You Received a Medical School Acceptance... Now What? Part 5

In this series, we’ll prompt you on how to consider your medical school offers and make a decision. (If you got into only one school and therefore are going there, still do this because it will prepare you for attending that school.) Check back daily for insights.

Remember: You're Admitted, You're Not "Done"

You must continue to get clinical and research experience even after you're admitted to a school. This stuff has never been about having a great resume line or two—it's what prepares you for your future.

Celebrate! Take a moment to relish in this moment. Feel proud of yourself. Celebrate! We're so happy for you!

You Received a Medical School Acceptance... Now What? Part 4

In this series, we’ll prompt you on how to consider your medical school offers and make a decision. (If you got into only one school and therefore are going there, still do this because it will prepare you for attending that school.) Check back daily for insights.

Don't Forget About the Money

You should also be thinking about financial aid right now if that applies to you. (And get used to thinking about it— you'll have to reapply every year.)

Each school's financial aid application process is different. Their financial aid office should direct you to resources and keep you apprised of their deadlines. If something in their materials is unclear, call them before your head spins backward. Don't feel uncomfortable or dumb for reaching out—even the most academically impressive mind can be baffled by financial aid. Plus, helping you, a beloved, accepted applicant, is their job. They want to do it.

As for where we'd say you should start with financial aid: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Next, we'd advise you to make an account with the AAMC and access their consumer and federal financial aid resources list. (You'll find a secondary link to that info and links to pages explaining potential cash sources, including the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Scholarship and Loan Repayment Programs, here.)

You Received a Medical School Acceptance... Now What? Part 3

In this series, we’ll prompt you on how to consider your medical school offers and make a decision. (If you got into only one school and therefore are going there, still do this because it will prepare you for attending that school.) Check back daily for insights.

Send More Thank You Notes

Your recommenders wrote you a letter, it's your turn to write them another one. (Ideally, you already sent them one right after they agreed to write you a recommendation letter.) Let them know that you were accepted into a program and that you appreciate the role that they played in getting you to this point. It's the classy thing to do, and it might foster longer-term relationships that will help you network.

You Received a Medical School Acceptance... Now What? Part 2

In this series, we’ll prompt you on how to consider your medical school offers and make a decision. (If you got into only one school and therefore are going there, still do this because it will prepare you for attending that school.) Check back daily for insights.

How to Withdraw

As mentioned yesterday, you can only hold three acceptances by April 15th and one by April 30th. You might even withdraw an application before you receive a rejection or acceptance, if you have already been accepted to your dream school. You can just send a "thanks but no thanks" email. Keep it short and formal. Here's an example:

“Dear Admissions Committee [Or Appropriate Dean],

I am withdrawing my application for Great-But-Not-For-Me School of Medicine. Thank you for your consideration.

Best regards,

Your Name”

OR

“Dear Admissions Committee [Or Appropriate Dean],

It means so much to me to have been accepted into your prestigious program. However, I am withdrawing my application for Great-But-Not-For-Me School of Medicine.

Best regards,

Your Name”

You Received a Medical School Acceptance... Now What?

Congratulations! This is a huge deal. You put in the work, and it worked out—the ideal end to the arduous application process and the years of hard work you did before it.

If you're holding acceptances for more than one school, that’s amazing—and you have a decision to make. The deadline for holding three schools is April 15th. The deadline for holding one is April 30th. (You can still accept any late waitlist offers before matriculation; you have five business days to respond to those acceptance offers.) So, who will you say yes to?

In this series, we’ll prompt you on how to do some more digging before you decide. (If you got into only one school and therefore are going there, still do this because it will prepare you for attending that school.) Check back daily for insights.

Before Accepting an Offer

Schools will have accepted student materials ready for you. Don't rely on their info alone. Delve deeper into available opportunities and affiliations, investigate campus life and the area surrounding the school, and talk to current students about the coursework, student-run clinics, and what they love and hate about the program. (Current students are more likely to talk to you now because you're basically one of the crew.) If you didn't connect with a current student during your interview season, etc., ask the admissions office if they can hook you up with someone.