2018 Nontrad Applicants' Progress Thread

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DSM_302.0 said:
Please cross all your fingers for me for Wednesday when I hear back from my first school post interview. :xf:
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Good luck - crossing all my fingers and toes for good news! I hope you have fun plans tomorrow to pass the time. like in this place:

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Texas resident prematch opens tomorrow! Best case scenario: I'm overwhelmed by offers... Worst case: I curl into a ball and sob until match day [emoji51]

I'm hoping for a happy median and that at least one school shows me some love November 15th!!

Congrats to all of you getting rolling admissions offers and best of luck on the rest of this process...


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AFD1927 said:
Texas resident prematch opens tomorrow! Best case scenario: I'm overwhelmed by offers... Worst case: I curl into a ball and sob until match day [emoji51]

I'm hoping for a happy median and that at least one school shows me some love November 15th!!

Congrats to all of you getting rolling admissions offers and best of luck on the rest of this process...


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Good luck!! Keep us posted.
 
ChopinLiszt said:
And for those of us not celebrating admission to an amazing medical school tonight, let's take a moment to ponder our future specialties..

View attachment 225467
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Where do you find these? I clearly need to be an ophthalmologist... except they usually work in the dark as well [emoji23]


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physgal said:
From what I can tell, its not an oversight. My thought is that they have done a rereview of our applications and pulled interviews from that. I definitely have mixed feelings about it. I am sitting on two acceptances already and interviewed for the second year in a row at my state school. The chance of me choosing this school over my other acceptances is slim. Ironically, I had posted on that school's application thread last year with my stats to see if it was worth applying. Several traditional applicants indicated to me it was a waste of my money even to apply. That I would "never get an interview there with my MCAT." This is my sixth interview with a 502 MCAT this cycle. I am still under review at 10 schools.
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Out of curiosity, which school rejected you in July and then subsequently sent you an II? That is so awesome! Was this an MD school?
 
Had one of those OCD days about applications. Anyone have any suggestions for how to get your mind off this stuff?
 
physgal said:
Had one of those OCD days about applications. Anyone have any suggestions for how to get your mind off this stuff?
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Not be on here.


But seriously, try to do something creative that is non medical. Helps me.


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physgal said:
Had one of those OCD days about applications. Anyone have any suggestions for how to get your mind off this stuff?
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Go to the gym with a friend. Hangout with friends. Also, keep in mind you have TWO acceptances. Most applicants don't even have two interviews. That should help you relax in itself. At least you know you are going to be a physician one way or another.
 
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physgal said:
Had one of those OCD days about applications. Anyone have any suggestions for how to get your mind off this stuff?
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It happens to me too. Don't beat yourself up about it. It's normal, we all have days like that because we are all passionate about this endeavor.

The best is when I'm super busy and I don't have time to think much about it. Work, school, family, housework, walking the dog, having friends over, cooking, etc are all good distractions.
 
After two early IIs I have had radio silence from my other 18 schools. I know it doesn't much matter at this point because I do have two acceptances, but the people-pleasing, type A person in me wants to know why no love from anyone else?! I'm guessing I have the rejection axe coming from a lot of schools in the upcoming month. Michigan and NYU are hitting the end of their IIs and several of my other schools historically send first rejection waves in the upcoming weeks. I've got my fingers crossed for at least one surprise.

What is everyone doing to savor their gap year? I'm trying to travel as much as possible and cook whenever I can. I'd love to take a fun class like an entry-level sommelier certificate or something similar, but my town is so limited on "fun" things like that.
 
I’m honestly surprised you haven’t heard from anyone else - this is such a strange process! On the one hand, I’m hoping my cycle will come to a close so I can plan for next year. On the other hand, I do hope to hear from a few other schools. I’m going to use December to verify that I have taken all of the required classes for the schools that have yet to reject me, then I will be working more and spending a lot more time on research so I can maybe eek out one publication before school starts. But, honestly, I want to make a final decision on where to go so we can sell our house and move and then start renovations on the new place. It’s hard to keep myself from checking my portals- even for schools I don’t want to attend!


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willow84 said:
After two early IIs I have had radio silence from my other 18 schools. I know it doesn't much matter at this point because I do have two acceptances, but the people-pleasing, type A person in me wants to know why no love from anyone else?! I'm guessing I have the rejection axe coming from a lot of schools in the upcoming month. Michigan and NYU are hitting the end of their IIs and several of my other schools historically send first rejection waves in the upcoming weeks. I've got my fingers crossed for at least one surprise.

What is everyone doing to savor their gap year? I'm trying to travel as much as possible and cook whenever I can. I'd love to take a fun class like an entry-level sommelier certificate or something similar, but my town is so limited on "fun" things like that.
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I feel the same way. Four early IIs then no correspondence for 2+ months. I have no acceptances, so I'm still worried I may not get one. But I just keep wondering why I haven't heard from the other ~12 or so schools that I applied to. I was completely aligned with their missions, had thoughtful essays, and in-range scores. So I'm like, hey, what's not to like?

But I think part of this process is just luck. Like, whoever gets picked to review your file may like what you have to offer or something may not resonate with them for some reason. Or they may be having a bad day, or are too lazy to even complete the form and your app gets stuck in limbo. And no one notices because there are literally thousands of other apps... And so I get why they say you should apply to 10+ schools........

I also imagine they have some sort of quotas for how they want to compose their class. Like ages, languages, backgrounds, etc. So, if they got 5 RNs/moms/old ladies/etc apply, and someone else fits their needs better than me (say, in state, or higher MCAT, or from their postbacc or URM.....), I'm SOL, even if I am a "great applicant." At least that's what I tell myself to maintain my self confidence. ;-)

I'm almost done taking physics II and I'm working full time plus parenting, homemaking, and volunteering. And saving $$$. I'm totally with you @DBC03 on selling house and moving, if I get in. Thats going to be a lot of work. I also want to try to take a family sabbatical before everything changes too, if we can fit it in.....
 
ChopinLiszt said:
Yeah. I think I'm more stressed about trying to sell my house than about med school. My kids have not been kind to our house. oh, the gallons of spackle I will be buying..
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I'm in the same place right now - so much to do to get my house on the market. Today is prepping & painting day woot!

Best wishes with the home improvements. My tip: audio books!
 
MercMutt said:
I'm in the same place right now - so much to do to get my house on the market. Today is prepping & painting day woot!

Best wishes with the home improvements. My tip: audio books!
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Its a great time to be in the market. What area you guys all in that are selling?

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thinkchangeflow said:
Its a great time to be in the market. What area you guys all in that are selling?

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I’m in Florida - but right in the Hurricane Irma path and I”m not sure if that will make it harder to sell there. On the other hand, we own a house in a very desirable area of town, so I’m hoping that helps.

Any audiobook recommendations? I listen to as many as I can!


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DBC03 said:
I’m in Florida - but right in the Hurricane Irma path and I”m not sure if that will make it harder to sell there. On the other hand, we own a house in a very desirable area of town, so I’m hoping that helps.

Any audiobook recommendations? I listen to as many as I can!


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Not sure about the audio versions of these, but medicine-related books I've loved recently (these are probably obvious in these forums but I'll throw them out here anyway?):
* Being Mortal by Atul Gawende
* When Breath Becomes Air by Paul K
* Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese
 
DBC03 said:
I’m in Florida - but right in the Hurricane Irma path and I”m not sure if that will make it harder to sell there. On the other hand, we own a house in a very desirable area of town, so I’m hoping that helps.

Any audiobook recommendations? I listen to as many as I can!


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I agree with @DSM_302.0. If you're looking for medical genres, here are the books I've read that I'd recommend:

House of God-Samuel Shem
Being Mortal-Atul Gawande
When Breath Becomes Air-Paul Kalanithi
The Gene-Siddartha Mukerhajee
Gulp-Mary Roach
Better-Atul Gawande
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks-Rebecca Skloot
The Scalpel and the Silver Bear-Lori Alvoord
Edit:The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down-Anne Fadiman
My Stroke of Insight-Jill Bolte Taylor
Proof of Heaven-Eben Alexander
Final Gifts-Patricia Kelly and Maggie Callahan
On Grief and Grieving-Elisabeth Kubler Ross and David Kessler
Cutting for Stone (fiction)-Abraham Verghese

Not all are available on audio.

Medically-related list notwithstanding, I am currently listening to Big Little Lies (complete pulp) on audio in the car. I also have The World Without Us (soooo good, read it years ago and worth listening to it for another go), The Girl in the Spider Web (continuation of the Dragon Tattoo series) and The Trespaaser for the long Thanksgiving drive.
 
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Great suggestions! Have any of your read Stiff (also by Mary Roach)? One of my interviewers asked me which book I had read lately and I almost brought it up, but then thought better of it and talked about Malcom Gladwell’s books. I’ll have to check out Gulp now. I’m currently listening to Ender’s Game. It’s ok, but not really my genre. I have a few that are slowly coming off “hold” From our library. We have a very limited selection of books, so it’s difficult to find some. I have read The Immortal LIfe of Henrietta Lacks (very good) and When Breath Becomes Air. I find actual reading VERY difficult, so I haven’t read a real book since college.


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DBC03 said:
Great suggestions! Have any of your read Stiff (also by Mary Roach)? One of my interviewers asked me which book I had read lately and I almost brought it up, but then thought better of it and talked about Malcom Gladwell’s books. I’ll have to check out Gulp now. I’m currently listening to Ender’s Game. It’s ok, but not really my genre. I have a few that are slowly coming off “hold” From our library. We have a very limited selection of books, so it’s difficult to find some. I have read The Immortal LIfe of Henrietta Lacks (very good) and When Breath Becomes Air. I find actual reading VERY difficult, so I haven’t read a real book since college.


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My book club still rolls their eyes at me every time I admit to not reading the book of the month because for the last couple years I've been too busy studying for classes & the MCAT/working/applying to med school.... so I am not reading nearly as much as I'd like to. And honestly, most of the stuff I've been reading has been medically themed so it wins over anything else. I haven't read Stiff but I want to. Mary Roach is awesome. Though I get why Gladwell was the better option when asked, I would love to have seen your interviewer's face if you had mentioned Stiff! Ha.

My library has both audiobooks on CD and downloadable versions. I get both. When I'm cooking, I listen to books on my iPad. When I'm in the car, I listen to books on CD. I've almost given up reading before bed because I am asleep five seconds after my head hits the pillow. I just want to squeeze all the luxury of reading for fun in now while I still have the chance.

Have you read (and by 'read', of course I mean 'listened to') The Goldfinch? Not medical, but I really liked it. Also, Americanah. Both great reads.
 
Trying to quote, but I can’t on my ipad. I listened to both The Goldfinch and Americanah- both great! Yeah, I had to give up on Stiff because I just wasn’t sure if it was considered kosher by the medical community. But I found it absolutely fascinating. Too bad our library doesn’t have her other books on their app...


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Just got my third acceptance! I'm still holding out for my first choice (the in-town option), both because I love it and because my family reeeaaally doesn't want to have to move. But said first-choice won't send out the first batch of acceptances until after Thanksgiving, because, clearly, they hate pre-meds and want us to suffer.
 
DBC03 said:
I’m in Florida - but right in the Hurricane Irma path and I”m not sure if that will make it harder to sell there. On the other hand, we own a house in a very desirable area of town, so I’m hoping that helps.

Any audiobook recommendations? I listen to as many as I can!


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These are all great recommendations for medical field books - thanks!
I've read a lot of them, but you all have given me a few more to add to my reading list.

I have to include "The Emperor of All Maladies" by Siddhartha Mukherjee to the medicine genre group - a very well written and fascinating history of cancer.

I'd also like to give "Being Mortal" an extra push - everyone (medical or not) should read this book. It helped me throughout my father's final year and eventual death and is a pivotal factor in my decision to pursue geriatrics and/or hospice/palliative care medicine.

But to be honest, I need an escape book during this highly stressful game of waiting - so I'm currently listening to Stephen King's "It". Only problem is that every time I walk into one of the rooms I recently painted (while listening to "It"), I feel a little spooked. LOL
 
I've moved away from medical books to give myself a "break." Reading Pride & Prejudice right now. Have the Practical Magic prequel coming in my book of the month club shipment next week!

Don't finish When Breath Becomes Air in public. I ugly cried.
 
ADSigMel said:
Just got my third acceptance! I'm still holding out for my first choice (the in-town option), both because I love it and because my family reeeaaally doesn't want to have to move. But said first-choice won't send out the first batch of acceptances until after Thanksgiving, because, clearly, they hate pre-meds and want us to suffer.
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Yay! Congrats! I just got my third rejection.
Today is a big D-day!
 
ADSigMel said:
Just got my third acceptance! I'm still holding out for my first choice (the in-town option), both because I love it and because my family reeeaaally doesn't want to have to move. But said first-choice won't send out the first batch of acceptances until after Thanksgiving, because, clearly, they hate pre-meds and want us to suffer.
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Congratulations!! You are killing it! So happy for you!
 
DBC03 said:
Great suggestions! Have any of your read Stiff (also by Mary Roach)? One of my interviewers asked me which book I had read lately and I almost brought it up, but then thought better of it and talked about Malcom Gladwell’s books. I’ll have to check out Gulp now. I’m currently listening to Ender’s Game. It’s ok, but not really my genre. I have a few that are slowly coming off “hold” From our library. We have a very limited selection of books, so it’s difficult to find some. I have read The Immortal LIfe of Henrietta Lacks (very good) and When Breath Becomes Air. I find actual reading VERY difficult, so I haven’t read a real book since college.


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I'm glad nobody has asked me about recent books. I've been working through the audiobooks of the Outlander series for the last 2 years. Currently on book 6, so I would have to cross my fingers and hope that my interviewer is a fan of historical romance novels lol.
 
@Hazel-rah said:
Yay! Congrats! I just got my third rejection.
Today is a big D-day!
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Aww, I'm sorry. But it's still early, and you're a fantastic applicant. Rejections just mean it wasn't your lucky day when the coin got flipped - but you're going to be an incredible doctor, and some lucky school will get to say they snagged you. You're definitely going to medical school next year, I can feel it!
 
MercMutt said:
These are all great recommendations for medical field books - thanks!
I've read a lot of them, but you all have given me a few more to add to my reading list.

I have to include "The Emperor of All Maladies" by Siddhartha Mukherjee to the medicine genre group - a very well written and fascinating history of cancer.

I'd also like to give "Being Mortal" an extra push - everyone (medical or not) should read this book. It helped me throughout my father's final year and eventual death and is a pivotal factor in my decision to pursue geriatrics and/or hospice/palliative care medicine.

But to be honest, I need an escape book during this highly stressful game of waiting - so I'm currently listening to Stephen King's "It". Only problem is that every time I walk into one of the rooms I recently painted (while listening to "It"), I feel a little spooked. LOL
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@MercMutt...I agree wholeheartedly about Being Mortal. It is a must-read. Given your experience with your father and your choice of specialty, read Final Gifts. I think you will find it especially enlightening. I had a similar experience that informed my choices too and this book provided insight and perspective.

After It, try The Langoliers (also by King). The Stand is also good. Both were made for TV years ago, so clearly a different kind of scary.
 
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