Backing up your backup plan...FRUSTRATION

[SoCalGirl]

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Ok, so I'm feeling a little jaded by the insanity of this process. I applied to med school this year and ended up with no interviews. I also applied to pharmacy school because I felt that it would be a good career I could enjoy if medical school never happened for me. Well, got interviews for pharm school and ended up rejected! So now I'm scrambling to find master's programs that would be useful to my reapplication to med school. Of course, this means taking yet another test so I'm starting to study for the GRE. I've also been trying to get a job which would provide great clinical experience, but that hasn't been going well, either. There was a great position at UCSF and it seemed like I had a shot, but the woman who interviewed me asked about my GPA and wasn't too impressed (she told me people who have worked there have a 100% acceptance rate to med school and she didn't want to screw up that stat). So, of course, that killed this opportunity for me. ARGH! Sorry about my rant there, I'm just down about getting rejection after rejection after rejection. I'm feeling a little lost about what I'm going to be doing after graduation.

 

[crazy250]

a lot of people feel like you're feeling now every year. take a year off to do some soul searching. if you really want to a doctor, then you should not let anything hold you back.

 

[sunflower79]

hey now, keep your chin up. Been there done that. I actually got very depressed after my first round of rejections. But in the end it couldn't have happened any other way: I grew so much during my time off before med school and got a lot accomplished personally and professionally. There's a light at the end of the tunnel, even though from where you're sitting it probably doesn't feel like it.

Think about what things you've been meaning to do that you haven't been able to yet. Do you wanna go abroad? Americorps or peace corps is a popular option. Otherwise the first order of business is to find a job, hopefully something you enjoy, health field or not is ok. That lady from ucsf by the way is such a tool. You're better off not working there anyway.

There's more I could say, but I gotta run. Please send me a pm if you need anything 🙂

~sunflower

 

[DrKnowItAll]

You don't need to take the GRE if you've already taken the MCAT for a lot of masters programs such as MPH and even some MBAs

 

[SoCalGirl]

Thanks for the support and advice! I'm really glad I found SDN, I wish I had known about it earlier in the cycle. It's been an overwhelming time, but I'm trying to put everything in perspective. Reading the success stories here gives me a lot of hope.

I definitely would like to go abroad so I'm going to look into that. This would be another good option for me.

I talked to an admissions officer at UC Davis Med and he told me I should do a regular science masters so that's why I'm having to take the GRE. I think I will be applying to MPH too. I've seen many SDN people who've enjoyed the experience and gotten great results. I'm probably going to see where I get in and then figure out the best plan.

 

[Wednesday]

It sounds like you might come across as a little bit scattered; you seem to be applying to all sorts of different programs without a clear plan. All of your ideas seem like good ones, but they are all pretty different. Perhaps choosing either to pursue an MS or an MPH or take some time to go abroad and then putting all your energy into that might make things a little easier. There must be one option that you are the most interested in. You don't want to do things just to make your application look better. For one thing admissions people will be able to tell if you just did something for your resume and won't be as impressed, but most importantly this is your LIFE, you should only do things that you WANT to invest time in.

Good luck with everything. I agee with sunflower, keep your chin up. You'll get there!

 

[camstah]

hey socalgirl...if i were you i'd just find any job that pays a decent amount (to help with reapplication costs, or to take yourself on a nice vacation) and do some volunteer work at the same time..i'm assuming you have a year in between doing whatever you're going to do (MPH or whatever) so this is a good time for some work and volunteer experience......then, do your MPH (and take advantage of as many opportunities during that as you can...internships, projects with faculty, etc....) so that when you do apply, you've got a killer app....a better gpa to show them...more volunteer work...some different EC's to show them thanks to the MPH.....better letters of rec thanks to the MPH again....and some research if you can squeeze it in during the MPH....sound good?
and don't worry..the path to med school is long for some of us, but i think of it as the scenic route....you get there eventually anyway......

 

[SoCalGirl]

Yes, I am kinda all over the place. 😀 I'm just trying to look at all my options to make sure that I do something productive during this next year. I'm researching the choices and narrowing it down some.

Camstah, I'm definitely planning on taking advantage of every opportunity that comes my way. I didn't really do that in undergrad, but I've learned. I'm really changing my perspective on my situation. I had this whole panicked attitude, but I'm now looking at my rejections as a chance to regroup and spend time getting experiences outside of school.

 

[cornflake_girl]

don't give up girlfriend! you are on your way - even if it may feel like you are not. there is this great book called "when things fall apart" by pema chodron, a buddhist philosopher. gives great perspective, especially in the middle of chaos. best of luck and feel free to send me a pm if you need anything!

 

[camstah]

Yes, I am kinda all over the place. 😀 I'm just trying to look at all my options to make sure that I do something productive during this next year. I'm researching the choices and narrowing it down some.

Camstah, I'm definitely planning on taking advantage of every opportunity that comes my way. I didn't really do that in undergrad, but I've learned. I'm really changing my perspective on my situation. I had this whole panicked attitude, but I'm now looking at my rejections as a chance to regroup and spend time getting experiences outside of school.

regrouping is good...you sound like me after i graduated....i didn't realize all of the opportunities i could have taken advantage of...hindsight is 20/20....i learned that lesson too.......and don't feel bad that you didn't get in this year...believe me, in the end, it'll turn out for the best...this is your chance to get some EXPERIENCE......in the working world, with more volunteering...whatever you do....it only adds to your app......
good luck 🙂

 

[Yahweh]

Ok, so I'm feeling a little jaded by the insanity of this process. I applied to med school this year and ended up with no interviews. I also applied to pharmacy school because I felt that it would be a good career I could enjoy if medical school never happened for me. Well, got interviews for pharm school and ended up rejected! So now I'm scrambling to find master's programs that would be useful to my reapplication to med school. Of course, this means taking yet another test so I'm starting to study for the GRE. I've also been trying to get a job which would provide great clinical experience, but that hasn't been going well, either. There was a great position at UCSF and it seemed like I had a shot, but the woman who interviewed me asked about my GPA and wasn't too impressed (she told me people who have worked there have a 100% acceptance rate to med school and she didn't want to screw up that stat). So, of course, that killed this opportunity for me. ARGH! Sorry about my rant there, I'm just down about getting rejection after rejection after rejection. I'm feeling a little lost about what I'm going to be doing after graduation.

Do not be troubled. Everything happens for a reason.