Anyone else completely panicking?

[welcome2thajungle]

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Jumping onboard as a lurker here, but I desperately miss the "No Interview" thread (okay, to be fair, I have one, but it's 12/20 and I think that's all I'm going to get). As we move into Christmas, sitting on one II (haven't heard back), 6 rejections, and 13 silences. Does anyone who is a current med student have any inspirational stories or words of encouragement about getting IIs in January and getting into school that year? Would love to hear 🙂. And happy holidays to all!

 

[OchemOficionado]

I know someone that interviewed at Geffen in Feb and got an acceptance in June.

I'm not really into the whole "putting things into the universe" stuff, but when I read that you don't think you'll get another II I thought, well then you won't. (I hope I'm wrong though. I think it's natural to worry and you'll be fine!)

 

[Go_Pokes_11]

"It ain't over till it's over" - Yogi Berra

 

[welcome2thajungle]

I know someone that interviewed at Geffen in Feb and got an acceptance in June.

I'm not really into the whole "putting things into the universe" stuff, but when I read that you don't think you'll get another II I thought, well then you won't. (I hope I'm wrong though. I think it's natural to worry and you'll be fine!)

Fair enough point....don't want to create a self-fulfilling prophecy here. Let me rephrase it in this way: "I am freaking out that it's basically Christmas and I've got a whole lot of not too much, when I thought I'd at least know something. I'm worried that I won't get another interview invite, because most schools wrap up in February and send out those invites weeks earlier. However, I know I'm a strong candidate at some of the schools that I have left that have already had big rejection waves, so I'm hopeful that they might show me some love."

 

[bananafish94]

Jumping onboard as a lurker here, but I desperately miss the "No Interview" thread (okay, to be fair, I have one, but it's 12/20 and I think that's all I'm going to get). As we move into Christmas, sitting on one II (haven't heard back), 6 rejections, and 13 silences. Does anyone who is a current med student have any inspirational stories or words of encouragement about getting IIs in January and getting into school that year? Would love to hear 🙂. And happy holidays to all!

I got my first interview almost exactly one year ago, then three more between late December and early February. And I did get in. My application process was obviously a lot more rocky than many, but in the end the only thing that matters is that you get in somewhere. I know how stressful it is and I wish you the best of luck!

 

[RogueBanana]

As banana said above, there is always hope!

let me tell you something that I wish someone told me when I first started here.
Not getting in isn't a reflection of your value as a person. The medical educational system is one of (if not the) most competitive systems running in the United States. Most people that apply in one given cycle will not get in anywhere. Being a re-applicant is not a bad thing! Despite the doom and gloom you will read on these forums, plenty of people can and do get in on their second, even third try!

Look at it this way, you can begin to act right now to make positive changes in your life. You can start volunteering more, getting more clinical hours or research. You have a great opportunity to make yourself into a stellar applicant here. So start right now! I'm already volunteering and doing more research in the event I don't get in. I find that just knowing I am doing something to move in the right direction sets my nerves at ease. Plus as a bonus, you will have new things to talk about during your interviews, which will help your chances right now!

Bottom line is, don't panic. Its okay to be worried, its okay to not be annoyingly chipper and upbeat 100% of the time. Just make some moves in the right direction and you will be okay! We're all gonna make it in the end.

 

[Goro]

I think that it will be more productive and helpful to your psyche if you start working on Plan B now, rather than clutching at straws. The people who received later IIs are not you. Only you are you, and your app is unique.

My read on later IIs is that they go to late superstars and folks who fit the mission of schools, especially ISers for state schools.

Seek out the wise LizzyM's post on her staircase analogy

Plan for the worst, and hope for the best.

Jumping onboard as a lurker here, but I desperately miss the "No Interview" thread (okay, to be fair, I have one, but it's 12/20 and I think that's all I'm going to get). As we move into Christmas, sitting on one II (haven't heard back), 6 rejections, and 13 silences. Does anyone who is a current med student have any inspirational stories or words of encouragement about getting IIs in January and getting into school that year? Would love to hear 🙂. And happy holidays to all!

 

[Wiggly Tuff Da Ruff]

Reapplying ain't so bad, but you need to start delving into how to improve your app! Good luck to you!!

 

[bananafish94]

Not getting in isn't a reflection of your value as a person.

Absolutely, 100% true. I also wish that I had come to this realization earlier.

Despite the doom and gloom you will read on these forums, plenty of people can and do get in on their second, even third try!

Agreed. Based only on the sheer volume of people I know who are successful re-applicants, I think that a lot of the "stigma" that people talk about here ranges from highly exaggerated to downright false.

 

[dabossofmississippi]

Yes 🙁

 

[NonTrad16]

Definitely have to restate: an unsuccessful cycle doesn't mean you wouldn't make a good med student, or that you can't/won't get accepted.

I applied last year to 24 schools. Zero invites. Started assessing and improving shortcomings in my application between November and January (carrying on through a second application cycle).

Reapplied to 24 schools (half new, half reapplicant) yielded 8 IIs (6 MD, 2 DO). 2 IIs to schools I was a reapplicant at. Already accepted to my top choice, so I'm likely turning down remaining interviews.

You got one II, which could still yield an acceptance. Until you're accepted, see what you can do to improve, and do it. If you have to reapply, you want to be able to answer what you've done to make yourself a better applicant. I'll admit that reapplying sucks, but I'm honestly so happy I had to, and was thus able to get a spot at a school I didn't realistically have a shot at last year.

 

[magmag]

Pretty sure OP probably wasn't posting his panicking thread for people could tell him how it's not so bad to be a being a reapplicant. I'll just go with what previous people have said... it isn't over until it's over. You just never know. At least that's what I'm telling myself cause I'm the same boat. lol

 

[efle]

Out of the ~40% of people that get in to med school each year, about half hold only a single admit, and about a quarter got that one admit from attending only one interview.

So having one II in December does not mean it will be some miracle for you to get in!

 

[partypantss]

Absolutely, 100% true. I also wish that I had come to this realization earlier.

Agreed. Based only on the sheer volume of people I know who are successful re-applicants, I think that a lot of the "stigma" that people talk about here ranges from highly exaggerated to downright false.

I agree that I don't think the reapplicant "stigma" is a real thing for most people.. At one of my interviews (with an admissions dean no less) he said how having an unsuccessful application cycle must have been a stressful event for me and we talked about the fortitude needed to keep trying and stress handling.. He absolutely made it seem like a positive display of character rather than a negative..

 

[efle]

But how many people that tried several times and kept failing do you think make it public knowledge the way successful reapps do?

 

[RogueBanana]

Just to note, I'm not saying you are destined to be a re-applicant OP! As others have posted, most people get in with only 1 interview!

My point was, your stress seems to stem from fear of re-applying. I was trying to address that fear by reminding you it isn't bad to be a re-applicant. It is possible, hell, its LIKELY, that you will get in. You have an interview. The statistics are on your side on this one. Many people have no interviews so not getting in is an extremely valid concern for them!

 

[Papa Oso]

Definitely have to restate: an unsuccessful cycle doesn't mean you wouldn't make a good med student, or that you can't/won't get accepted.

I applied last year to 24 schools. Zero invites. Started assessing and improving shortcomings in my application between November and January (carrying on through a second application cycle).

Reapplied to 24 schools (half new, half reapplicant) yielded 8 IIs (6 MD, 2 DO). 2 IIs to schools I was a reapplicant at. Already accepted to my top choice, so I'm likely turning down remaining interviews.

You got one II, which could still yield an acceptance. Until you're accepted, see what you can do to improve, and do it. If you have to reapply, you want to be able to answer what you've done to make yourself a better applicant. I'll admit that reapplying sucks, but I'm honestly so happy I had to, and was thus able to get a spot at a school I didn't realistically have a shot at last year.

Congratulations! May I ask what you changed that caused the drastic change in success? Not for me personally, just genuinely curious as I know a number of people IRL and online that could benefit from the information.

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

I agree that I don't think the reapplicant "stigma" is a real thing for most people.. At one of my interviews (with an admissions dean no less) he said how having an unsuccessful application cycle must have been a stressful event for me and we talked about the fortitude needed to keep trying and stress handling.. He absolutely made it seem like a positive display of character rather than a negative..

I believe some of the stigma surrounding being a reapplicant is having to reapply because you made poor decisions when applying--only applied to one school or an extremely top heavy list with average stats, applying super late seemingly on a whim, etc.

 

[RogueBanana]

I believe some of the stigma surrounding being a reapplicant is having to reapply because you made poor decisions when applying--only applied to one school or an extremely top heavy list with average stats, applying super late seemingly on a whim, etc.

Or were ill-informed during the initial application process. Many pre-med advisors aren't the most helpful people in the world.

 

[toriz]

I can relate very well. As a reapplicant I expected to be in a MUCH better position by now than I currently am in. With 2 II, one of which is a waitlist and the other still waiting on a decision (school defers until April when an "official decision" is made, unless outright accepted = Torture) I am really feeling the strain. This cycle is incredibly rocky for me.
In addition to what everyone is saying about preparing to reapply, take solace in knowing that you are not alone and to hang on and keep thinking positively! One interview could very well be the one acceptance.