Keeping Your Confidence

[jimjoneskufi]

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How do you guys keep your confidence when no one seems to believe you will be successful? I was recently speaking to a doctor who serves as a mentor and he suggested I look into PA school. I do not believe being a PA is a lesser profession but the suggestion from my mentor really shook my confidence- it's almost like, if you don't immediately get into medical school after undergrad despite trying, you're a failure. I know my application was not stellar but I know I'm not a complete idiot or failure.

I'm working on taking the MCAT again early next year and I'll be applying to SMPs after the MCAT. Although I know my next move, my confidence and self-esteem are low (and they never have been).

Should I look into speaking to a counselor or something? These feelings are not in sync with what I believe but they're nagging me.

 

[gyngyn]

I am often in the position of discussing Plan B (with students, residents, colleagues and patients). It is not a reflection on their commitment, intellect or abilities. It is a duty of mentorship.

 

[jimjoneskufi]

I am often in the position of discussing Plan B (with students, residents, colleagues and patients). It is not a reflection on their commitment, intellect or abilities. It is a duty of mentorship.

Yeah, I get that, but I don't need a Plan B. I've only really applied once and it didn't represent my best effort.

 

[gyngyn]

Yeah, I get that, but I don't need a Plan B. I've only really applied once and it didn't represent my best effort.

Plan B is not a denigration of your aspirations. Preparation for all outcomes is a sign of maturity.
No good surgeon goes into an OR with only Plan A...
Confidence increases in proportion to preparation.

 

[Fall_of_Dorian_Gray]

Plan B is not a denigration of your aspirations. Preparation for all outcomes is a sign of maturity.
No good surgeon goes into an OR with only Plan A...
Confidence increases in proportion to preparation.

This.

From my experience, a lot of physicians urge some premeds to go into PA not necessarily because they don't think they can go into MD. Rather, they know how much commitment, time, money, effort, suffering that going for an MD entails. As someone who you say is your mentor figure, they have a vested interested in giving you the option they think has the best cost/benefit ratio and telling you what you don't want to hear sometimes.

I don't know the conversation that went down, but I think you should not take it as discouragement but perspective. Plan B should always be in the back of your mind, even if you don't plan on using it. That's why it's there. Getting into med school is too difficult to blindly pursue with all abandon without a forward plan/Plan B.

 

[jimjoneskufi]

This.

From my experience, a lot of physicians urge some premeds to go into PA not necessarily because they don't think they can go into MD. Rather, they know how much commitment, time, money, effort, suffering that going for an MD entails. As someone who you say is your mentor figure, they have a vested interested in giving you the option they think has the best cost/benefit ratio and telling you what you don't want to hear sometimes.

I don't know the conversation that went down, but I think you should not take it as discouragement but perspective. Plan B should always be in the back of your mind, even if you don't plan on using it. That's why it's there. Getting into med school is too difficult to blindly pursue with all abandon without a forward plan/Plan B.

Don't I know it! I guess the doctor I spoke to was trying to help me but he's a little advanced in age and doesn't really grasp how modern admissions works. I'm willing to do the extra work to go M.D. but it just seems like I have almost a nonexistent support system.

 

[chaim123]

ut he's a little advanced in age and doesn't really grasp how modern admissions works.

I disagree that this is the issue. Most older physicians, in my experience, seem to think quite the opposite, that a few C's and an F won't kill you. They often don't understand just how competitive med school admissions has gotten. It seems your mentor does know this, and is trying to help you think from many different angles about what is best for you.

I second above - if he was only telling you what you already knew, then he wouldn't be a very great mentor, would he?

 

[humblethinker]

How do you guys keep your confidence when no one seems to believe you will be successful?

This is a question you must answer prior to beginning this journey. What others say literally means nothing about what you CAN do. Only you limit what you can do...no one else...not your parents, significant others, friends, mentors, sdn posters etc. When you truly realize and believe this, you will be amazed at what you can do.

My best piece of advice is that if you are internally aligned with pursuing this path, you will keep working and you will reach your goals when the time is right. If you are externally aligned, you are more likely to succumb to the verbalized ideas of others about your own abilities because your grasp of your own potential is not centered in an intrinsically motivated thought-driven process.

 

[jimjoneskufi]

This is a question you must answer prior to beginning this journey. What others say literally means nothing about what you CAN do. Only you limit what you can do...no one else...not your parents, significant others, friends, mentors, sdn posters etc. When you truly realize and believe this, you will be amazed at what you can do.

My best piece of advice is that if you are internally aligned with pursuing this path, you will keep working and you will reach your goals when the time is right. If you are externally aligned, you are more likely to succumb to the verbalized ideas of others about your own abilities because your grasp of your own potential is not centered in an intrinsically motivated thought-driven process.

See, that's the thing, usually my motivation comes from within. In speaking with my mentor, I guess his comments just combated my confidence because he is where I want to be in the future. I know I can achieve my dream but it's just getti g harder to self- start and be motivated when I feel like I'm on a one person team.

I'm studying from the MCAT and doing somewhat well so I know I'm capable so I guess I just need to keep challenging myself.

Thanks for the perspective!

 

[Osteosaur]

You do need to look at applying in a rational sense. I took many tries to get in but was working a decent job at the time and could identify areas for improvement, and received interviews each cycle. You need to take a long hard look at your app and figure out "Can I fix what's broken." The fact I was receiving some interviews and saw "I can fix this within the year" kept me going. It was hard and it did suck, especially after the second cycle when you cringe approaching old letter writers.

If you're re-applying 4 times, had no interviews your last cycle because every school is sick of you, and can't break 500 on the MCAT after 2 tries, for example, you need to take a hint and move on before you waste anymore time.

It is VERY annoying when people suggest PA school I must add. Its a totally different path that requires a clinical job and a different test and is marketed toward an entirely different group. It is unfortunate that pre-med is very much an "all or nothing path" either you become a doctor, or you don't and spent years of volunteering and scribing for nothing. There's no "Well you're good but not good enough" mid-tier job waiting for you. You're back at the bottom and often with a useless biology degree, and maybe some research or pharm experience if you're lucky.

 

[jimjoneskufi]

You do need to look at applying in a rational sense. I took many tries to get in but was working a decent job at the time and could identify areas for improvement, and received interviews each cycle. You need to take a long hard look at your app and figure out "Can I fix what's broken." The fact I was receiving some interviews and saw "I can fix this within the year" kept me going. It was hard and it did suck, especially after the second cycle when you cringe approaching old letter writers.

If you're re-applying 4 times, had no interviews your last cycle because every school is sick of you, and can't break 500 on the MCAT after 2 tries, for example, you need to take a hint and move on before you waste anymore time.

It is VERY annoying when people suggest PA school I must add. Its a totally different path that requires a clinical job and a different test and is marketed toward an entirely different group. It is unfortunate that pre-med is very much an "all or nothing path" either you become a doctor, or you don't and spent years of volunteering and scribing for nothing. There's no "Well you're good but not good enough" mid-tier job waiting for you. You're back at the bottom and often with a useless biology degree, and maybe some research or pharm experience if you're lucky.

When I consider my first app, I can honestly say that I rushed myself. In fact, I rushed to finish undergrad and, in general, I rush myyself always. In preparing for my second app, I know I need to take things slowly: I'm taking my MCAT prep slowly and intend to sit in January. I'm looking into SMPs and know that will take some time. I want to put my best application forward on my second attempt and then at least I'll know I did my best

I really just wanna work in the ED- a lot of my friends who got in want to do some super competitive specialty but I just wanna work be an EM doctor. I hope I get there one day.

 

[Osteosaur]

What were your stats and ECs when you applied?

 

[jimjoneskufi]

What were your stats and ECs when you applied?

3.2gpa; 500 MCAT; Great ECs (word from an Adcom member)

 

[DoctorDragon22]

The god’s honest truth @jimjoneskufi is that unless you significantly improve your GPA and MCAT you stand very little chance of getting into a med school be it MD or DO. I am not saying this to be mean but it is as plain and simple as that. There are about 130 people vying for each spot and so the competitive climate is just a fact. In my opinion you should retake the MCAT and then apply to an SMP. Best of luck!!

 

[jimjoneskufi]

The god’s honest truth @jimjoneskufi is that unless you significantly improve your GPA and MCAT you stand very little chance of getting into a med school be it MD or DO. I am not saying this to be mean but it is as plain and simple as that. There are about 130 people vying for each spot and so the competitive climate is just a fact. In my opinion you should retake the MCAT and then apply to an SMP. Best of luck!!

That's the plan. Thanks for being frank!

 

[Reverb]

Although I know my next move...

1.) It takes confidence to be able to say this.

2.) Retaking the MCAT and applying to an SMP will be your gateway to med school (assuming you do well).

3.) In regards to confidence and self-esteem: Understand that the input from others will usually always be coming from a a constructive/realistic perspective. But whose to say the critiquing individual's understanding of getting into med school isn't skewed or biased for any number of reasons? Personally, I had individuals that I looked up to (academic counselors, physicians, etc.) suggest that I consider another career path... and I still got accepted. The bottom line is that you are at a pivotal moment in your life where you have options available to you that can bring your dreams of becoming a physician to fruition. You recognize your weaknesses. You recognize what needs to be done. You have educated yourself on how to do it. Go out there and give 'em hell.

 

[DoctorDragon22]

The admissions process will be the biggest test of your life. It will make you undergo levels of humility, introspection and self-doubt unlike which you have ever faced. With this said, if you want it (assuming you have the financial resources) you can accomplish your goals. You need to be willing to accept a lot of constructive criticism and more importantly you need to really be in it for the right reasons. Best of luck to all who continue to pursue their dreams despite the setbacks!

 

[MedicineN'Jazz]

How do you guys keep your confidence when no one seems to believe you will be successful? I was recently speaking to a doctor who serves as a mentor and he suggested I look into PA school. I do not believe being a PA is a lesser profession but the suggestion from my mentor really shook my confidence- it's almost like, if you don't immediately get into medical school after undergrad despite trying, you're a failure. I know my application was not stellar but I know I'm not a complete idiot or failure.

I'm working on taking the MCAT again early next year and I'll be applying to SMPs after the MCAT. Although I know my next move, my confidence and self-esteem are low (and they never have been).

Should I look into speaking to a counselor or something? These feelings are not in sync with what I believe but they're nagging me.

Dude, you literally have the same stats as me. Stop listening to what other people say, and get it moving. Involve yourself in meaningful organizations, rack up those volunteer hours, make connections in the medical field, and then apply next cycle. I understand where you’re coming from, as I was there before. But if you want to get into medical school, you need to work for it. You need to be creative. Not getting in after multiple cycles and don’t want to retake the MCAT? Apply to conditional post bacc programs like GT’s GEMS. There is more than one way to get into medical school, especially as a minority applicant. Use that to your advantage and best of luck

 

[humblethinker]

@MedicineN'Jazz gave you the best advice you will get throughout this journey......"stop listening to what other people say" --- my only disclaimer would be "consider listening if the person is a trusted advisor to you and who has recently went through this path and is in a clear mental state" ;otherwise, you have a choice, you have a mind, you make your decisions and ultimately follow your inner voice.

 

[jimjoneskufi]

Dude, you literally have the same stats as me. Stop listening to what other people say, and get it moving. Involve yourself in meaningful organizations, rack up those volunteer hours, make connections in the medical field, and then apply next cycle. I understand where you’re coming from, as I was there before. But if you want to get into medical school, you need to work for it. You need to be creative. Not getting in after multiple cycles and don’t want to retake the MCAT? Apply to conditional post bacc programs like GT’s GEMS. There is more than one way to get into medical school, especially as a minority applicant. Use that to your advantage and best of luck

Thanks! I'm trying to study for the MCAT but I've NEVER studied for a standardized exam and I don't even know how to do this day to day.

 

[painballer27]

Thanks! I'm trying to study for the MCAT but I've NEVER studied for a standardized exam and I don't even know how to do this day to day.

There are quite a few study schedules made by people on sdn. I would search through them and see what works for you. If you are planning to take the MCAT early next year as in January, I would aim to be done with content review by the beginning of December and devote the rest of the time before the test to practice tests, focusing strongly on the AAMC materials.

As for content review, any prep book is probably fine. I used kaplan but I have heard good things about others as well. Also supplement with the Khan Academy MCAT videos for things that you need further clarification on. Below is a link to a thread with notes that people have made for the psych/soc section that I thought was super helpful.

300+ pages of notes for Khan Academy video?

As for keeping your confidence, you just have to believe in yourself and remember why you are doing all of this. And yes, don't listen to the naysayers. Good luck.