2013-2014 Panic Thread

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Haha, I've found my hopes of an acceptance going up and down like a rollercoaster. On some days I think to myself I have a good chance at an acceptance because I'm on 2 waitlists that have a history of good movement, on other days I compulsively look over my submitted materials to see what I could improve on for the next cycle incase those 2 waitlists don't work out.
 
5 interviews is definitely a good amount to have. I'm betting that you get accepted from at least one of them
 
I got four rejections thrown at me today, one of them post-interview at a school I really liked.

Somebody hold me. 🤔
 
TheShaker said:
I got four rejections thrown at me today, one of them post-interview at a school I really liked.

Somebody hold me. 🤔
Click to expand...
upload_2014-1-29_17-32-16.jpeg
upload_2014-1-29_17-33-59.jpeg

bunny hugs to you
 
Runican said:
I have 3.9/38 with no acceptances yet. It's still early.
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That's just .... nuts.

Your interview invites are ridiculously impressive. Also, you didn't hear back from UCSD? I thought they had a quick turnaround.
 
3.98/4.0sci, 37 (15-14-8)

No acceptance


Really not a good feeling. Heading to interview at a big program next week and I have no idea how I won't come off as sad/desperate.
 
solitarius said:
I wouldn't worry about that. Just about everybody comes off a bit desperate during medical school interviews.
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Well I'm having nightmares that all fellow interviewees that day will be HYPS grads all holding multiple acceptances
 
milski said:
That is actually a good thing - it increases the chances that they will not attend the school in question and makes it more likely that you will. 😉
Click to expand...

PM'd the school in question. 🙁
 
masaraksh said:
3.98/4.0sci, 37 (15-14-8)

No acceptance


Really not a good feeling. Heading to interview at a big program next week and I have no idea how I won't come off as sad/desperate.
Click to expand...

Your time is definitely coming. Hang in there!
 
Sent some updates. Now praying hard for some luck! Still zero interviews..
 
I am worried that no more II are going to go out from the schools I have left that haven't rejected me... especially my top choice.
 
TheShaker said:
I got four rejections thrown at me today, one of them post-interview at a school I really liked.

Somebody hold me. 🤔
Click to expand...
Whoa, that is beyond the trifecta. So sorry, hope you still have other irons in the apps fire to focus on in the next few months.
 
Needing someone's thoughts on this. I'm a reapplicant. I interviewed at my state school last March and was waitlisted. Obviously did not get off the list. When I spoke to the assistant dean I was told my lack of clinical experience was what kept me from getting accepted last year. I have worked at a urology office for six years. I started working full time there as a medical assistant in May 2012. At the time I first applied I only had 10 months experience. I asked if it would be enough experience by the time I applied this cycle. He said yes that I should go ahead and apply. I interviewed at the same school on January 27. I just realized though that I did not update my letters because two of them were from teachers and I have already graduated. The other two were from my employers and not much has changed. Am I screwed?
 
milski said:
And there I was going to complain about my 3 rejections today. Sorry, TheShaker. 🙁
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lexcg said:
Needing someone's thoughts on this. I'm a reapplicant. I interviewed at my state school last March and was waitlisted. Obviously did not get off the list. When I spoke to the assistant dean I was told my lack of clinical experience was what kept me from getting accepted last year. I have worked at a urology office for six years. I started working full time there as a medical assistant in May 2012. At the time I first applied I only had 10 months experience. I asked if it would be enough experience by the time I applied this cycle. He said yes that I should go ahead and apply. I interviewed at the same school on January 27. I just realized though that I did not update my letters because two of them were from teachers and I have already graduated. The other two were from my employers and not much has changed. Am I screwed?
Click to expand...
Hmm sounds like you had a lot of "shadowing" experience, now hands on experience which is updated on your AMCAS. LORs should be fine. Just may be one of the randomness of the process that you missed an acceptance last year. You are not screwed, keep calm and carry on.
 
Hmm,

I was in a bit of panic during the fall and early winter. But now, I've reached acceptance.

It's been over 6 months since I've been complete at most schools. Out of the 25 I applied to, half are rejections, about fourth are holds (soft rejections), and the remainder haven't said anything (delayed rejections). Sure I reached a bit with half the schools I applied to, but the other half were reasonable.

I really thought I'd get at least one interview even with my mediocre total stats (for a CA applicant): LizzyM 69-70, but a high disparity between my 3.97 GPA and 31 MCAT.

Maybe there was a red flag? Maybe it was a crap letter or something. Too bad most schools don't tell you anything. Though UC Davis told me to check back in May; hopefully they'll let me know then (before I use the same letters).

Time to bust out the MCAT stuff and switch gears to re-applying. Though the only things that would change would be a new letter or two, having a full-time research job (hopefully a publication for next cycle), some summer research from last cycle, and the possibility of a higher MCAT score.
 
I'm considering retaking my MCAT. I have a good score and it should be valid for my THIRD application cycle if I don't get accepted again this year

But if I fail a third time, I will need to take the new MCAT plus sociology, psychology, and whatever else. If I retake it now even though I don't tecnically need to, it can push the new MCAT off for another 2+ cycles if I do fail.
 
Corvid said:
Hmm,

I was in a bit of panic during the fall and early winter. But now, I've reached acceptance.

It's been over 6 months since I've been complete at most schools. Out of the 25 I applied to, half are rejections, about fourth are holds (soft rejections), and the remainder haven't said anything (delayed rejections). Sure I reached a bit with half the schools I applied to, but the other half were reasonable.

I really thought I'd get at least one interview even with my mediocre total stats (for a CA applicant): LizzyM 69-70, but a high disparity between my 3.97 GPA and 31 MCAT.

Maybe there was a red flag? Maybe it was a crap letter or something. Too bad most schools don't tell you anything. Though UC Davis told me to check back in May; hopefully they'll let me know then (before I use the same letters).

Time to bust out the MCAT stuff and switch gears to re-applying. Though the only things that would change would be a new letter or two, having a full-time research job (hopefully a publication for next cycle), some summer research from last cycle, and the possibility of a higher MCAT score.
Click to expand...

I just dont understand, you have great stats... Your MCAT is average, not great but not bad either. You have great GPA. I would easily have expected an acceptance for someone with your stats.

I was reading a school specific thread where there were two people accepted with ~3.6 gpa and <26 MCAT??? Not saying those people didnt deserve an acceptance just as much as anyone else but I would have thought there would be some method to this madness.......
 
chillaxbro said:
I'm considering retaking my MCAT. I have a good score and it should be valid for my THIRD application cycle if I don't get accepted again this year

But if I fail a third time, I will need to take the new MCAT plus sociology, psychology, and whatever else. If I retake it now even though I don't tecnically need to, it can push the new MCAT off for another 2+ cycles if I do fail.
Click to expand...

How is your cycle going so far? Not sure if im confusing you with someone else but dont you have 10 II?

Also, mind sharing stats?
 
gobigorgohome22 said:
How is your cycle going so far? Not sure if im confusing you with someone else but dont you have 10 II?

Also, mind sharing stats?
Click to expand...

No acceptances yet
I have a LizzyM between 73-75

10 II over 2 cycles

Last year 5 II - 4 rejections + 1 waitlist

This year 5 II - 1 rejection, 1 waitlist, 1 waiting for decision, 2 still to go
 
chillaxbro said:
No acceptances yet
I have a LizzyM between 73-75

10 II over 2 cycles

Last year 5 II - 4 rejections + 1 waitlist

This year 5 II - 1 rejection, 1 waitlist, 1 waiting for decision, 2 still to go
Click to expand...

You seem like a solid applicant with all those II. You're in much better shape than many of us! Work on those interview skills. Good luck with the remaining II!
 
Sumtingwong said:
Looks like many of us are having nightmares! And living them too...
Click to expand...
Last year I remember having a dream where I got into my top choice, then found out someone had sent me a fake acceptance letter to mess with me. Then in real life I got wait listed then rejected
 
Hmmmm...time to panic? 3 ii's, rejected from one (suny upstate), wait listed at cooper, no word yet from einstein. Still pre-interview at 10 schools.
 
ekdoctobe said:
Hmmmm...time to panic? 3 ii's, rejected from one (suny upstate), wait listed at cooper, no word yet from einstein. Still pre-interview at 10 schools.
Click to expand...

Not at all! Here are some reasons why:

*You're still waiting to hear back, which could be an acceptance!
*Wait list is not the end of the road at this stage of the cycle - many of us are waitlisted and keeping hope.
*10 schools = 10 chances to still hear back. Many schools offer IIs until March and some do in April!

Go keep yourself busy and relax. Best of luck to you!
 
Corvid said:
Hmm,

I was in a bit of panic during the fall and early winter. But now, I've reached acceptance.

It's been over 6 months since I've been complete at most schools. Out of the 25 I applied to, half are rejections, about fourth are holds (soft rejections), and the remainder haven't said anything (delayed rejections). Sure I reached a bit with half the schools I applied to, but the other half were reasonable.

I really thought I'd get at least one interview even with my mediocre total stats (for a CA applicant): LizzyM 69-70, but a high disparity between my 3.97 GPA and 31 MCAT.

Maybe there was a red flag? Maybe it was a crap letter or something. Too bad most schools don't tell you anything. Though UC Davis told me to check back in May; hopefully they'll let me know then (before I use the same letters).

Time to bust out the MCAT stuff and switch gears to re-applying. Though the only things that would change would be a new letter or two, having a full-time research job (hopefully a publication for next cycle), some summer research from last cycle, and the possibility of a higher MCAT score.
Click to expand...
Same stats as mine. Applied to 20 schools 3 rejections no II and total silence from the others. May take the MCAT again not sure. but this year I'm gaining a lot of clinical experience. Will apply early next cycle.
 
aerogers said:
Not at all! Here are some reasons why:

*You're still waiting to hear back, which could be an acceptance!
*Wait list is not the end of the road at this stage of the cycle - many of us are waitlisted and keeping hope.
*10 schools = 10 chances to still hear back. Many schools offer IIs until March and some do in April!

Go keep yourself busy and relax. Best of luck to you!
Click to expand...
Should have quoted. But thanks!
 
Blergh, been depressed all this month. Recently dumped (sucks) but can't recover because I'm getting dumped/ignored by medical schools (my true love) left and right. Waiting to hear back from 8 medical schools, 4 of which stop interviewing in like 3 weeks. And all this waiting and dumping and nursing heartbreak is terrible for my liver.

I had my last interview invite (my only one) on Thanksgiving and then...nothing all of December, nothing all of January. And now, it's almost February. On one hand, I'm wildly optimistic that I will get into my alma mater school that thankfully interviewed me. On one hand, I'm deathly pessimistic that they will see right through my desperation and hopelessness and heartbreak and will reject me, and I will be jobless and will be the one person out of all my friends who will never get in anywhere. And the kid who dumped me will continue to be wildly successful, which shouldn't matter but feels really infuriating right now.

I'm taking a class at the local university to sharpen my chemistry skills to retake my MCAT, but honestly, I can't even think about reapplying without feeling my heart break into a million more pieces. Is that sappy enough or is that sappy enough?

Anyway...posting about all my deepest darkest fears on SDN really does make me feel better, so...yeah. Good luck everyone. Hope y'all are faring better than me.
 
I'm hopeful that good things will come out of my two deferred decisions and one wait list but I'm also starting to prep for an improved app next cycle. I feel like the "panic" time was when the majority of IIs were going out and I was getting limited positive response. Now I'm just going to deal with things that I can do something about.
 
gobigorgohome22 said:
I just dont understand, you have great stats... Your MCAT is average, not great but not bad either. You have great GPA. I would easily have expected an acceptance for someone with your stats.

I was reading a school specific thread where there were two people accepted with ~3.6 gpa and <26 MCAT??? Not saying those people didnt deserve an acceptance just as much as anyone else but I would have thought there would be some method to this madness.......
Click to expand...

There could be a potential number a reasons or none at all:
a) I applied the first day with a bunch of highly qualified applicants (the "gunners") and simply got passed over in the initial flood.
b) Red flag (i.e. a poor LOR; I reviewed my PS and other materials and I and others don't see anything alarming there).
c) My extracurricular activities started in my junior year (though I had over 200 hours of volunteering (at a hospital), over 100 hours of clinical research, and over 100 hours of hands-on clinical experience (helping administer treatments, etc))
d) My extracurricular activities had holes (no involvement in student orgs, no non-clinical volunteering, no basic research)
e) Average MCAT questions validity of high GPA
f) Ambitious school list
g) I'm from California (thanks aerogers, I forgot to point that out!)
h) I'm just unlucky

I'm probably over-thinking a few points, but whatever
 
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hopefloatsss said:
Blergh, been depressed all this month. Recently dumped (sucks) but can't recover because I'm getting dumped/ignored by medical schools (my true love) left and right. Waiting to hear back from 8 medical schools, 4 of which stop interviewing in like 3 weeks. And all this waiting and dumping and nursing heartbreak is terrible for my liver.

I had my last interview invite (my only one) on Thanksgiving and then...nothing all of December, nothing all of January. And now, it's almost February. On one hand, I'm wildly optimistic that I will get into my alma mater school that thankfully interviewed me. On one hand, I'm deathly pessimistic that they will see right through my desperation and hopelessness and heartbreak and will reject me, and I will be jobless and will be the one person out of all my friends who will never get in anywhere. And the kid who dumped me will continue to be wildly successful, which shouldn't matter but feels really infuriating right now.

I'm taking a class at the local university to sharpen my chemistry skills to retake my MCAT, but honestly, I can't even think about reapplying without feeling my heart break into a million more pieces. Is that sappy enough or is that sappy enough?

Anyway...posting about all my deepest darkest fears on SDN really does make me feel better, so...yeah. Good luck everyone. Hope y'all are faring better than me.
Click to expand...
Wow, a lot to process in a short period of time. My sympathies to you. Okay to be sappy for 1 month. Beyond that, maybe reach out for help.
 
Corvid said:
There could be a potential number a reasons or none at all:
a) I applied the first day with a bunch of highly qualified applicants (the "gunners") and simply got passed over in the initial flood.
b) Red flag (i.e. a poor LOR; I reviewed my PS and other materials and I and others don't see anything alarming there).
c) My extracurricular activities started in my junior year (though I had over 200 hours of volunteering (at a hospital), over 100 hours of clinical research, and over 100 hours of hands-on clinical experience (helping administer treatments, etc))
d) My extracurricular activities had holes (no involvement in student orgs, no non-clinical volunteering, no basic research)
e) Average MCAT questions validity of high GPA
f) Ambitious school list
g) I'm just unlucky

I'm probably over-thinking a few points, but whatever
Click to expand...

h) We're in California

For d, maybe start a new volunteer activity that will give you a fresh outlook? i.e.) Red Cross, homeless shelter, soup kitchen. Not that you should just do it for the updates, but you will be able to send updates, saying how excited you are to be involved with something new, talk about what you hope to gain from the experience, etc. It could help!
 
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Great White Buffalo said:
Wow, a lot to process in a short period of time. My sympathies to you. Okay to be sappy for 1 month. Beyond that, maybe reach out for help.
Click to expand...
Haha yep, mourning and moping around post-break up. Still functional, but hoping medical school doesn't send me over the deep end.
 
hopefloatsss said:
Blergh, been depressed all this month. Recently dumped (sucks) but can't recover because I'm getting dumped/ignored by medical schools (my true love) left and right. Waiting to hear back from 8 medical schools, 4 of which stop interviewing in like 3 weeks. And all this waiting and dumping and nursing heartbreak is terrible for my liver.

I had my last interview invite (my only one) on Thanksgiving and then...nothing all of December, nothing all of January. And now, it's almost February. On one hand, I'm wildly optimistic that I will get into my alma mater school that thankfully interviewed me. On one hand, I'm deathly pessimistic that they will see right through my desperation and hopelessness and heartbreak and will reject me, and I will be jobless and will be the one person out of all my friends who will never get in anywhere. And the kid who dumped me will continue to be wildly successful, which shouldn't matter but feels really infuriating right now.

I'm taking a class at the local university to sharpen my chemistry skills to retake my MCAT, but honestly, I can't even think about reapplying without feeling my heart break into a million more pieces. Is that sappy enough or is that sappy enough?

Anyway...posting about all my deepest darkest fears on SDN really does make me feel better, so...yeah. Good luck everyone. Hope y'all are faring better than me.
Click to expand...

So sorry about all of this - my heart goes out to ya. I, too, am waiting to hear from my alma mater post-interview. Have you sent a letter of intent/interest? My pre-health advisor said it's the best thing to do in our situation.

And I know it's tough, but try to not compare yourself with friends. I have friends who are successful researchers, doctors, and dentists, and the best decision I ever made was to recognize my own talents and strengths. I like to think that maybe those friends are in their careers, but you make a killer chocolate peanut butter fudge, can do skateboard tricks in a half-pipe, rock out on an instrument or run a half marathon. Maybe your talents are things your friends can't do and maybe they're just as envious of you for that.

And sure, maybe that kid will be wildly successful, but so will you. Hang in there - it sounds cliché, but time make a huge difference with these things. In two months, you could be accepted somewhere and over that kid. Stay positive! Sending some good vibes your way.
 
hopefloatsss said:
Haha yep, mourning and moping around post-break up. Still functional, but hoping medical school doesn't send me over the deep end.
Click to expand...
Med school may just what you need to take your mind off your woes!! Nothing beats depression than sheer overload of work!!
 
Should I retake the MCAT?
3.85 Gpa in bio from good school
31 MCAT
B 12 P 10 V 9
Thanks
I would take a few practice tests to see if my scores really improve. Not one single II, I applied later in the cycle.
Thanks!
 
aerogers said:
h) We're in California

For d, maybe start a new volunteer activity that will give you a fresh outlook? i.e.) Red Cross, homeless shelter, soup kitchen. Not that you should just do it for the updates, but you will be able to send updates, saying how excited you are to be involved with something new, talk about what you hope to gain from the experience, etc. It could help!
Click to expand...

Ooh, you're right. I added that point too, heh. I am thinking about starting a new activity as well (hard to fit in something since I work full-time and have research commitments on weekends)
 
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