Med School Admissions The “Problem” of Multiple Acceptances

Being offered admission by two or more medical schools is certainly nothing to complain about, but it may make your life a bit more complicated if the schools in question arent among your top choices and youre awaiting decisions from your favorites. AAMC has rules to cover this situation. Complete information is available at http://www.aamc.org/students/applying/policies/admissionofficers.htm, but here are the key points. By March 30, each school must have made a number of offers at least equal to the size of the entering class. Until May 15 (April 15 for schools whose first day of class is on or before July 30), non-Early Decision applicants must be allowed at least two weeks to reply to an offer and may hold multiple acceptances without penalty. Deposits are refundable until May 15. After May 15 (or April 15, as indicated above), each applicant should be holding only one acceptance. Schools are free after that date to deal as they see fit with applicants who are holding multiple acceptances without adequate explanation (such as a delay in receiving financial aid information). Schools may require a decision in less than two weeks, as well as a written statement of intent and/or a non-refundable deposit. Practically speaking, its hard even before May 15 to justify holding more than one acceptance once youve received complete financial aid information. The schools are known quantities you visited them for interviews and youve had time since then to ask follow-up questions of admissions officers and student or alumni reps. Unless personal circumstances dictate otherwise (perhaps your significant others plans are still up in the air), hold only one acceptance at a time. By Joan Davis. She has years of experience in medical school admissions. You can tap it with Accepteds medical school admissions consulting and essay editing.