I followed these threads during my cycle and last years. While there is less engagement this year, I still wanted to give you guys a bit of a pep talk.
For anyone following this who is in the lovely cycle of "Why Haven't I Heard Anything Yet?" I just wanted to say I was an accepted student who had a 12/13 interview date. COMPNW interviews through Spring. There will probably be an insane amount of movement on the wait/alternate list like there was last year.
If you get an interview - congrats! Please know that that means the school looked over your application materials and thought "this person is good enough, we want to know more." The school isn't out to scare you or make you uncomfortable. If you had an in-person interview, you'd probably get to see this more. Believe in yourself, know that any perceived short comings in your application were already cleared. Be thoughtful in your answers so that are reflective of what makes you you. Know it's okay to pause to take a moment to think before you speak. It's okay to ask questions about what you are being asked. Don't over rehearse (I know there are sometimes questions posted here) as it comes off very stiff. Take advantage of the pre-interview social to ask questions, and know you'll likely have time to ask questions during your interview, too. Even if this is your only interview or only acceptance - remember you'll be living here for at least 2 years and it's a huge life adjustment so you're interviewing the school, too.
If you have been accepted, congrats again! Take time now to create patterns in your life that will help build resilience for the upcoming year. Know that every block will be different, but FOM3 is the worst. Pick up hobbies, start exercising, find out what are the things that you can always do to pick yourself up. Know now there will be times next year where you can't eat all those pancakes because you are covering approximately an entire upper division semester long science course in about 1.5-2 weeks. It's okay if you can't always eat the pancakes. Know that you're going into something that is a process, and sometimes you just have to trust that that process has worked for others. Most people are not doing as much Anki as they like to pretend they are. "Just passing" is honestly fine, and failure is not the end.
If you were rejected, reach out to see if you can find out why. Our school has mentorship programs for premeds with current students that can help provide personal statement reviews, general advice, and some general camaraderie. Whether you end up at COMPNW or even want to apply here again - it doesn't matter. Use the Pre-SOMA and OPSO events to help you navigate reapplying if that is what you choose to do.
The application cycle was arguably the hardest and most stressful period of my life. This path is long, so take time to take care of yourself and do things that create joy in your life. I wish you all the best of luck whether you land at COMPNW or somewhere else.