Rejection and moving on

[psychma]

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My son applied this cycle. He interviewed at multiple schools and was ultimately rejected. How can I best support him? He is 27 and a non trad with I think an amazing CV. I think his interview skills are weak. I want to be a supportive mom and not overbearing etc. When you didn’t get in first cycle what did you need from your parents?

 

[Mr.Smile12]

My son applied this cycle. He interviewed at multiple schools and was ultimately rejected. How can I best support him? He is 27 and a non trad with I think an amazing CV. I think his interview skills are weak. I want to be a supportive mom and not overbearing etc. When you didn’t get in first cycle what did you need from your parents?

It's different when your child is a non-trad adult (going off the age here) vs. a new college grad (roughly 22-23). Don't be the helicopter parent.

 

[psychma]

It's different when your child is a non-trad adult (going off the age here) vs. a new college grad (roughly 22-23). Don't be the helicopter parent.

That’s exactly why I’m asking how to best support him. I’m asking reapplicants to guide me so I allow him autonomy and to be an adult but also bridge that gap of what he might need from me as a mom.

 

[Med Ed]

I am glad you are seeking advice rather than defaulting to whatever pre-existing relationship dynamic you two share. I suggest you keep it simple, tell him one thing, and then ask him one thing.

Tell him that you are 100% behind him, regardless of what happens with medical school admissions or any other trial in life.

Ask him to be frank and forthright with you if/when he determines there is some specific type of help you can offer.

And then you let it go.

 

[Faha]

Have him create a SDN account and post a WAMC profile.

 

[PickaGodnPray]

I just want to take a moment to recognize the parent for taking this approach and asking instead of what I hear from many others. I hear so many stories of parents telling applicants what they should have done differently on their application while having no knowledge of the application process or worse, parents being upset with successful applicants for not getting into a T10 program.
Best thing to do is to ask them what they need and as others have said, to let them know you fully support them no matter what. It took me multiple cycles to be successful and after each failure, I needed some time before being willing to discuss what happened. While my parents were not the best at having the conversation when it came to that point, I always appreciated having the space to grieve and process in my own way prior.