Rejected post II (11/13). My one II and I couldn’t even land an acceptance. My one shot...gosh aim pathetic. I honestly can’t continue going on like this. I think I’m done. To everyone still in the running, keep at it. I’m sure all will work out, it just won’t for me. <3
Your post has been eating at me for days now.
UVM is my only interview so far this application cycle. I cried tears of joy when I got the II. However, I'm fortunate enough to have an incredibly supportive partner who reminds me that admissions decisions do not make or break who I am as a person. Even so, it is scary and the rejections hurt. I expect that most, if not all, of us, pour ourselves into our work and so a rejection seems to be a rebuke.
Instead, I choose to see admissions decisions as a reflection of what the school needs to balance out the personalities in the class, not whether or not I'm academically worthy. Sure, the pre-II rejections are likely about academics/MCAT/letters of rec, but once I'm in the interview, I'm either the person they want or I'm not. I've worked decades to be who I am, as have you. I'm proud of who I am whether or not I'm fortunate enough to be granted admission, and I hope that you are, too.
Now, for the practical argument and action steps:
1. You could receive interviews elsewhere. It's not too late in the cycle. Check in with admissions offices to see if they accept letters of interest or intent. Those could help you land another interview and the key to your dreams. I was fortunate to shadow a doctor who graduated from Harvard. She was rejected by many other schools that were not as competitive.
2. Even if you don't receive interviews elsewhere, don't let that ruin your self-worth! If a date went poorly, would you feel viscerally broken and worthless? MMI's are like the world's scariest speed-dating game because the impact seems to be life-long. You still have a lifetime to have the date go well!
3. If you were rejected by all of your other schools, it's time to make a choice: Is this potential future of yours worth fighting for?
4a. If not, what is?
4b. If so, do you know what you need to do to fight effectively?
5. Fight for whatever future you want. Every career worth having is challenging in its own way. As a pre-med, the challenge is likely half the fun for you. Don't let what a committee trying to orchestrate the creation of an ideal incoming class decided upon kill your fighting spirit. You did beautifully if you made it to an interview.