Advice or reassurance for a disappointing cycle so far?

[fishcorn]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I revised my essays many times with experienced people, and though my ECs aren't spectacular they are decent and unique and I wrote genuinely. Just going by my stats I have over an 80% chance of getting in, so I was somewhat confident starting out.

I was complete throughout September, and got one interview to a mid tier in October. I was very grateful for and excited about it, but it didn't go too well and I missed an A wave. So I'm thinking it's probably a waitlist or R.

I hate the thought of having to reapply and losing another year not studying and going through this painful and expensive process all over again.

I'm constantly thinking and stressing about getting interviews or the results of my one interview, to the point where it's hard for me to focus on my hobbies, work, or reading.


If anyone has any reassuring words about success later in the app cycle or advice on how to take my mind off this pointless worrying, or even people relating to me, they would be much appreciated.

Even writing this out has helped a little, haha.

 

[Stride]

If it helps, lots of applicants are in your same situation. You should know that there is no major flag in your application if you were offered an interview.

The best thing to do is to continue involvement in your ECs in the event you have to reapply.

Good luck!

 

[HouseJC]

I was privileged that my single II turned to an acceptance last week, but there are numerous others in your shoes. There are not much others on SDN can say, especially since you already know that your current mindset of anxiety and stress is causing you to be unproductive. But, you are unwilling to part with your mindset. I'm hesitant on telling you the following, as I don't want to further increase your worries. But at the same time, I think you would benefit from seeing your scenario from another perspective. So, I guess read at your own risk.

If I was in your shoes, I'd tell myself that if I am indeed destined to be a re-applicant next year, then I better use every second I have to look at my app critically, identify weaknesses, find opportunities and strengthen those points; so by next cycle, I can be sure to have my application strong and ready for submission on day 1 of the 2021-22 cycle. All the time you are wasting by worrying and stressing will not help change your interview result and it won't impact the applications you submitted to other schools. But, what the stress and worry will do is slowly but surely sap away the time you have to prepare for the next round. I'm not telling you to give up and surrender this cycle. But if the alternative is that you are going to waste time with worry and stress, then might as well give up now and start fresh for the next round.

P.S. I hope this post doesn't get me kicked off or banned. I do realize that it is a bit blunt, so please realize my good intentions.

 

[vadogmama]

Even writing this out has helped a little, haha.

Maybe try journaling? Brain dump all your feelings and thoughts onto paper so you can enjoy your hobbies without those thoughts intruding. Whatever happens is going to happen and deciding to be ok with that right now helps you be better prepared with future disappointment/achievement and allows you to be present in the things that are going on in your life at this moment.

 

[EdgeTrimmer]

I believe lot of schools have good percentage of IIs to give out so don't think about disappointment or reapplying until end of January. You got one II that means there are no big red flags in your app.

 

[gg_21]

My friends who are currently in med school say they received the majority of their IIs after the holidays last year. This cycle is delayed, so by their anecdotes we can expect an II wave in the new year.

They also said not to listen to anyone who says x% of IIs are left by December. It varies by the school, and adcoms are still deciding how to address the influx of applications and accepted interview invites.

 

[graciella]

OP, I totally get how you're feeling. I have 2 IIs so far, and had one interview that I think went well. Unfortunately they don't release decisions until February and my other interview isn't until toward the end of January, so I have plenty of time to stress and wonder if I will get more invites.

Hang in there. I think (hope) there are a bunch more invites yet to be sent and we have a long way to go, but be prepared for the long haul.

 

[KnightDoc]

I revised my essays many times with experienced people, and though my ECs aren't spectacular they are decent and unique and I wrote genuinely. Just going by my stats I have over an 80% chance of getting in, so I was somewhat confident starting out.

I was complete throughout September, and got one interview to a mid tier in October. I was very grateful for and excited about it, but it didn't go too well and I missed an A wave. So I'm thinking it's probably a waitlist or R.

I hate the thought of having to reapply and losing another year not studying and going through this painful and expensive process all over again.

I'm constantly thinking and stressing about getting interviews or the results of my one interview, to the point where it's hard for me to focus on my hobbies, work, or reading.


If anyone has any reassuring words about success later in the app cycle or advice on how to take my mind off this pointless worrying, or even people relating to me, they would be much appreciated.

Even writing this out has helped a little, haha.

The best advice I can give is what my dad constantly tells me -- stop indulging yourself by feeling sorry for yourself and, as @HouseJC wisely said, wasting time and energy stressing over things that have already happened and are beyond your control is just not productive. Stop feeling bad about what is happening and focus on improving for next time. It's really hard because we are human, and I constantly fall short myself, but this IS the standard advice! 😎 This should help you feel better by taking your mind off of the waiting while simultaneously knowing that your next app, if necessary, will be better.

We all look at stats like you did and then conclude that if we are in a group over 50% we are good, and under we are screwed. Of course that is not true. 80% means 1 in 5 will fail. Those are not astronomical odds, although it is clearly better to be in a 4 in 5 success group than a 20% one. Also, I noticed in another thread you made reference to an IA, although you did not give any details. I don't mean to pry, and details don't really matter for this discussion, but you should realize that there is no group of applicants with IAs anywhere, no matter how benign the IA, with an 80% acceptance rate, regardless of their GPA and MCAT. So, there's that. Having another year between your app and your IA will only help, if it comes down to that.

 

[Goro]

I revised my essays many times with experienced people, and though my ECs aren't spectacular they are decent and unique and I wrote genuinely. Just going by my stats I have over an 80% chance of getting in, so I was somewhat confident starting out.

I was complete throughout September, and got one interview to a mid tier in October. I was very grateful for and excited about it, but it didn't go too well and I missed an A wave. So I'm thinking it's probably a waitlist or R.

I hate the thought of having to reapply and losing another year not studying and going through this painful and expensive process all over again.

I'm constantly thinking and stressing about getting interviews or the results of my one interview, to the point where it's hard for me to focus on my hobbies, work, or reading.


If anyone has any reassuring words about success later in the app cycle or advice on how to take my mind off this pointless worrying, or even people relating to me, they would be much appreciated.

Even writing this out has helped a little, haha.

Stay busy!

If this doesn't help, consult a therapist or your doctor. This is NOT giving medical advice!

 

[fishcorn]

Thank you for the messages everyone <3 I appreciate you taking time from your day to try to cheer me up.

I think I will try journaling like @vadogmama suggested. That seems like a good idea!

Ofc I was preparing to reapply like people suggested haha, I figured that was a given. @KnightDoc Probably not my IA- it's so inconsequential my interviewer brought it up as a stupid thing to give someone an IA for lol. Like less consequential than drinking.

(Also how do I prevent people from seeing my profile? I can't find it in my settings.)

 

[KnightDoc]

Thank you for the messages everyone <3 I appreciate you taking time from your day to try to cheer me up.

I think I will try journaling like @vadogmama suggested. That seems like a good idea!

Ofc I was preparing to reapply like people suggested haha, I figured that was a given. @KnightDoc Probably not my IA- it's so inconsequential my interviewer brought it up as a stupid thing to give someone an IA for lol. Like less consequential than drinking.

(Also how do I prevent people from seeing my profile? I can't find it in my settings.)

It's not your profile -- it's your prior posts, and, as far as I know, you can't hide them! You can use the search function to find anything that has been posted.

 

[datboi_58]

Thank you for the messages everyone <3 I appreciate you taking time from your day to try to cheer me up.

I think I will try journaling like @vadogmama suggested. That seems like a good idea!

Ofc I was preparing to reapply like people suggested haha, I figured that was a given. @KnightDoc Probably not my IA- it's so inconsequential my interviewer brought it up as a stupid thing to give someone an IA for lol. Like less consequential than drinking.

(Also how do I prevent people from seeing my profile? I can't find it in my settings.)

I was a re-applicant. Is there a chance you will still end up with an A? Sure.

You don't need to worry about the actual process of re-applying right now. The only thing I would do is try to fill in any weaknesses in your app in case you do have to re-apply. One II is a good sign. I only got 2 IIs my first cycle and had 5 by late November my second cycle, was accepted in December and probably would've gotten more but withdrew from many places.

Re-applying isn't ideal but it's not the end of the world. Hopefully you get in this cycle but if you don't, I would try to view it as another year that you can do something you want while applying.

 

[KnightDoc]

I was a re-applicant. Is there a chance you will still end up with an A? Sure.

You don't need to worry about the actual process of re-applying right now. The only thing I would do is try to fill in any weaknesses in your app in case you do have to re-apply. One II is a good sign. I only got 2 IIs my first cycle and had 5 by late November my second cycle, was accepted in December and probably would've gotten more but withdrew from many places.

Re-applying isn't ideal but it's not the end of the world. Hopefully you get in this cycle but if you don't, I would try to view it as another year that you can do something you want while applying.

With all due respect, this is confusing and seemingly contradictory. OP has one II. You're saying that's a good sign in the middle of December, and then say you had 2 IIs in a failed first cycle and had 5 IIs by late November in the cycle where you found success. What's the takeaway? That OP is in good shape because it's early, or OP is screwed because they don't have 5 IIs by 12/13?

 

[datboi_58]

With all due respect, this is confusing and seemingly contradictory. OP has one II. You're saying that's a good sign in the middle of December, and then say you had 2 IIs in a failed first cycle and had 5 IIs by late November in the cycle where you found success. What's the takeaway? That OP is in good shape because it's early, or OP is screwed because they don't have 5 IIs by 12/13?

I can see how this is confusing and I apologize. I think the takeaway is more so: you don't really know anything. Obviously if you have lots of IIs, you're probably in good shape and if you have 0, you're not. But if you're in the 1-2 II range, you're just kind of waiting and you don't really know what is going to happen. Maybe you'll get in, maybe you won't. Maybe you'll get more IIs, maybe you won't. You should prepare for the worst by ensuring you're combatting the weaknesses in your app in case you need to reapply next year. Otherwise, there's nothing else you can do but wait. I said "one II is a good sign" in the sense that in case OP does need to reapply, we know their application is worth considering and if they tackle their weaknesses over the course of this year, it'll be even better next year and they can hope for more IIs and As next cycle.

 

[spottedcory]

Thank you for the messages everyone <3 I appreciate you taking time from your day to try to cheer me up.

I think I will try journaling like @vadogmama suggested. That seems like a good idea!

Ofc I was preparing to reapply like people suggested haha, I figured that was a given. @KnightDoc Probably not my IA- it's so inconsequential my interviewer brought it up as a stupid thing to give someone an IA for lol. Like less consequential than drinking.

(Also how do I prevent people from seeing my profile? I can't find it in my settings.)

Click your user icon (mine is blue with an S for example) on the top right on the screen > Privacy > here you can adjust profile visibility settings

 

[LindaAccepted]

I revised my essays many times with experienced people, and though my ECs aren't spectacular they are decent and unique and I wrote genuinely. Just going by my stats I have over an 80% chance of getting in, so I was somewhat confident starting out.

I was complete throughout September, and got one interview to a mid tier in October. I was very grateful for and excited about it, but it didn't go too well and I missed an A wave. So I'm thinking it's probably a waitlist or R.

I hate the thought of having to reapply and losing another year not studying and going through this painful and expensive process all over again.

I'm constantly thinking and stressing about getting interviews or the results of my one interview, to the point where it's hard for me to focus on my hobbies, work, or reading.


If anyone has any reassuring words about success later in the app cycle or advice on how to take my mind off this pointless worrying, or even people relating to me, they would be much appreciated.

Even writing this out has helped a little, haha.

The waiting is hard. No two ways about it:

A few suggestions:

1. Keep busy. Volunteer. Work. Exercise. Create. Commit to do something that you can't get out of.
2. Do you have anything significant to update schools about? If so, do it. (Please note that #1 may help with #2)
3. This is the one no one likes: Prepare to reapply. Ouch. That hurts, but it needs to be said. Step one in preparing to reapply is to assess possible weaknesses in your app and work to improve them Doing so may help you this cycle if you end up WL. And it is vital to next cycle's success.

For more information on #2 and #3, please see Medical - When Will Medical Schools Give You an Answer? .

Best,
Linda