How to keep calm during this process?

[kj8210]

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Hey guy so I am a re-applicant and this cycle is killing me. I applied early (verified 7/12) and haven't gotten much love from schools. I am fortunate enough to have 2 II but I am still going crazy seeing people post about how they have 10+ II and are worried. My stats are a 3.42 cgpa, 3.3 sgpa and a 25 MCAT. Is it my MCAT that is causing schools to be reluctant on offering me an II? I retook it in September but I'm still waiting on the score. I feel like I call the admissions offices of schools like every other week to check on my application and every time its just the same answer: "It's under review." I do not want to annoy them though 🙁 I am worried that if my MCAT score will increase, it will be too late and that I will basically just be interviewing for a waitlist spot 🙁 Any suggestions on how to take my mind off of this whole process?

 

[iamdragonborn]

I'm in a similar position as you as far as GPA and MCAT score go, as well as still being "under review" by allopathic and osteopathic programs. Schools generally put applicants on hold when they are expecting a new MCAT score- if it's high enough and you are someone that they want to consider, they'll re-review your application.

With D.O. programs, you can hear back as late as March for an II. I didn't receive a call until January about having an interview in February, and before that I was convinced I wasn't going to interview (granted, I was waitlisted, but I'm happy I had the experience). Just remain patient with the process since you have about six months left and it isn't healthy to stress for that duration of time.

As far as trying to reduce your anxiety for this process, I would recommend keeping yourself distracted. Find a new hobby like exercising, playing a new instrument, or hanging out with your friends more (and not talking about the medical school process). Also constantly reminds yourself that what is done is out of your hands now, and that there are thousands of others in similar, as well as worse, positions than you.

Keep these in mind, and best or luck on the process.

 

[DameJulie]

If you have 2 IIs, that means you are in good shape and hopefully more II will come later in the cycle.
For me, I just get distracted like @iamdragonborn said. I am pretty busy with my work that I have either been working or filling out secondaries in the past 2 months without much free time. But I do get this "I still haven't heard anything yet and that must mean I got rejected" panic attack once in a few days.
Just forget about it now. There's nothing you can do to control the lengthy process.

 

[NecrotizingFasciitis]

Definitely keep yourself distracted like others have said. The couple weeks I had off before school and after a trip I went on this summer, I was stressing out of my mind every day. Now that I'm back in school and don't have time to think about this stuff as much my anxiety has significantly decreased. Just keep busy. 🙂

 

[Peach Newport]

There's no way to stay calm during this process. The more you want it, the more you're going to be terrified of not getting in anywhere. That's just how it is.

This is why people say medical school admissions is so horrible. Not because of the requirements- you've already done those by the time you apply. Your application is what it is. You can always make it better. No, medical school admissions is hard because of the stress, paranoia, doubt, insecurity, and catastrophizing that inevitably accompanies this process.

What if I never get in anywhere?
What if I did all this for nothing?
What if there's something wrong with my application that I'm completely blind to?
What if none of the interviewes like me?

Two peices of advice:
1) understand you're not alone. Most applicants feel how you feel.
2) don't let the stress make you do something stupid. The stress will make you want to do all sorts of desperate things.

When people say "don't let it get to you," they don't mean "don't be stressed out." That's inevitable. They mean "before you do something desperate, ask yourself if this is a really a good idea."

 

[DrCaffeinated]

Isn't 2 II's at this point good?!

 

[Goro]

Stay busy!!!!

Hey guy so I am a re-applicant and this cycle is killing me. I applied early (verified 7/12) and haven't gotten much love from schools. I am fortunate enough to have 2 II but I am still going crazy seeing people post about how they have 10+ II and are worried. My stats are a 3.42 cgpa, 3.3 sgpa and a 25 MCAT. Is it my MCAT that is causing schools to be reluctant on offering me an II? I retook it in September but I'm still waiting on the score. I feel like I call the admissions offices of schools like every other week to check on my application and every time its just the same answer: "It's under review." I do not want to annoy them though 🙁 I am worried that if my MCAT score will increase, it will be too late and that I will basically just be interviewing for a waitlist spot 🙁 Any suggestions on how to take my mind off of this whole process?