Thread for "Pearls of Wisdom" for Upcoming Applicants

[MorningLight2100]

As the main purpose, in one fashion or another, of this site is to provide support for one another, what does everyone who's gone through the entire process this year think about offering some advice (at no extra charge ) to the upcoming applicants? I know that the process still has not completely finished, obviously, but perhaps each of us still has some insight to offer "the next generation."

A few things I've learned since I first began this crazy procedure. . .

*Applying early can mean hearing from schools early..and possibly bringing peace of mind!
*Do NOT let the MCAT consume you. Specifically, try your very best to remain calm during the exam!!!
*Try to regard interviews as opportunities to learn about a school and to speak to new people, not solely a time to "perform and be critiqued." If you're calm during an interview and just happy to be there, you can feel (and hopefully appear!) more confident and clear-thinking.
*As HARD as this can be, try to focus on studying to LEARN, rather than studying to get that "A." There is a subtle but very real difference between the two. In my own experience, ironically, my grades IMPROVED when I adopted the former mentality.

And most importantly. . . .

*Pursue the activities about which you are most passionate!!!!

Of course, not everyone may agree with these thoughts! They've helped me personally, however.

Have a lovely night, everyone!

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[BlackPuma]

oh one big word of wisedom...

if you decide to call AMCAS, make sure you call collect

and the urban legend is true, there are 10 "specialists" answering the phone...and then Nancy and Pamela checking off appilcations one by one....

oh, and this graemlin will be especially helpful when your filling out the application...

 

[EMTgirl]

here's my pearl:
just don't give up! the process sucks, the mcat sucks, spending all this money sucks...but then you finally get in and it is all worth it. or at least we hope it is.
just don't talk yourself out of it before you give it a try. and don't let a bunch of people (aka premeds) freak you out and make you feel like you don't add up or your scores aren't good enough or whatever. most of them are lying anyway. :wink:

 

[Doctora Foxy]

You will need pictures for each (or most) of your applications. When you get your passport sized pictures, go to the Kodax picture maker at Walgreen's (or wherever) and copy your pictures for real cheap. It's even better when you memorize the password after they punch it in and "accidentally" press print a few too many times and put them in a folder in your bag. <img border="0" alt="[Laughy]" title="" src="graemlins/laughy.gif" /> 50 mini foxies coming right up! And if you apply to FL schools, one of them requests 3!!!!!

 

[Papa Smurf]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by Doctora Foxy:
•And if you apply to FL schools, one of them requests 3!!!!!•••••Haha!!! I think they heard about what you really look like you Dr. Foxy. Ain't no Florida school that I applied to ask me for 3 photos. Then again, I can't really compete with the likes of you. I don't think anyone on here could. :wink:

 

[YBee]

Even if you are taking the MCAT in August, send in your AMCAS right away, and then, when you get your secondaries, send those in right away, even if your MCAT scores arent' back yet.

Why? Because a lot of these schools are on rolling admissions. I applied to 20 schools and I think my procrastination about sending in my secondaries really hurt me on around 5 of them. So don't delay - just send those suckers in. Start answering essay questions now for practice, because the more you write, the better you get at it.

Samples of the most common secondary questions that I received. Most of them had to be answered in 15 lines or less.

Where do you see yourself in ten years? What are your strengths and weaknesses? What is the most difficult challenge you've faced and how has that changed you? What makes you stand out as an applicant? Why do you want to go to X school? what have you done since graduation?

 

[locitamd]

I'll add that even if a school is NOT rolling admissions, don't wait to send in your secondaries. I think I got burned this year by getting materials in just before the deadline.

Also, I think it would be helpful to compile a comprehensive list of all fafsa school codes. I know someone started a thread with this idea in mind, but it never got very far.

 

[Epi]

Apply to a wide range of schools since the application process may seem totally random to you, and it probably will be.

Keep track of the schools you applied to and the materials you need to send in to each one, the deadlines, when you sent your stuff in, phone numbers, addresses, etc. A good way is to use microsoft excel to organize all the data and to find things very easily.

 

[SMW]

Read <a href="http://www.studentdoctor.net/cgi-bin/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=008219" target="_blank">Jalbrekt's thread!</a>

No offense to you, MorningLight, it's a great idea, but no sense reinventing the wheel!