help me!!!!

[KidA]

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I just got rejected from a prestigious med school!!! What should I do ??? Life sucks!! I got into Harvard with a 12.5 MCAT but I wanted to get into all the top 10 schools to boost my ego .... now I feel like a complete failure......why is life so cruel?????????????????

If only life had dealt me a better hand.

 

[lilycat]

You should probably just jump off of a bridge now and get it over with -- you're completely right -- this is obviously fate's cruel joke on you. You have been forsaken by the med school gods and they are just toying with you now...

 

[bigdirt]

Good album, boring humor.

If radiohead only knew....

 

[SocialistMD]

I may be way off base here (esp. considering other posts by KidA), but I believe that both of the topics that have been started along these lines have been in response to other topics posted. If you notice, this one was posted after brentunc's Help Me Choose!!!. The previous one was after the topic of goza1 along these same lines. What I am getting from KidA is a form of reminder to those who were accepted to multiple schools that he feels they are being a bit juvenile, vain and rude to those who were not accepted at all. Again, maybe I am way off line. I dare not make any real attempt to read KidA's mind nor understand KidA's motivation. This is just my take on what underlies these topics.

 

[lilycat]

I think you are almost 100% correct SocialistMD, except for one thing -- I don't think this post was started in response to one by BrentUNC, but rather another one that has since disappeared. Personally, I don't mind a little tongue-in-cheek humor during this process. For all of us who are in the fortunate position to have decisions right now, it's great. But, it's also easy to sort of lose sight of the bigger picture and get caught up in some of the minutiae that surrounds those decisions, etc.

 

[SocialistMD]

Did it have something to do with Harvard wait lists?

 

[lilycat]

No offense KMorris, but I think you are missing the more subtle points of KidA's humor, esp. with his more recent posts.

 

[SocialistMD]

KMorris-
The only shameful statement I see on this thread is your statement that KidA should be ashamed of himself. Who are you to dictate what constitutes shamefullness? Maybe you would be ashamed of KidA's MCAT if it were yours, but this does not give you the right to tell him he should be ashamed of himself. One should never be ashamed of one's actions unless they compromise the core of what he or she is. Under no circumstances should one be ashamed of academic performance, even if said performance is below one's standards and capabilities.
As far as his recurrent "joke" is concerned, maybe he would not have to make it so much if he did not have to continue to read about those poor unfortunate individuals who were only accepted to four medical schools and cannot decide which of them they like the best. Sometimes it is necessary to read between the lines.

 

[mj]

Man, people sure are cranky here lately. I can't wait until June when people settle back down.

 

[Asteras1]

Speaking of cranky...I wonder if they teach a procedure in medical school by which you "remove the pole out of one's ass." I wonder what the scientific name for such a procedure might be.

 

[SocialistMD]

Rectopolectomy, but I do not see what that has to do with anything. What bothers me is that many people on SDN seem to be so concerned with themselves that the feelings of others are completely forgotten. I figure it is just human nature, so for the most part I remain silent. However, there are a few occasions in which individuals so over dramatize their dilemmas that I cannot help but voice my concern. I did so here because I believe KidA has a valid point, and certain individuals do not seem to grasp it, or are so unconcerned that they do not even care to try.
Why should I let this bother me? It concerns me because it seems that certain individuals, individuals who are getting ready to devote their lives to caring for others, seem so distant from being concerned with anyone but themselves that they will never be able to care about anyone. I know this is an overgeneralization on my part, but if I say something about it, people will at least think about what it is that I am saying.
Everyone has his or her one thing that sets them off. This is mine. I am dedicating my life to medicine. I am dedicating my life to caring for others in need. I want everyone in this field to feel what I feel. I know this is not realistic, but a man can try. I fear that I will be working with individuals who do not care about their patients, but only how other people view them in society or how rich their portfolios are.
What I am trying (in my long-winded way) to say is that I do not want people dedicating their lives to something they do not love for its own value, but for how much money it pays or how much social status you gain. I speak up when I believe I see someone going down that road.
There is no pole up my ass; just a concern that someday I am going to have to clean up the mess of a physician who's heart was not in the job.

 

[Asteras1]

-SocialistMD

The comment I made was not directed at you so much as to some of the other people who get a bit too serious about what is going on here at SDN.

I have no problem with much of what you just said and I do truly get the nature of the humor that KidA is trying to get across. I completely agree with your analysis of what KidA is doing. I've probably read about 3 or 4 posts that basically mirrored KidA's little joke here except for the fact that they were real. I wonder why people worry about such things as multiple acceptances so much or not getting into EVERY single medical school they applied to. There many more imporant things in life to be concerned about.

No offense was meant toward you or anybody else. I was just trying to be "funny"-a skill that I probably lack.

[This message has been edited by Asteras1 (edited 03-05-2001).]

 

[SocialistMD]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size="2">Originally posted by Asteras1:
-SocialistMD

The comment I made was not directed at you so much as to some of the other people who get a bit too serious about what is going on here at SDN.

I have no problem with much of what you just said and I do truly get the nature of the humor that KidA is trying to get across. I completely agree with your analysis of what KidA is doing. I've probably read about 3 or 4 posts that basically mirrored KidA's little joke here except for the fact that they were real. I wonder why people worry about such things as multiple acceptances so much or not getting into EVERY single medical school they applied to. There many more imporant things in life to be concerned about.

No offense was meant toward you or anybody else. I was just trying to be "funny"-a skill that I probably lack.

[This message has been edited by Asteras1 (edited 03-05-2001).]•

Then take no offense to what I said. And, as far as humor goes, the rectopolectomy (which should probably really be proctopolectomy) was my attempt at humor; so we may be in the same boat there, too.

 

[drlee]

I found KidA's jokes to be mildly amusing the first time. This is probably the fourth or fifth time he's made this joke, however.
Although 99% of the pre-meds out there aren't fortunate enough to be in the situation to choose between UCSF or Harvard (myself included, when I was a pre-med), there are those who are. Their concerns and worries are just as valid as the next person's.

 

[SocialistMD]

No, you are not the bad guy.
Let me first apologize for saying ashamed instead of embarrassed. I still do not feel he should be embarrassed, but embarrassed does not carry with it the levity of ashamed. I retract what I said earlier.
However, KidA's "erection" post has nothing to do with why I am defending him. This topic, and more specifically this issue does. It is the point I feel KidA is trying to make that I defend. Had you made the same point, I would have defended you.
I believe that until others begin pointing out how the posts of these few who are "accepted to prestigious schools, yet still complain about not getting into other medical schools" are as repetitive as KidA's posts, or until the posts stop, KidA will continue to post his topics.

 

[Asteras1]

To all those that find KidA's posts to be offensive, indecent, childish, idiotic, or anything else, DO NOT READ THEM! If you have been reading this board for awhile, you will know that KidA's posts are never serious but meant to amuse people. If you don't like what he has to say, do not click on the topic. Every topic has the topic-starter's name right next to it so you will know if KidA wrote it before you read anything.

There is no bad guy (or girl for that matter) here, just use some discretion when reading this board.

 

[lilycat]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size="2">Originally posted by Asteras1:

To all those that find KidA's posts to be offensive, indecent, childish, idiotic, or anything else, DO NOT READ THEM! If you have been reading this board for awhile, you will know that KidA's posts are never serious but meant to amuse people. If you don't like what he has to say, do not click on the topic. Every topic has the topic-starter's name right next to it so you will know if KidA wrote it before you read anything.

There is no bad guy (or girl for that matter) here, just use some discretion when reading this board. •

I could not agree more.

 

[Asteras1]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size="2">Originally posted by drlee:
I found KidA's jokes to be mildly amusing the first time. This is probably the fourth or fifth time he's made this joke, however.
Although 99% of the pre-meds out there aren't fortunate enough to be in the situation to choose between UCSF or Harvard (myself included, when I was a pre-med), there are those who are. Their concerns and worries are just as valid as the next person's. •

Sorry drlee but I don't find those people's worries as valid as my own or other's that have yet to get into medical school. Sure they can worry, but as with most things it is a matter of degree and risk.

For example, what if I can't make up my mind over what I want to eat for dinner. I keep asking and pestering people for their opinions and worrying so much over it. Meanwhile an impoverished person in a third world country isn't worrying about WHAT they'll eat, but IF they'll eat. I'll ask you now, are both worries just as valid?

I know its an extreme example but it illustrates my point. Everyone has worries but it is a question of degrees and risks. Some worries are more valid than others. I myself have yet to be accepted to medical school and am worried that I'll be "pumping gas" somewhere next fall when I graduate from college in May and lose my health insurance coverage while the person who is whining about not being able to get into every school they applied to has a seat with their name on it and an MD degree on the way. These people need to put things into perspective, quit worrying, and accept their good fortune. Sorry if I sound mean here but I really can't sugar-coat it anymore.

Sorry if I sound a little irritated, but I've been having a rough week and I'm just a little tired of playing the waiting game with these med schools.



[This message has been edited by Asteras1 (edited 03-06-2001).]

 

[Mango]

Wow. Sounds like some of you are desperately in need of a vacation! Is it Spring Break yet?

 

[lilycat]

Asteras1, I can sympathize with you, and I'm sorry to hear that you are having a bad week. I have a feeling that in a day or so, things won't seem so irritating or as bleak as they do right now. I vividly remember how terrified I was in the beginning of the process of not getting in anywhere, and not really knowing what to do from there. Luckily, I've gotten a few acceptances, but I'm still waiting on one that is my "dream" school right now for lots of reasons, both personal and academic/professional. Sometimes the not knowing and not hearing gets me really down, but most of the time I try to put things in perspective and appreciate my position. I still have some worries and a good degree of uncertainty in my life, but you are right, I think my worries are a distinctly different degree from what they were 6 months ago.

I hope you start getting some better news in this process -- it's exhausting, but I hope it pays off for you in the end.

 

[bigdirt]

lilycat,

I've been reading your posts and was wondering where's your top choice? Is it Stanford? Just curious cuz you seem like a strong applicant.

good luck!

 

[praying4MD]

wow, I sure hope those acceptance letters come in the mail soon so that things will get a little more friendly around here! I have to admit that I, too, am more than a little fed up with "overprivileged" people complainig about their "dilemmas." It's like Kate Moss complaining about how fat she is.... PLEASE! Example: I go to a school where 90% of the students work or are single mothers, or have other hardships and have had to deal with the REAL world. Across the street is X college where the kids can't wait to go to Amsterdam for Spring Break while Daddy foots the bill for them and their 9 friends. All the while, i'm busting my A.. for this MCAT while Student X gets private tutors and his MD parents to help him and put in a good word with the Harvard Dean. It's enough that we have to compete with people like this, but listening to them whine too makes it all the more unbearable.
hope i haven't offended every person on this forum with this post!

 

[josejalapeno]

I could not agree more with SocialistMD'S comment about people who feel that the world revolves around them. I mean there's people out there who are getting in because of the $$ and connections that mommy and daddy have. I wish I had a bamboo stick and wack all these pricks in the ass everytime they complain about a school they did not get into. I cannot imagine sitting in a med school class and listen to all people like that talk about themselves.

 

[lilycat]

Hey bigdirt, thanks for the warm wishes! Actually, my top choice is Baylor -- there's a lot behind that, but a big part is that it just felt "right." Right now it looks like I'm off to UCSD -- my life may be a little up in the air b/c apparently Baylor does not give out definitive answers until August when classes start -- but it is up in the air in a good way, and I'm very thankful for that. As for Stanford, I withdrew for personal reasons, although I'm not sure if I would have been competitive for them anyways! I think it's a great school in many ways, just not for me right now.

To everyone who is still waiting on their first acceptance, or their 7th, I sincerely hope that all your work and your waiting is soon rewarded.

 

[Asteras1]

Thanks for the kind words lilycat. I hope you're right.

I'd also like to clarify one thing with respect to my last post. It may have seemed as though I resent or am jealous of people with multiple acceptances. This is not true. I have naturally found many of these people to be more than qualified to become medical students and have been an excellent source of information on my journey through the application process. I myself probably lack the qualifications that these individuals have and therefore I am not someone who goes around saying things like "that's unfair" when I hear of or meet these people. In all honesty these people have probably done much more in preparation for medical shcool than I have but I guess that's the price I paid for deciding later in college that medicine was something I wanted to do. I'm also not going to complain about the advantages some of these people had that I didn't. I accept the cards I was dealt and I try to do the best I can with them. Jealousy never makes you feel any better.

What I have a problem with though is with a SMALL percentage of these folks who are simply "pre-med machines" and cannot think of the difficulties others around them may be facing. What scares me though is I see that "machine" or perfectionist attitude sometimes in myself. Many times I benefit from this attitude because it keeps me focused toward a goal. However the focus can become so great that I lose sight of others around me. I often need to give myself "reality checks" in order to prevent this behavior from occuring. If I don't, I may make an ass of myself somewhat like a select FEW individuals on SDN have done. These few individuals really aren't bad people though, but they just need to be brought back to earth from the "Planet Pre-med."

[This message has been edited by Asteras1 (edited 03-06-2001).]

 

[SocialistMD]

Asteras1, do not buy into the common conception that you are less qualified. There is no tangible way to measure qualification. It is inner desire and determination mixed with a fair amount of intelligence. All along I have not given my MCAT nor my gpa because these numbers do not define me nor my worth to society. I should not be respected any more or less because of my MCAT. My MCAT does not make my point any more or less valid. It is what is inside. You just have been led to believe it is not true because you see over and over those with higher numbers get in and you have begun to buy into it. Don't. Let that be your reality check.
As far as the "pre-med machines" are concerned, they are what I fear the most. What do they do whenever they have their MD's and their top residencies? What is next? What do they have left to seek? It is these people with whom I do not wish to work. Those who peaked. If your only goal is to win, what do you do when you have won it all? Game over. Other people's lives are not games. Everything I say on SDN is to try to shift that focus from self-satisfaction from being the best to self-satisfaction from helping those in need.

 

[mj]

wow...lots of ground covered here since last I left all the cranky people

...this has turned into an interesting thread.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size="2">If your only goal is to win, what do you do when you have won it all?•

Socialist,

This is a very hard life lesson for LOTS of people to learn, regardless of chosen profession. We have to remember that many people who post here are 22 year old kids who have never been in the "real" world. Their whole existence has been about figuring it all out and getting in. That doesn't excuse the egocentric view of the world, but begs for the perspective of people who "get it". I agree with Asteras, the process BREEDS this mentality. From what I hear, it only gets worse the deeper in the profession you get.

It then becomes our job to work to change the system that encourages this while simultaneously gently helping our fellow classmates see the error of their ways. From my experience though, people don't usually get this lesson until they are ready to, and then it usually has a major life precipitating event.

Still hoping for June...people will lighten up...be patient...

mj

 

[Sunlyght]

Shut up

 

[bigdirt]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size="2">Originally posted by mj:
It then becomes our job to work to change the system that encourages this while simultaneously gently helping our fellow classmates see the error of their ways.
mj•

mj, no offense man, but this post sounded like you are the prophet and others are the little people who need your guidance...I'm sure you didn't mean it that way, but I'm 22 years old and although I may be young I have seen quite a bit in my few days and worked with all types of people, many different cultures, and in several different impoverished countries.

I just think this thread is starting to generalize a bit...which tends to be inaccurate. Sure people need to put things in perspective but I think the point of a forum like this is for everyone to be able to share what's on their mind. Some of these posts will inevitably seem trivial to others, but that's what a PUBLIC forum is.

Just because I'm never going to get off a waitlist at a school I would love to attend, the fact that another person just got in doesn't make me upset. And the fact that they are having trouble picking between that school and another school that I will never have a chance at still doesn't affect my life. In fact, it just helps put things in perspective for myself. Because of those posts I know that such a thing as multiple acceptances are possible and that this application process isn't just a big scam to get our application fees before they send out the polite rejection letter.

anyway, carry on with the discussion...just wanted to note the possible stereotyping that was starting to occur.

 

[mj]

agreed dirt to some extent...I'm tired tonight so word choice isn't the best...lord knows I have my faults and am far from prophet material. Stereotypes are generally a bad thing

However, the post was directed to Socialist comment about the game of life. I certainly don't believe that getting past that is an age thing, but definitely and experience issue. Many people here don't have your experience and haven't learned that lesson. The point was our intolerance of that won't hasten the transformation.

More importantly, the point was that rather than complaining about something you can't change -- how other people behave -- effort is better spent working on something you can -- a system that breeds inhumanity and egotistical views of the world.

I totally agree with you that in public forums free speech should rein. One mans garbage...

now off to bed before I start proselytizing again

mj

 

[SocialistMD]

mj-
I am not being intolerant of the opinions of anyone. I just think that some people need a shift in focus. I understand the change wil take some time, assuming it ever even occurs. I am only trying to plant the seed that will hopefully make people realize there may be something else worth achieving in this field besides winning, money and power.

 

[rikkitikki]

The other slant on the premed-med world is that many others on the outside( and even current older docs) no longer see medicine as the be-all end- all prestige field and can't see why people would kill themselves and slave away for years to work for "low" wages, HMO's etc etc. So people should not be so impressed with themselves( or is it others on the list who feel they are being so impressed with themselves} because this is a rarefied litle world here. Most people who want to enter medicine now are truly devoted to the profession not the prestige. I bet that many of those "rich kids ith strings etc" parents are pulling for them not to go into his field at all.

 

[Asteras1]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size="2">Originally posted by rikkitikki:
The other slant on the premed-med world is that many others on the outside( and even current older docs) no longer see medicine as the be-all end- all prestige field and can't see why people would kill themselves and slave away for years to work for "low" wages, HMO's etc etc. So people should not be so impressed with themselves( or is it others on the list who feel they are being so impressed with themselves} because this is a rarefied litle world here. Most people who want to enter medicine now are truly devoted to the profession not the prestige. I bet that many of those "rich kids ith strings etc" parents are pulling for them not to go into his field at all.•

Interesting point but I don't buy it; at least not the part about their parents. You give them too much credit. Parents still look at medicine as a very prestigious field were you can get paid very well. I know far too many pre-meds whose parents were, um, a bit too involved in their children's career choices so to speak. Most parents are delighted to see their children enter medicine, rich or poor. Many force them into it. Here's a little story:

One day I was in my University's career center and I noticed a girl who looked like a freshman being led around by the hand by a "soccer-mom type" woman that was probably her mother. I was just sitting down and killing a little time and I sort of watched what was going on with them. The mother was essentially dragging her around to pick up all the pre-med information, pamphlets, etc that she could get. The mother was literally commanding her daughter around: "You need this, and you need this, and this.." The mother was the one asking all the questions of the people in the career center. Never once did I see the girl take any initiative to ask a question or pick up a pamphlet or anything. She was being led around like a little lamb. It was clear her mother was forcing her into going to med school. But here is the kicker though. It was Fall and this girl was not a student but was at school on a college visit. This girl hadn't even been accepted yet to the university and there she was with her mother leading her around from the beginning.

As this example shows, believe me, not ALL people that are applying to medical school are doing so because they are committed to the profession. Why are the numbers for medical school applicants increasing on a yearly basis? Did we suddenly have a great influx of altruists in this country? I think not. An MD next to your name or an MD in your immediate family is still an ego booster. If you don't think so, try calling a doctor Mr. instead of Dr. and see if they correct you or take offense. They'll give you a dirty look and then correct you "politely." Pre-med machines are not a myth and we all need to be careful of not becoming them no matter how "committed" we may seem to be to the profession.

 

[MAAT]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size="2">Originally posted by Asteras1:
Why are the numbers for medical school applicants increasing on a yearly basis? •

hmmm...I thought numbers were going down...silly me I guess.

As for the rest of this argument, I'm amazed that people here truly believe they can discern the motives of an anonymous poster from one post over how many schools they got into. You people are amazing to be able to reach out across cyberspace and no everything about someone that would render them worthy of the judgement of only being in it for "winning, money and power".

I guess you can say those people are inconsiderate, but I guess you can also say that some people here are judgmental.

MAAT

 

[Asteras1]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size="2">Originally posted by MAAT:
hmmm...I thought numbers were going down...silly me I guess.

As for the rest of this argument, I'm amazed that people here truly believe they can discern the motives of an anonymous poster from one post over how many schools they got into. You people are amazing to be able to reach out across cyberspace and no everything about someone that would render them worthy of the judgement of only being in it for "winning, money and power".

I guess you can say those people are inconsiderate, but I guess you can also say that some people here are judgmental.

MAAT•

First, my mistake on the number of applicants applying to medical school. No reason to be a smart-ass, just correct me. The numbers have been decreasing since they peaked in 1996. My mistake, I admit it, and I should've checked my facts before I wrote it. But to say that all people are applying to medical school because they are truly committed to the profession is silly. Notice I did not say WHY people are trying to go into medicine, I was simply trying to refute a blanket statement made by rikkitikki and I used a personal example to do it. I was not necessarily trying to discern everyone's motivations.

Secondly, SocialistMD and others spent more time discussing those finer points of motivation for medical school applicants so I'll let them speak for themselves. Try directing your comments at a specific person or persons rather than making blanket statements to all people on this topic who may have had some issues with people blabbering away about their "multiple acceptance difficulties." We each have different reasons for disagreeing with such posts.

If you have read one of my earlier posts on this topic (which I'm sure you haven't) you would know that I praised most of those people with multiple acceptances. Many of them have been a great help to me. AS for the others, I did not make a blanket statement but I SPECIFICALLY targeted those people from this sub-group of applicants that were using SDN to WHINE about not getting into all the medical schools they applied to (At least that what it seemed to me anyway). I simply felt this was insensitive to others on this board with more legitimate problems like not getting into medical school at all. I had no problems with these people asking legitimate questions about the schools they got into so they can make a decision. After all, information is what this board is all about anyway, and no one should be denied it no matter at which stage in the application process they are in. I have made no PERSONAL judgements on people here so don't lump me in with some of the other stuff people are saying like josejalapeno, et al.

My comments have focused more on a "Pre-Med machine" type attitude that many pre-meds have had including myself at times. You know these people, they're the ones pestering you for your MCAT scores, how many hours a day you study, what your GPA is, etc. Try having a conversation with these people about something that has nothing to do with medical school and they'll literally turn mute. Thankfully, I don't suffer from this anymore because, well, I grew up a little bit this year and decided to open my eyes a little to others around me. I guess that's why some medical schools are starting to take more older applicants than they used to.

How this topic evolved from a silly joke, to the true meaning behind the joke, to people's motivations for entering medical school is beyond me. I think this topic has gotten out of control so I'm done here. I think I'll start a topic about how affirmative action should be abolished and really piss some people off. (I'm kidding, I have no opinion on the matter).

 

[SocialistMD]

Since Asteras1 has provided the segway, I will now clarify what exactly my problem is.
I do not claim to "discern the motives" of anyone. I just provide general reminders when I see something that I suspect may be motivated by factors that will not provide the most happiness. Never do I accuse anyone of being a specific way, thus preventing me from seeming judgmental, which I am not. I merely state what I have to state, citing particular quotes as why I am making my statements. I understand that one can never really know the true motives of someone's actions, so I do not assume to know. It is just that if a certain statement is made that could have a particular behavior as its underlying motive, I will say something. Again, I reitterate, my reminders are not person specific, but general statements that I hope everyone reading will at least make an effort to understand. And, if I feel something is inconsiderate, I will say it. Never have I refused to hear the rebuttal. If someone feels I am inconsiderate, say so, but say why so I may be allowed to justify.
Also, I have to agree with Asteras1 in that you cannot lump all of "us" together, because our opinions and motivations are different. I would like to be able to clarify my opinions for the good of those reading, but it is sometimes hard for me to tell which statements are directed at me and which are not.
Again, the only reason I try say anything is that I believe if your heart is not in the right place, you will be unhappy in this field. I try not to point fingers at any individuals and say, "You, you are wrong," because I do not even know that I am right. I just know that for me and everyone I know and have talked to personally, what I say is true.

 

[NurseyK]

JMHO on multiple acceptances:

1) Don't we all start off this process with a list of "druther" schools? didn't we do some research on our schools PRIOR to applying? or are we all looking at map of the U.S., closing our eyes and stabbing any ol' place with our finger and saying, "Ok, I'll apply here...and here...and here...." I initially chose my schools on the basis of where I thought I would want to go and where I thought I had the best chances of getting an interview/acceptance. Did I add a couple of longer shots? Sure, what the hell, you only live once....

2) It's the second week of March. Most interviews are winding down, fall classes are starting to come together. If you don't know which school you want to go to from your multi-acceptances, what makes you think that come May you will have more of a clue? Don't you essentially have a 1st and 2nd choice school out of the ones on your desk? With 3 interviews done and acceptances received, 2 more offers came in...now, decision time. Where is my 1st choice/2nd choice school out of the ones on my desk? I chose them, I dropped the rest.

3) I understand the wait for the 1st choice school. I received a letter from my first choice saying they aren't making any more decisions until April. OK. I can accept that. Should I hold on to multi-acceptances and screw everyone else out of a potential spot? No. I sent in the money for my 2nd choice school after a little more research on my part (read: a grand total of maybe about a week's worth of concerted effort and a review of the ADCOMs answers to my questions during interview) while I wait for my first choice. I can understand this line of thinking. But to not have a 1st or 2nd choice out of 3, 4, 5, etc. acceptances? Hmmmmmm....maybe a previous poster was right when they said that people hold on to their multi-acceptances like little trophies. (?)

4) or maybe my whole line of thinking is strange and utterly illogical because I'm "older"

Just my $0.02....Congrats to all and chin up to those still waiting.

Kat

------------------
The grass isn't greener on the other side --- it's just different grass

 

[Asteras1]

-NurseyK

I know I said I wouldn't post on this topic again but NurseyK hit the nail on the head. Amen to that NurseyK.

But you can't expect the people that apply to 25+ schools to really do much research on them. I'm sure some do but many others simply do not. It's interesting what happens when someone else is footing the bill for applications alone. I wonder if people would waste so much money on just applying if they had to do it on a budget or were using their own finances. I'm pretty sure that applicants would then take researching schools a little more seriously and wouldn't have as many questions at this point in the process. My budget was limited so I did research and came up with 7 schools I would realistically be interested in attending before I applied. Here's a ridiculous item about something related to this:

I read a post from someone a while ago who applied to a prestigious medical school that is known to be quite expensive and rather stingy with grants and loans. This person was accepted into a very competitive program and said that he/she was not attending there because they couldn't afford it. Huh? Couldn't this person had known about the cost BEFORE applying? I mean it's in the freakin' MSAR booklet in plain view for goodness sake. How much of an imbecile does one have to be to not realize how much a school costs before applying? And if he did know, did he think he was going to get some kind of discount? How the hell did this person get accepted in the first place?

The sad thing though is another person that was willing to go there despite the price was denied an interview slot in place of this joker. Something about this just doesn't seem right. Judging by the number of posts that have asked where they can get basic information on medical schools, this person definitely is not alone. I cannot tell you how many times I had to tell people to go and pick up a copy of the MSAR. Maybe some people don't know where to look but all they have to do is log on to the AMCAS web site and they'll be referred to these materials. If they know enough to apply through AMCAS then they should at the very least read through the AMCAS web site and get access to materials so they can make an informed decision.