Withdrawing from program - still receiving e-mails

[Micro115]

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I have officially withdrawn from some programs through ERAS, as well as written a friendly e-mail to the program coordinator. Still, though, I have been receiving some e-mails from the programs. One was a rejection letter, which actually occurred AFTER they invited me for an interview and I subsequently withdrew from the program! Another was a follow-up e-mail about the interview day.

If I am still receiving e-mails, I'm concerned that somehow, I am not conveying to the program that I withdrew from them. I don't want them to still have me scheduled for an interview day, and then it looks like I didn't show up (which looks bad, and I heard program directors talk to each other about this type of unprofessionalism).

Any thoughts on what else I can do? I assume it's the program's fault if they don't realize I withdrew from their program, especially after notifying them through two different ways.

 

[bluealiendoctor]

If you officially withdrew thru ERAS you have done what you're supposed to do. Perhaps send your own personal e-mail to the said programs as well. Either way, if you were sent a rejection letter AFTER having been invited for an interview, that is unprofessional. Programs should have to act in an appropriate manner every bit as much as applicants..such a shame.

 

[John Deere Gree]

I have officially withdrawn from some programs through ERAS, as well as written a friendly e-mail to the program coordinator. Still, though, I have been receiving some e-mails from the programs. One was a rejection letter, which actually occurred AFTER they invited me for an interview and I subsequently withdrew from the program! Another was a follow-up e-mail about the interview day.

If I am still receiving e-mails, I'm concerned that somehow, I am not conveying to the program that I withdrew from them. I don't want them to still have me scheduled for an interview day, and then it looks like I didn't show up (which looks bad, and I heard program directors talk to each other about this type of unprofessionalism).

Any thoughts on what else I can do? I assume it's the program's fault if they don't realize I withdrew from their program, especially after notifying them through two different ways.

If you have not yet received an interview from the program, all you need to do is withdraw yourself on ERAS.

However, it sounds like you have received an interview, scheduled it, and then withdrew yourself via ERAS. If you are going to accept an interview invite, and then cancel it, you need to contact the program coordinator directly (e-mail is fine) telling them of your change. Just shoot them another e-mail AND call to make sure they realize that you are not attending their interview day.

 

[G0S2]

I got an interview at a program, which I politely declined by phone conversation and by withdrawing over one month ago. I subsequently received a rejection today.

 

[dragonfly99]

I disagree that a rejection email (after you withdrew) is rude on the part of the programs. They are likely just confirming what you told them...that you withdrew. They likely only have 1 generic rejection email that they send, and they are keeping track of 100's of applicants. I interviewed at a medicine fellowship last year that interviews 30 people and receives 100's of applications. A couple weeks after the interview, I received a generic rejection email...they had stated at the interview that they give all their spots outside the Match and that we would hear something within a few weeks. Don't expect them to fawn over you or to get personal phone calls, etc. That's just the game. "Rejections" are not a big deal.

If you are still getting emails about an upcoming interview after you already said you weren't coming, just send a polite email back saying, "This is just to confirm that I withdrew my application and won't be coming to the interview next week. I notified you in the past but since I am still getting emails I thought I should confirm and make sure that you knew. Thanks!
Sincerely Dr. X". The program coordinator is just a busy admin. assistant and she likely made a master list of all the applicants coming on a particular day, and forgot to take you off.

 

[DarthNeurology]

I disagree that a rejection email (after you withdrew) is rude on the part of the programs. They are likely just confirming what you told them...that you withdrew. They likely only have 1 generic rejection email that they send, and they are keeping track of 100's of applicants. I interviewed at a medicine fellowship last year that interviews 30 people and receives 100's of applications. A couple weeks after the interview, I received a generic rejection email...they had stated at the interview that they give all their spots outside the Match and that we would hear something within a few weeks. Don't expect them to fawn over you or to get personal phone calls, etc. That's just the game. "Rejections" are not a big deal.

If you are still getting emails about an upcoming interview after you already said you weren't coming, just send a polite email back saying, "This is just to confirm that I withdrew my application and won't be coming to the interview next week. I notified you in the past but since I am still getting emails I thought I should confirm and make sure that you knew. Thanks!
Sincerely Dr. X". The program coordinator is just a busy admin. assistant and she likely made a master list of all the applicants coming on a particular day, and forgot to take you off.

I totally agree. Programs gets hundreds of applicants if not thousands and some programs interview hundreds easily. What likely happens is that you decline and interview and then your application is put into a "no interview" pile of ERAS apps and the secretary presses the "sorry we can't interview you as there are like a billion people applying to our program, OK?." They obviously would be wasting energy to sift out your application and not send you this email I would guess. At any rate they don't care to offend someone who doesn't want to go there.

If you are getting emails about an interview date, then they think you are coming then and you have to call and email the secretary (usually email is enough) to let them know you won't come. Takes a minute or so. It is a no-brainer, and I wouldn't be offended as you could have interviewed there if you wanted to.