How to withdraw an application to a PhD program

March 5, 2010 4:31 PM

I applied to a PhD... but I'm not sure I would to take it if I get in. Should I withdraw my application before they tell me yes or no?

I am very happy in the department where I am earning my Masters. PhD deadlines came up quickly and I wasn't sure exactly where I wanted to apply, or in exactly what subject. (I work in an interdisciplinary field so my topic is found a variety of departments.) In haste, I applied in my current department, just in case.

Now, I'm having serious second thoughts. I love my department but am not 100% sure this is where I want to do a PhD.

So, I'm wondering if I should withdraw my application. They only make a few offers each year and I don't want to use up a spot. I want to be able to apply later if I decide it's the right place for me. If they take me once, and I don't accept, I don't think they would take me again (because they don't want to waste an offer on me and have me not accept).

If the answer is yes that I should withdraw, any suggestions as to what to say?

posted by metametababe to Education (9 answers total)

I wouldn't withdraw the application. That is a lot less common than simply turning it down. They'll offer it to someone else if you don't accept it; the offer isn't wasted. You may also be able to defer for a year if you get accepted, and I would ask someone in the department about the possibility of this.

What kind of second thoughts are you having? What makes you think that you might want to do it, but just not now? Is your current school the best school for your interests?
posted by k8lin at 4:36 PM on March 5, 2010

There's no sense in withdrawing an application for a school unless you've already decided not to do it. For all you know they're going to turn you down. But even if they don't, they fully expect some percentage of the people to whom they make offers to turn them down. This could be anywhere from 10% to 50% depending on the program and the discipline, but most Ph.D. programs have a wait list, and many of them dip into it on a regular basis as people to whom they have made offers accept offers elsewhere. Law schools and medical schools admit anywhere from 10% to 50% more people than they want to enroll for that very reason.

Stick it out. You may have a change of heart, but even if you don't, there's no harm done, and no sense in closing a door before you have to.
posted by valkyryn at 4:50 PM on March 5, 2010

Tough call. You have no ethical obligation to withdraw. You're nice to think about the extra spot, but in some sense that's not your problem. And if you are accepted and decline quickly they'll take someone else anyway. You've identifed the main risk, possibly burning bridges. But if you think the reality of having an acceptance may help you decide whether to take it, or if you're not sure your other options will come to fruition, then by all means keep the app in.

My broader advice is if you're not very sure you want to do a PhD at all, think real hard before starting the program. Grad schools are full of students who stumbled on into a PhD because they never really thought what else they could do. But getting a PhD is hard and takes a lot of personal devotion and sacrifice. You have to want it.
posted by Nelson at 5:26 PM on March 5, 2010

Unless you are absolutely sure you don't want the PhD, don't withdraw. Doctorate programs tend to be a lot more amenable to applicant whims than other levels of academia. Not only do they offer admittance assuming that a certain number of people will decline for a variety of reasons, but they often have multiple waves of offers based on the responses they get. Trust that even if you do get in and decide to go elsewhere, they will fill your spot with a qualified applicant. If they really want you and you want to defer a year, this is an acceptable and normal conversation to have. Bonus points if you can get professors/potential advisors on your side in such a deference.

However, this is broad suggestion and doesn't have any basis in your particular field. My suggestions are rooted in a physical science background and there is no reason to expect they apply to whatever you do. What I really suggest is finding a professor that you trust and asking them these questions. He or she will know the department and field much better than any of us will. Don't underestimate how different departments at different schools can be.
posted by Schismatic at 6:47 PM on March 5, 2010

I agree with Schismatic. My background is Interdisciplinary MA into disciplinary PhD, all in social sciences. Do be careful about if, to whom and when you tip your hand to a professor. I might suggest as others have to wait and see what happens. IF you get an offer and you're not sure, then you could pursue it to discuss 'whether or not I should defer a year', and this might give you good info about making a decision. Stick with it until you decide you don't want it. Your spot will be filled. It happens all the time.
posted by kch at 7:03 PM on March 5, 2010

Many universities do *not* use a wait list system, in order to heighten competitiveness with other top departments. If a department makes an offer that is declined, the offer is just lost for good. Mine did this until very recently.

You might ask your adviser about this. As someone who advises many grad students, I would not at all be offended by this question, nor would you be "tipping your hand" in any significant way -- this is your own department, they already know you, and you have personal relationships here to consider that might be harmed by keeping your counsel.

Schismatic is right. Talk with the professor in the department you trust the most. If you aren't sure you want to go forward to the PhD, you almost certainly shouldn't, in any case. It's not a path for the uncertain.
posted by fourcheesemac at 7:08 PM on March 5, 2010

And take a longer term look at whether the money spent on the Phd is going to be worth it. Far too many people waste an enormous amount of money on a degree they're just never, ever going to use. Meanwhile leaving themselves with a staggering amount of debt.
posted by wkearney99 at 10:59 AM on March 6, 2010

I'll definitely discuss it with my professors. I want to do it quickly before they give out the decisions, because I don't think they use waitlists. Thanks again, all!
posted by alternateuniverse at 9:57 AM on March 7, 2010

too many people waste an enormous amount of money on a degree they're just never, ever going to use.

If you have to spend ANY money on the PhD, it's wasted in most fields. They should be paying you, or you shouldn't do it. If you can't get a funded offer, you're probably kidding yourself about your career prospects. If you go into significant debt for the PhD, you were poorly advised to pursue it.
posted by fourcheesemac at 8:17 PM on March 7, 2010