Possible to not "fall in love" with any of their schools?

[oompa loompa]

So I've been reading all these posts on excited applicants getting into the school "of their dreams," etc. and I'm starting to feel like a cold-hearted bastard because even after 10 interviews, I have yet to find a school that I'm "in love with." Am I alone on this? I feel like every school I've been to has its pros and cons...and I guess I tend to focus on the negative aspects of each school. I'm also finding that the more interviews I go to, the less enthusiastic I am about going to med school. Is this possible?!!

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[Flopotomist]

I guess many of us were pretty careful about applying to schools that we had researched that matched our personalities closely to start with - hence an acceptance to one of these schools makes us happy.

What is it that you are not liking? What is it that you are looking for? Perhaps the SDNers can help sell you on a school...

 

[unfrozencaveman]

I'm with you on this, to an extent. Although I'd be more than happy anywhere, I have yet to get to a school and think "this is it".

But, interviewing, if anything has made me impatient to start med school, not the other way around. It looks pretty f-ing cool.

 

[oompa loompa]

Hey, actually I think part of the problem is going in with expectations that are too high. A lot of SDNers rave about certain schools, so I go in expecting to love it, and then I don't, which is a big disappointment. Im finding that the interview days I enjoy the most are at the schools for which I have NO expectations for. Sadly, you can't control your expectations going in. They're already subconsciously in place.

 

[MoosePilot]

I've fallen in love with all the schools I've been too. They're all hotties, but I like one of them more than the others, I think.

 

[QofQuimica]

I've fallen in love with all the schools I've been too. They're all hotties, but I like one of them more than the others, I think.

Boy, this sounds a little familiar.

 

[MoosePilot]

Boy, this sounds a little familiar.

So I'm an intellectual pirate...

 

[TheMightyAngus]

Don't buy into the commercialism of medical school. Pick one that you could see yourself attending for four years or one that you won't be bitter about handing over $100k to.

People who fall in love with schools without having begun the study of medicine, are deluding themselves. It's like falling in love with a gorgeous girl you've never met. Sure, you have a glorified image of her now, but are you going to feel the same way if you find out that she is worthless in bed?

Conversely, there are those current students who absolutely "love" their medical schools. This is like marrying your childhood sweetheart. Is it true love if you've never really experienced anything else? Probably not. Your life might have been a whole let better if you ended up banging the girl across the hall. But you'll never know.

 

[DrHuang]

Don't buy into the commercialism of medical school. Pick one that you could see yourself attending for four years or one that you won't be bitter about handing over $100k to.

People who fall in love with schools without having begun the study of medicine, are deluding themselves. It's like falling in love with a gorgeous girl you've never met. Sure, you have a glorified image of her now, but are you going to feel the same way if you find out that she is worthless in bed?

Conversely, there are those current students who absolutely "love" their medical schools. This is like marrying your childhood sweetheart. Is it true love if you've never really experienced anything else? Probably not. Your life might have been a whole let better if you ended up banging the girl across the hall. But you'll never know.

great post!

QFT

 

[OddNath]

So I've been reading all these posts on excited applicants getting into the school "of their dreams," etc. and I'm starting to feel like a cold-hearted bastard because even after 10 interviews, I have yet to find a school that I'm "in love with." Am I alone on this? I feel like every school I've been to has its pros and cons...and I guess I tend to focus on the negative aspects of each school. I'm also finding that the more interviews I go to, the less enthusiastic I am about going to med school. Is this possible?!!

Not to worry-- this is totally normal. I personally didn't feel one way or another about the medical school I'm at now until I actually got here. Then, after meeting my classmates and getting indoctrinated into the school's philosophy (which totally meshes with me), I sort of fell in love.

Maybe I just got really lucky, but I suspect that brief tours of a school and silly powerpoint presentations are nothing compared to just being a student for a day. Chances are, wherever you go, you'll find people you like and aspects of the school that you're cool with, and you can be very happy with a school that gave you a lukewarm impression.

 

[Saluki]

I really liked both of the schools I interviewed at, but I didn't feel any special thumping of my heart to let me know that was the school for me (probably a good thing since I haven't gotten accepted yet) I think that once you get out of the whole process and feel more confident about where you're going, you'll start to feel enthusiastic about that school...

 

[deleted77919]

And I'm questioning how genuine feelings of "this is the school for me" are. At least in my case. I really liked UConn for instance, but my experience might have been skewed by staying for two nights in an apartment with 4 attractive girls . . . can't say I've done that at any other interviews . . . so in order to provide a control I need attractive girls at all the medical schools I get accepted to to let me stay in their domicile for two nights . . . any takers?

 

[tennisnr2]

I have yet to find a school where i'm like "this is totally the one" but for some reason at every school I go to I'm like "wow this school is really great" and then for the next school I think "Oh this one is better." So basically the LAST school I visit is always the one I like best. I guess i'm really prone to every schools' sales pitch? Anyone else like this?

 

[LabMonster]

Wake is my number one, always has been. It's a great fit for me, and I love everything about it. I look at it this way, I really only applied to one school - and had thirteen back-ups to Wake.

Maybe because I'm an old fart I know what I'm looking for

 

[riceman04]

I guess many of us were pretty careful about applying to schools that we had researched that matched our personalities closely to start with - hence an acceptance to one of these schools makes us happy.

What is it that you are not liking? What is it that you are looking for? Perhaps the SDNers can help sell you on a school...

You are dead on flop!!!! That is why one should take the time to actively research ALL the schools in which he/she is interested. I honestly do not think oompa loompa took time to do this and is now going through the process blind and only basing expectations on what other people say.

 

[riceman04]

I have yet to find a school where i'm like "this is totally the one" but for some reason at every school I go to I'm like "wow this school is really great" and then for the next school I think "Oh this one is better." So basically the LAST school I visit is always the one I like best. I guess i'm really prone to every schools' sales pitch? Anyone else like this?

Have you thought about taking a notepad or anything on which you can write the qualities of each school (both neg and positive)? I know this sounds touristy, but what about using a camera to take pics (when you are by yourself) to help cue you to remember specific aspects of the school. I think that would help if you had alot of interviews and could possibly get them all mixed up.

Congrats on all the interviews, by the way!!

 

[unfrozencaveman]

You are dead on flop!!!! That is why one should take the time to actively research ALL the schools in which he/she is interested. I honestly do not think oompa loompa took time to do this and is now going through the process blind and only basing expectations on what other people say.

Ok, but no amount of looking at websites and the MSAR is going to prepare you for what a school is actually like. I'd say, if you are basing your decisions based solely on research then you'd have a fairly incomplete view. Interviewing is extremely eye opening- you get to see who walks their talk, and more importantly, the intangibles of why people like the school, which is very hard to measure until you actually see the place.

 

[riceman04]

Ok, but no amount of looking at websites and the MSAR is going to prepare you for what a school is actually like. I'd say, if you are basing your decisions based solely on research then you'd have a fairly incomplete view. Interviewing is extremely eye opening- you get to see who walks their talk, and more importantly, the intangibles of why people like the school, which is very hard to measure until you actually see the place.

very true

 

[QofQuimica]

I have yet to find a school where i'm like "this is totally the one" but for some reason at every school I go to I'm like "wow this school is really great" and then for the next school I think "Oh this one is better." So basically the LAST school I visit is always the one I like best. I guess i'm really prone to every schools' sales pitch? Anyone else like this?

Yes. For a while my friends and family would jokingly ask me what the new school du jour was.

 

[MrBurns10]

Ok, but no amount of looking at websites and the MSAR is going to prepare you for what a school is actually like. I'd say, if you are basing your decisions based solely on research then you'd have a fairly incomplete view. Interviewing is extremely eye opening- you get to see who walks their talk, and more importantly, the intangibles of why people like the school, which is very hard to measure until you actually see the place.

I select my boyfriends from a catalogue...why not my med school?

 

[QofQuimica]

I select my boyfriends from a catalogue...why not my med school?

LMFAO. OMG, I hope he doesn't see this....

In all seriousness, it would be AWESOME to have an MSAR of men. You should write one, Burnsie.

 

[MrBurns10]

LMFAO. OMG, I hope he doesn't see this....

In all seriousness, it would be AWESOME to have an MSAR of men. You should write one, Burnsie.

Consider it done.

Haywood Jablome- Location: Durham, NC
Mission Statement: Haywood's mission is two-fold: to create and nurture an environment defined by talking about feelings and experiencing emotionless sex.
Curricular Highlights: Girlfriends of Haywood are expected to complete traditional courses in cooking and cleaning, as well as a year-long course entitled Stop Wanting a Career, Start Wanting More Sex.
USMLE, Step 1: A passing score is not required. In fact, a passing score is subject to a "talking to"
USMLE, Step 2: See USMLE, Step 1
Financial Aid: Seeing as Haywood's funds are limited, scholarships, dinners, and gifts are hard to come by. Expect to pay for a lot of this relationship yourself.
Information about Diversity Programs: Applicants are not discriminated against based on race, ethnicity, religion, or cup size. Sex and sexual orientation will be taken under consideration as Haywood sees fit.
2004 Applicant Statistics:
Number Applied: 1
Number Interviewed: 1
Number Matriculated: 0


Was this what you had in mind?

 

[MollyMalone]

Oh, holy crap, that was the funniest thing I have read in a long time. And I needed it after this week. Thank you!!!!!!!

 

[QofQuimica]

Consider it done.

Haywood Jablome- Location: Durham, NC
Mission Statement: Haywood's mission is two-fold: to create and nurture an environment defined by talking about feelings and experiencing emotionless sex.
Curricular Highlights: Girlfriends of Haywood are expected to complete traditional courses in cooking and cleaning, as well as a year-long course entitled Stop Wanting a Career, Start Wanting More Sex.
USMLE, Step 1: A passing score is not required. In fact, a passing score is subject to a "talking to"
USMLE, Step 2: See USMLE, Step 1
Financial Aid: Seeing as Haywood's funds are limited, scholarships, dinners, and gifts are hard to come by. Expect to pay for a lot of this relationship yourself.
Information about Diversity Programs: Applicants are not discriminated against based on race, ethnicity, religion, or cup size. Sex and sexual orientation will be taken under consideration as Haywood sees fit.
2004 Applicant Statistics:
Number Applied: 1
Number Interviewed: 1
Number Matriculated: 0


Was this what you had in mind?

I will definitely buy a copy. This is better than Cats.

 

[CerealBox]

I have yet to find a school where i'm like "this is totally the one" but for some reason at every school I go to I'm like "wow this school is really great" and then for the next school I think "Oh this one is better." So basically the LAST school I visit is always the one I like best. I guess i'm really prone to every schools' sales pitch? Anyone else like this?

Yes. I have this problem... if its a problem. Many schools have shot to the top of my list after visiting them. A couple, actually, fell. And i just know I am going to be one of those people posting tons of this school vs that school threads. I'm confused already.

BTW, what's the best strategy for deciding between multiple acceptances? Keep them all until financial aid decisions come in? If we pay deposits and decide not to go, we lose them, right? (Sorry, this is off subject a bit)

 

[argonana]

Yes. I have this problem... if its a problem. Many schools have shot to the top of my list after visiting them. A couple, actually, fell. And i just know I am going to be one of those people posting tons of this school vs that school threads. I'm confused already.

BTW, what's the best strategy for deciding between multiple acceptances? Keep them all until financial aid decisions come in? If we pay deposits and decide not to go, we lose them, right? (Sorry, this is off subject a bit)

Definitely keep all of your acceptances until financial aid decisions come in. One of the schools I just visited urged us to all do this.

Deposits should be refundable. The most selective schools usually don't even require a deposit to hold a place in the class, presumably because they know you'll be getting a number of offers.

 

[QofQuimica]

BTW, what's the best strategy for deciding between multiple acceptances? Keep them all until financial aid decisions come in? If we pay deposits and decide not to go, we lose them, right? (Sorry, this is off subject a bit)

Your deposits should be refundable up until May 15 if the school requires the deposit to hold your place. Some schools just say that the deposit is DUE May 15, in which case you don't have to pay it now and they will still hold your place. After May 15, you should only be holding a seat at one school, and the deposit money is then officially theirs. So if you subsequently get in off the waitlist somewhere else and decide to accept, you will forfeit your deposit at the school you previously planned to attend.

BTW, I would advise you to keep all of your acceptances until and unless you are certain that you do not want to attend that school. If finances are an important part of your decision, then yes, wait until you get the financial aid packages.

 

[unfrozencaveman]

Last night I was in Philadelphia, and I dreamt that I was headed off to medical school, which started at 2pm at Drexel, but around 1:30 I decided I really wanted to take a nap, so I changed my mind and went to PCOM instead, which started at 3.

How's that for informed decision making?

 

[fiddler]

And I'm questioning how genuine feelings of "this is the school for me" are. At least in my case. I really liked UConn for instance, but my experience might have been skewed by staying for two nights in an apartment with 4 attractive girls . . . can't say I've done that at any other interviews . . . so in order to provide a control I need attractive girls at all the medical schools I get accepted to to let me stay in their domicile for two nights . . . any takers?

How did that happen?!? How do I set this up for more than a few nights?

fiddler