how to deal w/ the waiting?

[Twelvehens24]

---

Members don't see this ad.

so I’ve finished primary apps and I’ve (uhhh kind of not really) started secondaries. I’m having a lot of trouble w the waiting and I keep finding myself getting worried/anxious about when I’ll hear back. how did previous applicants deal w the NERVES!!! I can’t do this until like March ugh

 

[MedicineN'Jazz]

so I’ve finished primary apps and I’ve (uhhh kind of not really) started secondaries. I’m having a lot of trouble w the waiting and I keep finding myself getting worried/anxious about when I’ll hear back. how did previous applicants deal w the NERVES!!! I can’t do this until like March ugh

I mostly distracted myself with busywork from school, reading kickass heroine novels, and watching BGT on YouTube. The key to this process and calming your nerves is to not think about your application cycle all that much.

Also, it sounds like you haven’t pre-written all your secondaries. That’s a great way to ease your stress, since lots of writing and researching of schools will be involved!

 

[Welshman]

I applied last June and I’m still waiting...

My best advice is Do not get your hopes up about when and who will get back to you. Submit your apps and consider yourself rejected until you get in.

I know, It’s not the happiest advice but it’s realistic. I spent far too much time worrying and comparing myself to people SDN for my own good and productivity

 

[WIMNFamilyMed]

Yeah, stay off SDN until September, and then check to see if interview offers are going out if you aren’t starting to get some by late September or October. I remember panicking in August because people were starting to get invites, but then I got one every 2-3 days for a week in September.

 

[Catalystik]

so I’ve finished primary apps and I’ve (uhhh kind of not really) started secondaries. I’m having a lot of trouble w the waiting and I keep finding myself getting worried/anxious about when I’ll hear back. how did previous applicants deal w the NERVES!!! I can’t do this until like March ugh

It's always a good idea to keep improving your application for the sake of Secondaries, update letters, interview conversations, and in case you end up reapplying again. So get off SDN and go help people.

 

[Twelvehens24]

Rule 1: Take a Breath

March? For some, this application cycle will last until early August when the WL student get an acceptance just before or even after orientation starts. That’s 14 months from now.. So CTFO

Sorry - should have mentioned I’m a TX resident...obviously could be WL but tx is usually a little bit quicker than schools on AMCAS bc of the match system!!

 

[Goro]

so I’ve finished primary apps and I’ve (uhhh kind of not really) started secondaries. I’m having a lot of trouble w the waiting and I keep finding myself getting worried/anxious about when I’ll hear back. how did previous applicants deal w the NERVES!!! I can’t do this until like March ugh

Stay busy.

Assume you will be rejected until you have your accept email in your Inbox

 

[Dagrimsta1]

Stay busy.

Assume you will be rejected until you have your accept email in your Inbox

Best piece of advice

 

[keytonez]

Create a concrete plan B, in the event that the worst-case-scenario happens and you don't get in anywhere this cycle, and assume you will be sticking to that plan until an acceptance arrives. I applied in 2016-17, and the anxiety about what I'd do if I didn't get in was overwhelming. Where would I go? Where could I live? What would I do for money and health insurance? I checked sdn constantly and compared myself to other applicants. This was a truly horrible strategy, and I strongly recommend against it. Instead, check sdn when you have specific questions, and help others while you're on the site if you can. Don't log in every day just to see how many people got an II the day before--it will get you nowhere. Also, remember that an acceptance (or lack thereof) does not define your self worth. Your value does not depend on this random, oftentimes arbitrary decision that you have little control over in the end. Ultimately, an acceptance is just one component of your long path to medicine, and it does not matter exactly when it happens.

 

[Latteandaprayer]

I haven’t applied yet, but I’m good with waiting for acceptance decisions in general. College acceptance (when I wasn’t planning on medical school, so college was the end of the road in my mind), scholarship info, finding a job and a PI. You name it, I’ve waited.

Say to yourself “I’m rejected from medical school and I’ll need to do this all over next year. Ah well, that’s next-year-me’s problem!” Then don’t think about it. You’re rejected so there’s no point in dwelling on it. Read books, hangout with friends and family, learn to cook, plan a Plan B. This is your chance to live the life you would’ve had if you weren’t premed. If someone asks about medical school apps, say you won’t know for a very long time and would rather not focus on it. Most people respect that.

If you’re rejected, you knew it would happen. Yes, that last bit of hope dies, but most of it has already been beaten out of you. If you get an interview, treat it like it’s the medical school giving you one last chance to convince them otherwise, but you’re on thin ice. Then when it’s over, assume you’re still rejected.

As horrible as it sounds, telling yourself you’ve already failed is a huge release of nervousness. Give it your all at interviews (convince them otherwise!!), but “accept” that you didn’t get in.

Perhaps this is the worst advice out there, but it’s worked for me and my friends when I told them to do this. Good luck!

 

[jd989898]

Try to start a project of some sort (art, writing, business, etc.). I find this makes time go by much faster.