post-acceptance depression?

It is a bit strange to think about, but lot's of people feel down after getting accepted. I guess it's kind of like you've been focusing so long to accomplish this goal, and then right after you achieve it, you don't have anything left to focus on so you feel kind of let down. It'll pass quickly once you start med school and have getting into a good residency program in your sights . Congrats on your acceptance(s).

 

did you start to get greedy?

after i got my first acceptance (state school), i started to hunger for the big names. heheh always wanting more.

 

I was accepted, but not to the school of my first choice. So, I am depressed in that respect. I keep thinking about how I would be happier at the school of my dreams.

 

I get depressed when I think that my acceptance might get pulled if I don't pass P Chem II! Other than that...can't say that I do.

 

c'mon now bubba...YOU HAVE DONE IT!

you are going to be fine. you have obtained something great, and you should feel proud, yet humble.

now, just buckle down, and focus on p-chem in the same way in which you focused on getting into med school.

best wishes to you

 

Well, if you are really upset that you did not get into your top choice school, remember that there are people with your same stats who for whatever reason could not get in anywhere and would love to be in your situation. Also, you never know how your life is going to turn out with the school you end up at. Maybe you will end up being much better off by going to the school that you have been accepted at. And of course, remember that the "best medical school" is always the schools that you end up attending.

 

hey,

is this related to post exams depression on a smaller scale? This is probably the only week I don't have too much immediate pressures and exams. I know i have to get ahead and work on term papers and other long term stuff for the semester... but, i seriously can't do anything. besides watch two episodes of family ties and roam the house in PJs. and the only time you get depressed is between 1 am to 4 am... when the rest of civilization (aka friends, family) are asleep so there's no one to talk to. I know i have no immediate pressures, but i know i'll be worse then dead in a week or two (or I'll mess up some more exams) if I don't start other stuff.

I think there is something that when we're n ot productive we feel bad, because we feel we should be more productive. Or, after you've kicked as* trying to get the admission, you finally got it, and so you decide, no not decided, you've decided to discipline yourselves, but you just want to relax.

maybe it's okay for you guys to relax, don't feel bad you're not that stellar. but, don't screw up to much.

okay, sorry for rattling away/venting here. it's hell better sitting feeling bad about myself w/ no ability to sleep, no desire to study, no motivation to do career planning stuff. not even enough motivation to pick up clothes all over my bedroom.
crap, i have class tommorow early morning...
And it's important to be alert in that class.

done guys. anyone awake make me feel better.
hmm, coming to SDN may have been good idea. opened my computer to listen to mp3s., anyway.

night.

sonya

 

i think it is in our nature to always desire that which we cannot have. once we have it, then it loses it's desirabilty. one of the faults of being human.

 

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by oldman:
<strong>i think it is in our nature to always desire that which we cannot have. once we have it, then it loses it's desirabilty. one of the faults of being human.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I don't know, Oldman. I don't think I will ever lose desirability when it comes to Stanford (and of course, Harvard). Damn, for once, I would like to have the feeling of not having to settle for less.

 

do you have spots at those schools right now? if not...then you won't know how you feel until you get it!

if you do have it..all i can say is that you are at the top.. there is no where to go but...down. muahahahah!

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Cambrian:
<strong> </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by oldman:
<strong>i think it is in our nature to always desire that which we cannot have. once we have it, then it loses it's desirabilty. one of the faults of being human.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I don't know, Oldman. I don't think I will ever lose desirability when it comes to Stanford (and of course, Harvard). Damn, for once, I would like to have the feeling of not having to settle for less.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">

 

i think i was the first to name this affliction. i said it to someone on a post about a week ago. any time someone uses the phrase "post-acceptance depression" they gotta send me 5 cents in the mail. this is a matter of the courts...but your compliance is appreciated.

 

I had something similar happen after the MCAT. Someone called it the post-MCAT depression. I was talking to a mentor about it, and he said, "The elimination of a stress can in itself be stressful." (insert sound of gong here) I think he's right. Having the stress of meeting a goal, then meeting it.... then what!?! You've conquered the dragon. Now.... go home and do laundry? Seems like there should be celebration or fireworks or something.

PB

 

I have it too. I don't want to do ANYTHING. Just sit home and eat... ...chocolate...
I got SO LAZY--i'm scared to start school (b/c i'm afraid i won't be as motivated). The weather here does not help, either. Today is so dreary and foggy <img border="0" alt="[Pity]" title="" src="graemlins/pity.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[Pity]" title="" src="graemlins/pity.gif" />
i just wish i could start school and get back into the routine.

 

Do you think it even matters whether you got into your dream school or not? I got flat out rejected by my dream school, but got accepted at runners up.

 

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Cambrian:
<strong>I was accepted, but not to the school of my first choice. So, I am depressed in that respect. I keep thinking about how I would be happier at the school of my dreams.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I feel the EXACT same way and I feel guilty for it...especially since there a several close friends of mine who applied to more schools than I did (more than 20) and received only one (or none) interview, to later be waitlisted.

A. Caveman - I think we need to collaborate. I came up with the syndrome conceptually and started a thread a couple of months ago about it. I must give you credit though - you have officially produced a label for this afflicting psychological condition. Perhaps we can publish together

 

Just think, we're going to be inundated with work our first week! I remember how great a shock my first week of college was. I can't imagine what med school is gonna be like. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" />

How exciting!

and oldman...
I was rejected by my 1st choice school w/o an interview -&gt; Emory
I was rejected by my 2nd choice school w/o an interview -&gt; Dartmouth
I was rejected by my 3rd choice school w/o an interview -&gt; Vanderbilt
I was rejected by my 4th choice school w/o an interview -&gt; University of Florida
I was rejected by my 5th choice school with an interview -&gt; EVMS

The school that did accept me falls somewhere shortly after EVMS. Does it matter? Not too much. I would have liked to attend Emory, though. When I was at South Alabama, they told me that someone at Emory called USA the best kept secret in the south. I guess that's somewhat consoling. <img border="0" alt="[Laughy]" title="" src="graemlins/laughy.gif" />

 

Y'all are unreal. Man, this is truly sad, depressed about getting into med-school? WTH? If acceptances lead to depression, then I'm willing to load up on prozac and zoloft if med schools would call me up! Whatever it takes.

 

It's true, I tend to get depressed after a stressful situation ends. Got depressed after the MCATS, after getting my scores back (not from my scores, but from the lack of something to stress over), after getting transmitted by AMCAS, and after being accepted into med. school. Needless to say, for me, at least, the depression is usually minor, and preceeded by intense euphoria.

 

u guys have post acceptance blues? hahahahahahaha how abt pre-acceptance-no-rejections-all- waitlist blues?.....now that is a reason to be blue. you cant even make any solid plans...all you can do is wait and wait and wait and wait and wait.......this sucks! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="frown.gif" />

 

Yes. Those are much worse. Actually, the post-acceptance thing was more of the "oh no I'm a type A personality, what can I worry about now..."

 

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by jmejia1:
<strong>anyone feel kinda empty after being accepted? i guess my drive and focus was getting into medical school these past few years so that now that I've graciously been accepted, I find myself feeling down. Kinda ironic since I expected to feel happy!</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">This is what happens when you focus on the destination instead of the journey.

 

let's see wehre i have been rejected:
Case Western, Stanford, University of Minnesota - Duluth, University of Chicago, Mayo, Dartmouth, University of Michigan, Northwestern University Medical School, Michigan State University, University of Pennsylvania, University of Vermont, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Harvard Medical School

and essentially by: gwu, loyola, and hopkins

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Bubba Swamp:
<strong>Just think, we're going to be inundated with work our first week! I remember how great a shock my first week of college was. I can't imagine what med school is gonna be like. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" />

How exciting!

and oldman...
I was rejected by my 1st choice school w/o an interview -&gt; Emory
I was rejected by my 2nd choice school w/o an interview -&gt; Dartmouth
I was rejected by my 3rd choice school w/o an interview -&gt; Vanderbilt
I was rejected by my 4th choice school w/o an interview -&gt; University of Florida
I was rejected by my 5th choice school with an interview -&gt; EVMS

The school that did accept me falls somewhere shortly after EVMS. Does it matter? Not too much. I would have liked to attend Emory, though. When I was at South Alabama, they told me that someone at Emory called USA the best kept secret in the south. I guess that's somewhat consoling. <img border="0" alt="[Laughy]" title="" src="graemlins/laughy.gif" /> </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">

 

i find it quite strange though. prior to getting an acceptance, i was going through hell. i was looking at alternatives to med school and thinking i should have applied to more schools, etc.

then i got in and for about a day i was on cloud 9.

then that high wore off. and i have not been able to achieve that same feeling again. i think that's why for those of us who are lucky enough to be accepted are feeling depressed.

though in reality we should be crawling on our knees to the AMCAS gods and offering our first born as sacrifices.

 

Yes I know what you mean. It's like after all this time you set you goal on something, then you attain it.... then what? I know for me it was more like I expected an acceptance to change something big in life, of course, goes on as usual....... I think it'll be better once we actaully get to start school in August

 

After my first acceptance in January, I was on cloud 9 for like about a day. Then I started worrying about exams, about my damn thesis (which I hadn't done jack **** on all year), and basically about failing my courses. Then after spring break, and after all the exams were done, and now that I've gotten my thesis almost done, I feel like I can definitely see the light at the end of the tunnel.

 

For me, the excitement took a while to wear off after my 1st acceptance, now I'm just starting to drag. I really can't wait to start med school! I'm starting to get really bored waiting for August, and I think the wait is bringing me down more than anything else.

 

My best friend at college didn't get into her top choice, which is also my top choice and somehow accepted me, so I'm feeling that post-acceptance depression, albeit for a different reason from some of yours.

I've had no motivation to do work this year. My mind has always been on this med school crap, and I've done enough work just to pass classes. It's quite horrible, but I hope to regain the motivation when September comes.

I remember reading an interview with Boris Becker many years ago, in which he said that shortly after he achieved the #1 ranking in tennis, he felt extremely depressed. He felt that he had little else to fight for; his life became less meaningful. Sad, isn't it?

Perhaps if we aim for the stars, we won't ever get this kind of depression simply because we won't ever reach there. Getting into my top choice med school is just a tiny step forward in my life. If you devote yourself to helping the poor, the powerless in this world, you will never run out of things to fight for. You will never reach the zenith of success, and you will never experience this weird kind of depression.

 

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Cdc28p:
<strong>
Perhaps if we aim for the stars, we won't ever get this kind of depression simply because we won't ever reach there. Getting into my top choice med school is just a tiny step forward in my life. If you devote yourself to helping the poor, the powerless in this world, you will never run out of things to fight for. You will never reach the zenith of success, and you will never experience this weird kind of depression.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Very well said We work so hard to get into medical school. I definitely agree with devoting yourself to much more than getting into medical school, but it is understandable why this 'post-acceptance' depression can occur. so much of our energy is invested in getting ready to apply to medical school, applying, and then waiting. It is perspicacious to aim high and I do think that this sort of depression will not set in. Really, the journey has just begun. I always thought that getting into medical school is such a great goal, but I have realized that it is an initiation for a new beginning.

 

I am getting hitched next week and have heard that we might encounter similiar bouts of depressions. Sure we will be happy to be married, but what are we going to talk about, plan for and stress about after the wedding?

My solution is to apply to medical school. That will provide me with plenty to do.

 

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by JBJ:
<strong>I am getting hitched next week and have heard that we might encounter similiar bouts of depressions. Sure we will be happy to be married, but what are we going to talk about, plan for and stress about after the wedding?

My solution is to apply to medical school. That will provide me with plenty to do.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Wow! Congratulations!!!! It's wonderful!!! Wishing you much happiness in life and great success in the application process.

 

Well, I'm having post-acceptance envy because my neighbor just got accepted to Harvard, along with his other acceptances like Columbia and Dartmouth to name a few. Admittedly, there are times I wish to distance myself from him because whenever the subject of medical school comes up, I get the short end of the stick. How shall I deal with this situation?

 

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Sonya:
<strong>hey,

is this related to post exams depression on a smaller scale? </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Well the only depression i have experienced after exams, papers, and my acceptance was physical, based solely on consumption of beverages containing either barley and hops or margarita mix, depending on which "depression enabling center" I went to.

phllystyl
b33r r00lz

 

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by megkudos:
<strong>Yes I know what you mean. It's like after all this time you set you goal on something, then you attain it.... then what? I know for me it was more like I expected an acceptance to change something big in life, of course, goes on as usual....... I think it'll be better once we actaully get to start school in August </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">see, i'm starting to dread august. i'm enjoying my year off. no classes, plenty of internet/tv, etc. i'm not looking forward to working my tail off again.

 

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by darkmatter:
<strong>Well, I'm having post-acceptance envy because my neighbor just got accepted to Harvard, along with his other acceptances like Columbia and Dartmouth to name a few. Admittedly, there are times I wish to distance myself from him because whenever the subject of medical school comes up, I get the short end of the stick. How shall I deal with this situation?</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">if you were a future dr. evil..here's what i would recommend. mail a letter to harvard, columbia, dartmouth, etc...cussing out the admissions director in that neighbor's name. evil and effective. ...oh wait...how do i explain to them that part of the unfreezing process leads to the lack of a inner monologue?

 

man, cambrian, don't take this the wrong way, but i'm starting to hope you don't go to san diego.... MAN, there are tons of people out there that would *love* to go to ucsd with its weather, beaches, and high ranking... but this is like the 5th or so post that i've read from you that is like "ooh... i'm so depressed, i wish i could go somewhere else."

if i do end up at san diego, i want to be surrounded by other students that are as pumped up as i am, and judging from other sdn posts, most are. but you don't seem too excited -- maybe you should consider another school

besides, screw stanford. i have so little respect for them that i didn't even apply

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Cambrian:
<strong> </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by oldman:
<strong>i think it is in our nature to always desire that which we cannot have. once we have it, then it loses it's desirabilty. one of the faults of being human.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I don't know, Oldman. I don't think I will ever lose desirability when it comes to Stanford (and of course, Harvard). Damn, for once, I would like to have the feeling of not having to settle for less.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">

 

cheers to souljah and cdc28p, that's what i'm talking about baby

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by souljah1:
<strong> </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Cdc28p:
<strong>
Perhaps if we aim for the stars, we won't ever get this kind of depression simply because we won't ever reach there. Getting into my top choice med school is just a tiny step forward in my life. If you devote yourself to helping the poor, the powerless in this world, you will never run out of things to fight for. You will never reach the zenith of success, and you will never experience this weird kind of depression.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Very well said We work so hard to get into medical school. I definitely agree with devoting yourself to much more than getting into medical school, but it is understandable why this 'post-acceptance' depression can occur. so much of our energy is invested in getting ready to apply to medical school, applying, and then waiting. It is perspicacious to aim high and I do think that this sort of depression will not set in. Really, the journey has just begun. I always thought that getting into medical school is such a great goal, but I have realized that it is an initiation for a new beginning.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">

 

Hey guys,
I thought I was the only one!! But I guess it's reassuring to know that we are all human, and we want the best and work our hardest to get to it. Then when we get it, it's like now what??????? I've been depressed too, on and off, more on than off. I got accepted to a really good school and I'm just like, "Why am I not grateful? I should be soooo excited." and at times I am and then I think about the school i really want to go to. But then I think the thing is I just want the satisfaction of knowing I got into my dream school, because really I am thrilled about going to the school i got accepted to. Well, on to Medical school! congrats to everyone who is in, be thankful!!! And good luck to all of those that are waiting!

 

No worries you guys, post-acceptance depression is temporary. I got my first acceptance in October, but wasn't accepted by my first choice school until December- after that the depression set in. But hey, it wore off after about three months, now life is good again. And for those of you suggesting it might be part of the type A personality syndrome, I'd have to disagree. I don't have many (if any) of the type A characteristics. I think the main problem is that until med school starts next fall, it seems like everything I'm doing is a waste of time (like studying for the rest of my undergrad classes, finishing my thesis, etc). Now I'm just taking advantage of the time until med school starts and training like crazy so that I can have my best triathlon season yet. If anyone else wants to get past the post-acceptance depression, I'd highly recommend signing up for a triathlon, that'll take your mind off it

 

Irongirl, did you interview at Hopkins really early in the cycle? I remember someone at my Hopkins interview from Oregon who trained for triathlons.

For those of you who aren't familiar with Hopkins interviews, when you're not in your faculty interview or student interview, you're in the waiting room with the rest of the applicants and a handful of 4th years. Anyway, those 4th years also have a big say in whether or not you get in, so it's important to be personable with them.

Anyway, this girl at the interview got all of the attention because of her triathlon experiences. Some of us other applicants were thinking that this girl is definitely getting accepted. All of the 4th year med students were in awe of her. Was that you, Irongirl? Just out of curiosity, did Hopkins accept you?

 

I don't know if "depression" is the right word, but I certainly feel a sort of anti-climax about the whole application process. It feels weird to actually take a breath now... weird, but very nice.

My friend is going through this big time but he was one of those people who thought getting in to med school is the ultimate life achievement and the end of the road. My theory is that people who build it up to be such a monumental event often are disappointed when they actually attain that goal-- it's only human nature. However, people that do not build it up to be that big do not get as depressed afterwards. Only a theory though...

 

When I got my 1st acceptance I was in euphoria for at least a month! Well it was three months until my next acceptance and once again I felt really great but then after a week I felt down. This is because it's April and it doesn't look I'll be able to go home to a school in my state of Cali. Don't get me wrong I appreciate my acceptances alot but still miss home and wishing for it.

 

Hi

My name is serendipity and I have PAD.

but seriously, i'm so glad you guys posted this because i feel the same way. i've been paying closer attention to those paxil commercials ever since i received my acceptance letter. now when people hear that i've been accepted, they're like "aren't you excited?!" and i'm like, "um, yeah"

don't get me wrong, i truly appreciate the fact that i will be entering med school this year, but there is a bit of a let down after the shine wears off, and i don't think i've experienced this before. now say, hi serendipity!

 

Serendipity, Me too!!!! Someone at work today asked me if I was excited to be starting med school in July and I too was like I guess. On the way home from work I was thinking to myself "Why the hell am I not excited about this?" I came to the conclusion that I have "expected" myself to achieve this goal since I was like 6 years old. It's really weird because if I had no acceptances right now I would be depressed too! I attribute it to my "never satisfied disorder."

 

We may all feel a little down post acceptance but that's nothing to what we'd feel like if we were still waiting for the first! Try to be happier. I tell myself this everyday enough though I am sad about not getting into any of my state schools yet.

 

Hey, it's okay to feel a little depressed now...Just think of all the changes this means to our lives. After three weeks, I still keep going through a range of emotions...

I feel lucky and honored that I was accepted...albeit to my second choice, and the fact that I'm actually going to be going to medical school has me euphoric. I can't help wondering/obsessing, though, if I'm going to get the magical letter from my no. 1 choice.. (Come on Miami!!!)

Even though I'm euphoric most of time, when the reality of it sinks in, I get a little bummed, because it seems like a major chapter in my life is over...I've worked in the computer industry for the last 14 years, and going to med school is a major change.

To be honest, I'm scared to death of leaving the place I grew up in, and have lived in for 34 years. I'm sad that I'm going to have to move hundreds of miles away, with none of my life (except my black lab)...all of my friends and family will stay behind. Hell, even my sig. other will have to stay behind for at least a year!

But, that doesn't stop me from being jacked! After all those years of waiting...I'm going to be a doctor!!!!!

 

Post-"fill in the blank" depression NEVER happens to me. Cases in point: Post MCAT--stoked (and drunk); Post wedding--all good. Post divorce--felt liberated. Post championship races--Woo-hoo!

But I have to admit it. Post-acceptance I was euphoric for a few days and then just...blah. Boy was I suprised! I think it stems from what others have said. You work and focus on one thing for so long, and then a few days after you get it you wake up and look around...what now?

But fear not, it's temporary. Now I'm getting exited about all the options I'll have and all the stuff I'll get to do and learn. It'll be COOOOLLL!!!

 

Reading this thread is making me so excited to start school so I can be with other people who are crazy just like me.

 

crazy like a fox!

i think i had built up getting into med school way too high. now i have to build up getting into a good residency program, that way i can get a post-match depression. after that..i guess my first job?? argh. life is a rollercoaster.