IF YOU HAVEN'T BEEN ACCEPTED YET, PLEASE READ THIS

[gmendese]

OK, some of you may know my story because of previous posts, but in case you don't, this year was my third time applying. Yes, I did get accepted this year, but I understand what you are feeling. I went through this last year and the year before, and for some reason, the warm weather brought out a Spring Fever-type feeling regarding school. It made me realize that summer was just around the corner, and all I had was a pile of rejection letters.

I called the remaining schools on my list all the time and checked my e-mail and snail mail like a crazy person. And I paid close attention to admission statistics for each school, especially wait list statistics. I was convinced I'd get in...but when I didn't, I was heartbroken.

Yes, people are getting in left and right on this site, but that's not a true representation of the applicant pool. A little over a third get into one or more schools and many of that third have applied at least once before.

The bottom line...and it is a harsh reality...is that some of you wont get in. Now, I'm not trying to be rude, I'm just empathetic because I went through the same stuff. You may be a lucky one to get accepted (especially with things being delayed because of AMCAS), or accepted off a wait list throughout the summer, but most people who are wait listed don't gain admission.

Again, I'm telling you this because if you don't get in, it's not the end of the world. Wipe off your knees, get up, and try again if this is what you want. Improve your application as best as you can and try again. I told myself that I would reapply until I died. Well, it "only" took my 3 times, but I got into 4 schools.

And medicine is a huge commitment. If you're thinking of NOT reapplying if you don't get in, then you don't belong in the profession anyway. You should be totally commited to it. That whole "I either want to be a lawyer or doctor" thing is conservative, republican, bourgeoisie nonsense. You either want it or you don't. And most of you do. So if you don't get in, "Dust yourself off and try again."

Again, I'm sorry if I'm being harsh, but I just don't want anyone to get false hopes and then be truly disappointed. I hope people don't have to apply as many times as I have (although people certainly have applied MORE times), but if it comes down to it, it's not that bad. During my two years "off", I've saved a ton of money and met the woman of my dreams.

So best of luck to you and if you have any questions for me at all, PLEASE ask.

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[FLY]

Inspiring story and proud of you gmendese.

 

[THE instiGATOR]

I'm a second time applicant...going to med school next year. Can't wait!

Good luck, everyone. If at first you don't succeed, try and try again!

 

[oldman]

alright! that's the spirit. get back on that damned horse and ride like the wind!

 

[Cambrian]

gmendese,

Congratulations on getting in. If you don't mind, can you tell us which school you were accepted to? And about your comment on waitlist, I wouldn't say most people on the waitlist don't get off it. The only schools that are hard to get off the waitlist are the high tier schools like Harvard, Stanford, Yale, etc. This is because no one would turn down a rejection from these schools. I'm from California, and I have heard that UCI has a lot of waitlist movement because most people who are accepted to UCI ends up turning it down for other schools.

 

[otter]

Well, I'm a second-time applicant having not much luck. As much I like to disillusion myself that I'm going to somehow get in, and as much as I hate to read a stinging post like this one, it puts things in perspective and I appreciate your empathy, gmendese.

I am glad that you were able to meet a nice person. Since I recall that you're going to stick around the MA area for med school, it looks like your relationship will stay intact w/o problem.

 

[CUarzt]

That whole "I either want to be a lawyer or doctor" thing is conservative, republican, bourgeoisie nonsense.

i agree with the foolish, almost pretentious notion of "hey, i may be a doctor or a lawyer...keeping all my options open." but c'mon, i don't think the "conservative, republican" attributes were accurate: being one and therefore the other, i must disagree.

if anything, i would call it a liberal approach to higher education...
just my $.02

 

[gmendese]

Cambrian,

I got into Jefferson, Temple, Tufts, and UMass. I'm probably going to UMass.

And CUartz, yeah it probably was a bit of a rant. Sometimes my liberal journalistic past gets the best of me.

 

[CUarzt]

perfectly understandable--if it wasn't for the liberals, we wouldn't be as conservative...by the way, what kind of feedback did you receive from family/friends after the second round of applications?

im merely curious as to whether you had a strong support base.

 

[gmendese]

Good question.

Well, after the first round of applications, my mother (my dad isn't around) totally encouraged me to reapply. After the second time, however, my mother stimply and nonchalantly stated, "So why don't you do something else?" That sent me off the deep end, but eventually things were OK. It turned out that she was just trying to protect me.

So, essentially, she's always been supportive as has been my step-father. But my biggest support has come from my girlfriend. It's been great.

 

[CUarzt]

it certainly is commendable your lack of resignation--your experience has made me wonder whether after three rounds id be down for the count.

you have been very fortunate in the support arena--sounds like you have the right kind of girl at your side...i wish you the best.

 

[CUarzt]

it certainly is commendable your lack of resignation--your experience has made me wonder whether after three rounds id be down for the count.

you have been very fortunate in the support arena--sounds like you have the right kind of girl at your side...i wish you the best.