2013-2014 Panic Thread

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hopefloatsss said:
I feel you guys. This is cathartic...and the only place I can post about all of anxieties/fears since my friends won't hear it anymore haha.

Day million and one....interview days are filling and I'm still interviewless....I need to stop lurking on school-specific threads....sigh.....maybe me posting here will get me an interview...🙁(((((((
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Weren't you posting about getting an II recently?
 
Entelechy said:
Is posting here really lucky? I applied a little late (complete in early October). ~3.9/37, one interview, and an ever-growing handful of rejections. I am starting to lose my mind. Best of luck to everyone else!
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How many schools did you end up applying to? because you're stats are killer, even w/ mediocre EC's ( i'm sure you have great ones) you should still be getting more interviews . Also many schools haven't even viewed my app yet and I applied to most on Sept 1st, so they are probably still processing your application since you applied when most applications came out. How broadly you apply may make more of an impact for a later applicant, but honestly I don't even know... IMO you will get many more invites in the months to come.
 
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Member954786 said:
How many schools did you end up applying to? because you're stats are killer, even w/ mediocre EC's ( i'm sure you have great ones) you should still be getting more interviews . Also many schools haven't even viewed my app yet and I applied to most on Sept 1st, so they are probably still processing your application since you applied when most applications came out.
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Thanks for the kind words! I hope that you are right. I applied to around 20 schools, but unfortunately, I think that I aimed a little too high. I am also a non-traditional applicant with a unique classics/philosophy background. While that was definitely a plus at the one school where I interviewed, I envy people here with higher level science and advanced research.
 
Entelechy said:
Thanks for the kind words! I hope that you are right. I applied to around 20 schools, but unfortunately, I think that I aimed a little too high. I am also a non-traditional applicant with a unique classics/philosophy background. While that was definitely a plus at the one school where I interviewed, I envy people here with higher level science and advanced research.
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Don't!, you clearly have strengths in your application others don't... Always play up your strengths, not your weaknesses. I applied to almost all mid to low tier schools w/ high OOS presence... which is why I believe I got any interviews ( and almost all of them ( aside from 1 ) are OOS). There are weaknesses on my app you wouldn't even believe! You are different with your background and breadth of life experiences, which make your motivations towards medicine unique and schools appreciate that maturity and knowledge you will bring to the profession!
 
Wonton Soup said:
Just looked at your MDApps and your stats are almost exactly like mine- I retook the MCAT as well and went from 25-->31 haha.
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Holla! Haha hopefully I'll get into Temple like you did, would love to stay in Philly and I've a few friends there who love the school.
That's a really nice improvement btw!! I was worried the first score would kill my apps but you're giving me hope.
 
QuiteAConundrum said:
Holla! Haha hopefully I'll get into Temple like you did, would love to stay in Philly and I've a few friends there who love the school.
That's a really nice improvement btw!! I was worried the first score would kill my apps but you're giving me hope.
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Thanks! And nah, I don't think retakes are looked down upon nearly as much as people might claim. I can say though that the first time I took it was a mistake and I legitimately wasn't prepared, but it worked out for the best right? And based on what I've seen so far, I can definitely see how people would love the school- everyone there seems really happy and down-to-earth, and I'm glad that you know others who could vouch for the same 🙂 Are you applying to Drexel and JMC as well?
 
Wonton Soup said:
Just looked at your MDApps and your stats are almost exactly like mine- I retook the MCAT as well and went from 25-->31 haha.
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I went from a 25 to 31 MCAT as well. The funny thing is that I spent around 3 months prepping the first time but only 1 month prepping for my retake. Schools have definitely recognized my improvement on the MCAT and I'm very glad to have retaken it, so it really can be done.
 
Wonton Soup said:
Thanks! And nah, I don't think retakes are looked down upon nearly as much as people might claim. I can say though that the first time I took it was a mistake and I legitimately wasn't prepared, but it worked out for the best right? And based on what I've seen so far, I can definitely see how people would love the school- everyone there seems really happy and down-to-earth, and I'm glad that you know others who could vouch for the same 🙂 Are you applying to Drexel and JMC as well?
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Yeah I hope you're right, all the people I've spoken with at admissions for various schools say it isn't that important, but seeing as it's the only "red flag" in my app, I can't help but be a bit concerned. I was the same way though, tried to take it on top of 6 classes, work, and sports...bad call haha.

And yes it's really awesome!! They truly care about their students and go out of their way to help you. A big reason why it's one of my top picks. They aren't totally "sink or swim" which is nice. Oh and I took a gander at your mdapps, trust me the area really isn't that bad. I'd always take the train for visits and although it can get sketch at certain times, you just have to be smart about it. Stick to broad street after dark and you won't have issues! The low COL is a big plus too.

And yepp applied to them and Penn (might as well throw a hail mary if this could be my one chance, right? no need to pre-screen myself 😉) from Philly. Why not Drexel for you?
 
T3ckFr3s said:
I went from a 25 to 31 MCAT as well. The funny thing is that I spent around 3 months prepping the first time but only 1 month prepping for my retake. Schools have definitely recognized my improvement on the MCAT and I'm very glad to have retaken it, so it really can be done.
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Nice! That must have been one intense month hahaha.
 
QuiteAConundrum said:
Yeah I hope you're right, all the people I've spoken with at admissions for various schools say it isn't that important, but seeing as it's the only "red flag" in my app, I can't help but be a bit concerned. I was the same way though, tried to take it on top of 6 classes, work, and sports...bad call haha.

And yes it's really awesome!! They truly care about their students and go out of their way to help you. A big reason why it's one of my top picks. They aren't totally "sink or swim" which is nice. Oh and I took a gander at your mdapps, trust me the area really isn't that bad. I'd always take the train for visits and although it can get sketch at certain times, you just have to be smart about it. Stick to broad street after dark and you won't have issues! The low COL is a big plus too.

And yepp applied to them and Penn (might as well throw a hail mary if this could be my one chance, right? no need to pre-screen myself 😉) from Philly. Why not Drexel for you?
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Haha yeah studying for the Beast during the semester is never fun. I'm always down for some cheap housing though haha, do you know if your friends are all living close to campus or do some of them commute from inner city?
And I'd def apply to Penn as well if I were a resident- who knows, this entire admissions process seems like a blind lottery system anyway LOL. Ok, honestly, don't laugh at me but my parents aren't really the best English speakers, so when I applied to schools (among other things) I wanted to make sure they were schools that A) my parents would know of, and JUST AS IMPORTANTLY B) be able to pronounce. Unfortunately Drexel didn't really qualify for either in my parental pre-screening process so I decided against it. OK this really sounds ridiculous now, I'm going to stop :laugh:
 
Wonton Soup said:
Haha yeah studying for the Beast during the semester is never fun. I'm always down for some cheap housing though haha, do you know if your friends are all living close to campus or do some of them commute from inner city?
And I'd def apply to Penn as well if I were a resident- who knows, this entire admissions process seems like a blind lottery system anyway LOL. Ok, honestly, don't laugh at me but my parents aren't really the best English speakers, so when I applied to schools (among other things) I wanted to make sure they were schools that A) my parents would know of, and JUST AS IMPORTANTLY B) be able to pronounce. Unfortunately Drexel didn't really qualify for either in my parental pre-screening process so I decided against it. OK this really sounds ridiculous now, I'm going to stop :laugh:
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Hahaha...sorry, I told myself I wouldn't laugh. I totally understand though, that's not a dumb reason at all. My parents kept suggesting places to apply to based off of their knowledge of what "good colleges" are and most of them didn't even have medical schools haha. (My mom still wants me to apply to MIT and Villanova...) I'll update my MDApps when they fix the site!

Some of them live literally a block away and others commute from downtown, china town, and even university city (mainly due to relationships/previous roommates, etc.). SEPTA isn't too bad once you get the hang of it, I promise! And if you don't feel like taking public transit, cabs aren't terribly expensive. Honestly I walk most places, or ride my bike, and it's not so bad. Lots of bike racks and even bike lanes on most streets.

EDIT: Northern Liberties is a fairly close and up-and-coming area. It's a little more expensive than right by Temple but it's a 20 and 30-something's crowd and they have a lot of events there (e.g. the radio 104.5 summer block parties where they throw free concerts throughout the summer with established and up-and-coming bands)
 
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QuiteAConundrum said:
Hahaha...sorry, I told myself I wouldn't laugh. I totally understand though, that's not a dumb reason at all. My parents kept suggesting places to apply to based off of their knowledge of what "good colleges" are and most of them didn't even have medical schools haha. (My mom still wants me to apply to MIT and Villanova...) I'll update my MDApps when they fix the site!

Some of them live literally a block away and others commute from downtown, china town, and even university city (mainly due to relationships/previous roommates, etc.). SEPTA isn't too bad once you get the hang of it, I promise! And if you don't feel like taking public transit, cabs aren't terribly expensive. Honestly I walk most places, or ride my bike, and it's not so bad. Lots of bike racks and even bike lanes on most streets.

EDIT: Northern Liberties is a fairly close and up-and-coming area. It's a little more expensive than right by Temple but it's a 20 and 30-something's crowd and they have a lot of events there (e.g. the radio 104.5 summer block parties where they throw free concerts throughout the summer with established and up-and-coming bands)
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Awesome! Thanks for the heads up I'll have to check out the place, and yeah I was a little worried about the public transportation having had a less than ideal experience with it went I went to Philly for the interview haha. Kudos on the bike though I really should consider getting one since I spend most of my time in the city anyway. And LOL yeah that def sounds like my parents : "you should apply Hahvahd!" Going to be so glad when this cycle is over hahaha


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Wonton Soup said:
Awesome! Thanks for the heads up I'll have to check out the place, and yeah I was a little worried about the public transportation having had a less than ideal experience with it went I went to Philly for the interview haha. Kudos on the bike though I really should consider getting one since I spend most of my time in the city anyway. And LOL yeah that def sounds like my parents : "you should apply Hahvahd!" Going to be so glad when this cycle is over hahaha


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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SEPTA can be a bit of a bear, for sure, but the Broad Street Line is a straight shot and opens the entire city up for housing options. I'm partial to South Philly, having lived here for almost three years, but NoLibs is easily accessible via SEPTA or by bike. Feel free to PM me if you have questions/ideas.

Just wrote an update letter to another reach school. I cannot wait until I'm done having to talk about how great I am. Lauding myself doesn't suit me.
 
BillrothI said:
Was anyone else here complete in July? I'm facing 4+ months of silence and starting to feel a bit discouraged. Any hope for a late II?

-Bill
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I am, all my secondaries were completed by August-September as well. I had a 3.5c GPA and a 33 on the MCAT. I'm still waiting to hear back from 6 schools that I think I may have a shot at.
 
Wonton Soup said:
Weren't you posting about getting an II recently?
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Just one, but it basically feels interviewless...

another day browsing threads and furiously/insecurely checking my email...
 
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hopefloatsss said:
Just one, to my alma mater, but it basically feels interviewless...

another day browsing threads and furiously/insecurely checking my email...
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I'm pretty sure most people will tell you that there's a big difference between no interviews and even just one interview. Usually if you're interviewed you have a 33% chance of being accepted. Hang in there 🙂
 
emkayveedee said:
I'm pretty sure most people will tell you that there's a big difference between no interviews and even just one interview. Usually if you're interviewed you have a 33% chance of being accepted. Hang in there 🙂
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Thanks...Solidarity...

It's a crappy time for everyone not accepted...
 
GoPelicans said:
I honestly think it will be impossible to ever forget what you get on your MCAT. We all spend 10x as much time and energy studying and worrying about it than we ever did the SAT.
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I'll never forget my MCAT score because people around me have put me on such a high pedestal that they still think I'm lying when I tell them I didn't break 30 on the test 😛. Plus, MCAT only has 45 numbers, whereas SATs has a range of numbers from 2400 to like...800 :laugh:
 
emkayveedee said:
I'm pretty sure most people will tell you that there's a big difference between no interviews and even just one interview. Usually if you're interviewed you have a 33% chance of being accepted. Hang in there 🙂
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yeah, not too sure about that. 3II => 3WL. 3.4 c/sGPA 35 MCAT. Drowning in self-doubt and second guessing right now.
 
MCAT777 said:
Today I started thinking about back up plans. I am thinking of enrolling in some sort of SMP with a strong linkage program, I am also considering taking the DAT. I didn't think a 29 was that bad of a score. I hate my life right now..
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Is there a deficit in your app you aren't aware of maybe? I agree that a 29 isn't that bad. I know people with similar scores who are doing fine - maybe look for some of those issues before reapplying? I know how hard the MCAT's been for you! Hopefully everything works out in the end
 
3.2 cCPA, 3.0 sGPA, 32 MCAT, currently in a one-year SMP and applying. 10/20 rejections, 1 II, and the remaining schools have been silent. Looks like I'll be spending some quality time in this thread for the second year in a row.
 
Just got a rejection letter from Brown.

My list of schools now dwindles....Please god, an II this week...
 
johnamo said:
Yeah, this Brown rejection really hit me hard. I held out hope over 5+ months and through a number of cuts. YARGH. :rage:
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I feel you. I'm numb to rejections at this point, but I have a growing pit of darkness in my stomach regarding the 12 schools I'm waiting to hear back from...only four of them are medium reaches...the other 8 are definitely reaches (oh hey, Baylor) so my prospectives aren't looking good.

Hang in there everyone...
 
Total silence for me since a rejection on November 5th. it's been almost a month since my first interview and still not a word. Anyone else checking their email every 5 minutes?
 
MCAT777 said:
Today I started thinking about back up plans. I am thinking of enrolling in some sort of SMP with a strong linkage program, I am also considering taking the DAT. I didn't think a 29 was that bad of a score. I hate my life right now..
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DAT? You would consider doing dentistry as opposed to applying DO?
 
Sodocme said:
Exactly my situation
Same stats
Needed to work to get the money for the apps
Was told not to worry if they're sent in later
Beyond panic at this point
Working on plan B
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Yes, the process truly disadvantages folks from lower SES or self supporting students, given the time and cost for applying and interviewing. Looking at the $7K - $10K some pre-meds pay for the whole process is a threhold that is hard for some folks to come up with in a short time span. Extra kudos to those pre-meds who struggle with the financial aspects. Good luck.
 
Busy day on the rejection front! Brown and now Michigan (well, likely. It seems like "application screening com
Great White Buffalo said:
Yes, the process truly disadvantages folks from lower SES or self supporting students, given the time and cost for applying and interviewing. Looking at the $7K - $10K some pre-meds pay for the whole process is a threhold that is hard for some folks to come up with in a short time span. Extra kudos to those pre-meds who struggle with the financial aspects. Good luck.
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Haha I've more than halved my savings (from 2+ years of work post-graduation) during this application/interview process... and I only had 2 interviews! 😵 It sure is painful. I can't imagine how much people with 5+ interviews spend.
 
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RocDiva4040 said:
DEAD silence since October 2nd. Over 2 months. I can't take this much longer....
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Well, I can't feel too bad for you with 2 excellent MD acceptances, 2 waitlists at excellent schools, and 2 other interviews (one Ivy and one at a super tough school to get an interview at). You've heard back from more than half of your schools, and most of them positively. I'm very happy for you, and I don't think you should be too disappointed in your season so far. 🙂
 
johnamo said:
Well, I can't feel too bad for you with 2 excellent MD acceptances, 2 waitlists at excellent schools, and 2 other interviews (one Ivy and one at a super tough school to get an interview at). You've heard back from more than half of your schools, and most of them positively. I'm very happy for you, and I don't think you should be too disappointed in your season so far. 🙂
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HA so I see MD Apps is back working lol. Thanks it's good to keep things in perspective. I'm definitely grateful. It's just I'm surrounded by friends who are achieving or have achieved much more, so I just feel inferior right now. I used to think I was on their same level...
 
Hello all, I've been internally panicking for the last few weeks now. I thought I would post here and hopefully feel better about my situation.

I submitted my primary at the end of September and I am still working on my last few secondaries. I believe that I am a competitive applicant but I feel like my procrastination and super late submit date has screwed me. Best of luck to everyone and I would advise everyone to do what I am doing, taking it one day at a time.
 
Mettagame said:
Hello all, I've been internally panicking for the last few weeks now. I thought I would post here and hopefully feel better about my situation.

I submitted my primary at the end of September and I am still working on my last few secondaries. I believe that I am a competitive applicant but I feel like my procrastination and super late submit date has screwed me. Best of luck to everyone and I would advise everyone to do what I am doing, taking it one day at a time.
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Welcome mettagame. Pull up a chair by the fire that is our sanity going up in flames. 😉

You're definitely a little later in the game but some of your fellow panickers have been waiting over 4 months. So who knows what to expect? Much luck and get cozy; this won't be over for a while.
 
I'm not complaining, since my school selection list were all reaches for me, but I think my cycle is done. SOOO, I am now devoting my spare time to being a full time cheerleader for all of you! Good luck, go go go fellow SDNers!
 
Planning to send update letters again before Christmas. A little pre-holiday neuroticism goes a long way? :nod:
 
Tell me your thoughts-
I completed secondaries to about 36 schools- I have received about 6 rejections, and no IIs. I follow the threads and many have rejected applicants before and after my completion dates, and yet, still not one II. The schools I was rejected from were mostly my reach schools or OOS schools. I was complete at most from mid-august to mid/late september. Some of my friends have already been rejected from schools that I applied to and haven't heard a word. Any ideas? Anything I can do to improve my chances before I start panicking hardcore?
 
ct303 said:
Tell me your thoughts-
I completed secondaries to about 36 schools- I have received about 6 rejections, and no IIs. I follow the threads and many have rejected applicants before and after my completion dates, and yet, still not one II. The schools I was rejected from were mostly my reach schools or OOS schools. I was complete at most from mid-august to mid/late september. Some of my friends have already been rejected from schools that I applied to and haven't heard a word. Any ideas? Anything I can do to improve my chances before I start panicking hardcore?
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I think 36 is a lot of schools. Besides the amount of money (wasted), it stretches you thinly. Not only can you not put enough time into each secondary, it may or may not delay you from submitting earlier.
 
solitarius said:
I think 36 is a lot of schools. Besides the amount of money (wasted), it stretches you thinly. Not only can you not put enough time into each secondary, it may or may not delay you from submitting earlier.
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Hahaha thank you- unfortunately it is too late to change that fact now.
 
ct303 said:
Hahaha thank you- unfortunately it is too late to change that fact now.
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What can you really do to change your chances after your application has been submitted?

Even schools that are open to updates, will they really consider it before they interview you? There are schools that won't consider post-interview updates.

Let me just say this. If you've been on the interview trail, you'll see a lot of thirsty applicants. The vast majority, I'd say. Very rare to encounter superstar SDN applicants with 5+ acceptances. Or maybe they're just smart enough not to talk about it.
 
solitarius said:
I think 36 is a lot of schools. Besides the amount of money (wasted), it stretches you thinly. Not only can you not put enough time into each secondary, it may or may not delay you from submitting earlier.
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I applied to 38 schools 😛, it was expensive, but given the fact that I will likely be paying 150K+ for medical school, spending an extra few hundred dollars on apps was just a drop in the bucket. I will admit writing that many secondaries definitely drained me towards the end.
 
Do you send update letters before getting II's too? I may do this after getting my grades for Fall semester, just to say something...signed "hopelessly devoted to you"

I think it was mentioned somewhere else on these forums, but every song I hear on the radio somehow relates to this!
 
GoPelicans said:
I applied to 38 schools 😛, it was expensive, but given the fact that I will likely be paying 150K+ for medical school, spending an extra few hundred dollars on apps was just a drop in the bucket. I will admit writing that many secondaries definitely drained me towards the end.
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I know. I was intending on applying to 30 schools, but in July/August, reality really set in for me. It was tough to finish secondaries for 17 schools, and applying to all 30 would have delayed the few that I finally completed by late August/early September. I could have "tried" to finish all of them earlier, but for me at least, I would have produced lower quality essays. The strategy paid off for me at least, but different things work for different people.
 
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