*~*~* Official Class of 2023 Thread *~*~*

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Lucca said:
Congrats! Good luck at the interviews.

That’s already a 33% II success rate with your list!
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Thanks. One of them is in like 12 days and is out of state. Didn’t realize how much this process was going to make me hustle.
 
Matthew9Thirtyfive said:
Do you think Hopkins will respond to my ITA request?

I’m always in the area since I live in NOVA.
just reject me already.
kidding plz interview me kthxbai
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I actually will legitimately be in the area for JHU, but decided not to send them an ITA email because I'm pretty sure all they'd do with it is pass it around, get a few laughs, and toss it into the shred bin!
 
Sagebrush said:
I actually will legitimately be in the area for JHU, but decided not to send them an ITA email because I'm pretty sure all they'd do with it is pass it around, get a few laughs, and toss it into the shred bin!
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Yeah I mean I will legit be in the area too for another interview, and jhu is like a 2 hour drive from my house with no traffic (more like 3). But it’s jhu. I seriously doubt they will entertain an ITA request. Should I send one just for laughs? It’s not like I have a shot at an interview there anyway.
 
Matthew9Thirtyfive said:
Yeah I mean I will legit be in the area too for another interview, and jhu is like a 2 hour drive from my house with no traffic (more like 3). But it’s jhu. I seriously doubt they will entertain an ITA request. Should I send one just for laughs? It’s not like I have a shot at an interview there anyway.
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Like Nike said, "Just do it". Doing so benefits you more than not doing anything.
 
Matthew9Thirtyfive said:
lol I think I'm going to send one out, but to a different school. One that I actually have a good shot of getting an interview at anyway.
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Send one out to both schools then. It could help you out or not have any effect whatsoever. The only bad thing that can happen is that you get rejected from JHU, and if that happens then chances are they were gonna rejected anyway.
 
Ms Procrastinator said:
Send one out to both schools then. It could help you out or not have any effect whatsoever. The only bad thing that can happen is that you get rejected from JHU, and if that happens then chances are they were gonna rejected anyway.
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Update. They didn't flat out reject me. The told me that if they offer me an interview, they'll try to schedule it at that time. They also said they do Skype interviews if applicants have appropriate circumstances. Putting that one down as a W.
 
Matthew9Thirtyfive said:
Update. They didn't flat out reject me. The told me that if they offer me an interview, they'll try to schedule it at that time. They also said they do Skype interviews if applicants have appropriate circumstances. Putting that one down as a W.
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Could also be that they haven’t fully reviewed your app yet. Sounds like they are willing to be accommodating tho
 
Matthew9Thirtyfive said:
Yo why is imposter syndrome so prevalent among premeds and med students?
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Because you know you are competing against a huge group of equally and more accomplished individuals, while totally ignoring the fact that you are also competing against people who might be less accomplished than you. This mentality combined with the length of education, preparation, then the application can induce severe self-doubt and anxiety...
 
Matthew9Thirtyfive said:
Yo why is imposter syndrome so prevalent among premeds and med students?
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It's the same idea as "No matter how good you are at something, there's an 8-year old Asian kid somewhere that does it better".
When you look at the "ideal" applicant, you see someone with a better GPA, MCAT, and a myriad of incredible, life-changing experiences that you don't, and won't, have. Then you keep thinking about it and suddenly you find yourself digging the pit deeper and deeper.

Just do it for you. Trust the process, and if (when) you get in, rest easy knowing that you got in for the RIGHT reasons.
 
I think only those who are conscientious have imposter syndrome...we’re aware that we are not as good as we want to be. I worry for the future patients of those without imposter syndrome
 
Matthew9Thirtyfive said:
What would you say it is?
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Personally at this point as premeds we aren't in a position to say we are worthy of anything yet. I think it is just the nature of applications. There is always going to be people better and even really good people get rejected. Calling it imposter syndrome is weird right now because unless you are accepted into a school you really haven't convinced anyone yet about your abilities yet. There is no "imposterism" occurring if you aren't accepted in a school.

At least that i how I feel about it. I think the idea of imposter syndrome is blown out of proportion especially in academia right now. We should largely feel uncertain about our abilities at this stage. We are mostly young and still learning.
 
There was a day before I had any IIs that I just stared at a wall for 30 mins stuck in a psychological loop of feeling like I was a fraud and I was kidding myself, would be rejected everywhere, wasn’t good enough to be a physician scientist, and should just find another career.

It’s not just self-doubt, I know what that feels like because I’m a scientist and it’s my primary mode. It’s like a torment. It makes your chest tighten and hot inside.

Either way, I don’t feel like one’s or my own accomplishments of any kind have any bearing on my self worth, nor should they. So I can get over it. Some can’t and it cripples them to the point where they can’t do anything.

The downside to doing what you love is that even small setbacks feel like deeply personal failures. And it’s far too easy to coast on successes without reflecting on why they make us feel so good. Getting IIs is vindicating and it’s a great feeling. But it also frustrates me that something external to myself should have so much power of how I think about myself. I’m *good* at what I do, and I *love* doing it. In an ideal world, that would be enough but we know that the vast majority will never get the chance to have both, or even one or the other.
 
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Lucca said:
The downside to doing what you love is that even small setbacks feel like deeply personal failures. And it’s far too easy to coast on successes without reflecting on why we they make us feel so good.
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This right here is probably one of the aspects of medicine that scare me the most. With the vast majority of other occupations, working to live rather than living to work is the recommendation. Keep work difficulties out of your personal life, keep life issues out of your work.
But medicine has these two so intricately tied together, which is amazing if you subscribe to "If you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life", yet terrifying at the same time.
 
Lucca said:
There was a day before I had any IIs that I just stared at a wall for 30 mins stuck in a psychological loop of feeling like I was a fraud and I was kidding myself, would be rejected everywhere, wasn’t good enough to be a physician scientist, and should just find another career.

It’s not just self-doubt, I know what that feels like because I’m a scientist and it’s my primary mode. It’s like a torment. It makes your chest tighten and hot inside.

Either way, I don’t feel like one’s or my own accomplishments of any kind have any bearing on my self worth, nor should they. So I can get over it. Some can’t and it cripples them to the point where they can’t do anything.

The downside to doing what you love is that even small setbacks feel like deeply personal failures. And it’s far too easy to coast on successes without reflecting on why they make us feel so good. Getting IIs is vindicating and it’s a great feeling. But it also frustrates me that something external to myself should have so much power of how I think about myself. I’m *good* at what I do, and I *love* doing it. In an ideal world, that would be enough but we know that the vast majority will never get the chance to have both, or even one or the other.
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Don't get me wrong, I completely understand what you mean about how it shouldn't be this way, but holy crap does the validation of getting an interview feel amazing!
 
Sagebrush said:
Don't get me wrong, I completely understand what you mean about how it shouldn't be this way, but holy crap does the validation of getting an interview feel amazing!
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Hehe, I'm not denying it! I much prefer dealing with imposter syndrome to disliking my job or feeling like I didn't give it my best shot to do what I wanted to do. Just sharing my experience.
 
so I've been thinking about withdrawing from a few of my interviews. Any advice on decorum or whether I should do this? I'm going to attend all of the MSTPs paying for me to come, obviously, but I would be flying several times a week for 2 months as it stands.

Obviously a terrific problem to have, im a bit overwhelmed tbh haha
 
Lucca said:
so I've been thinking about withdrawing from a few of my interviews. Any advice on decorum or whether I should do this? I'm going to attend all of the MSTPs paying for me to come, obviously, but I would be flying several times a week for 2 months as it stands.

Obviously a terrific problem to have, im a bit overwhelmed tbh haha
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If you’re confident with your interview skills (even a little bit), I think you’re in a great place to withdraw some. You have so many and are probably going to get more. I’d knock off the bottom of your list so far. It’ll save you time and money and open up slots for someone else.

Great problem to have. You’re a rock star!
 
Lucca said:
so I've been thinking about withdrawing from a few of my interviews. Any advice on decorum or whether I should do this? I'm going to attend all of the MSTPs paying for me to come, obviously, but I would be flying several times a week for 2 months as it stands.

Obviously a terrific problem to have, im a bit overwhelmed tbh haha
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I considered it but decided against it. I'm attending all IIs until I get at least one acceptance. I'm hemorrhaging money and have up to 4 interviews scheduled in a single week, but the trail has been fun so far (7 attended). I think you should go to all of them, especially since most of your apps are MSTP. You're a stellar applicant, but we all know how competitive those programs can be. I know you'll get into *at least* one of them, but it doesn't hurt to have options.
 
That's awesome that some of them fly you out for free. The best I've seen for regular MD so far is wash u who provides free housing. I wouldn't mind flying out several times a week if it was paid for haha
 
freedoctor17 said:
That's awesome that some of them fly you out for free. The best I've seen for regular MD so far is wash u who provides free housing. I wouldn't mind flying out several times a week if it was paid for haha
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Ya, not all programs fly you out, but most will pay for hotel/hosting. WashU has also been the most generous, they even offered to pay for an international ticket.

MSTPs really pamper you before they get 4-6 years of science out of you lol
 
treesnm3s said:
I considered it but decided against it. I'm attending all IIs until I get at least one acceptance. I'm hemorrhaging money and have up to 4 interviews scheduled in a single week, but the trail has been fun so far (7 attended). I think you should go to all of them, especially since most of your apps are MSTP. You're a stellar applicant, but we all know how competitive those programs can be. I know you'll get into *at least* one of them, but it doesn't hurt to have options.
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Congrats on all the interviews! I’ve only gone on 1 XD because I’ve been out of the country and scheduled everything for after I returned. Post II acceptance rates for most MSTPs tend to be more favorable than MD but II slots are also way more scarce so I was thinking of narrowing my list earlier to give slots to others. But exactly like you say it is psychologically really hard to cancel anything without an acceptance in hand
 
I'm losing hope seeing all these II (congrats to those of you who have!), while also seeing really good applicants getting rejected (you still have great chances, don't lose hope!).....

Meanwhile, I recently got completed at most of my MD schools this week and have nothing exceptional or special about me (esp MCAT).
/hides in corner and lost in eternal darkness
 
Drakozord X said:
I'm losing hope seeing all these II (congrats to those of you who have!), while also seeing really good applicants getting rejected (you still have great chances, don't lose hope!).....

Meanwhile, I recently got completed at most of my MD schools this week and have nothing exceptional or special about me (esp MCAT).
/hides in corner and lost in eternal darkness
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Sdn and Reddit are a skewed sample. Your timing is average and most people will be complete around this time as well. You will have to be more patient though since schools are at peak app processing right now.

Good luck!
 
Lucca said:
Sdn and Reddit are a skewed sample. Your timing is average and most people will be complete around this time as well. You will have to be more patient though since schools are at peak app processing right now.

Good luck!
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Thank you so much for the words on encouragement. I truly appreciate it 🙂 I'll definitely try and stay positive
 
Is it a bad idea to schedule two interviews back to back if they're only 1.5 hours apart? Don't have many other options but wondering if anyone has done that before and found it ok
 
freedoctor17 said:
Is it a bad idea to schedule two interviews back to back if they're only 1.5 hours apart? Don't have many other options but wondering if anyone has done that before and found it ok
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Seems risky, but if you travel well and don't think you'll be jet lagged or burnt out, go for it.
 
freedoctor17 said:
Is it a bad idea to schedule two interviews back to back if they're only 1.5 hours apart? Don't have many other options but wondering if anyone has done that before and found it ok
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Do you mean 1.5 hours in travel or literally 1.5 hours apart (like a morning session and then an afternoon session on the same day)? If it's the former, I've done it and it was fine.
 
treesnm3s said:
Do you mean 1.5 hours in travel or literally 1.5 hours apart (like a morning session and then an afternoon session on the same day)? If it's the former, I've done it and it was fine.
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I didn't even think about the possibility that they were on the same day. All my interviews are like all day events. Definitely don't go to two interviews on the same day.
 
treesnm3s said:
Do you mean 1.5 hours in travel or literally 1.5 hours apart (like a morning session and then an afternoon session on the same day)? If it's the former, I've done it and it was fine.
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oh man if they were the same day I'd cry lol, yeah I meant the former. Good to know it isn't too bad! It will save me from having to make a 5 hour drive later on if I try and get it rescheduled.
 
I only have two IIs but I'm already having dreams...

In my dream-interview I was asked to scan and meter 5 chunks of Latin poetry, which weren't even written out. Needless to say it was traumatizing since my interviewer read them all rapid fire one after another and I haven't seen Latin in 4 years :scared:
 
Anyone else struggling to really "prepare" for an interview?

I'm used to "preparing" for an interview in the sense of having a general idea of what I want to say for common questions. The rest, I just wing it. I don't write it down, I just know the answers to questions and can articulate them well. After I have interviewed, the people who interviewed me asked if I prepared and were very surprised when I said I didn't. I guess it also helps that, if people find out you're applying to med school, everyone and their mother asks you some of the common questions (why medicine? what schools? why x school? why not PA/RN? etc.) I really haven't been able to sit down like some others are saying they're doing and writing out answers/bullet pointing stuff. I've always prepared this way (and it has worked tremendously) and it doesn't help that my good friend (who also does this and is now an M1) told me there's no need for mock interviews and he didn't do one. After he said that, I agreed with him. I mean, sure, I'm a bit nervous but not to the point it will impact my interviewing. Really all the interview is, as I see it, seeing if I fit with the school and adcoms doing the same. This makes me think perhaps I should just do what I'm comfortable, used to, and prepared for.

This is a terrible thing to say but I'm pretty sure I'm just going to wing it at my interviews. Someone tell me this is a bad idea.
 
Hirro said:
Anyone else struggling to really "prepare" for an interview?

I'm used to "preparing" for an interview in the sense of having a general idea of what I want to say for common questions. The rest, I just wing it. I don't write it down, I just know the answers to questions and can articulate them well. After I have interviewed, the people who interviewed me asked if I prepared and were very surprised when I said I didn't. I guess it also helps that, if people find out you're applying to med school, everyone and their mother asks you some of the common questions (why medicine? what schools? why x school? why not PA/RN? etc.) I really haven't been able to sit down like some others are saying they're doing and writing out answers/bullet pointing stuff. I've always prepared this way (and it has worked tremendously) and it doesn't help that my good friend (who also does this and is now an M1) told me there's no need for mock interviews and he didn't do one. After he said that, I agreed with him. I mean, sure, I'm a bit nervous but not to the point it will impact my interviewing. Really all the interview is, as I see it, seeing if I fit with the school and adcoms doing the same. This makes me think perhaps I should just do what I'm comfortable, used to, and prepared for.

This is a terrible thing to say but I'm pretty sure I'm just going to wing it at my interviews. Someone tell me this is a bad idea.
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Do what works for you! I would not try to mix up my strategy right before a high-stakes interview. Do what you've always done, as it seems to work well for you and you're comfortable with it!
 
Hirro said:
Anyone else struggling to really "prepare" for an interview?

I'm used to "preparing" for an interview in the sense of having a general idea of what I want to say for common questions. The rest, I just wing it. I don't write it down, I just know the answers to questions and can articulate them well. After I have interviewed, the people who interviewed me asked if I prepared and were very surprised when I said I didn't. I guess it also helps that, if people find out you're applying to med school, everyone and their mother asks you some of the common questions (why medicine? what schools? why x school? why not PA/RN? etc.) I really haven't been able to sit down like some others are saying they're doing and writing out answers/bullet pointing stuff. I've always prepared this way (and it has worked tremendously) and it doesn't help that my good friend (who also does this and is now an M1) told me there's no need for mock interviews and he didn't do one. After he said that, I agreed with him. I mean, sure, I'm a bit nervous but not to the point it will impact my interviewing. Really all the interview is, as I see it, seeing if I fit with the school and adcoms doing the same. This makes me think perhaps I should just do what I'm comfortable, used to, and prepared for.

This is a terrible thing to say but I'm pretty sure I'm just going to wing it at my interviews. Someone tell me this is a bad idea.
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I'll say I did a mock interview and it helped. But I also winged the mock interview lol. It helped in that it gave me a confidence boost that winging it is ok as long as I had a general idea of what topics I'd go with for the big questions. It also allowed me to see that even when they through me off guard with a question I was able to think back to another story I can bring up. Now if I hear similar questions at my interviews those will be in the back of my mind. I did end up bulleting them briefly so I don't forget.

If you're fine the way you are doing it then I don't think you should change at all. Maybe wing a mock interview and see how it goes just as a warm-up.
 
@Hirro
I have my first interview next week, but I had to interview for the postbacc/SMP I'm in. I basically just have a couple bullet points in my head for the most common questions. If they ask me something challenging, I just ask for a second to think. I've also been reading Sell or Be Sold, which is a really good book about sales. It's totally applicable to interviewing though, because you're selling yourself. The biggest takeaways I've had from it so far are confidence and being completely sold on the product (in this case, yourself).
 
freedoctor17 said:
I'll say I did a mock interview and it helped. But I also winged the mock interview lol. It helped in that it gave me a confidence boost that winging it is ok as long as I had a general idea of what topics I'd go with for the big questions. It also allowed me to see that even when they through me off guard with a question I was able to think back to another story I can bring up. Now if I hear similar questions at my interviews those will be in the back of my mind. I did end up bulleting them briefly so I don't forget.

If you're fine the way you are doing it then I don't think you should change at all. Maybe wing a mock interview and see how it goes just as a warm-up.
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I did the same thing!! The mock interview was definitely a confidence booster
 
Don't get me wrong, I'm very grateful to have the interviews that I do, but I'm a little anxious that my number of rejections has now caught up with my number of interviews 😵 It's making me feel like I have something polarizing in my application that I'm completely unaware of!
 
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