To apply now or next cycle...

[Certified Corsair]

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Hi all,

So I am faced with this...

A friend of mine at NYCPM that I got in contact with basically told me I should apply now given my stats. The catch is I haven't gotten my LORs yet and my PS is in (really) rough draft phase, as I didn't plan on applying until August. She works with admissions and prospective students and they said I could pretty much get in now barring a screw-up with interview. My deal is that there were other schools I really wanted to apply to that I feel are out of reach if I try now (DMU,Scholl,Kent).

My Main Question: should I apply now and just try getting into NYCPM now, or wait and try my luck at the other schools next cycle???

 

[hopefulfuturepod]

I feel like everyone is going to disagree with me but I believe you should just wait. You don't want to frantically rush around trying to get everything submitted and it not be the best quality. Don't apply just to apply or because what someone else told you! They might be wrong about the info they're providing. If you really want to go to a certain school, your best bet is just to wait until August and apply first thing. Would you be ready to start school in 6 months/move to a new state (idk if you live in NY or not)? There's a lot of big life decisions to make in such a short period of time. I don't really see the rush no matter of your age! Waiting until next year will give you time to figure things out, plan for interviews, work to save money, and possibly allow you to be accepted to your first choice because there will be more seats open.

Plus if you do get multiple interviews you might go visit another campus that you didn't originally plan on loving so much that you might never have seen if you apply now! You never know. I just think applying next year gives you more time to think and not have to get everything in at the last minute.

 

[marinepod]

Hi all,

So I am faced with this...

A friend of mine at NYCPM that I got in contact with basically told me I should apply now given my stats. The catch is I haven't gotten my LORs yet and my PS is in (really) rough draft phase, as I didn't plan on applying until August. She works with admissions and prospective students and they said I could pretty much get in now barring a screw-up with interview. My deal is that there were other schools I really wanted to apply to that I feel are out of reach if I try now (DMU,Scholl,Kent).

My Main Question: should I apply now and just try getting into NYCPM now, or wait and try my luck at the other schools next cycle???

I think you should go ahead and apply especially to Scholl, Kent & NYCPM however DMU most likely would be a reach this time of the current cycle. When I interviewed with Kent last month there were a number of students that interviewed in April, May and even a couple of weeks before classes started. I would apply and work on getting your letters and PS finished. I believe that Scholl is the only program that requires letters before interview invites.

Also, check out the interview feedback within this forum as that is what I used to prep for my interviews!!! It is GOLD!!! Best of luck!!!

 

[Certified Corsair]

I feel like everyone is going to disagree with me but I believe you should just wait. You don't want to frantically rush around trying to get everything submitted and it not be the best quality. Don't apply just to apply or because what someone else told you! They might be wrong about the info they're providing. If you really want to go to a certain school, your best bet is just to wait until August and apply first thing. Would you be ready to start school in 6 months/move to a new state (idk if you live in NY or not)? There's a lot of big life decisions to make in such a short period of time. I don't really see the rush no matter of your age! Waiting until next year will give you time to figure things out, plan for interviews, work to save money, and possibly allow you to be accepted to your first choice because there will be more seats open.

This was my original plan.

Pros for this would be: better prepared and fully thought out application, much better financial situation between me and significant other, and just more time to get ready/aim for top choice schools.

The only reason I would consider right now is to just start a year early. This is already my first gap year, I graduated last May but I think I am willing to wait. I just wanted to get others opinions! I guess the only downside would be only getting accepted to NYCPM somehow and starting next year instead of this year.

On a side note: I am from MA... have experienced Boston many a time but come from suburbs... I might be more of a Iowa guy than a NYC guy lol.
Not insulting Boston in anyway I love it here, but I can picture myself on a 4 year retreat to somewhere more quiet.

 

[hopefulfuturepod]

This was my original plan.

Pros for this would be: better prepared and fully thought out application, much better financial situation between me and significant other, and just more time to get ready/aim for top choice schools.

The only reason I would consider right now is to just start a year early. This is already my first gap year, I graduated last May but I think I am willing to wait. I just wanted to get others opinions! I guess the only downside would be only getting accepted to NYCPM somehow and starting next year instead of this year.

On a side note: I am from MA... have experienced Boston many a time but come from suburbs... I might be more of a Iowa guy than a NYC guy lol.
Not insulting Boston in anyway I love it here, but I can picture myself on a 4 year retreat to somewhere more quiet.

See! That's what I'm saying- you might end up somewhere completely different than you thought or even want. There's no harm in taking another year. If you're only 22/23 then waiting another year is totally, totally fine. I understand being antsy and wanting to start (I was the exact same way), but sometimes it's just better to plan things out and really think and consider what you want to do. Plus if you live with your SO it would also be considerate to think of them when it comes to moving or getting ready to spend all your time at school. At the end of the day you'll know what's best for you but you're still so young and have plenty of time, I promise!

 

[Certified Corsair]

See! That's what I'm saying- you might end up somewhere completely different than you thought or even want. There's no harm in taking another year. If you're only 22/23 then waiting another year is totally, totally fine. I understand being antsy and wanting to start (I was the exact same way), but sometimes it's just better to plan things out and really think and consider what you want to do. Plus if you live with your SO it would also be considerate to think of them when it comes to moving or getting ready to spend all your time at school. At the end of the day you'll know what's best for you but you're still so young and have plenty of time, I promise!

Thanks for the advice! I turn 23 in July and my SO graduates in May. Waiting a year would allow her to end up with less than 10K debt when we move out and I am currently living at home for free while working... would have enough to fully pay for 1st and some of 2nd year when I start while she pays for living. It would be nice to start but I am really trying to be patient and wait for August! Things just keep popping up giving me incentive to try now haha

 

[dr.phoot]

Thanks for the advice! I turn 23 in July and my SO graduates in May. Waiting a year would allow her to end up with less than 10K debt when we move out and I am currently living at home for free while working... would have enough to fully pay for 1st and some of 2nd year when I start while she pays for living. It would be nice to start but I am really trying to be patient and wait for August! Things just keep popping up giving me incentive to try now haha

you have an SO @ 23? Wow that's really young.

And I think waiting is the better option for you. If I had your #s though applying now would be the better option for me. I don't have the concerns you have. But go with the words of @hopefulfuturepod

 

[Certified Corsair]

you have an SO @ 23? Wow that's really young.

And I think waiting is the better option for you. If I had your #s though applying now would be the better option for me. I don't have the concerns you have. But go with the words of @hopefulfuturepod

I say SO as a general term but it's a matter of time at this point. And with my numbers I think I have a decent shot at schools like DMU/Scholl for at least an interview but if I don't then Kent would be my next choice.

 

[Podstar]

Thanks for the advice! I turn 23 in July and my SO graduates in May. Waiting a year would allow her to end up with less than 10K debt when we move out and I am currently living at home for free while working... would have enough to fully pay for 1st and some of 2nd year when I start while she pays for living. It would be nice to start but I am really trying to be patient and wait for August! Things just keep popping up giving me incentive to try now haha

I am 23 and waiting until August to apply so my SO and I can hopefully be in Glendale, so if it makes you feel better you are not alone.

 

[marinepod]

After reading more of your situation I agree that waiting next cycle would be in your best bet!!

 

[dr.phoot]

I am 23 and waiting until August to apply so my SO and I can hopefully be in Glendale, so if it makes you feel better you are not alone.

you also using the term SO? Are y'all legally married like with a marriage certificate and everything, or y'all just saying it because it's a very serious and tight relationship?

I'm a few years older than you two. It's just interesting that y'all are married this young.

 

[Certified Corsair]

you also using the term SO? Are y'all legally married like with a marriage certificate and everything, or y'all just saying it because it's a very serious and tight relationship?

I'm a few years older than you two. It's just interesting that y'all are married this young.

I only use SO so nobody presumes anything about my life relationships, but yes I've been with my girl for 5 years now and don't see it anytime soon

 

[Podstar]

you also using the term SO? Are y'all legally married like with a marriage certificate and everything, or y'all just saying it because it's a very serious and tight relationship?

I'm a few years older than you two. It's just interesting that y'all are married this young.

Not married, but we have 3 dogs so I don't think we can break up because who would get the third?

 

[Certified Corsair]

Not married, but we have 3 dogs so I don't think we can break up because who would get the third?

Ya we have a dog and she's too small to try and split... but we'll take that third if it settles the debate...

 

[hopefulfuturepod]

Yeah then this is definitely a conversation you need to have with your SO. If you're potentially going to move (maybe) across the country then it will take a lot of stress off if she's on board with going with you! Please let us know what you decide 🙂

 

[Cranjis McBasketball]

you also using the term SO? Are y'all legally married like with a marriage certificate and everything, or y'all just saying it because it's a very serious and tight relationship?

I'm a few years older than you two. It's just interesting that y'all are married this young.

I got married at 23 haha and academically it was the best thing for me. My grades shot up instantly. But yeah, most of my friends aren't and don't plan on it for the next while haha

 

[jasechabigj]

yeah getting married has fantastic tax benefits too! (just saying for all the people just living together)🤣

 

[Weirdy]

I got married at 23 haha and academically it was the best thing for me. My grades shot up instantly. But yeah, most of my friends aren't and don't plan on it for the next while haha

Curious you would say this.

Getting married before pod school, 24 right now.

Most of my MD/DO relatives completely disapprove. Says it'll kill my drive and studies.

Thoughts? And anyone else who got married before grad school, feel free to pitch in. I decided to go with it because I figured I'd do better academically if I was happy, and I'm happy when she's around instead of doing an across the country long distance thing.

I already got SLCpod's very solid thoughts on it.

 

[Cranjis McBasketball]

Curious you would say this.

Getting married before pod school, 24 right now.

Most of my MD/DO relatives completely disapprove. Says it'll kill my drive and studies.

Thoughts? And anyone else who got married before grad school, feel free to pitch in. I decided to go with it because I figured I'd do better academically if I was happy, and I'm happy when she's around instead of doing an across the country long distance thing.

I already got SLCpod's very solid thoughts on it.

It depends on your wife. If my wife was more about playing and staying out late and more "irresponsible" so to say, my grades wouldve died. However my wife is super responsible and ambitious and disciplined. Before we were dating I was all about just hanging out with friends and dating around and having a super fun social life. School was put on the back burner. Then I fell for her and after a while we decided to get married. So she kind of was like "Well whats our future plans?" It really brought me back to reality and helped me shift my focus. Weve been married for a few years and every now and then she gets sad at how much I have to study, but she also understands. And if I were to drop everything and decide to pursue some other career that had an easier path shed probably respond with "Hell no.." haha so it definitely depends on how you were before you get married and what your fiance's thoughts are.

For me, she helped me make a 180 on my GPA and how I approached schools.

 

[Certified Corsair]

Curious you would say this.

Getting married before pod school, 24 right now.

Most of my MD/DO relatives completely disapprove. Says it'll kill my drive and studies.

Thoughts? And anyone else who got married before grad school, feel free to pitch in. I decided to go with it because I figured I'd do better academically if I was happy, and I'm happy when she's around instead of doing an across the country long distance thing.

I already got SLCpod's very solid thoughts on it.

I think it's completely dependent on the two people in the relationship. It is financially better as stated and I would assume everyone should be happy getting married otherwise why do it in the first place? With my relationship for instance... I don't see how getting married would kill my drive to study, I don't think it would change much at all to be honest.

I'm speaking out of bias seeing as I am not married yet, but if I put myself in that situation I think if ANYTHING changed academically it would be for the better.

 

[Cranjis McBasketball]

I think if ANYTHING changed academically it would be for the better.

Yeah I failed to mention this in my post above. Getting married makes you realize "Oh dang I am not responsible for just my well being... I am now also responsible for another person!" The stress feeds the motivation and drive.