Withdrawing during application cycle

[CodeRedDew]

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I see on people's MDApps profile that they have schools listed under the "Attended Interview, Waitlisted, Withdrew" heading. Why do people withdraw from a school after they've gone through the hassle of applying/interview? If you're on the waitlist, why not just wait to see if you will get off of the waitlist? I'm not sure exactly how this works, which is why I'm asking about it. I'm sure there is a good reason why people withdraw from schools after they've interviewed and been waitlisted. Someone care to clarify?

 

[Aerus]

I know that a good reason to withdraw is if you got into your top choice, so there isn't really a reason to crowd the waitlist and make it harder for others who actually want to go to that school as a first choice.

 

[1TB4RKSB4CK]

Maybe they got into their top choice school.

 

[flodhi1]

I withdrew after some interviews/acceptances because I realized I was not a good fit for the school. I realized that I couldn't live in those cities after being there or be happy at the school. You can never really judge until you've actually seen things. Some schools don't have thorough information provided to the public about the school. I'm sure many people realize that they don't want to attend the school after the interview since not only is the school interviewing you but you're also some what interviewing the school.

 

[TheMightySmiter]

Sometimes your feelings about a school change after interviewing. That's how I felt about Rochester. Great school, not a good fit for me, so I withdrew after getting waitlisted. Also, if I get into my top choice (off the waitlist) I will withdraw from all others.

 

[RedSox10]

Sometimes your feelings about a school change after interviewing. That's how I felt about Rochester. Great school, not a good fit for me, so I withdrew after getting waitlisted. Also, if I get into my top choice (off the waitlist) I will withdraw from all others.

It's true. I think when you're applying to med school you think to yourself, "I'll go anywhere" and everywhere seems like a great option. Once you have at least one acceptance in hand, your views might change and you are at liberty to become more picky. Individuals who withdraw really help other folks out specifically if they withdraw when schools are still extending interviews, but it's not always the best option for everyone to withdraw, since some schools might give better financial aid packages than others if money is important.