II: The wait continues

[Petrichor1]

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Hey guys, I don't know if I am just overly worried at this point but just wanted to start this thread to let away some of my anxiety and fear. Submitted most of my applications (maybe early? I probably don't think but before august for the schools I thought I was a better candidate). It's been a couple of weeks since I heard back from a couple of "complete" emails, yet no interview invites. There are already a bunch of people who have interview invites who applied the same time as me and I was asked by many physicians if I held any in my hand. This got me worried as if I am supposed to have some by now (yikes!). Who here is with me? I know labor day isn't too far away (only like a month away) and I was wondering if I should apply to more schools. Some schools I stopped filling in the secondary for because I forgot their OOS selectivity or the expenses accrued.

Either way, just wanted anyone's opinion and their experience.

 

[Person1345]

Here is a nice 92 page thread outlining the II saga of the 2015-2016 cycle.

Summary: You could receive your first interview tomorrow or next March

 

[corey5546]

Most of my secondaries were complete around the middle of August. Thus far, I have received one II (from WVU, who promises to have a decision in 2-3 weeks), and no other responses, including rejections. It is still very early in the season and I would not worry. Regardless of your stats, I think it is shrewd to apply to a variety of schools, but I wouldn't waste extra money just because you haven't heard anything this early. I wish you the best of luck!

 

[Petrichor1]

Thanks much guys. It's definitely difficult to sit there and wait. My worry lies in my stats but there is absolutely no way between now and september where I can up the MCAT so soon. So I am not going to take the chances of remedying that headache. As long as I qualify for MD admission, I am going to let the rest of my application speak for me.

How bad does it look if I am just volunteering at a hospice a couple time a week and am not employed? I'm trying to get more accreditation but I am worried when an interviewer asks the question "so what have you been doing?" Of course I am applying every day since like Feb, but funding is low and I know for employment I probably have older recommenders who might mention I am applying to medical school. I keep wondering about that every time I leave a job interview, so I mention it myself during the conversation (now I'm just going to be like "I have no clue what I'll be doing 5 years later cause honestly who knows what will happen this cycle" #amiright?)

 

[Goro]

Patience is a virtue, the need for instant gratification is not.

Are you really such a special snowflake that you think med schools should be falling all over themselves sending you IIs???

As you can surmise, I'm in a foul mood tonight.

Hey guys, I don't know if I am just overly worried at this point but just wanted to start this thread to let away some of my anxiety and fear. Submitted most of my applications (maybe early? I probably don't think but before august for the schools I thought I was a better candidate). It's been a couple of weeks since I heard back from a couple of "complete" emails, yet no interview invites. There are already a bunch of people who have interview invites who applied the same time as me and I was asked by many physicians if I held any in my hand. This got me worried as if I am supposed to have some by now (yikes!). Who here is with me? I know labor day isn't too far away (only like a month away) and I was wondering if I should apply to more schools. Some schools I stopped filling in the secondary for because I forgot their OOS selectivity or the expenses accrued.

Either way, just wanted anyone's opinion and their experience.

 

[Petrichor1]

Patience is a virtue, the need for instant gratification is not.

Are you really such a special snowflake that you think med schools should be falling all over themselves sending you IIs???

As you can surmise, I'm in a foul mood tonight.

no special snowflake, just dandruff. I guess at this point, I am feeling very insecure amongst all my wonderful colleagues applying 😉.

here's a picture that might make pleasantry out of a rough day:

 

[iluvbeingpremed]

I AM WITH YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[bananafish94]

As possibly the most frequent poster in the previously referenced 92 page thread, it's a very long and stressful wait but it will happen if you have prepared diligently. I had given up on the thought of getting an interview until I got my very first in December, then a few more shortly thereafter. In these first couple of months the interviews are reserved for the most ridiculous applicants but you shouldn't worry about them. I know how difficult it is to wait but it will all be worth it in the end. The only advice I have is to try and get away from the process a bit. Last year, my worst days were those where I spent hours fretting about my odds and when medical schools would get back to me. My best days were those where I threw myself into things that had nothing to do with applying, like my jobs and various extracurriculars. Best of luck!

 

[mw18]

Advice that will serve you well now and in med school (when you eventually do get IIs and acceptances): Do not measure yourself by the experiences of others. Measure yourself only by doing your best.

Two years ago I was doing the same thing you are. Wondering where my IIs were. I ended up getting plenty. I also ended up getting accepted to schools that people with interview invites well before mine got rejected from. There is little rhyme or reason to the way this all works out. I'm at what is generally considered a top school and I got my interview invitation there in December or January. Just breathe. Obviously worrying becomes justified at some point (if you were to receive none), but in early August you aren't there yet. Also, those docs who have asked you about it probably know little about how admissions is done these days. By the time I'm an attending I probably won't either.

 

[Petrichor1]

You guys are literally the best support group. I hope that I get to shake away this fear by getting a good job. I know that will definitely keep me busy.