Freakin' annoying! This guy ends up copying everything I do!

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just get better grades and a better MCAT score and he won't be able to follow you to the same interviews.. use your frustration as a form of motivation to do way better than him
 
I think you're worrying about it too much. Even if he were to emulate you in every aspect (classes, extracurriculars, and hobbies to name a few), I still think that there would be more than enough differences to set you two apart. For example, I would wager that you two interview differently, write differently, have different reasons for wanting to go into medicine, and receive different grades in your classes (you did say that he "barely puts in an effort at his classes" leading me to believe that his performance is not so good).

Besides, if he truly is "copying" you without any strong reasons of his own to go into medicine, it will be apparent during the application cycle and will put him at a severe disadvantage.
 
bjb305,

I understand what you are saying but it's the principle of the matter. This guy is pretty much relying on me to figure out what to do next while putting in no effort on his own. Also, this guy is a really, really good bullshi**er. I'm afraid that even while having similar applications, he may be able to spin his experience record in an impressive manner that I might not be able to. ANd his experience record has only come about from copying me!
 
Greonis,

I really hope you are right. Like I wrote above, this guy really knows how to bulls**t and make his way through anything. He's like a con artist.

I hope you are right and that whatever admissions committee he finds himself sitting before can see through the bulls**t.
 
ManimalJax said:
bjb305,

I understand what you are saying but it's the principle of the matter. This guy is pretty much relying on me to figure out what to do next while putting in no effort on his own. Also, this guy is a really, really good bullshi**er. I'm afraid that even while having similar applications, he may be able to spin his experience record in an impressive manner that I might not be able to. ANd his experience record has only come about from copying me!
Click to expand...

This kind of emulation is a compliment. The dude wants to get far in life and has picked someone he thinks is going places to copy. That should be really flattering. He isn't being malicious. If you are both outstanding applicants, there will be room for both of you. There are 120+ allo med schools. Give him half to apply to and you take the other half.

And honestly, even if you have the same ECs, that shouldn't make you identical -- you must be unique in some way, which you can convey in essays and interviews. It's not about B'Sing -- it's about coming off as a unique and interesting individual. If you can't do that, it's not this guy who's causing you the problems, it's you. I suspect it's not this guy who is going to take your seat -- it will be strangers you've never met who will be trying to take your seat. Don't misplace focus on who the real competition is in this process -- in all probability the other 9000 people applying to the schools you are looking at are going to give you as much run for your money as this dude.
 
Dude, I have the same problem.

One of my old friends used to do the same thing. At first, I was kind of glad I had a friend in all of my classes/everywhere. After a while it got annoying. So in the end, I just stopped telling him about my future plans. I also decided to major in Chemistry while he majored in Biology( I managed to convince him that Chemistry was a very "hard" major.
 
It won't matter. something will show up in the secondaries and in the ps that would make people who read it see the effort that you put while doing these things and i am not sure if it will show in your frined's essays.
 
Stop telling him what you are going to do... he can't copy you if you don't call him/answer his calls/post it on facebook/etc...
 
I stopped telling him what I was up to a long time ago. However, through mutual friends, he always seems to find out. Plus, I can't avoid these mutual friends since I run into them all the time at the library, work, etc.
 
lie about with schools you are applying to if he asks and do better on the MCAt... dont show him your AMCAS app or your secondaries and i think you should be fine..
 
You're worrying about him too much. Just focus on doing well yourself and don't worry how he (or any of the other tens of thousands of applicants) is doing.

He's your best friend, right? So no need to feel so resentful.
 
When Michael Jordan was extremely popular millions of kids began sticking their tongues, attempting to emulate him playing basketball. Do you think he directly chose this role? No, it inherently came with his success.

I think as long as this guy is not compromising your success, by copying on tests or other course work, you should revel in the role of leader and positively influence this him in this path. Everyone, including you has someone they look up to and someone they attempt to mirror, it seems almost selfish you would "stiff arm" this guy away from looking up to you as a role model. How would you feel if you went up to a doctor you admire and after asking him for a letter of recommendation, he replied somewhat like you, "why are you copying me, trying to be like me?" I am just saying...

Good luck.
 
to keep things in perspective: Imitation is the highest form of flattery
Consider it a positive thing that this person looks up to you so much. 👍
In the end, your reasons for following your distinct path will have a more genuine feel during the interview process. So keep doing what you like doing, not because it will get you into medical school, but because your activities are a true reflection of who you are.
 
Lol, you sound like a gunner - albeit a terrible one.

It's not like your "friend" is doing anything wrong at all. It sounds like you want him to fail.
 
Law2Doc said:
This kind of emulation is a compliment. The dude wants to get far in life and has picked someone he thinks is going places to copy. That should be really flattering. He isn't being malicious. If you are both outstanding applicants, there will be room for both of you. There are 120+ allo med schools. Give him half to apply to and you take the other half.

And honestly, even if you have the same ECs, that shouldn't make you identical -- you must be unique in some way, which you can convey in essays and interviews. It's not about B'Sing -- it's about coming off as a unique and interesting individual. If you can't do that, it's not this guy who's causing you the problems, it's you. I suspect it's not this guy who is going to take your seat -- it will be strangers you've never met who will be trying to take your seat. Don't misplace focus on who the real competition is in this process -- in all probability the other 9000 people applying to the schools you are looking at are going to give you as much run for your money as this dude.
Click to expand...

Agreed. Person A wants to meet the end point of point A. Person B wants to meet the same end point of person A. There is always more than one way to meet point A. However, if person B thinks person A has a good shot at reaching point A, it would be wise for person B to do stuff similarly to person A.
 
scg,

I knew the "gunner" label was going to come up at one point or another after I posted my original message. However, there is more to the story that I should have added in the original post. I think that by making these additional comments right now, I may be perceived as being someone who is just coming up with fluff just to try to defend myself. But believe me, this is all true.

Firstly, this particular individual who copies me in all that I do in trying to pursue the path to medical school goes around and tells mutual friends of ours that he stumbles upon the opportunity himself and that it is his own effort that grants him said opportunity.

Secondly, when we first agreed to team up to work towards the goal of getting into medical school, we both agreed to keep each other aware of opportunities that we could both take on in order to boost our applications. He has not kept up his end of the deal at all. Instead, he just sits down on his lazy ***** and waits for me to come up with the ideas.

Thirdly, he associates himself with me to try to finagle his way into any opportunity that I have found myself. Now, I would usually put in a good word for him with the director of any volunteer or research position he wanted to do, but when he gains the opportunity and continues to be his lazy self, whose reputation suffers?
 
ManimalJax said:
scg,

I knew the "gunner" label was going to come up at one point or another after I posted my original message. However, there is more to the story that I should have added in the original post. I think that by making these additional comments right now, I may be perceived as being someone who is just coming up with fluff just to try to defend myself. But believe me, this is all true.

Firstly, this particular individual who copies me in all that I do in trying to pursue the path to medical school goes around and tells mutual friends of ours that he stumbles upon the opportunity himself and that it is his own effort that grants him said opportunity.

Secondly, when we first agreed to team up to work towards the goal of getting into medical school, we both agreed to keep each other aware of opportunities that we could both take on in order to boost our applications. He has not kept up his end of the deal at all. Instead, he just sits down on his lazy ***** and waits for me to come up with the ideas.

Thirdly, he associates himself with me to try to finagle his way into any opportunity that I have found myself. Now, I would usually put in a good word for him with the director of any volunteer or research position he wanted to do, but when he gains the opportunity and continues to be his lazy self, whose reputation suffers?
Click to expand...

Is this the real manimaljax or the imposter? I am sure he has gotten into your sdn account now and has hijacked that too...better be careful
 
Don't vouch for him then. Have you talked to him/her about this and how having identical apps may harm both of you?

You should probably just focus on strengthening your app rather than dealing with this person. Your MCAT score depends on how hard you study, your LoR (research) depends on how hard you work. It's not like signing up for these activities automatically makes you successful.
 
ManimalJax said:
Firstly, this particular individual who copies me in all that I do in trying to pursue the path to medical school goes around and tells mutual friends of ours that he stumbles upon the opportunity himself and that it is his own effort that grants him said opportunity.
Click to expand...
So the guy is disingenuous. I can't see how this will affect your future at all (although it could definitely hurt his come the time he applies). If it bothers you so much, simply stop associating with him and keep your decisions/opportunities to yourself. You will have plenty to concern yourself with throughout this whole process, and what another applicant is doing should not be a part of that. Besides, what you're doing has probably already been done by many other pre-meds, so it's not like he's the only one "copying" you (he's simply conspicuous about it).

Before resorting to such a drastic measure, however, I encourage you to discuss it with him. He may have false impressions about the dynamics of your relationship that a simple conversation could set straight.

Secondly, when we first agreed to team up to work towards the goal of getting into medical school, we both agreed to keep each other aware of opportunities that we could both take on in order to boost our applications. He has not kept up his end of the deal at all. Instead, he just sits down on his lazy ***** and waits for me to come up with the ideas.
Click to expand...
Thirdly, he associates himself with me to try to finagle his way into any opportunity that I have found myself. Now, I would usually put in a good word for him with the director of any volunteer or research position he wanted to do, but when he gains the opportunity and continues to be his lazy self, whose reputation suffers?
Click to expand...
Again, have you brought this up with him? Perhaps you've always been far more proactive in terms of finding opportunities and he, being less so, has simply fallen into the current routine. He may also be under the guise that you have no problems with what he is doing, which is why I encourage you to discuss it with him.
 
I remember being in a similar situation during undergrad - a friend of mine joined absolutely every group, sport, etc that I did, and I remember exactly how frustrating it was at the time. Luckily, I decided to talk to my friend about the problem (not confront her, just talk to her) and I learned that she had been essentially following me around because she wanted to be involved but was very shy. It made her feel more confident to have a good friend with her at all times.

Obviously, I can't say that the situation is exactly the same for your friend, but I think you need to consider that there might be more to the story than him taking the lazy path to boost his medical school application. Talk to your friend nicely and ask him if he has noticed that he is doing most if not all of the things that you are. If you go about it the right way, you should get an honest answer out of him. Good luck.
 
maybe if he's able to get a position on a whim that it took you 8 months to get, there's a bigger issue at hand
 
You do realize that minus MCAT and GPA, 95% of premeds are all the same anyways....
 
Lukkie said:
maybe if he's able to get a position on a whim that it took you 8 months to get, there's a bigger issue at hand
Click to expand...
I was thinking the same thing. :laugh:

OP, you have bigger things to worry about in your med school application than what your "friend" is doing. He's still solely responsible for his grades and MCAT score which are what's going to really make the difference in the admissions process. If he really is your friend, you shouldn't have a problem with him doing the same things as you. As other have noted, it's just an acknowledgment that he thinks you know what's up.
 
And you are copying every person that has ever gotten into med school, so don't go acting like you are the first person to do any of the stuff that you have done and that you are so original.

Maybe you need to think about the implications that this kid is able to do all the stuff that you are doing and apply half the effort. I know which one I think would make a better doctor in the long run.
 
Sounds like your friend is really gifted at getting into things. Maybe you should be asking HIM for advice.
 
So you're copying every single other premed, and someone else is copying you? Big ****ing deal, mate.
 
Micro - pretty annoying, can manage to ruin a friendship if you allow it

Macro - doesn't matter a bit. Only way it could is if it comes down to you and him for the last spot at a school. Unless you have identical MCAT and GPAs and apply to the same schools, this is likely impossible.

Don't let it bother you too much.
 
ManimalJax said:
So I am going to be taking my MCAT some time next year and I am working full-time right now as a research assistant. I spend a good amount of time each day trying to figure out my next move, my next volunteer opportunity, my next extra-curricular activity, or my next anything-I-can-do to beef up my application for medical school.

Now, this guy that I used to consider as my best friend just keep tagging along behind me like a little kid! He is also a pre-med but he barely puts in an effort at his classes but he always fronts like he is on top of his game. What's worse is tha he has this crafty way of being able to finagle his way into any opportunity that I take on! He doesn't think of anything to do himself! A while back when I thought I was cool with him, I helped him get on the same volunteer opportunity that I was into at the time. It was a pretty privileged volunteer opportunity that not too many know about but I still helped him and he got the opportunity in no time because I put in a good word for him. A while later, I kind of caught on to the fact that he has been copying every single thing that I do. I enrolled into an MCAT course hoping to finally be able to study without his presence. Through a mutual friend, he found out about it and enrolled into the SAME COURSE a week after it began!

Now, I am working full-time as a research assistant at a very decent research facility. It literally took me EIGHT MONTHS to get this position and I finally got it! I was so proud of myself and he just told me last night that he is going to be interviewing at the same place in a few days!

AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This guy's application is going to be an exact duplicate of mine and it is really pissing me off because he can't even make a half-a**ed effort into conjuring up an idea or an opportunity of his own!

Has anyone else had to deal with someone similar? What should I do?
Click to expand...

Me thinks he has a crush on you🙄
 
Lukkie said:
maybe if he's able to get a position on a whim that it took you 8 months to get, there's a bigger issue at hand
Click to expand...

This was exactly what I was thinking as well...

And also, if you think about it, what you are doing is basically copying about 95% of pre-meds. You work in a lab, volunteer, take a MCAT course, etc... stuff that every single pre-med does. It's not like what you're doing is extemely unique and sets you apart from the masses anyway.
 
ManimalJax said:
So I am going to be taking my MCAT some time next year and I am working full-time right now as a research assistant. I spend a good amount of time each day trying to figure out my next move, my next volunteer opportunity, my next extra-curricular activity, or my next anything-I-can-do to beef up my application for medical school.

Now, this guy that I used to consider as my best friend just keep tagging along behind me like a little kid! He is also a pre-med but he barely puts in an effort at his classes but he always fronts like he is on top of his game. What's worse is tha he has this crafty way of being able to finagle his way into any opportunity that I take on! He doesn't think of anything to do himself! A while back when I thought I was cool with him, I helped him get on the same volunteer opportunity that I was into at the time. It was a pretty privileged volunteer opportunity that not too many know about but I still helped him and he got the opportunity in no time because I put in a good word for him. A while later, I kind of caught on to the fact that he has been copying every single thing that I do. I enrolled into an MCAT course hoping to finally be able to study without his presence. Through a mutual friend, he found out about it and enrolled into the SAME COURSE a week after it began!

Now, I am working full-time as a research assistant at a very decent research facility. It literally took me EIGHT MONTHS to get this position and I finally got it! I was so proud of myself and he just told me last night that he is going to be interviewing at the same place in a few days!

AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This guy's application is going to be an exact duplicate of mine and it is really pissing me off because he can't even make a half-a**ed effort into conjuring up an idea or an opportunity of his own!

Has anyone else had to deal with someone similar? What should I do?
Click to expand...

Maybe he likes you and wants to spend time with you :laugh:
If that was me I'd just confront him.
 
WannaBePreMed said:
Maybe he likes you and wants to spend time with you :laugh:
If that was me I'd just confront him.
Click to expand...

My thoughts exactly. Are you a girl, Manimal? If you are, then he probably has a crush on you. 🙂
 
You need to be more stealthy, like gujudoc said.

I recommend learning the way of the ninja.

:ninja:
 
😎 😱 😀 😉 🙁 😳 😛 😡 :scared: These are all the emotions I went through while reading this thread and this is what I ended up on (-->) 😍
 
MilkmanAl said:
Why do people go back and edit original posts after getting their answers? Does that seem like a bit of a book burning to anyone else?
Click to expand...

Maybe it's because the OP wants to stop getting harassed by half of the posters on the thread.
 
linguini said:
Maybe it's because the OP wants to stop getting harassed by half of the posters on the thread.
Click to expand...
Common sense would tell you that you are just going to get harassed more for showing weakness, especially considering there are multiple posters that have quoted the original post.
 
Blesbok said:
Common sense would tell you that you are just going to get harassed more for showing weakness, especially considering there are multiple posters that have quoted the original post.
Click to expand...

Showing weakness warrants harrassment? Hmmm, I hope you don't carry this philosophy over into how you care for patients.

C'mon, give the OP a break. He/she (?) had a personal issue and chose to post it on SDN looking for some advice. Isn't that what SDN is for?
 
linguini said:
C'mon, give the OP a break. He/she (?) had a personal issue and chose to post it on SDN looking for some advice. Isn't that what SDN is for?
Click to expand...

no
 
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