Hello everyone applying! I am a second year and wanted to share some advice as secondaries are in full swing. My main advice for this application cycle is twofold: breathe and don't hold your breath. They sound the same but let me explain.
Breathe: the application cycle is a hellish mindf---. You never know if/when you will be invited for an interview. Focus on the things in your control like writing thoughtful GRAMMATICALLY CORRECT essays, submitting on time, writing update/interest letters when needed later on etc. Do not let the things that are out of your control weigh you down. AdComs can invite you or not for reasons unknown. It's a stressful year but know that what you are/will go through is normal.
Don't hold your breath: If you are concerned with responses from schools especially when it comes around Jan/February, do something about it. Take a good honest look at your application. If heaven forbid you need to reapply next year I want you to be able to apply with something new from this year like a diff volunteer gig (do you have any clinical volunteering?? get that taken care of ASAP as a regular once a week thing this year), a research project, taking a new course. Don't want anyone scrambling for something new to add to an application, or worse, not having anything new to add for the next time. This isnt to say this will happen to you but it is a real possibility for many.
Hope for the best but expect AND PREPARE for the worst.
Good luck everyone! It's going to be a bumpy ride but it's a very exciting one!
Breathe: the application cycle is a hellish mindf---. You never know if/when you will be invited for an interview. Focus on the things in your control like writing thoughtful GRAMMATICALLY CORRECT essays, submitting on time, writing update/interest letters when needed later on etc. Do not let the things that are out of your control weigh you down. AdComs can invite you or not for reasons unknown. It's a stressful year but know that what you are/will go through is normal.
Don't hold your breath: If you are concerned with responses from schools especially when it comes around Jan/February, do something about it. Take a good honest look at your application. If heaven forbid you need to reapply next year I want you to be able to apply with something new from this year like a diff volunteer gig (do you have any clinical volunteering?? get that taken care of ASAP as a regular once a week thing this year), a research project, taking a new course. Don't want anyone scrambling for something new to add to an application, or worse, not having anything new to add for the next time. This isnt to say this will happen to you but it is a real possibility for many.
Hope for the best but expect AND PREPARE for the worst.
Good luck everyone! It's going to be a bumpy ride but it's a very exciting one!
