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Just figured I'd make this thread because
A- I'm bored at work
B- I also feel the stress and wanted to help out some of my friends on the interview trail
So as most of you know, It's interview season!
Basically, the single most stressful point of your life thus far, especially if you come to these threads and read about people having 8+ IIs by now. So I figured I'd compile a list of the things I've been doing to stay sane & (relatively) low stress. Maybe this will help someone.
Some facts:
- As of today, (Oct. 10) It is still early in the cycle. It may not seem like it, but it is.
- Most matriculants don't get more than 3-4 interviews, so if you have a couple already, you are doing good!
- Even if you don't have one, its OKAY. Believe it or not, it takes time, lots of time, to go through 10,000 applications one by one and pick 10% to interview. Give the adcoms some time to work!
- As many of our esteemed advisors and faculty have said, the process is similar to a staircase.
- Your app will be ranked based on how qualified you are for the school. Just because you may not be in the top tier, doesn't mean you won't be invited at some point! The schools are going to interview the all-stars first, then work their way down. Its entirely possible they won't get to you until november or december!
-As the all knowing internet sensation doctor-cat @Goro reminds us:
"Patience is a virtue, the need for instant gratification is not."
Some tips for avoiding stress during this time:
- Start working out: Lifting, Swimming, Running, or a combination of the three. I can't emphasize enough how much this helps.
- Meditate: Spend 5 minutes focusing on your breathing. Force yourself to be present in the moment, it really helps you relax. There are lots of good guides online.
-Pursue Hobbies: Do the things you love, because you won't have a lot of time for them over the next 10 years! Join a band, play in a rec league, paint, practice, whatever! Just do something you love.
- Try your best not to check your email multiple times per day! Refreshing the page isn't gonna make the interview invites come in any faster, but it will make you feel bad about yourself.
- Just try and rest assured that this is a long, sloooow process. We all think that we have awesome apps and that they're gonna pick us first. There's just so many of us that it isn't gonna play out like that all the time.
It's going to be okay. Take a step back & relax.
Before anyone says it (looking at you baratheon), yes, I do have an II. I realize how lucky I am. That doesn't mean I'm not allowed to get stressed nor share some of the things that help keep me sane during the cycle.
A- I'm bored at work
B- I also feel the stress and wanted to help out some of my friends on the interview trail
So as most of you know, It's interview season!
Basically, the single most stressful point of your life thus far, especially if you come to these threads and read about people having 8+ IIs by now. So I figured I'd compile a list of the things I've been doing to stay sane & (relatively) low stress. Maybe this will help someone.
Some facts:
- As of today, (Oct. 10) It is still early in the cycle. It may not seem like it, but it is.
- Most matriculants don't get more than 3-4 interviews, so if you have a couple already, you are doing good!
- Even if you don't have one, its OKAY. Believe it or not, it takes time, lots of time, to go through 10,000 applications one by one and pick 10% to interview. Give the adcoms some time to work!
- As many of our esteemed advisors and faculty have said, the process is similar to a staircase.
- Your app will be ranked based on how qualified you are for the school. Just because you may not be in the top tier, doesn't mean you won't be invited at some point! The schools are going to interview the all-stars first, then work their way down. Its entirely possible they won't get to you until november or december!
-As the all knowing internet sensation doctor-cat @Goro reminds us:
"Patience is a virtue, the need for instant gratification is not."
Some tips for avoiding stress during this time:
- Start working out: Lifting, Swimming, Running, or a combination of the three. I can't emphasize enough how much this helps.
- Meditate: Spend 5 minutes focusing on your breathing. Force yourself to be present in the moment, it really helps you relax. There are lots of good guides online.
-Pursue Hobbies: Do the things you love, because you won't have a lot of time for them over the next 10 years! Join a band, play in a rec league, paint, practice, whatever! Just do something you love.
- Try your best not to check your email multiple times per day! Refreshing the page isn't gonna make the interview invites come in any faster, but it will make you feel bad about yourself.
- Just try and rest assured that this is a long, sloooow process. We all think that we have awesome apps and that they're gonna pick us first. There's just so many of us that it isn't gonna play out like that all the time.
It's going to be okay. Take a step back & relax.
Before anyone says it (looking at you baratheon), yes, I do have an II. I realize how lucky I am. That doesn't mean I'm not allowed to get stressed nor share some of the things that help keep me sane during the cycle.
