2013-2014 Panic Thread

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Remember that you can add/drop schools later! In case that helps. 🙂 Seems like it's a good idea to submit your primary earlier, at least.
 
I am starting to panic about secondaries! I haven't started any yet and I have applied to 26 schools! How long do you guys think it will be before they start to roll out?
 
gobigorgohome22 said:
I am starting to panic about secondaries! I haven't started any yet and I have applied to 26 schools! How long do you guys think it will be before they start to roll out?
Click to expand...

can't tell if you kidding or not but just in case you arent: schools don't receieve your AMCAS till June 28. So most secondaries will be given out during the month of July albeit some schools wait till August (Drexel)
 
gobigorgohome22 said:
I am starting to panic about secondaries! I haven't started any yet and I have applied to 26 schools! How long do you guys think it will be before they start to roll out?
Click to expand...

I would head to the 2012-2013 School thread and pre-write some of last years secondaries. Remember having secondaries completed in a quick fashion is as important as having the primary completed in a quick fashion in terms of being early.
 
I just sent a mass email asking doctors to shadow
I said I was interested in learning more about cardiology
I used the wrong list and they were all emergency medicine

I'm so embarrassed
 
those few spelling mistakes are driving me nuts!

word of advice to those who have submitted and those who are planning to submit your primary apps...do not, i repeat, do not look over your primary app after pressing the submit button.
 
Gust said:
those few spelling mistakes are driving me nuts!

word of advice to those who have submitted and those who are planning to submit your primary apps...do not, i repeat, do not look over your primary app after pressing the submit button.
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True statement. I haven't even thought about it.
 
I've decided to apply this year since I haven't found anything to do. Do I have to take the MCAT before submitting primary applications? If not, when is the latest date to do it?

Edit: Also, if I make an account for this year but don't submit, does it still count as applying? (ie: Will I be considered a reapplicant next year?)
 
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I just got hired for my gap year job! Ill be working as a preoperative assistant 🙂
 
Just got accepted off of waitlist! And I was just about to submit my primary tomorrow!

Would like to say thanks to several people on this thread who gave helpful and encouraging advice. Thanks!
 
NCMED101 said:
Just got accepted off of waitlist! And I was just about to submit my primary tomorrow!

Would like to say thanks to several people on this thread who gave helpful and encouraging advice. Thanks!
Click to expand...

holy ****!!! where did you get accepted?!?! congratulations!!!!!!
 
NCMED101 said:
Just got accepted off of waitlist! And I was just about to submit my primary tomorrow!

Would like to say thanks to several people on this thread who gave helpful and encouraging advice. Thanks!
Click to expand...

Happy times. Congrats!
 
NCMED101 said:
Just got accepted off of waitlist! And I was just about to submit my primary tomorrow!

Would like to say thanks to several people on this thread who gave helpful and encouraging advice. Thanks!
Click to expand...

Congrats. You deserve it.
 
NCMED101 said:
Just got accepted off of waitlist! And I was just about to submit my primary tomorrow!

Would like to say thanks to several people on this thread who gave helpful and encouraging advice. Thanks!
Click to expand...

Congrats!! It was only a matter of time. Nothing to worry about 😉
 
slippytoad said:
I've decided to apply this year since I haven't found anything to do. Do I have to take the MCAT before submitting primary applications? If not, when is the latest date to do it?

Edit: Also, if I make an account for this year but don't submit, does it still count as applying? (ie: Will I be considered a reapplicant next year?)
Click to expand...

No, if you don't submit, you will not be considered a reapp next year. You don't need to take the MCAT before submitting, but the application will not be sent to schools until the MCAT score is received by AMCAS. When were you planning to take the MCAT?
 
NCMED101 said:
Just got accepted off of waitlist! And I was just about to submit my primary tomorrow!

Would like to say thanks to several people on this thread who gave helpful and encouraging advice. Thanks!
Click to expand...

😱 Congrats!!!!
 
NCMED101 said:
Just got accepted off of waitlist! And I was just about to submit my primary tomorrow!

Would like to say thanks to several people on this thread who gave helpful and encouraging advice. Thanks!
Click to expand...

Congrats! EVMS is a great school.
 
chillaxbro said:
Still need to schedule my committee interview (who knows when the next open date will be) and it will be another month before they send out the letter

Still have to get my transcripts sent out... so another few weeks

Still have to get FAP verified (didn't realized I didn't submit my app... 15 days wasted)

**** guys
Click to expand...

I got my FAP a couple weeks ago, but I will be submitting by next friday hopefully:scared:
 
Just submitted after re-reading it tonight and finding like 10 errors in my courses and extra-curriculars. Still worried that somehow, the snarky comments my friend made on my PS made it into the copy I pasted in there. Now to wait for my MCAT scores and hope that they're over 27.
 
BrainOnFire said:
Just submitted after re-reading it tonight and finding like 10 errors in my courses and extra-curriculars. Still worried that somehow, the snarky comments my friend made on my PS made it into the copy I pasted in there. Now to wait for my MCAT scores and hope that they're over 27.
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Good luck! I'd pray for you tonight for that 27+ but I'm atheist. :laugh:
 
Is it strange that secondary length is the #1 factor in building my school list??
 
UGH just emailed my pre-health advisor that I am receiving secondaries and I NEED him to get the committee packet out ASAP. Two minutes later I get an auto-response email: "I am currently on vacation until 7/13/2013. I will not be checking my email at this time. If there is a serious emergency, please call ********" GODDAMNIT I hate relying on other people... should I just call his emergency phone number? Is it really that imperative to submit things in early July vs July 20-something?
 
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GoPelicans said:
UGH just emailed my pre-health advisor that I am receiving secondaries and I NEED him to get the committee packet out ASAP. Two minutes later I get an auto-response email: "I am currently be on vacation until 7/13/2013. I will not be checking my email at this time. If there is a serious emergency, please call ********" GODDAMNIT I hate relying on other people... should I just call his emergency phone number? Is it really that imperative to submit things in early July vs July 20-something?
Click to expand...

LOL this is not considered an emergency. He/She will be pissed if you call that number about this issue.
 
GoPelicans said:
UGH just emailed my pre-health advisor that I am receiving secondaries and I NEED him to get the committee packet out ASAP. Two minutes later I get an auto-response email: "I am currently be on vacation until 7/13/2013. I will not be checking my email at this time. If there is a serious emergency, please call ********" GODDAMNIT I hate relying on other people... should I just call his emergency phone number? Is it really that imperative to submit things in early July vs July 20-something?
Click to expand...

Definitely DO NOT call that number - this is not an emergency. You could try calling the school and see if there is someone covering for him over the 2 weeks he's gone. They may be able to send your packet if it's complete. Otherwise, just work on your secondaries, submit them when you're ready, and call your advisor on the 15th when he's back in the office.
 
GoPelicans said:
UGH just emailed my pre-health advisor that I am receiving secondaries and I NEED him to get the committee packet out ASAP. Two minutes later I get an auto-response email: "I am currently be on vacation until 7/13/2013. I will not be checking my email at this time. If there is a serious emergency, please call ********" GODDAMNIT I hate relying on other people... should I just call his emergency phone number? Is it really that imperative to submit things in early July vs July 20-something?
Click to expand...

Yeah, I wouldn't call this an emergency. It is annoying though and it's the reason why I didn't choose to use my school's committee service this year.
 
GoPelicans said:
UGH just emailed my pre-health advisor that I am receiving secondaries and I NEED him to get the committee packet out ASAP. Two minutes later I get an auto-response email: "I am currently on vacation until 7/13/2013. I will not be checking my email at this time. If there is a serious emergency, please call ********" GODDAMNIT I hate relying on other people... should I just call his emergency phone number? Is it really that imperative to submit things in early July vs July 20-something?
Click to expand...
I know it's totally frustrating, but you will be fine. Many people will not even be verified by this time.
 
TheShaker said:
Yeah, I wouldn't call this an emergency. It is annoying though and it's the reason why I didn't choose to use my school's committee service this year.
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Really? Isn't that considered a red flag :scared:
 
GoPelicans said:
UGH just emailed my pre-health advisor that I am receiving secondaries and I NEED him to get the committee packet out ASAP. Two minutes later I get an auto-response email: "I am currently on vacation until 7/13/2013. I will not be checking my email at this time. If there is a serious emergency, please call ********" GODDAMNIT I hate relying on other people... should I just call his emergency phone number? Is it really that imperative to submit things in early July vs July 20-something?
Click to expand...

What is it about pre-health advisers and taking off during the summer for vacation? You're not the first person on these forums who's complained about their adviser being absent during application season. I really don't get it. These people (hopefully) know that May through August is the busiest time of the year for pre-med needs, so why do they think they're entitled to a vacation during that time, or at least a vacation without having a substitute adviser ready and able to take over? I get that summer is the most desirable time to take a vacation and maybe the only chance people get to vacation with their kids, but they're the ones who signed up for the job and can quit if they don't like it.
 
OCDOCDOCD said:
What is it about pre-health advisers and taking off during the summer for vacation? You're not the first person on these forums who's complained about their adviser being absent during application season. I really don't get it. These people (hopefully) know that May through August is the busiest time of the year for pre-med needs, so why do they think they're entitled to a vacation during that time, or at least a vacation without having a substitute adviser ready and able to take over? I get that summer is the most desirable time to take a vacation and maybe the only chance people get to vacation with their kids, but they're the ones who signed up for the job and can quit if they don't like it.
Click to expand...

They should have some kind of process in place that sends out all the committee letters by may or June, and then they can take their vacations. I know that a lot of schools send out an early letter; the problem is only with the people sitting on the wait list until June/ July.

I'm also sure there can't just be one premed advisor handling all the letters. My school had several.
 
SilverCat said:
They should have some kind of process in place that sends out all the committee letters by may or June, and then they can take their vacations. I know that a lot of schools send out an early letter; the problem is only with the people sitting on the wait list until June/ July.

I'm also sure there can't just be one premed advisor handling all the letters. My school had several.
Click to expand...

I am from a relatively small school (~4,000 students), but yes, there is just one person writing all the packets for a few dozen students.
 
Is being complete (secondaries, MCAT score, and all LORs in) at a school in late July still considered early? I'm currently prewriting secondaries but one of my LOR can't submit the letter until like the 24th of July or something. Sorry if this is neurotic. I've just been trying to figure out the "early" timeline.
 
sbhav said:
Is being complete (secondaries, MCAT score, and all LORs in) at a school in late July still considered early? I'm currently prewriting secondaries but one of my LOR can't submit the letter until like the 24th of July or something. Sorry if this is neurotic. I've just been trying to figure out the "early" timeline.
Click to expand...

Yes.
 
chillaxbro said:
Really? Isn't that considered a red flag :scared:
Click to expand...

Perhaps but my school screwed up on my transcripts several times last year and pushed me into application crippling lateness. I refuse to depend on them for anything involving paperwork if I don't have to. But I've asked around, most schools say it's ok.
 
OMG guys! AMCAS finally finished verifying the 6/10ers! :woot:
 
God damn why is it so hard to find a doctor to shadow?
My school has their own medical school and hospital
I thought it would be easy to find a doctor to shadow
Yet every doctor tells me its against hospital rules or I have to jump through a million hoops
I've emailed 150 doctors already!!
Should I just submit my app without the shadowing?
 
chillaxbro said:
God damn why is it so hard to find a doctor to shadow?
My school has their own medical school and hospital
I thought it would be easy to find a doctor to shadow
Yet every doctor tells me its against hospital rules or I have to jump through a million hoops
I've emailed 150 doctors already!!
Should I just submit my app without the shadowing?
Click to expand...

Then you need to network. I had a similar problem. What I did was to volunteer at a free clinic until they were willing to let me shadow. I then found a doctor my PI knew, had my PI introduce me to him, and shadowed him. Then, after other doctors there had seen me with him, I shadowed them too. To get a broader exposure I then called up a specialist's clinic who was affiliated with the school I worked at; his secretary basically told me "no" due to HIPAA. I then emailed him and got no response. So what I did after that was to wait for when he was visiting one of the faculty, and ambushed him on his way out to ask if I could shadow, and threw in my PI's name and the name of one of the doctors I had shadowed since he knew them. He hooked me right up and told me not to worry about HIPAA.

Maybe you don't have PI's who know physicians, but maybe some of your professors do, or your advisers. Or maybe your primary care physician will let you shadow them. Or maybe you could go volunteer at a clinic until a physician is willing to let you shadow. Or maybe you could volunteer with a hospice, make a good impression with some nurses, and get them to get you in touch with a physician they know. Or maybe you have pre-med friends who have shadowed and can get you in touch with an amiable physician.
 
chillaxbro said:
God damn why is it so hard to find a doctor to shadow?
My school has their own medical school and hospital
I thought it would be easy to find a doctor to shadow
Yet every doctor tells me its against hospital rules or I have to jump through a million hoops
I've emailed 150 doctors already!!
Should I just submit my app without the shadowing?
Click to expand...

You haven't submitted yet?? I'd say just forget about the shadowing and submit, it's not going to help you as much as an early/on time application.
 
chillaxbro said:
God damn why is it so hard to find a doctor to shadow?
My school has their own medical school and hospital
I thought it would be easy to find a doctor to shadow
Yet every doctor tells me its against hospital rules or I have to jump through a million hoops
I've emailed 150 doctors already!!
Should I just submit my app without the shadowing?
Click to expand...

An early app is more important than shadowing, in my opinion. Definitely submit ASAP.

I would start volunteering in a clinical setting, and after some time, ask about shadowing. If you've worked enough, most places will reward you with shadowing opportunities. I've worked at a free clinic for a year, and now I've had the opportunity to shadow physicians and give minor assistance during routine procedures, even though our clinic explicitly warns premeds not to expect to shadow physicians.
 
Finally submitted my primary
Am I considered late?

I'm really trying not to remake the same mistakes
I submitted last year on 7/27 so I'm only a week earlier than last cycle :/
However I only applied to one school and I waited a whole month after I was verified to add the rest. I'm really going to try to pre-write secondaries
 
chillaxbro said:
Finally submitted my primary
Am I considered late?

I'm really trying not to remake the same mistakes
I submitted last year on 7/27 so I'm only a week earlier than last cycle :/
However I only applied to one school and I waited a whole month after I was verified to add the rest. I'm really going to try to pre-write secondaries
Click to expand...

Not to be a downer but last time around I submitted on 7/17. I was complete everywhere around mid Sept and they considered me late (I asked).
 
I gave myself a 2-week deadline to return each secondary. I have been working insane hours and thus I am now 1-4 days late returning SIX secondaries. Additionally, I received my state school's secondary two days ago and have made it my priority above the others, so chances are I will be submitting some secondaries after three weeks of receiving them! I know it could be worse, but this is freaking me out.

It doesn't help that people are already getting interview invites and I've yet to hear anything from the 14 schools where my application is complete.

/panicrant
 
So I read somewhere that if you submit secondaries before your primary is done, you will get autorejected

Is this true only if it explicitly says that? I just submitted my primary and I've received several secondaries already. Is it safe to submit?
 
chillaxbro said:
So I read somewhere that if you submit secondaries before your primary is done, you will get autorejected

Is this true only if it explicitly says that? I just submitted my primary and I've received several secondaries already. Is it safe to submit?
Click to expand...

This is not true. The rumor began because you will get auto rejected some places if you submit before being invited to fill out the secondary.
 
chillaxbro said:
So I read somewhere that if you submit secondaries before your primary is done, you will get autorejected

Is this true only if it explicitly says that? I just submitted my primary and I've received several secondaries already. Is it safe to submit?
Click to expand...

If you've been invited to complete a secondary then you're fine.
 
About 16 secondaries complete. No interviews yet 🙁 and on "hold" at GW👎

I have been refreshing my email a billion times a day! Just want an interview🙁🙁
 
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