2018-2019 Waitlist Support Thread

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@Meridian17, please take care of yourself and don't beat yourself over not getting accepted to medical school this cycle. You can apply for the next cycle now if you haven't already. Apply earlier and more broadly and I am sure you will fare better for this upcoming cycle. Have you also considered DO and the Caribbean schools (not ideal, but...)? What if you cannot get into medical school and become a doctor? There are still many ways to contribute to the healthcare field. You can become a physician assistant, a nurse practitioner, or a nurse. There are numerous ways to help patients and it is not worth it to forfeit your life just because you have failed to get accepted to a medical school.
 
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@Meridian17, please take care of yourself and don't beat yourself over not getting accepted to medical school this cycle. You can apply for the next cycle now if you haven't already. Apply earlier and more broadly and I am sure you will fare better for this upcoming cycle. Have you also considered DO and the Caribbean schools (not ideal, but...)? What if you cannot get into medical school and become a doctor? There are still many ways to contribute to the healthcare field. You can become a physician assistant, a nurse practitioner, or a nurse. There are numerous ways to help patients and it is not worth it to forfeit your life just because you have failed to get accepted to a medical school.
If you haven't completed the prereqs for those things it doesn't make sense to apply to them. Better to take your degree and do something else if possible assuming you are on the older side of the application age.
 
Instead of people looking at it as failing, why don't we see it as an oppritunity to publish more papers over the next year and improve a CV (it will help with residency in the long run anyways as you are able to count any publications ever towards your research exposure count). My brother is a surgeon, he failed out of college after one semester and had to petition to get into a state school, it took him a masters in immuno and an MBA but he finally got in and now is a orthopedic surgeon specializing in upper cervical spine disorders. Extra years are not the end of the world, he met his wife in the extra time as well as was able to do some pretty interesting work on immunotherapies in cancer cells.
I know I am stressing as well but get a project to work on and if you happen to get off the waitlist, well then you have your research underway for medical school.
 
Guys, we're all on the waitlist, so it shows we're each one extra push away. Yes this process because it's so lengthy and time consuming can make you feel let down and not wanting to go through the process again. But, meet with your advisors and get feedback, you'll find some places you can improve, I did. Do that and you will be better candidate than you are now.
 
Instead of people looking at it as failing, why don't we see it as an oppritunity to publish more papers over the next year and improve a CV (it will help with residency in the long run anyways as you are able to count any publications ever towards your research exposure count). My brother is a surgeon, he failed out of college after one semester and had to petition to get into a state school, it took him a masters in immuno and an MBA but he finally got in and now is a orthopedic surgeon specializing in upper cervical spine disorders. Extra years are not the end of the world, he met his wife in the extra time as well as was able to do some pretty interesting work on immunotherapies in cancer cells.
I know I am stressing as well but get a project to work on and if you happen to get off the waitlist, well then you have your research underway for medical school.
Assuming he got in at 24-25 that isn't bad. After that, age starts to become more of a factor imo. I have been told though that I put too much emphasis on age full disclosure.
 
Instead of people looking at it as failing, why don't we see it as an oppritunity to publish more papers over the next year and improve a CV (it will help with residency in the long run anyways as you are able to count any publications ever towards your research exposure count). My brother is a surgeon, he failed out of college after one semester and had to petition to get into a state school, it took him a masters in immuno and an MBA but he finally got in and now is a orthopedic surgeon specializing in upper cervical spine disorders. Extra years are not the end of the world, he met his wife in the extra time as well as was able to do some pretty interesting work on immunotherapies in cancer cells.
I know I am stressing as well but get a project to work on and if you happen to get off the waitlist, well then you have your research underway for medical school.

@Meridian17, have you thought of going through with a special master program with linkage to a medical school to boost your candidacy?
 
Guys, we're all on the waitlist, so it shows we're each one extra push away. Yes this process because it's so lengthy and time consuming can make you feel let down and not wanting to go through the process again. But, meet with your advisors and get feedback, you'll find some places you can improve, I did. Do that and you will be better candidate than you are now.
Can't meet with an advisor when you don't have one.

Thinking_guy.gif
 
Most of the premed advisers are useless at best...
Most advisors are useless at best...

I have never attended a school where advising is useful. You want advice? Go to students the class above you and people who are where you want to be. Advisors just give some general advice that isn't actionable and collect a check. They are usually nice at least.
 
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Were all struggling rn. It’s not just getting rejected by schools that suck, it’s the fact that we had hope after those interviews, and that our current situation is far from ideal (I’m living w parents in the middle of nowhere (but somehow still considered urban) working a min wage clinical job in the unplanned gap year). I do think that this humbling experience will make me appreciate an acceptance much more and I’ll work really hard knowing what I’ve been through, GL all
 
Were all struggling rn. It’s not just getting rejected by schools that suck, it’s the fact that we had hope after those interviews, and that our current situation is far from ideal (I’m living w parents in the middle of nowhere (but somehow still considered urban) working a min wage clinical job in the unplanned gap year). I do think that this humbling experience will make me appreciate an acceptance much more and I’ll work really hard knowing what I’ve been through, GL all
I know the living with parents life man.... it is a real buzz kill.
 
1) Yes, but the only one I can find for non URM with linkage is Tulane and I don't like Tulane SOM unfortunately.
2) I appreciate the kind words. I could probably get in eventually but it will take me quite some time. and I'm not sure I want to be the star of the next Steve Carrell movie 40 year old resident. We'll see what happens.
3) Could you please edit your previous comment to unquote me? I deleted it cause I don't want to get banned but if it's still reflected in your and @gyngyn 's comments then it is still visible.

How about DO?
 
We’re living the life
I wonder if we can draw social security since we are living the life. Collect my check. Wake up and pick up the paper in my robe. Wave to my neighbors and yell at the kids to get off my lawn. At night sit back and watch Law & Order with a nice glass of warm milk and get into bed by 10.
 
I wonder if we can draw social security since we are living the life. Collect my check. Wake up and pick up the paper in my robe. Wave to my neighbors and yell at the kids to get off my lawn. At night sit back and watch Law & Order with a nice glass of warm milk and get into bed by 10.

Yesssssss
 
Assuming he got in at 24-25 that isn't bad. After that, age starts to become more of a factor imo. I have been told though that I put too much emphasis on age full disclosure.
he got in at 27, I think you are fine. Dr. VonMaithenson, a professor at my school went to medical school after being the chair of equine surgery for over 20 years at Brown, I think you are fine. A lot of people are getting PhDs and Master's degrees before medical school and the average age of matriculation is 26 or 27 so you should be good.
 
he got in at 27, I think you are fine. Dr. VonMaithenson, a professor at my school went to medical school after being the chair of equine surgery for over 20 years at Brown, I think you are fine. A lot of people are getting PhDs and Master's degrees before medical school and the average age of matriculation is 26 or 27 so you should be good.
You do realize your professor had a career before medical school so it isn't that big of an impact on him. For people starting out and later it effects decisions outside of professional aspirations.
 
You do realize your professor had a career before medical school so it isn't that big of an impact on him. For people starting out and later it effects decisions outside of professional aspirations.
WSU NCBP is still accepting applications for their master's in anatomy. maybe that might help your professional aspirations
 
I know the living with parents life man.... it is a real buzz kill.

WALLOWING UPCOMING:

Hooooo man....my dad lost his job when I was in college and has stayed unemployed for about six years now. We lost our house & parents lost all their savings. Mom barely makes 10k now. So yea, had quite a few gap years that were not voluntary and gave me no breathing room to do anything but to try to find work. Oh, and I've never gotten financial aid for anything relating to AMCAS since I couldn't put them down as dependents.

I'm starting to get over a lot of resentment & bitterness, but I have to be honest...This waitlist situation isnt exactly keeping those feelings away.
 
Were all struggling rn. It’s not just getting rejected by schools that suck, it’s the fact that we had hope after those interviews, and that our current situation is far from ideal (I’m living w parents in the middle of nowhere (but somehow still considered urban) working a min wage clinical job in the unplanned gap year). I do think that this humbling experience will make me appreciate an acceptance much more and I’ll work really hard knowing what I’ve been through, GL all
I know that you don’t see it this way , but I would do ANYTHING to see my parents for at least a day , look at them , see them smile , hug them . One day they won’t be around anymore. Enjoy living with them . I know you don’t see it right now - but trust me , it is priceless
 
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he got in at 27, I think you are fine. Dr. VonMaithenson, a professor at my school went to medical school after being the chair of equine surgery for over 20 years at Brown, I think you are fine. A lot of people are getting PhDs and Master's degrees before medical school and the average age of matriculation is 26 or 27 so you should be good.

One of the best docs I've worked with started med school at 35, and he's doing just fine as the medical director of a decent hospital in MA.
 
Sorry to derail but are reapplicants only considered those who submitted a secondary?
 
I am also sure that such director would love to start medical school sooner if he was given the option.
He didn't even consider going until then but ok lol.

I'm sure a lot of people wish to have gotten in sooner. Heck, I wish I would have. But you can't assume that for everyone.
 
And if it is true? When you reapply, your application should be improved in some way, shape, or form, or it is too soon to reapply.
i think the applicant could be stressing out because of the twice in a lifetime limit for some schools.... I had this situation once.
 
And if it is true? When you reapply, your application should be improved in some way, shape, or form, or it is too soon to reapply.
Well my application won't be any different other than I completed a master's program and an internship both that I indicated I started during my first cycle.
 
i think the applicant could be stressing out because of the twice in a lifetime limit for some schools.... I had this situation once.
Not stressing but I got a lot of secondaries last cycle but due to time constrains I didn't finish a lot of them....
 
Well my application won't be any different other than I completed a master's program and an internship that I indicated I started during my first cycle.
Then you have some new experiences, grades, and perspective compared to last year. Maybe a new mentor letter. Be sure you incorporate some of this insight into your essays.
 
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Then you have some new experiences, grades, and perspective compared to last year. Maybe a new mentor letter. Be sure you incorporate some of this insight into your essays.
Essays meaning secondaries?
 
Based upon feedback I have received from the schools I have spoken to, I don't think my internship and master's are going to help my personal statement.

@wysdoc I have thought about asking my employer for a LoR.

I think you can improve your personal statement without explicitly speaking only about your new experience. Has the internship or masters changed your perspective on an old experience? a new outlook can freshen an old statement and show you’ve grown this past year
 
Please don't post things like this, even in jest... especially in jest.
Many of us are dejected by outcomes thus far, and don't realize what a bright future may hold.
This is a good as time as any to share that my 16 year old nephew "JR" is on on a 72 hour psych hold because he expressed suicidal ideations. He probably was indulging in impulsive behavior, but he sure is surprised that when you verbalize suicidal ideation, the wheels of active care start turning, and they don't stop.
 
I think you can improve your personal statement without explicitly speaking only about your new experience. Has the internship or masters changed your perspective on an old experience? a new outlook can freshen an old statement and show you’ve grown this past year
Not really. More just that I am committed to clinical medicine not admin stuff, which I don't think I can spin in a way that sounds nice for adcoms.
 
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