How to deal with the waiting and comparing?

[airabuyu13]

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I've begun to feel so discouraged and insufficient. I'm hopeful and many people tell me I'm gonna get in somewhere, but I just feel like "everyone else" (SDN and MDApps people) have so many more interviews or acceptances.I feel like logically I have a solid MCAT, solid GPA, a handful of interviews under my belt, I may probably get more, but it's all too easy to freak out and worry and feel like I'm never gonna get in anywhere compared to other people.

Does anyone have any advice for dealing with the uncertainty and worrying? Thanks!

 

[Pandaeac]

I'm right there with you! So this might be like the blind leading the blind. But, just try to focus on the end goal: becoming a doctor. It sounds like you do have a good shot of an acceptance from what you say, so just keep your eye on the prize and think about how in 4-5 years, you'll have an MD! And in even less than a year, you'll be starting med school. Also, I have to remind myself that SDN and MDApps is just a subset of all applicants--definitely not representative! Maybe try to spend less time on SDN and MDApps? I know it's way easier said than done, but maybe when you catch yourself on one of those sites for too long and getting discouraged, remind yourself to switch gears (funny TV show, good book, go for a walk). Also, just enjoy life! Med school isn't everything 🙂

 

[Noggin]

SDN is not an accurate representation of the general applicant pool. Just relax there is a lot that can happen between now and the end of the cycle.

 

[CarlosDanger]

If you've had a handful of interviews already, then your chances of acceptance seem very good, there are a lot of schools that have barely started or not started accepting yet, even for the earliest interviews

 

[Nena01]

The best advice is to get these comparisons off your mind. Easier said than done, but it's a good idea to stop reading other people's success stories if it only stresses you out.

Focus on your hobbies, pick up a new book or TV show, or exercise a little more. This is the only way to make the wait more bearable. The good news WILL come, try not to think about when 🙂

 

[Microglia]

Don't worry about it, sounds like you have multiple interviews and it's been less than a couple weeks since schools were allowed to tell you anything. I'm sure you will be fine, for now just breathe easy and try to enjoy your last year of freedom! 😀 (not sure how I feel about the new smilies...)

 

[3rdarmageddon]

As a reapplicant with decent numbers who just received their first acceptance of the season, I believe I can confidently say that worrying is the enemy. Last year I interviewed at good schools, but constsntly undermined myself by comparing myself to better applicants. This year I decided to just be myself and enjoy the process. This helped me interview better, and now I'm lucky enough to have an acceptance.

Try to enjoy the ride. It may help.