see those deposits?

I would imagine that you would put down deposits at schools that really interest you...but are having problems deciding so will wait for other things (perhaps financial aid). I would also imagine that other factors like the spouse's admission into schools of similiar location would be good reasons why you would. Even if there weren't these factors...I am not sure it is ethically wrong, just my humble opinion.

I know for me I don't want to sit on too many acceptances because it's too much money - but I don't think I would feel too bad if I took more than one seat if I was legimately having a hard time to and needed more time to figure out things.

 

[candiedapple01]

Which two schools are you considering "sitting" on in terms of your acceptances? I am in a similar situation--I've been accepted at COMP and I just interviewed well at UHS and feel I might want to go there, but my husband is applying for jobs and likely won't interview until January or February... does anyone know if these schools might delay the deposit requirement based on these circumstances or will I just have to eat it and pay both schools?

 

[Tbonez]

Originally posted by candiedapple01
Which two schools are you considering "sitting" on in terms of your acceptances? I am in a similar situation--I've been accepted at COMP and I just interviewed well at UHS and feel I might want to go there, but my husband is applying for jobs and likely won't interview until January or February... does anyone know if these schools might delay the deposit requirement based on these circumstances or will I just have to eat it and pay both schools?

OSUCOM and presumptiously univ of okla. I don't know about your particular schools, but I know most won't let you delay deposits. However, some deposits at some schools are refundable until a later date such as April or May. Example: OU and OSU both have a refundable $100 dep. KCOM where I also was accepted wants a $1000 dep. by Dec. 14th and is nonrefundable.

 

[Pooh Chong]

I am pretty sure you'll have to pay no matter the situation....otherwise they would have so many people asking for deferments on the deposit due to a lot of different reasons (either made up or real).

The reason they have the deposit is for you to commit and help the admissions "process"....it would severly limit the number of acceptances they could send out, and your reason for them to delay would have to be extremely overwhelming situation and they would have to want you that badly as well...if they were to make an exception.

By severly limit....I don't mean one exception...but you know the saying that if you do it for one person you'll have to do it for everyone else.

 

[Adapt]

I'm sitting on 3 acceptances and have no qualms about it, even though I'm leaning toward COMP. I'll let go of the other ones around May when I need to.

 

[Pooh Chong]

Slickness - sitting on three acceptances??? Your list says you've been accepted into three schools...so let me make a guess....just a guess.

First interview was @ TUCOM, and you decided to pay the $2k within 2 weeks. I would think that most students who put down a deposit there would not put one down elsewhere as they would lose their $2k....and those who put it down are putting it down because it is their first or second choice. OR, who put it down (and put deposits elsewhere) do it because of insurance ($2k insurance)....don't knock on me, even Dr. Haight talked about this @ the interview and said it was fine as students could think of it as a guarantee for $2k.

Second interview was @ COMP and you liked it better and decided to put down the $1k.

Third interview was @ Temple and you decided you liked to have an MD school as an option.




If you meant that you have not actually deposited and have acceptances from the schools then I read it incorrectly. I turned down TUCOM right away because of the two week turnaround, and have yet to inform any other school as I have until December to decide.

 

[Adapt]

Pooh Chong you are somewhat right.

My 1st interview was at Temple back in early September. My 3rd interview was at TUCOM back at the end of September. My 8th interview was at COMP in mid October.

TUCOM was my first acceptance. I waited two days to send in the $2000 deposit for insurance as you stated. A day later, I get my acceptance from Temple, which beats TUCOM any day, after which I was really pissed off. I could have put a stop on my check but I thought it would have been bad.

So I sent in the $100 fully refundable deposit to Temple. Yes that's right. ONLY 100 FRICKIN DOLLARS AND ITS REFUNDABLE. Crazy DO schools...

Anyways, about 2 weeks later I was accepted to COMP. I live right by there and it has always been one of my top choices. The following is my rank list for schools...

1. Any CA MD school
2. COMP
3. Any out of state MD school
4. Any other DO school

Yes I also think it's funny that COMP stands alone but that's the way it is. So I have arrived on the upper half of my list and still am hoping to get to number one. Of course that could change if COMP gives me a good financial aid package. Thus I sent in my $1000 deposit to COMP.

All I can say is THIS PROCESS COSTS WAY TOO MUCH!!! Also, TUCOM really should change that policy. It's extortion!!!!!😡

 

[skypilot]

I think it would be worth a try to get the $2k back. It really is extortion especially so early in the process.

Maybe a call to the Dean would do the trick.

 

[Adapt]

Originally posted by skypilot
I think it would be worth a try to get the $2k back. It really is extortion especially so early in the process.

Maybe a call to the Dean would do the trick.

Interesting. I never thought about that. Has anyone ever had luck with this?

 

[HKDO08]

I reallly doubt this would work. I mean, you did sign an agreement when you sent the $2,000. As far as I remember, the agreement clearly states that the $2,000 is non-refundable. I was fortunate enough to not have to pay the stupid $2,000 (thank you UHS for coming through for me in time!).

I guess you could try anyway. It's not like it's really going to hurt anything.

Lari

 

[Robz]

For 2K I would have called the school and withdrew my application, told them to ignore any extra mailings from me, and canceled the check.


Its 2000 dollars!!!!!

 

[skypilot]

But you were accepted so early its not like they were holding the spot for you. What were they holding it like a few weeks!

 

[skypilot]

Originally posted by Robz
For 2K I would have called the school and withdrew my application, told them to ignore any extra mailings from me, and canceled the check.

Definitely I would have called and acted embarrassed and said I changed my mind after I mailed the check. Then I would have stopped payment.

 

[Adapt]

Originally posted by skypilot
Definitely I would have called and acted embarrassed and said I changed my mind after I mailed the check. Then I would have stopped payment.

Yea I was thinking about doing that. I was afraid they might have called up COMP and told them what happened and I would have been blackballed and rejected from COMP. Otherwise I would have.

 

[HKDO08]

Originally posted by Slickness
Yea I was thinking about doing that. I was afraid they might have called up COMP and told them what happened and I would have been blackballed and rejected from COMP. Otherwise I would have.

You CAN'T be serious......🙄

 

[Adapt]

Originally posted by Lari29
You CAN'T be serious......🙄

Actually I am and I do not appreciate the rolley eyes icon.😉

 

[HKDO08]

Originally posted by Slickness
Actually I am and I do not appreciate the rolley eyes icon.😉

🙄

I couldn't help myself--your paranoia cracks me up.

 

[Adapt]

Originally posted by Lari29
🙄

I couldn't help myself--your paranoia cracks me up.

Right back at you, homeslice.

🙄

 

[Pooh Chong]

Lari29 your comments are a bit rude and show a small lack of empathy. Have you heard of Ivy league schools sharing lists? Despite it being illegal, I have heard from private college counselors that this happens. Have you ever had a bad experiences with your pre-med office at your school, but too afraid of saying something because you did not want them to blackball you? I KNOW I HAVE!!! In fact, a part of me wants to rip into them........but way after this admission process. This follows in the same idea, and despite the fact that it may or may not be something to worry about with Touro & COMP I do not think it is LAUGHABLE or complete PARANOIA because this is medical school and this is your life we are talking about.



I think I interviewed with you @ Touro by the way.

 

[Adapt]

Originally posted by Pooh Chong
Have you heard of Ivy league schools sharing lists? Despite it being illegal, I have heard from private college counselors that this happens. Have you ever had a bad experiences with your pre-med office at your school, but too afraid of saying something because you did not want them to blackball you? I KNOW I HAVE!!! In fact, a part of me wants to rip into them........but way after this admission process. This follows in the same idea, and despite the fact that it may or may not be something to worry about with Touro & COMP I do not think it is LAUGHABLE or complete PARANOIA because this is medical school and this is your life we are talking about.

Exactly. I don't think it's too far fetched to say that TUCOM and COMP talk to each other since they are the only 2 DO schools in CA.

If you look at MDapplicants. com. Almost, every single person who was accepted to TUCOM was also accepted to COMP. Thus, I didn't want to piss off TUCOM because after all, they were my first acceptance and this did give me confidence going into the COMP interview. All it would have taken was a simple call to the admissions office of COMP and tell them what happened.

Maybe it's paranoia but as Pooh Chong said, it is my life we are talking about. It's better to be safe than sorry.

 

[NDESTRUKT]

lari is just posting her opinion. this IS a public forum and from what i remember, it's ok to post what you think - unless ur cussing or being a bigot or whatever.

she has her own reasons she feels that putting 2 grand deposits is hecka pricey but at the same time i understand you guys have your reasons for the paranoia. schools can't just say they accept someone and then reject them unless they lied about their stats or whatever. secondly COMP and Touro have thousands of students - they're not gonna zoom in on one student and see if they got into the other school and sent in a deposit. thirdly, they get their money anyway, i doubt they'll have a hard time filling in a spot if you choose not to go.

at the same time is it ethically wrong? that's up to the individual i guess.

again, i understand why you might sit on two acceptances to have options...i probably would do the same thing, except choose less pricey places, cuz geez, 2-3 grand could be well invested! =)