2013-2014 Panic Thread

[Pandaeac]

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How many schools are you guys applying to? I haven't submitted yet, hoping to do so today or tomorrow.... So... I thought I had a good list of 25 schools and now it's like 40 LOL I keep adding schools b/c I want to give myself a better chance + the "what if this school likes me? thought.

I know I am ridiculous, but it's because I'm panicking. Which is why I'm posting it here.

I ended up applying to 29! Hah, perhaps a bit overboard, but, if I get really overwhelmed with secondaries I can let some of them go

 

[NCMED101]

I guess it's time for my first actual panic post in this thread. I'm really getting nervous about this because I don't have the reapplicant advantage of knowing the system before going in. It's like I'm going down an unfamiliar road again because I'm shooting for MD/PhD this time. I don't know if anyone feels this but I'm getting all kinds of self doubt that I'm not good enough or I might make some huge mistake and become a 3rd time reapplicant...What if my stats aren't high enough or my essays aren't done right (not many resources for the MD/PhD essay)??

Sigh, I'm getting really scared to submit my application.

I am actually unsure how the MD/PhD process works. So if you don't get in MD/PhD, do they just bump you down to consideration for MD?

 

[TheShaker]

I am actually unsure how the MD/PhD process works. So if you don't get in MD/PhD, do they just bump you down to consideration for MD?

It seems like some schools do and some don't but by the time you have been rejected it will have been too late in the cycle to have any kind of realistic chance anyway. It's like being complete in Dec - Feb.

 

[gyngyn]

It seems like some schools do and some don't but by the time you have been rejected it will have been too late in the cycle to have any kind of realistic chance anyway. It's like being complete in Dec - Feb.

That's right.

 

[suednym]

+1 since we're talking about pre-med panic 😳

ME:

turn on CNN
see a person who did X, Y or Z
think "that would be an awesome PS dammit"

 

[NCMED101]

It seems like some schools do and some don't but by the time you have been rejected it will have been too late in the cycle to have any kind of realistic chance anyway. It's like being complete in Dec - Feb.

Oh dang. But to me it seems like your experiences and motivations are more towards the academic and research side anyways, so that is the best option. I am kinda the same way, but I don't have the stats to even consider MD/PhD lol. Wish you the best!

 

[Gust]

after submitting my app., I realized that I had spelled three words incorrectly! 😡

also, i made a few other (but not so significant) mistakes! 😱

my goodness, those mistakes are killing me...especially since I reviewed my app close to a 100 times and had others look over my app for grammar mistakes as well! hopefully those mistakes will not be a big deal

 

[TheShaker]

after submitting my app., I realized that I had spelled three words incorrectly! 😡

also, i made a few other (but not so significant) mistakes! 😱

my goodness, those mistakes are killing me...especially since I reviewed my app close to a 100 times and had others look over my app for grammar mistakes as well! hopefully those mistakes will not be a big deal

Never look at your application after you submit. 😀 You will always find things to kick yourself for.

 

[Gust]

Never look at your application after you submit. 😀 You will always find things to kick yourself for.

Yes, I realized that!

 

[anguisette]

Never look at your application after you submit. 😀 You will always find things to kick yourself for.

+1. I looked at my PS the other day. I hated it.

 

[Gust]

+1. I looked at my PS the other day. I hated it.

grammar mistakes? or just hated the way it read?

 

[cheerful85]

+1. I looked at my PS the other day. I hated it.

I'm embarrassed by how silly my PS is. I try not to think about it.

My significant other more or less summarized my PS in 5 sentences:

"You want to be a doctor because:
-- you met some patients who were really messed up and seeing how messed up they were made you want to become a doctor
-- you met some patients who were really poor and seeing how poor they were made you want to become a doctor
-- you liked hanging around at a doctor's office
-- some other reasons."

I like to think it might be a bit less ridiculous than that, but maybe not.

 

[jaybird117]

My school changed from 0-100 to alphabetical marking...now all my A-s count as actual A-s from 2nd year up, when my first year A- equivalent marks were converted as As... 🙁

 

[Irish Football]

How does this thread already have 112 replies??

 

[487806]

How does this thread already have 112 replies??

Cause we're panicking about getting verified early bro

 

[love123]

.

 

[Benedictus123]

Never look at your application after you submit. 😀 You will always find things to kick yourself for.

Absolutely this. I refuse to look at my app - no sense in getting all stressed about it if I find a mistake as it's already submitted and there's nothing I can do about it.

 

[anguisette]

grammar mistakes? or just hated the way it read?

Hated the way it read. It just didn't sound like me anymore. I formalized it so much that it became very different from the way I would normally speak. And if it's not a sentence you would say aloud in real life, it's probably too complicated to go in your PS.

 

[slippytoad]

So.. I'm not sure if this is the right place to post this but I think I messed up. I just graduated and was planning on taking a year off. I thought this would also mean applying next year but it seems I'm wrong. So my question is, is it possible to apply for this cycle and when is the latest date to take the MCAT?

 

[TheShaker]

So.. I'm not sure if this is the right place to post this but I think I messed up. I just graduated and was planning on taking a year off. I thought this would also mean applying next year but it seems I'm wrong. So my question is, is it possible to apply for this cycle and when is the latest date to take the MCAT?

You might as well stay with your original plan and apply next year. I think the last date to take the MCAT for this cycle is in September but then you might be underprepared and get a bad score. Still, it will take until October to get your score and your application will be majorly late by that time. A lot of applications complete during September or later don't fare too well during the cycle (ask this thread's reapplicants).

Don't rush things or you'll have a high chance of making a critical mistake. Just apply next year when you have adequate time to prepare.

 

[burbbs]

Wow people are panicking already with 360 more days of the cycle lol

 

[274631]

Ugh! My app is not going to be verified until the end of July at this rate. I was waiting for a professor to release two of my grades to mail a transcript and it was only mailed on 6/7. Hate that I had no control over that but I guess I can't do anything about it now. Sigh.

For this cycle, would late July verification still be considered 'early', especially if my stats aren't that competitive?

 

[PanRoasted]

Didn't get my transcripts sent out until 6/11, and now I'm pretty sure I won't be complete til 6/25 ish, meaning I won't be verified til like august. UGH

 

[RocDiva4040]

I've been freaking out about taking my mcat on July 25th because I feel like that's too late, so I was able to find a seat for July 2nd today and switched. But now I'm freaking out cuz that's so soon. What if I totally bomb? uughhh

 

[jamiechan]

i dont understand why people who submitted after me are getting verified first....

Do you guys get a email if your app is under review?

 

[VisceralFlame]

I've been freaking out about taking my mcat on July 25th because I feel like that's too late, so I was able to find a seat for July 2nd today and switched. But now I'm freaking out cuz that's so soon. What if I totally bomb? uughhh

I took mine on that day last year. Just make sure you get your secondaries done asap. I submitted my secs in September/October. I got my first interview in January, so it did affect the timing, but didn't affect getting accepted. If I redid it, I would have blasted through my secondaries quicker

 

[VisceralFlame]

i dont understand why people who submitted after me are getting verified first....

Do you guys get a email if your app is under review?

Maybe their transcripts arrived first? When did you send yours? I'm not sure that they do them in exact submitted order

 

[chillaxbro]

My first application was to all schools nearby
This time I'll be going all over the place
Any tips on saving money? I rarely travel so I dunno the best way to by plane tickets and hotel rooms

 

[Gust]

<--waiting for June 28 to roll by

 

[SilverCat]

My first application was to all schools nearby
This time I'll be going all over the place
Any tips on saving money? I rarely travel so I dunno the best way to by plane tickets and hotel rooms

A Priceline account is a good way to get cheap rates on good hotels. I also recommend driving to as many interviews as possible; plane tickets are pricey, and you don't know if a plane could be delayed.

 

[chillaxbro]

A Priceline account is a good way to get cheap rates on good hotels. I also recommend driving to as many interviews as possible; plane tickets are pricey, and you don't know if a plane could be delayed.

Unfortunately I don't own a car or have a driver's license 😳

 

[jamiechan]

Maybe their transcripts arrived first? When did you send yours? I'm not sure that they do them in exact submitted order

my transcripts came in middle of may. i even have my lors all sent......my submit time changed to june 13 600 EST...when i submitted it june 10 1233pm


the status says its in line to be reviewed still T_T

 

[SilentSoldier]

I'm currently studying for the MCAT and feeling like its not coming together in time for my July 13th test. I feel like pushing it to July 23 would be perfect but its already pushing my primary completion date super far. Ugh why is physics even tested on the MCAT.

 

[TheShaker]

I'm currently studying for the MCAT and feeling like its not coming together in time for my July 13th test. I feel like pushing it to July 23 would be perfect but its already pushing my primary completion date super far. Ugh why is physics even tested on the MCAT.

If it makes you feel better, I don't think anyone ever feels ready for it.

 

[Status Sciaticus]

Ahh

So I sent my FAP 5/20.....

2 weeks later.... " you need to explain your sources of taxable income"

resubmitted...

then 5/13

" you forgot to put your signature"

😡😡

They could've told me that the first time.... now I am stuck waiting to be approved/denied so I can submit my app

 

[deleted404486]

my mcat is on thurs and i plan to submit by next sunday. i am a reapplicant. i did really bad on first mcat. i am panicking over everything. i dont wanna wait another year. i want to start fall 2013 med school hopefully in the US

panic panic panic


edit: i mean fall 2014. panic panic

 

[joonage]

Ahh

So I sent my FAP 5/20.....

2 weeks later.... " you need to explain your sources of taxable income"

resubmitted...

then 5/13

" you forgot to put your signature"

😡😡

They could've told me that the first time.... now I am stuck waiting to be approved/denied so I can submit my app

That happened to me as well .... Forgot to sign one tiny form that didn't even require a signature ... AMCAS FAP is so beneficial, yet the people in the department can have blocks as heads sometimes ....

 

[TheShaker]

Ahh

So I sent my FAP 5/20.....

2 weeks later.... " you need to explain your sources of taxable income"

resubmitted...

then 5/13

" you forgot to put your signature"

😡😡

They could've told me that the first time.... now I am stuck waiting to be approved/denied so I can submit my app

Ah, the AAMC being helpful and efficient as always. 🙄

 

[chillaxbro]

Ahh

So I sent my FAP 5/20.....

2 weeks later.... " you need to explain your sources of taxable income"

resubmitted...

then 5/13

" you forgot to put your signature"

😡😡

They could've told me that the first time.... now I am stuck waiting to be approved/denied so I can submit my app

I uploaded all my documents
Pressed submit documents thinking I was all good
Waited the 15 days and didn't get any response
Realized I was "missing a document" because I didn't upload the signed cover letter for my parents as well. It's the same damn form!

 

[Status Sciaticus]

I uploaded all my documents
Pressed submit documents thinking I was all good
Waited the 15 days and didn't get any response
Realized I was "missing a document" because I didn't upload the signed cover letter for my parents as well. It's the same damn form!

I knew they might pull some crap like this.... so I sent it on both sections even though it is redundant.... I think they are trying to weed out people who might go ahead and pay for the app instead of waiting 3 weeks.

 

[TheShaker]

I knew they might pull some crap like this.... so I sent it on both sections even though it is redundant.... I think they are trying to weed out people who might go ahead and pay for the app instead of waiting 3 weeks.

If you're in a pinch, then you can foot the bill for ~$200 by submitting only to one school and then submitting to more once your FAPplication gets approved. You'll still save a good amount of money, just not as much as you hoped.

 

[SilentSoldier]

my mcat is on thurs and i plan to submit by next sunday. i am a reapplicant. i did really bad on first mcat. i am panicking over everything. i dont wanna wait another year. i want to start fall 2013 med school hopefully in the US

panic panic panic


edit: i mean fall 2014. panic panic

OMG, I so know that feel bro. even though my MCAT is a month away I NEED to do better than my last test (Physical Sciences can go die in a fire)

 

[Status Sciaticus]

If you're in a pinch, then you can foot the bill for ~$200 by submitting only to one school and then submitting to more once your FAPplication gets approved. You'll still save a good amount of money, just not as much as you hoped.

I would love to, but thats 1/3 of the primary cost... I plan on waiting till next week. Then I will probably bite the bullet 🙁

It would be awesome if the AAMC retroactively reimbursed me...

 

[Gust]

OMG, I so know that feel bro. even though my MCAT is a month away I NEED to do better than my last test (Physical Sciences can go die in a fire)

what about the physical sciences section is giving you a hard time? I hear from a lot of people that the Berkley review is a good option for that section

 

[SilentSoldier]

what about the physical sciences section is giving you a hard time? I hear from a lot of people that the Berkley review is a good option for that section

Physics, I currently have EK (I used PR for my first test, was promptly obliterated in that section on my test). They seem to have it be more straightforward. I guess my main problem is figuring out what the MCAT asks of me on those questions. They seem far more abstract to me than Verbal.

 

[chillaxbro]

TBR is excellent for PS imo
I highly recommend it

 

[Gust]

Physics, I currently have EK (I used PR for my first test, was promptly obliterated in that section on my test). They seem to have it be more straightforward. I guess my main problem is figuring out what the MCAT asks of me on those questions. They seem far more abstract to me than Verbal.

one piece of advice which I think you should consider if you haven't already is that for the physical sciences section, you need to memorize all of the formulas associated with any physics topic. so when you come across a passage discussing a certain topic like energy, the kinetic energy, potential energy, work-energy therom, and other formulas should pop into your head. and maybe consider the Berkeley review for the PS. I constantly hear rave reviews about that book although I did not use it for my prep. good luck

 

[vbbp91]

So I'm not really sure if there's another forum discussing this, but I got a bit delayed in submitting. For all of us who are thinking about submitting near the 20th, we probably get verified in mid-July (right?). Where does that put us on the app cycle? Early/on-time? If I submit secondaries pretty quickly could I still be considered early-ish?

 

[OCDOCDOCD]

So I'm not really sure if there's another forum discussing this, but I got a bit delayed in submitting. For all of us who are thinking about submitting near the 20th, we probably get verified in mid-July (right?). Where does that put us on the app cycle? Early/on-time? If I submit secondaries pretty quickly could I still be considered early-ish?

Doubt it would be that late. Probably 2-3 weeks. So early July. Then again, AAMC is still reviewing apps submitted on the 10th according to the AMCAS website (I haven't checked the verification thread on here, maybe things are better) which is not encouraging It's not too surprising though since this year the first day of open applications was really the equivalent of day 5 in past years.

As someone else who hasn't submitted yet (plan to tomorrow unless I decide at the last minute that one of my essays sucks), I think we'll still be early. Most schools start screening in August I believe, so as long as we turn the secondaries around quickly we'll still be in the first batch of applicants to get screened.

 

[TheShaker]

Argh, I'm trying to hit that submit button but I keep getting cold feet. I keep trying to peruse my application to find some kind of mistake...