2013-2014 Panic Thread

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Sodocme said:
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!
Click to expand...
I think a 31 is really pretty solid (or at least it used to be!). I expect your biggest problem -- as far as I can tell from the little you provide -- was a late application. While it doesn't hurt to re-take if you think you'll do better, I would recommend an early application be your priority, especially since you also have a 3.85 to back up the 31.
 
Corvid said:
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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I empathize - I work full-time and volunteer with research/the local hospital on the weekend, too. I volunteer with the Red Cross on evenings after work, and as crazy as it makes my schedule, all I've learned and done has been incredibly rewarding. Most areas have a chapter and they allow you to get involved based on your availability. Could be worth looking into!
 
johnamo said:
I think a 31 is really pretty solid (or at least it used to be!). I expect your biggest problem -- as far as I can tell from the little you provide -- was a late application. While it doesn't hurt to re-take if you think you'll do better, I would recommend an early application be your priority, especially since you also have a 3.85 to back up the 31.
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I second this. I have the same GPA, a lower MCAT, and 2 II. Maybe you applied top heavy and a little late? I'm having the same regrets - at least we're all learning how to be better next time around if it comes down to that.
 
8 interviews = 1 rejection, 1 post-interview hold, 4 unofficial waitlists/post-interview silence, 1 waitlist, and the last one I won't hear back from until March. It's going to be a long few months. Also I'm not really sure how to improve my app for next year in case besides find some way to improve my interview skills 🙁

Edit: accepted! good luck to everyone else
 
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Sodocme said:
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!
Click to expand...

31 is just fine for the majority of schools. If you apply early you should see much better results. That said if you feel confident that you can improve your score significantly and don't have other areas of your app to improve that is definitely an option.
 
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.
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Hugs. While romantic relationships end for a reason, the nice thing about medical school applications is that it's not a "No" until you stop trying. That's what I told myself last year, anyway.
 
I will try again the next cycle bc this is something I really want. I'm getting a lot of clinical exp. this yr bc I work at doctor's office and do vitals and shadowing.
Hard for me to do much volunteer work bc I have 2 jobs and am paying off my student loans. Have over 1000 hrs of volunteering as as undergrad. Can I still use the previous LOR from deans and professors? Aside from a new essay and new updates and such, what else can I do on my app?
 
Sodocme said:
I will try again the next cycle bc this is something I really want. I'm getting a lot of clinical exp. this yr bc I work at doctor's office and do vitals and shadowing.
Hard for me to do much volunteer work bc I have 2 jobs and am paying off my student loans. Have over 1000 hrs of volunteering as as undergrad. Can I still use the previous LOR from deans and professors? Aside from a new essay and new updates and such, what else can I do on my app?
Click to expand...

I reused letters from classes/former surpervisors, since there was nothing new there to add. Continuing projects, like my job and my two new volunteer positions, got new letters and my pre-health advisor wrote me a new committee letter. YMMV.

New essays, pre-write secondaries and contact schools to see if anyone can give you more specific pointers on your file.
 
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...
Sorry about this for you , awful to be dumped, wishing ur alma mater will give u good news! Please keep us updated! So hard to stay positive. It's okay and normal at times to feel life sucks bc at times it does. You need to lick your wounds and feel the **** and slowly we recover. Distractions can help and time. It's how we get thru these miserable times that matter. I felt totally shattered not having any II and a reject from my alma mater where I got a 3.85. I'm slowing coming out of this despair and planning for the next cycle even tho I feel like crap.
When u get to the end of your rope tie a knot and hang on!!!
 
DrCharlemagne said:
I reused letters from classes/former surpervisors, since there was nothing new there to add. Continuing projects, like my job and my two new volunteer positions, got new letters and my pre-health advisor wrote me a new committee letter. YMMV.

New essays, pre-write secondaries and contact schools to see if anyone can give you more specific pointers on your file.
Click to expand...
Thank you!!!
DrCharlemagne said:
I reused letters from classes/former surpervisors, since there was nothing new there to add. Continuing projects, like my job and my two new volunteer positions, got new letters and my pre-health advisor wrote me a new committee letter. YMMV.

New essays, pre-write secondaries and contact schools to see if anyone can give you more specific pointers on your file.
Click to expand...
 
hopelezwanderer said:
8 interviews = 1 rejection, 1 post-interview hold, 4 unofficial waitlists/post-interview silence, 1 waitlist, and the last one I won't hear back from until March. It's going to be a long few months. Also I'm not really sure how to improve my app for next year in case besides find some way to improve my interview skills 🙁
Click to expand...

That's a great thing to improve on, though! We have to interview for residencies and jobs, and our job requires that we interview patients. It's the one part of the app process that will actually benefit you quite a bit in your career (compared to your GPA, MCAT, and ECs which may have little to no bearing). Plus, holds and wait lists aren't the end. We're all right there with ya!
 
I was going to wait till this cycle was over to post, but I wanted to give some hope to people out there especially on this forum. Last year I received no interview invites. It was pretty depressing. People asking you everyday what you are doing next year and where you are going when you are processing everything was rough. This year I have been lucky enough to get about 10 ii's. This year has been tough too with many waitlists, deferrals, preinterview rejections. This process is hard on most people, but the place you are in right now is the real test. I know things can change from one year to the next from first hand experience. Believe in yourself, if this is something you want do not give up!
 
At the point that if I see an email from a school in my inbox on a Friday, I think: Alright. Time to ruin my weekend.
 
Spicegirl07 said:
I was going to wait till this cycle was over to post, but I wanted to give some hope to people out there especially on this forum. Last year I received no interview invites. It was pretty depressing. People asking you everyday what you are doing next year and where you are going when you are processing everything was rough. This year I have been lucky enough to get about 10 ii's. This year has been tough too with many waitlists, deferrals, preinterview rejections. This process is hard on most people, but the place you are in right now is the real test. I know things can change from one year to the next from first hand experience. Believe in yourself, if this is something you want do not give up!
Click to expand...

Congrats on the interviews! That's a pretty big change to go from 0 to 10 in one year. What did you do differently to boost your application?
 
Matt20 said:
Congrats on the interviews! That's a pretty big change to go from 0 to 10 in one year. What did you do differently to boost your application?
Click to expand...

Substantial MCAT increase, shadowing experience ( I had almost none last year~20hrs ), much better PS, & I wrote my EC's better. Basically fixed the weaknesses in my application. I actually shadowed a DO to get a letter of Rec. so I could apply this year to DO schools too. Turns out I got more MD invites than DO invites. I didn't want to reapply again, so I applied to both this year.
 
Sometimes I think about the rejection email from my top (in-state) school and listen to this. Dreams last... so long....

 
hopefloatsss said:
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?
Click to expand...

It's an emotional strain, for sure. If you have to reapply, you don't have to do it right away. Give yourself time to recover.
 
Hi everyone,

I am here to offer you hope.
I am re-applicant who just go accepted to Medical school.
Two summers ago I took the MCAT twice and got a 25 on my first try and then a 22 on my second try.
Devastating I know! But I still applied to over 20 schools and got rejected by over 20 schools.
I thought my fate was resigned to the Caribbean.
But I decided to try one more time. I graduated from college, got a tutor for the MCAT and reapplied to 20 more schools.
My final stats are 30 MCAT 3.7 GPA 3.5 sGPA and got that 1 acceptance I needed.

So the lesson of this story is dont panic. Create a plan of what you need to do to increase that stats of your application.
I called and emailed admissions offices who denied me to ask what they thought were the weak points of my app. I was already denied so I didn't worry about taking time away from their days.
For the applicants who don't want to reapply, have you tried DO schools? Caribbean schools?

For the impending doctor shortage and you all being my future peers I am not going to worry where you went to medical school when we are at the operating table.
Good luck to you all.
 
18 schools, 7 rejections, 1 second look, 2 IIs. One of my II went terribly and my stats are oddly low for my other II. I don't know how I ended up on that list.
 
KYTopgun said:
Hi everyone,

I am here to offer you hope.
I am re-applicant who just go accepted to Medical school.
Two summers ago I took the MCAT twice and got a 25 on my first try and then a 22 on my second try.
Devastating I know! But I still applied to over 20 schools and got rejected by over 20 schools.
I thought my fate was resigned to the Caribbean.
But I decided to try one more time. I graduated from college, got a tutor for the MCAT and reapplied to 20 more schools.
My final stats are 30 MCAT 3.7 GPA 3.5 sGPA and got that 1 acceptance I needed.

So the lesson of this story is dont panic. Create a plan of what you need to do to increase that stats of your application.
I called and emailed admissions offices who denied me to ask what they thought were the weak points of my app. I was already denied so I didn't worry about taking time away from their days.
For the applicants who don't want to reapply, have you tried DO schools? Caribbean schools?

For the impending doctor shortage and you all being my future peers I am not going to worry where you went to medical school when we are at the operating table.
Good luck to you all.
Click to expand...

As a fellow successful MD re-applicant, I would like to echo KYTopgun's sentiments. I originally applied to medical school right out of undergrad and was not successful. There were many things wrong with my application that I later found out through honest, objective reflection and analysis. It took me time to sift through all of the feedback and craft a plan for this cycle. With that being said, I integrated all of it and did things so differently during this application cycle. For example, I met with my school’s Pre-Health Office, developed a plan, wrote 37 drafts of my personal statement, and crafted my work/activities in a way that communicated MY Story. In addition, I submitted my AMCAS the first day it opened. I have been following this thread for a while and understand the distaste that is the thought of some of reapplying and going through another application cycle - I have been there. I have seen my friends get accepted while I didn't. I understand what some of you are going through.

I know the phrase "this application cycle isn't over yet" may sound empty, but my words are sincere. I hope each and every one of you, those posting, and those lurking in the background on this thread because they just want to be somewhere where people feel the same way, achieve success in your respective application cycles. If I can be of any help or be just a sounding board, feel free to PM me.
 
Matt20 said:
Congrats on the interviews! That's a pretty big change to go from 0 to 10 in one year. What did you do differently to boost your application?
Click to expand...
3931 said:
As a fellow successful MD re-applicant, I would like to echo KYTopgun's sentiments. I originally applied to medical school right out of undergrad and was not successful. There were many things wrong with my application that I later found out through honest, objective reflection and analysis. It took me time to sift through all of the feedback and craft a plan for this cycle. With that being said, I integrated all of it and did things so differently during this application cycle. For example, I met with my school’s Pre-Health Office, developed a plan, wrote 37 drafts of my personal statement, and crafted my work/activities in a way that communicated MY Story. In addition, I submitted my AMCAS the first day it opened. I have been following this thread for a while and understand the distaste that is the thought of some of reapplying and going through another application cycle - I have been there. I have seen my friends get accepted while I didn't. I understand what some of you are going through.

I know the phrase "this application cycle isn't over yet" may sound empty, but my words are sincere. I hope each and every one of you, those posting, and those lurking in the background on this thread because they just want to be somewhere where people feel the same way, achieve success in your respective application cycles. If I can be of any help or be just a sounding board, feel free to PM me.
Click to expand...

Thank you you have giving me inspiration!
 
johnamo said:
I think a 31 is really pretty solid (or at least it used to be!). I expect your biggest problem -- as far as I can tell from the little you provide -- was a late application. While it doesn't hurt to re-take if you think you'll do better, I would recommend an early application be your priority, especially since you also have a 3.85 to back up the 31.
Click to expand...

I applied with a lower MCAT. IDK if bottom heavy is a thing, but those were the schools I targeted, lol ! This process is a crapshoot though lower tier schools that I thought I would be a good fit for passed me up while mid tier one's invited.
 
A couple months ago, I came back to post about how I would be a cheerleader for everyone on this thread. I'm back to cheer some more now that I am not as sick and have handled my personal matters 🙂. I've seen quite a few on here receive acceptances, and there's still hope for you all until the very last day! And if not, your determination and resilience thus far has prepared you for the small detour you have ahead to reaching your dreams! 😍😍

I also applied with a lower MCAT (28, 8-10-10) as a resident from CA but got two IIs in the end (OOS schools). If you all have any questions, feel free to shoot me a PM 😀

:luck::luck: to you all!
 
Anastasia.Beaverhausen said:
I'm rooting for all of you! I was in this position last year. The wait was excruciating, just to hear "no" at the very end. I was crushed. I felt like a zombie applying again on June 1. But it can be done. Some things people told me:
-You won't get in with a below 30 MCAT.
-You won't get in with a C in Organic chemistry
-You'll be looked down upon as a re-applicant

None of these things were true. With a 28 mcat, C in orgo I, and a re-app, I'm happy to say I've gotten into 2 MD programs this cycle, one of which was my "reach" school. If you had told me 6 months ago I would be in this position, I would have laughed.

You CAN do this. If you truly want it, it will happen. Work on your deficiencies and prove to those Adcoms that you're worth it. Ask for feedback from rejected schools. By the way - the cycle's not over yet! Some schools are still interviewing. If you're sitting on a waitlist, try to keep your mind occupied until around May when all the shuffling happens. I know a lot of people say it doesn't matter but I was fairly aggressive with letters of interest and I believe it helped me. I'm rooting for all of you! Keep hope. You can do this. :biglove:
Click to expand...

When you say your update letters helped you, do you mean it helped you get off a waitlist?
 
fingerscrossed92 said:
Wrote an update letter for a school I hadn't heard from in a while. Went on their status portal to check whether I could submit from there... and was met with a surprise rejection. Guess I don't need to send that letter after all hey oh!
+pity+
Click to expand...
Haha, I keep worrying that I'll find a surprise II in my portal that I will have missed... I guess a surprise rejection is much more likely at this point! 😕
 
johnamo said:
Haha, I keep worrying that I'll find a surprise II in my portal that I will have missed... I guess a surprise rejection is much more likely at this point! 😕
Click to expand...

Don't forget that spam folder! 😉
 
So what's the consensus on withdrawing applications before inevitable rejection? I feel like a wimp for admitting that every "Thanks but no thanks" email eats a bit of my ego, but the rejections can really undermine my sense of self-worth. How do y'all buck up and deal with rejections? or is there more than one person on here who quits before they're dismissed?
 
Woke up to a rejection this morning. Even though it hurts, I am honestly glad to hear some news even if it is a rejection....

One of my best friends found out that she got into Law school. I am honestly so happy for her but I wish I had some good news to share also. It hurts so much when I have to say "nothing yet" when people ask where I have been accepted.
 
gobigorgohome22 said:
Woke up to a rejection this morning. Even though it hurts, I am honestly glad to hear some news even if it is a rejection....

One of my best friends found out that she got into Law school. I am honestly so happy for her but I wish I had some good news to share also. It hurts so much when I have to say "nothing yet" when people ask where I have been accepted.
Click to expand...

I feel ya, there are 2 moments that I'm dreaming of by the end of this cycle. Being able to tell my friends and family about getting into medical school and seeing my parents' faces when I put both arms through my white coat. I am still optimistic of our chances and it's important to keep positive!
 
T3ckFr3s said:
For those of you on a wait list. I found an interesting thread: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/wait-list-success.639950/

Grant it, it's about 5 years old but it's given me hope about being placed on wait lists (especially so early in the cycle). It's reaching the tail end of the interview season, so let's all hope for the best!
Click to expand...

I hope being an early interviewee means something when it comes to wait lists! :xf: Good luck to you
I know this is a first world problem but I'm also really trying to get off some wait lists haha
 
sourdoughllama said:
I hope being an early interviewee means something when it comes to wait lists! :xf: Good luck to you
I know this is a first world problem but I'm also really trying to get off some wait lists haha
Click to expand...

Haha I don't think it's a first world problem. I need to get off one of my wait lists if I want to go to medical school this year.

Thanks and good luck to you too!
 
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sourdoughllama said:
I hope being an early interviewee means something when it comes to wait lists! :xf: Good luck to you
I know this is a first world problem but I'm also really trying to get off some wait lists haha
Click to expand...

T3ckFr3s said:
Haha I don't think it's a first world problem. I need to get off one of my wait lists if I want to go to medical school next year.

Thanks and good luck to you too!
Click to expand...

Totally agree with you guys! I HAVE TO GET OFF waitlist!!

Just out of curiosity, how many schools are you waiting to hear from?

I have 1 waitlist, 3 decision pending (since SEPTEMBER!!! - assuming waitlists or rejections), 1 interview later this month (at a school that emailed saying they have filled their class and are interviewing for alternate list spots)

Good Luck to you guys!
 
gobigorgohome22 said:
Totally agree with you guys! I HAVE TO GET OFF waitlist!!
Just out of curiosity, how many schools are you waiting to hear from?
I have 1 waitlist, 3 decision pending (since SEPTEMBER!!! - assuming waitlists or rejections), 1 interview later this month (at a school that emailed saying they have filled their class and are interviewing for alternate list spots)
Good Luck to you guys!
Click to expand...

I've been on 2 wait lists since November. I feel like my cycle peaked very early because after those 2 initial interviews, I've gotten nothing but rejections and silence.

Are the schools you're waiting on non-rolling?
 
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