Need advice: early acceptance into medical school but want to decline, is it wise?

[anothrone]

My friend (lets call him tom) got accepted into a medical school, which is fricken fantastic, but the situation feels like he got poached, and I can't help but feel a little sorry for him . Tom is already a reapplicant and started his second round of apps for THIS cycle but got this acceptance call in July (when he already submit 20 new apps) saying that he was accepted by X medical school from LAST cycle, but they are going to defer tom till next year. And now Tom has 10 days to decide whether or not he wants to accept enrollment. School X told Tom he was accepted to Class of 2023 but was then sent a follow-up email that he will actually be deferred to Class of 2024 which is another whole year later. I know this might come off as arrogant or ungrateful but the situation is just feels so passive, Tom really seems to have no choice but to accept and wait around for another year. 

Would there be any acceptable reason to decline this acceptance, because of this special scenario? Would there still be a chance of other schools interviewing him after seeing his status change on AMCAS? Would the fact that this institution is extremely expensive be a valid reason?

This is a very tricky situation and I just want the best for Tom, so any input and advise would be greatly appreciated!!

 

 

[anonymouspls]

Take the acceptance and wait a year, would be my advice. I mean if he declined the acceptance, best case scenario he would just be back to getting an acceptance next year any way. It seems like a classical high risk no reward situation, unless he really wants to go to a different university? 

[zxcccxz]

My two cents are, it doesn't seem that weird.  If it is a reputable medical school (you should check their certification status/history), and your friend would be happy going there, there doesn't seem to be a problem. If he decided to decline the offer and reapply, he would go into the class of 2024 anyway, so unless he's gunning for a different school, there'd really be no point.

P.S. You should post this on SDN. Might find someone who's been in this situation before.

[anothrone]

So if he is gunning for another school, would declining this offer significantly lower his chances of getting an interview at other schools?

[Pakoon]

A wise person on this forum once said, A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. ( Also if its from last cycle and it is a deferred acceptance then maybe he can pull out if he gets in elsewhere) 

[Bambi]

He may never be accepted again anywhere if he does not take the acceptance on offer. Years ago, someone on this forum was accepted, declined in the belief that he would get into Med school the next year. He was never accepted again anywhere.

[trojjanhorse]

I'd take the offer. You're given a guarantee... Go have fun with that extra year before medicine sucks your youth.