I'm going to throw in my 2 cents about the discussion in the "Official MD/PhD Acceptances" thread, but I'm starting a new thread because it was a pain in the patooey to scroll through the long lists interspersed with heated opinion posts. We should keep the objective data and interpretive discussion in separate sections as good little scientists that we are, yes? ;)

but that I'm increasingly frustrated out of the fact that I've been passed over by the same schools
Consider it their loss. I met you on an interview trip, and I think you're a fantastic person. I'm sure you've accomplished great things and deserve to go to your number one choice MSTP.

But even if that doesn't happen, it's not the end of the road. Personally, even if I don't end up going to my top choice school, I know I will work hard to obtain great positions further down the road (residency, fellowship, faculty, etc.). There will always be someone better than you, but also plenty who are worse. I heard of someone applying to over 40 schools, received very few interviews, and didn't get in anywhere.

I'm sure we all have bright futures in front of us, and we shouldn't let a few rejections or others' acceptances get to us. I'm going to laugh if twenty years down the road, you're the Director of the NIH or something equally awesome like that. Expect an e-mail from me with this thread from the archives! :p haha, just kidding.

i must applaud neoserrenity for a great post. I have been a member of SDN for about a year of so now, and it is always great to see that amongst the incredibly competive group that we have here, there is a voice of reason that shines right through. it's really refreshing.

in regard to the acceptance thread, I must say that it is a valuable resource to all who are applying. i send all of the accepted students my congrats...i have received a couple of my own, and am happy that i can share that with you all.

on another note, i must say that it would be prudent, not to mention kind, if we all evaluate our choices and withdraw/accept our offers in a timely manner. i have already done so at one mine and think that it is only fair that we do this for our fellow peers.