Don't Send Medical School Rejection Letters on Fridays
Like, let's be a little thoughtful about this.
Dear Medical School Admission Rejection Letter Senders:
Receiving bad news, like a medical school rejection, can be tough on applicants. Timing plays a crucial role in how we process negative information.
Research suggests that delivering bad news received mid-morning, particularly around 10 AM, is often the best time. This is because people are more alert and less likely to be emotionally overwhelmed early in the day, giving them a better chance to process the information rationally. Additionally, it's important to avoid sending bad news on Fridays or before long weekends. The extended time away from work or school may leave applicants with too much time to dwell on the news, potentially making it harder to recover.
For medical schools, this means that sending rejections earlier in the week and earlier in the day can help ensure applicants have the rest of the day (and week) to process and begin moving forward.
Morale of the Story: Timing the delivery of bad news with care isn’t just about kindness—it’s about giving applicants the best chance to handle the disappointment and focus on their next steps.