Venting because I usually never do

[breakingdownazn]

---

Members do not see this ad.

As I begin studying for my MCATs and received my grades from this past semester, I need to vent because I never can to my friends irl

I go to an Ivy school not known for grade inflation/grade deflation but instead known for its hypercompetitive culture across its student body... as you can imagine this applies to premed life as well

I'm about to apply next year and I've just been so average here... yes it's not known for inflation/deflation but it's far, far, far from easy being on the top of your class. competing against hundreds of valedictorians and national competition winners from high school in every single class has been brutal every single time I try in each class.

I don't even consider myself a lazy person. I cut all my bad habits out, have an efficient study schedule, found the best study path for me. but everyone here has the same habits and it's so hard to compete.

I thought this was the norm across all schools until I took chem I and II over last summer at my state institution. The grading system was intimidating, like < 96% was A range and only one or two people ever get that... and I blew that class away like butter. And it made me think what if. what if I went to my state school, got a high gpa and not my stupid 3.5s/3.3c at the Ivy where I am so average, and it definitely doesn't help that I'm asian and I'm on sdn so naturally I'm posting on a site where people think I should give up with my stats... Obviously I know that my state school is well reputed and I respect it to know it's not a free 4.0, but I can't help but think things would be better.

I know that medicine is what I want to do. I think logically about the pros and cons about the field including the financial burdens, job stress, hours, training but when all of that is stripped and I'm left broken down with only my emotions and no logic, in the end I still want to go to medical school and be a doctor. But this path is so difficult, I've made friends with so many med students who went to my university, they all said undergrad was tougher to manage than their preclinical years... and I'm just wondering if I'll make it when I apply

I had to post this somewhere, I'm sorry if I turned anyone off. all my friends I've turned to regarding this aren't helping me. I have no premed friends I want to turn to because the environment is so horrific at this school, and the younger premed friends I know they look up to me and can't see me like this..

 

[roaringunicorn]

As I begin studying for my MCATs and received my grades from this past semester, I need to vent because I never can to my friends irl

I go to an Ivy school not known for grade inflation/grade deflation but instead known for its hypercompetitive culture across its student body... as you can imagine this applies to premed life as well

I'm about to apply next year and I've just been so average here... yes it's not known for inflation/deflation but it's far, far, far from easy being on the top of your class. competing against hundreds of valedictorians and national competition winners from high school in every single class has been brutal every single time I try in each class.

I don't even consider myself a lazy person. I cut all my bad habits out, have an efficient study schedule, found the best study path for me. but everyone here has the same habits and it's so hard to compete.

I thought this was the norm across all schools until I took chem I and II over last summer at my state institution. The grading system was intimidating, like < 96% was A range and only one or two people ever get that... and I blew that class away like butter. And it made me think what if. what if I went to my state school, got a high gpa and not my stupid 3.5s/3.3c at the Ivy where I am so average, and it definitely doesn't help that I'm asian and I'm on sdn so naturally I'm posting on a site where people think I should give up with my stats... Obviously I know that my state school is well reputed and I respect it to know it's not a free 4.0, but I can't help but think things would be better.

I know that medicine is what I want to do. I think logically about the pros and cons about the field including the financial burdens, job stress, hours, training but when all of that is stripped and I'm left broken down with only my emotions and no logic, in the end I still want to go to medical school and be a doctor. But this path is so difficult, I've made friends with so many med students who went to my university, they all said undergrad was tougher to manage than their preclinical years... and I'm just wondering if I'll make it when I apply

I had to post this somewhere, I'm sorry if I turned anyone off. all my friends I've turned to regarding this aren't helping me. I have no premed friends I want to turn to because the environment is so horrific at this school, and the younger premed friends I know they look up to me and can't see me like this..

Transfer so you can get your sanity back.

 

[breakingdownazn]

I graduate very soon so that's not an option.

 

[ChymeofPassion]

Lifes not fair

 

[JustAPhD]

The grass is always greener ---and the courses easier--- on the other side.

Understand you won't get much sympathy. Complaining about the difficulty of one of the best universities in the world is such a first world problem it's unreal. Millions would kill for that chance.

 

[eteshoe]

Make friends in other majors - preferably engineering since they'd understand your struggle.

 

[BombsAway]

Make non-premed friends asap. premeds are the worst.

 

[GnothiSeauton]

The worst experiences make the best memories. You'll be alright.

 

[Pepe18]

.

 

[iwillbeadoctor!94]

.

 

[BombsAway]

You may find solace that, the harder you study in your coursework, the more prepared you may find yourself for the MCAT. At my easy school I find that all the things we gloss over are now on my list of things i don't know as I go through my content review.

 

[Lannister]

At least you're used to being surrounded by people smarter than you, because that's how it is for most people in med school and for some that can be quite an adjustment.
Don't worry about what others are doing too much. Focus on yourself. I know that's easier said than done though.


Sent from my iPad using SDN mobile

 

[Yuanjing]

You may find solace that, the harder you study in your coursework, the more prepared you may find yourself for the MCAT. At my easy school I find that all the things we gloss over are now on my list of things i don't know as I go through my content review.

Yeah agreed. Didn't get an A in Orgo at an Ivy (OPs perhaps) but I'm breezing through its content review right now.

 

[sliceofbread136]

Oh boo hoo. It doesn't get any easier

 

[ac62994]

It definitely sucks that you can't talk about this with anyone and it's not as easy as finding friends outside the "premed" circle, because you want someone to actually understand, vent together, and trade advice. Reach out more, meet new premeds. You can tell if someone else is feeling the same way your are by the way they act, because it's similar to how you've been also.

Keep your head held high. You may not be the best in your current situation, but you are still on top amongst the other thousands of premeds outside your ivy. And remember, you are still getting world-class education with more opportunities than most other pre-meds and you are probably going to kill the MCAT. Good luck!

 

[Favoritefarm]

Do other people at your school get 3.8s, 3.9s and 4.0s? If yes, then you cant complain, just try to be like them.

Sent from my SM-G900V using SDN mobile

 

[Papa Oso]

If your objective is to go to med school at a top tier medical school, your chances are slim, not because of you but because of the competitiveness of these programs (these 3.8-4.0 GPA applicants can't just apply to these schools lest they are willing to risk an unsuccessful application year).

If your objective is to be a doctor, applying broadly will get you in somewhere. Don't overstress and let that fact calm you down, and motivate you to be the best you. If you compare yourself to others, you will never be happy.