2013-2014 Panic Thread

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Yuyukachoo said:
I think a lot of people were complete in September in the same boat as you. If you were complete on Oct. 7th I don't think it's time to panic yet...
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I agree that my outlook in general is not bad, but I just saw that my top choice is now scheduling interviews for February, which happens to be the last month during which they hold interviews.
 
10 interviews, 4 waitlists, 0 acceptances/rejections... 🙁
 
I don't usually reply. But What. The. F@#$. Perhaps you are trolling or humble bragging but if you are seriously panicking after 10 interviews and no rejections you have major issues bro/ brodette.
 
VanillaDLite said:
I don't usually reply. But What. The. F@#$. Perhaps you are trolling or humble bragging but if you are seriously panicking after 10 interviews and no rejections you have major issues bro/ brodette.
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but it's all waitlist...isn't that worth panicking about? i don't get the hostility
 
apples5 said:
but it's all waitlist...isn't that worth panicking about? i don't get the hostility
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I think your panic (which is understandable relative to your situation) is just seem as being unwarranted since you have not yet been rejected anywhere... or even heard back from half of your interviews. So, relative to the situation of others in this thread (no interviews, rejections from the only places they've interviewed, etc.), you're sitting in a very good spot. It's not my place to judge what makes you feel panicked, but I can see how your comment could be construed as insensitive. 😉

You will certainly be getting into a medical school as long as you didn't do something inexcusable at every single place.
 
I feel like my biggest mistake this cycle was applying late to not enough schools and rushing into the MCAT unprepared the first time, and sick the second time. Totally f'd myself here. You live and learn though...

Anyway, nearly past the point of caring. I have stressed and stressed and stressed and it's gotten me nowhere. Sometimes I find hope on here, but just as often I read or see something on here that makes me despair all over again. We never know what is going to happen. We just have to stay positive that things will work out in our favor and try to focus on other things for now. IF this is what we really want, then we will persevere and come back even stronger for the next cycle. Yeah, it will suck huge monkey balls, but we can do it.

And to those of you who still have interviews, just focus on making the best of it and making sure you have no regrets. Easier said than done, I know, but it's all we can do/hope for!
 
Also, I got 3 II's (2 in mid-October, 1 in early November). One from a school I applied to out of desperation, and the other two which are my top choices (and probably reaches). I'm not confident I'll end up somewhere I want. Still, I'm thankful for the opportunity to even have this experience, and will learn from it should I need to apply again next year.
 
johnamo said:
I think your panic (which is understandable relative to your situation) is just seem as being unwarranted since you have not yet been rejected anywhere... or even heard back from half of your interviews. So, relative to the situation of others in this thread (no interviews, rejections from the only places they've interviewed, etc.), you're sitting in a very good spot. It's not my place to judge what makes you feel panicked, but I can see how your comment could be construed as insensitive. 😉

You will certainly be getting into a medical school as long as you didn't do something inexcusable at every single place.
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hmm i understand what you're saying. just to clarify though, i do have a few pre-interview rejections. i just meant 0 post-interview
 
eizeral said:
I feel like my biggest mistake this cycle was applying late to not enough schools and rushing into the MCAT unprepared the first time, and sick the second time. Totally f'd myself here. You live and learn though...

Anyway, nearly past the point of caring. I have stressed and stressed and stressed and it's gotten me nowhere. Sometimes I find hope on here, but just as often I read or see something on here that makes me despair all over again. We never know what is going to happen. We just have to stay positive that things will work out in our favor and try to focus on other things for now. IF this is what we really want, then we will persevere and come back even stronger for the next cycle. Yeah, it will suck huge monkey balls, but we can do it.

And to those of you who still have interviews, just focus on making the best of it and making sure you have no regrets. Easier said than done, I know, but it's all we can do/hope for!
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I'm in almost the same boat and it was really nice to read this message!
 
Anyone else wish they could have done some kind of trial run before the actual application process? I feel like I went into this kind of blind... I mean I did my research but it seems like one of those things you can only really learn by doing. If I end up having to reapply next year I will feel so much more prepared than I did this first time around because I've experienced it once before, and I feel like my application will be stronger because of that.
 
eizeral said:
... Anyway, nearly past the point of caring. I have stressed and stressed and stressed and it's gotten me nowhere. Sometimes I find hope on here, but just as often I read or see something on here that makes me despair all over again. We never know what is going to happen. We just have to stay positive that things will work out in our favor and try to focus on other things for now. IF this is what we really want, then we will persevere and come back even stronger for the next cycle. Yeah, it will suck huge monkey balls, but we can do it. ...
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Totally agree with you here. I'm relatively relaxed about the whole process now and am no longer checking my e-mail, application portals, and school-specific threads obsessively. It's no good to see everyone getting interviews/acceptances and just get annoyed that you're still waiting. Relaxation is kind of nice after 4ish months of heavy stress! 😕 I think it's important to go with the flow and not take it too personally. Have a backup plan, but keep fighting for what you want.
 
That said, it's really nice having this forum and you guys as a resource. I'm sure the rest of you can agree with me when I say that I'm 99% sure my family and friends are sick and tired of hearing me talk/stress about this whole application process, and it's nice to be able to talk about it with people who understand!
 
Matt20 said:
Anyone else wish they could have done some kind of trial run before the actual application process? I feel like I went into this kind of blind... I mean I did my research but it seems like one of those things you can only really learn by doing. If I end up having to reapply next year I will feel so much more prepared than I did this first time around because I've experienced it once before, and I feel like my application will be stronger because of that.
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This 100%.
 
Let me just say one last thing for now. Applying from a state that has ZERO medical schools is THE WORST. Totally resent my parents for moving us here (previously lived in FL and PA). The closest thing I have to a state school are 20 seats that are "reserved" for DE residents at Jefferson--20 seats they fill at their discretion. It is very frustrating to see some schools admitting people with low MCATs and decent GPA's into their school just because they are a state resident, whereas I don't even have that option. For those of you who have a state school, consider yourself lucky. This seriously sucks. :/
 
MCAT777 said:
I am so frustrated with my crappy sub 30 MCAT score, that too after retaking it 🙁. Being an Asian doesn't help either. I haven't gotten a damn interview, just rejections and holds. I try to remain positive and find hope in the 27-29 MCAT thread, but then realize there are no guarantees..To top things off I applied late and wasn't complete until October at most schools. While, I am getting ready to accept that I may have to apply next cycle, I am wondering how much luck I will have next year either. Idk how schools would view me as a reapplicant. I won't be retaking my MCAT since I know I have maxed out on my VR performance. This process is really taking a lot out of me. Losing hope.. :'(
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Do schools really view reapplicants unfavorably? I can't imagine that they would, especially if applicants have made significant changes to their applications...If you have to reapply, my advice is to prepare to strengthen an area or several areas of your application to make you more well-rounded. It is not impossible to get into medical school with a sub 30 MCAT score, regardless of the color of your skin. Applying late is honestly probably what hindered you most this cycle, so just fix that and a few other things between now and June and I think you'll set yourself up for much more success next cycle. 🙂
 
MCAT777 said:
Thanks dude, I have taken up 4 volunteering gigs and a job. I will apply early next cycle, in case I have to and hope for the best. However, I am hoping I hear back from someone this year..
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I feel ya on that. :/ It sounds like you've got the right idea though! I'm gonna continue working at my two jobs (ED Scribe at hospital, J.Crew sales associate) and try to find an organization to volunteer for, since my application could definitely use some more service experience. At least we'll be occupied and will hopefully hear back much sooner next time around!
 
MCAT777 said:
I'm a scribe too! Yepppp, getting involved will defff help with the wait. Happy to have folks like you, keeping me sane.. 🙂
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No prob! We can't all do it on our own! Or at least I can't! I have become more and more comfortable with the idea of having to reapply. It happens sometimes. :/
 
MCAT777 said:
I am so frustrated with my crappy sub 30 MCAT score, that too after retaking it 🙁. Being an Asian doesn't help either. I haven't gotten a damn interview, just rejections and holds. I try to remain positive and find hope in the 27-29 MCAT thread, but then realize there are no guarantees..To top things off I applied late and wasn't complete until October at most schools. While, I am getting ready to accept that I may have to apply next cycle, I am wondering how much luck I will have next year either. Idk how schools would view me as a reapplicant. I won't be retaking my MCAT since I know I have maxed out on my VR performance. This process is really taking a lot out of me. Losing hope.. :'(
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This is pretty much my situation (30 mcat 3.9 gpa) except I was able to be completed a bit earlier like August, but still no real response. To this date (like i mean literally right now) of my 27 applications I have 3 rejections, 5 holds, 1 telephone interview. So I am still waiting on 18 schools, what doesn't help is that my last rejection which was today was by cooper medical school which really shook me to my core because I was confident that this school was more of my safety net than anything else. Guess goes to show you there is no such thing as a safety net medical school. Well what I would tell you is what my parents tell me when I tell them I got rejected by a particular school: "Screw them".
 
medschoolmyname said:
This is pretty much my situation (30 mcat 3.9 gpa) except I was able to be completed a bit earlier like August, but still no real response. To this date (like i mean literally right now) of my 27 applications I have 3 rejections, 5 holds, 1 telephone interview. So I am still waiting on 18 schools, what doesn't help is that my last rejection which was today was by cooper medical school which really shook me to my core because I was confident that this school was more of my safety net than anything else. Guess goes to show you there is no such thing as a safety net medical school. Well what I would tell you is what my parents tell me when I tell them I got rejected by a particular school: "Screw them".
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A telephone interview? What school did that?? Sorry, just very surprised haha. And yeah, I was also rejected by Cooper today, which is worrying because I received interviews from my top choices (OSU and Temple), which are both better, and makes me think I will be rejected from those and the other 8 schools I'm waiting to hear back from. :/ I feel like Cooper was just very competitive this year. From the looks of things, it seems like they are trying to accept people with higher stats than last year, and mostly IS residents. Also, there are only 90 or so spots, so our chances were slim. Hang in there! It's their loss!
 
eizeral said:
A telephone interview? What school did that?? Sorry, just very surprised haha. And yeah, I was also rejected by Cooper today, which is worrying because I received interviews from my top choices (OSU and Temple), which are both better, and makes me think I will be rejected from those and the other 8 schools I'm waiting to hear back from. :/ I feel like Cooper was just very competitive this year. From the looks of things, it seems like they are trying to accept people with higher stats than last year, and mostly IS residents. Also, there are only 90 or so spots, so our chances were slim. Hang in there! It's their loss!
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Western Michigan is the only one I know of doing phone interviews... curious if somewhere else is also!
 
MCAT777 said:
yeah same, I was rejected at Albany-which is everyone's safety school and I'm IS! Just disappointed and I haven't told my folks lol, I feel weird telling them.. Hope we get more interviews this month!
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When did you apply to Albany? I sent my secondary there pretty recently, mainly out of nervousness since I haven't been hearing anything else from any other schools, lol.
 
Just joining here. Finished many apps last month, and now wondering if there's any point in doing the rest. I have had ZERO interviews or feedback, when people in the school-specific thread finished after me have...
 
MCAT777 said:
Sent secondary like first week of October.
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Ah, I see. Sorry to hear man. If it makes you feel any better I got rejected by my IS private school as well (and I graduated from there too!!)
 
MCAT777 said:
It's just this uncertainty that sucks so much. 🙁
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Yeah I hear ya. In the case that we have to re-apply (and I really hope we don't) could we still take the current MCAT for the next cycle? I do not want to deal with biochem at this point haha.
 
MCAT777 said:
Haha! Dude I am sooo done with the MCAT. Taken it 3X, no more! The new MCAT starts next year? I thought it was in 2015!? Yes, hopefully we get in this cycle and don't have to go through this torture again!
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That's true, so we probably still have another year before we have to start worrying about all that other bs. To quote my friend, this process is worse than playing 365 days in the closet with Herbert the Pervert
 
Just got three more rejections today y'all, (Uchicago, UMinn, and CWRU)
When it comes, it pours.

And to echo off someone. I was at the middle of work when I got my email. Depressed for like a millisecond and then thought, IDGAF.
 
I know this isn't exactly 'panic', but I'm pretty sure I just got rejected from the only top 20 school I interviewed at - people from my interview are posting acceptances. Really disheartening since I felt that I had good interviews and that I would get an acceptance. I keep refreshing the status page hoping my 'under review' will change to 'ACCEPTED!' but I know it's futile lol. Oh well 🙁
 
eizeral said:
A telephone interview? What school did that?? Sorry, just very surprised haha. And yeah, I was also rejected by Cooper today, which is worrying because I received interviews from my top choices (OSU and Temple), which are both better, and makes me think I will be rejected from those and the other 8 schools I'm waiting to hear back from. :/ I feel like Cooper was just very competitive this year. From the looks of things, it seems like they are trying to accept people with higher stats than last year, and mostly IS residents. Also, there are only 90 or so spots, so our chances were slim. Hang in there! It's their loss!
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I have come to alleviate your panic. Do not think "This lower-ranked school didn't interview me, so my interview at this higher-ranked school will likely result in a rejection." This is completely, patently false when it comes to medical school admissions.

There are numerous, numerous cases on MDapps of applicants being rejected by moderately selective -- even in-state -- schools but being interviewed and accepted at Hopkins. It happens all the time.

No school is interviewing someone in November that they aren't considering for an outright acceptance. Spend less energy on freaking out, and spend more on being a complete expert on (1) your application and (2) OSU & Temple. This way, you nail the interviews and get in.

If anything, stats matter more to a school like Cooper, who is counting on its students to excel at the licensing examinations and cement its accreditation. The only reason its class doesn't reflect that with better stats is that students with multiple acceptances may see choosing that school as a risk. Or they may want to go to a school where there are upperclassmen to serve as mentors, etc.
 
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another hold today.... that makes 6 holds. I know a hold isn't the end of the world, but for me a hold is just as bad as a rejection because I have to wait even longer for them to respond and their is a high chance they'll just find someone more qualified to interview and I'll just be rejected. Just one, i just need one real interview pleeeeeeaaaaaaase!!!!!
 
If any of you are applying to Rush or MCW it seems they send out legitimate II's (and not just courtesy or ones to get you on the waitlist) all the way till Feb/March. Hang tight!
 
wiloghby said:
I have come to alleviate your panic. Do not think "This lower-ranked school didn't interview me, so my interview at this higher-ranked school will likely result in a rejection." This is completely, patently false when it comes to medical school admissions.

There are numerous, numerous cases on MDapps of applicants being rejected by moderately selective -- even in-state -- schools but being interviewed and accepted at Hopkins. It happens all the time.

No school is interviewing someone in November that they aren't considering for an outright acceptance. Spend less energy on freaking out, and spend more on being a complete expert on (1) your application and (2) OSU & Temple. This way, you nail the interviews and get in.

If anything, stats matter more to a school like Cooper, who is counting on its students to excel at the licensing examinations and cement its accreditation. The only reason its class doesn't reflect that with better stats is that students with multiple acceptances may see choosing that school as a risk. Or they may want to go to a school where there are upperclassmen to serve as mentors, etc.
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This really helps!! Thank you! My interview at OSU is December 11th though.
 
wiloghby said:
I have come to alleviate your panic. Do not think "This lower-ranked school didn't interview me, so my interview at this higher-ranked school will likely result in a rejection." This is completely, patently false when it comes to medical school admissions.

There are numerous, numerous cases on MDapps of applicants being rejected by moderately selective -- even in-state -- schools but being interviewed and accepted at Hopkins. It happens all the time.

No school is interviewing someone in November that they aren't considering for an outright acceptance. Spend less energy on freaking out, and spend more on being a complete expert on (1) your application and (2) OSU & Temple. This way, you nail the interviews and get in.

If anything, stats matter more to a school like Cooper, who is counting on its students to excel at the licensing examinations and cement its accreditation. The only reason its class doesn't reflect that with better stats is that students with multiple acceptances may see choosing that school as a risk. Or they may want to go to a school where there are upperclassmen to serve as mentors, etc.
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This really helps!! Thank you! My interview at OSU is December 11th though.
 
eizeral said:
This really helps!! Thank you! My interview at OSU is December 11th though.
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The same reasoning applies. I would be very, very surprised if OSU has already admitted 200 students by December 11th. But even if they had, OSU admitted nearly 320 students last year, for their class of 180-200. With waitlist movement, your chances of an acceptance at OSU between January and August are very, very good. But you still have to nail that interview.
 
wiloghby said:
The same reasoning applies. I would be very, very surprised if OSU has already admitted 200 students by December 11th. But even if they had, OSU admitted nearly 320 students last year, for their class of 180-200. With waitlist movement, your chances of an acceptance at OSU between January and August are very, very good. But you still have to nail that interview.
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Oh, I intend to (or at least to do my best)! I guess I'm just worried that nailing my interview won't help me enough to get accepted because of my low MCAT, but I guess that means nothing unless I nail the interview. Thank you again for helping me come down from freak out mode!
 
Wonton Soup said:
It was way back on Sept 25th. When did you interview?
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I interviewed on 10/30. The other person who posted they were accepted last night on the Temple thread from my interview day was for the MD/PhD program, so he probably had a different faculty interviewer than I did.
 
eizeral said:
I interviewed on 10/30. The other person who posted they were accepted last night on the Temple thread from my interview day was for the MD/PhD program, so he probably had a different faculty interviewer than I did.
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Yeah, probably. I'm assuming you are planning to do straight MD? It seems like a month is about how long it takes on average post-interview, but don't quote me on that haha
 
Wonton Soup said:
Yeah, probably. I'm assuming you are planning to do straight MD? It seems like a month is about how long it takes on average post-interview, but don't quote me on that haha
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I am, haha. Thinking back, it has only been 17 days since my interview, and they said it would be between 3-6 weeks before I heard my decision, so I think I've still got a little bit of waiting to do haha. Hopefully I don't receive any mail from Temple next week!
 
MCAT777 said:
I am so frustrated with my crappy sub 30 MCAT score, that too after retaking it 🙁. Being an Asian doesn't help either. I haven't gotten a damn interview, just rejections and holds. I try to remain positive and find hope in the 27-29 MCAT thread, but then realize there are no guarantees..To top things off I applied late and wasn't complete until October at most schools. While, I am getting ready to accept that I may have to apply next cycle, I am wondering how much luck I will have next year either. Idk how schools would view me as a reapplicant. I won't be retaking my MCAT since I know I have maxed out on my VR performance. This process is really taking a lot out of me. Losing hope.. :'(
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hey i was complete mid octoberish as well for most of my schools, but some even in november and i haven't even heard anything so far. i'm thinking about the reapp as well
 
Complete at most schools in mid-July. Two IIs - one rejection and still waiting to hear back from the other. Not terribly optimistic about my outlook right now. Preparing to reapply, but the thought of rewriting a dozen secondary essays and my personal statement is just painful...

-Bill
 
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