stressed and getting upset

[OPH4Life]

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Maybe you guys can help me deal with my anxiety. I mean who knows it better than SDNers, right?

So I have a 24O from last aug and 3.66 which I am applying with.

I am studying to see if I can improve my score for the mcat and take on sept 7th. in addition I am prepping for a new job as an ER scribe and studying constantly for the mcat. trying to balance study with secondaries.

I'm just going crazy and freaking out. What if I dont succeed this year? I applied in January 2012 (bad move on my part) I was a newbie and thought I might get an acceptance at low tier school. BOY WAS I WRONG!

Dont know what to do. I'm working as hard as I can and am afraid it won't be enough.

Some schools asked me what I did to improve my app from the last cycle. well, all i did was apply earlier and have volunteer hrs and shadowing in some more. and this new scribe thing, but nothing dramatic. I just dont know what to do.

I dont want to give up hope so I continue everyday to keep pushing forward with studying and apps, buts its really hard sometimes. I haven't considered another career option and I'm not ready to give up just yet. Just dont know how to get over this and starting to wonder if there is hope for me or not.

 

[littlegreen88]

there is always hope! dont worry quite yet. You said you are taking the mcat again right? Okay that is good. Shadowing and volunteer is good to add to your application, so you have made improvements since your last application. How many schools are you applying to? I bet you will be able to improve your mcat at least 25-26! (if not more) that would leave you in a good place. Honestly, the best you can do right now is finish the applications and take the MCAT. worst case senario is you don't get in this time around, but thats the worst case senario for everyone!!. Nothing anyone will say on this site will make you get in or make you be rejected, the best you can do is apply and do your very best and APPLY. Keep working hard, it always pays off, people who give a 110% and struggle often will make better doctors than those who coast. Keep working hard!!!

 

[moneytree]

An MCAT score in the high-20s should do the trick. What scores are you getting on practice tests?

 

[OPH4Life]

I am applying to 29 schools. Going all in. I have been scoring between 23 to 30. I was scoring that the last time I took it as well. I really dont know what to do. I know people with low stats get in but its tough. Im trying my hardest. Just scared it might not be good enough.

 

[MedPR]

Improve to at least a 26 and you're in.

 

[HalfListic]

Maybe you guys can help me deal with my anxiety. I mean who knows it better than SDNers, right?

So I have a 24O from last aug and 3.66 which I am applying with.

I am studying to see if I can improve my score for the mcat and take on sept 7th. in addition I am prepping for a new job as an ER scribe and studying constantly for the mcat. trying to balance study with secondaries.

I'm just going crazy and freaking out. What if I dont succeed this year? I applied in January 2012 (bad move on my part) I was a newbie and thought I might get an acceptance at low tier school. BOY WAS I WRONG!

Dont know what to do. I'm working as hard as I can and am afraid it won't be enough.

Some schools asked me what I did to improve my app from the last cycle. well, all i did was apply earlier and have volunteer hrs and shadowing in some more. and this new scribe thing, but nothing dramatic. I just dont know what to do.

I dont want to give up hope so I continue everyday to keep pushing forward with studying and apps, buts its really hard sometimes. I haven't considered another career option and I'm not ready to give up just yet. Just dont know how to get over this and starting to wonder if there is hope for me or not.

You actually might get in...

if you don't, as you ask...well I think you know. Either you keep going (i.e., retake the MCAT) or you find another career.

I think you should just stick with it. Plenty of people apply 3 times and you have a great GPA. (as long as your sGPA is similar). Just keep it up, maybe less SDN time since it makes us all neurotic, and think about an MCAT course or tutor.

Youll be fine..keep on keeping on

 

[OPH4Life]

You actually might get in...

if you don't, as you ask...well I think you know. Either you keep going (i.e., retake the MCAT) or you find another career.

I think you should just stick with it. Plenty of people apply 3 times and you have a great GPA. (as long as your sGPA is similar). Just keep it up, maybe less SDN time since it makes us all neurotic, and think about an MCAT course or tutor.

Youll be fine..keep on keeping on

Thanks for the optimism! I'm going to keep pushing and hope for the best and start preparing for the worst. my science gpa is 3.66 as well. funny how that worked out. i have 9's on my PS and BS but low verbal. not a native english speaker, but thats no excuse for average performance. We'll see what happens.

Thanks guys. Yes SDN mades me crazy, but good advice all around. great place to learn and discuss. Feels good to have support from other people, even though we dont know each other personally.

 

[MedPR]

I mean, a 3.66/24 might get you in.

 

[OPH4Life]

I mean, a 3.66/24 might get you in.

MIGHT is not good enough. but I guess no one is guaranteed with anything. I hate not knowing!!! I'm still going to work at the MCAT. I reserved a seat just incase my score goes up and stays steady.

 

[MedPR]

MIGHT is not good enough. but I guess no one is guaranteed with anything. I hate not knowing!!! I'm still going to work at the MCAT. I reserved a seat just incase my score goes up and stays steady.

I mean, the median matriculant is ~3.6/26. Everyone is a "might" get in, though your chances do increase with stats.

 

[OPH4Life]

I mean, the median matriculant is ~3.6/26. Everyone is a "might" get in, though your chances do increase with stats.

thank you!
I applied to 39 schools. I got screened out by one, my bad for not checking before. (Touro NV)
Based on my stats, which schools should continually work hard towards. I will send secondaries to all, but which should I focus strongly on? (i.e. continually giving updates of my activities and improvements?)

[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine[/SIZE].
[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1][/SIZE].[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]Arizona [/SIZE].[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University[/SIZE].
[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1][/SIZE].[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]Chicago [/SIZE].[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University Admissions [/SIZE].[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]Office[/SIZE].
[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1][/SIZE].[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in [/SIZE].[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]Arizona[/SIZE].
[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1][/SIZE].[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine[/SIZE].
[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1][/SIZE].[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine[/SIZE].
[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1][/SIZE].[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]Edward [/SIZE].[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]Via College of Osteopathic Medicine [/SIZE].[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]-[/SIZE].[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]Virginia Campus [/SIZE].
[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1][/SIZE].[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]Kansas City [/SIZE].[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]University of Medicine and Biosciences College of Osteopathic [/SIZE].[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]Medicine[/SIZE].
[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine [/SIZE].[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]-[/SIZE].[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1] [/SIZE].[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]Bradenton Campus [/SIZE].
[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1][/SIZE].[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine [/SIZE].[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]-[/SIZE].[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1] [/SIZE].[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]Erie/Seton Hill [/SIZE].
[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1][/SIZE].[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]Lincoln Memorial University [/SIZE].[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]-[/SIZE].[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1] [/SIZE].[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine [/SIZE].
[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1][/SIZE].[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine [/SIZE].
[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1][/SIZE].[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine [/SIZE].
[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1][/SIZE].[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]Nova [/SIZE].[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine [/SIZE].
[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1][/SIZE].[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]New York [/SIZE].[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]College of Osteopathic Medicine of NYIT [/SIZE].
[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1][/SIZE].[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]Oklahoma State University [/SIZE].[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]Center for Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine [/SIZE].
[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1][/SIZE].[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]Ohio [/SIZE].[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine [/SIZE].
[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1][/SIZE].[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]Pacific Northwest [/SIZE].[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine[/SIZE].
[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]Georgia [/SIZE].[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]Campus [/SIZE].[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]-[/SIZE].[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1] [/SIZE].[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine [/SIZE].
[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1][/SIZE].[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]Philadelphia [/SIZE].[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]College of Osteopathic Medicine [/SIZE].
[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1][/SIZE].[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]University of Pikeville[/SIZE].[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]-[/SIZE].[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]Kentucky [/SIZE].[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]College of Osteopathic Medicine[/SIZE].
[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]Rocky Vista University College of [/SIZE].[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]Osteopathic Medicine[/SIZE].
[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine in New York [/SIZE].
[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1][/SIZE].[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine [/SIZE].[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]-[/SIZE].[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1] [/SIZE].[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]California [/SIZE].
[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1][/SIZE].[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine [/SIZE].[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]-[/SIZE].[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1] [/SIZE].[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]Nevada [/SIZE].
[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1][/SIZE].[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey [/SIZE].[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]-[/SIZE].[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1] [/SIZE].[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]School of [/SIZE].[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]Osteopathic Medicine [/SIZE].
[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1][/SIZE].[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]University of New England College of Osteopathic [/SIZE].[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]Medicine [/SIZE].
[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1][/SIZE].[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine [/SIZE].
[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1][/SIZE].[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]Western University of Health Sciences/College of Osteopathic Medicine [/SIZE].[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]of the Pacific [/SIZE].[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]-[/SIZE].[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1] [/SIZE].[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]Pomona [/SIZE].
[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1][/SIZE].[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine [/SIZE].[FONT=Calibri,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]Admissions Office[/SIZE].

 

[littlegreen88]

I bet you will get in!! 🙂 keep your head up, it will happen. Worrying won't do much good you have done the work now lets see what happens.

 

[HalfListic]

Thanks for the optimism! I'm going to keep pushing and hope for the best and start preparing for the worst. my science gpa is 3.66 as well. funny how that worked out. i have 9's on my PS and BS but low verbal. not a native english speaker, but thats no excuse for average performance. We'll see what happens.

Thanks guys. Yes SDN mades me crazy, but good advice all around. great place to learn and discuss. Feels good to have support from other people, even though we dont know each other personally.

Actually, thats about the only good excuse for lower verbal performance. Now that youve shared all your stats, and that you're most likely a URM...you have a pretty good shot

 

[OPH4Life]

Actually, thats about the only good excuse for lower verbal performance. Now that youve shared all your stats, and that you're most likely a URM...you have a pretty good shot

Oh that makes me feel a little excited and pumped! unfortunately, I'm not URM. I'm from India so I probably don't meet the requirments. but nonetheless, its nice that there could be an explanation for my weak verbal. I'm using exam krackers to bring it up. I hope it will go up before September, or else I will have to cancel my retake 🙁

 

[UrshumMurshum]

No point stressing/worrying. Your stats aren't horrible.

Just take care of what you are in control of now.

 

[Goro]

Concur strongly here. But even with a 24, you should be able to pull some interviews now. Be sure to stress what you've learned in the ECs for the "how have you improved yourself" question.

So quit fussing and start applying!

An MCAT score in the high-20s should do the trick. What scores are you getting on practice tests?

 

[xXIDaShizIXx]

Improve to at least a 26 and you're in.

Yeah OP, you can definitely do this. Just take the MCAT again. The key to success is to take failure in stride. It has happened to many of us. Just do better next time and keep working for your future! Good luck OP, don't let anything get you down!🙂

 

[Mass Effect]

Some schools asked me what I did to improve my app from the last cycle. well, all i did was apply earlier and have volunteer hrs and shadowing in some more. and this new scribe thing, but nothing dramatic. I just dont know what to do.

You're thinking of this all wrong. What did you do to improve your application? You re-evaluated your application, your desire to become a doctor, and your commitment to getting into med school. You researched the process instead of making the rookie mistake of applying impulsively. You shadowed a physician so you could better understand the rewards and the demands that come with such a career, you volunteered so you could get a better sense of what it was like to deal with patients and to begin the journey of service to others, and you got a job as an ER scribe so that you can get a first-hand view of doctor-patient interaction and the "language" of medicine to help prepare you for clinical encounters in medical school.

That's quite a lot since January. You should be proud.

No one can guarantee that you'll get accepted, but I'll leave it as this -- never underestimate yourself. Medical schools (especially in the osteopathic world) really do consider the whole person. You're not the sum total of your MCAT score.

Good luck!

 

[psychgirrrl]

I think you are doing everything wonderfully so keep pushing and I am sure you will make it!

I just want to tell you to try as hard as you can in verbal. English is my second language as well and I scored a 10 on verbal. When there are people like me who are second language and still score the avg, you really gotta keep pushing and hit that score. We don't know that adcoms will be forgiving of second language when there are so many second language students with avg/high verbal scores. Just want to give you a heads up of the competition that is out there.

Keep on trying! Good luck with everything!

 

[OPH4Life]

Thanks for all the help everyone!