When things don't go as expected

[robertpaulson]

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I am writing this because I am hoping there are others out there who are going through a similar situation. This is not a post asking how I can improve my application.

This cycle was supposed to be my year. I had all my ducks lined up in a row and I was proud of the application I put together. All of mentors equally shared my optimism and were excited for me to finally apply to medical school. Unfortunately, things have not gone my way and I have not been accepted to medical school. After I was rejected to a school I interviewed at 2 months ago, I broke down. Without going into too many details, I have been put on a high dose of antidepressants and antianxiety medications. Additionally, I am also seeing a therapist. I believe that I am a qualified applicant and I am driven to help improve healthcare where those who do not have proper access to care can gain that access. It absolutely frustrates me that our country needs more doctors (especially the populations I want to serve), but many of us can’t get a school to believe in us and to give us a chance to act upon our passion. Currently, I am on hold at two schools and each day is a struggle. I am 27 years old and my MCAT will expire at most schools for this upcoming cycle so I cannot reapply without retaking the MCAT. I do not have time to do this in the next few months so I will have to wait until the cycle of 2018 to reapply. The thought of having to wait 2 more years to start medical school is hard to bear and causing me to go to dark places in my mind.

Is anyone else in a dark place like me?

 

[osckey]

I am writing this because I am hoping there are others out there who are going through a similar situation. This is not a post asking how I can improve my application.

This cycle was supposed to be my year. I had all my ducks lined up in a row and I was proud of the application I put together. All of mentors equally shared my optimism and were excited for me to finally apply to medical school. Unfortunately, things have not gone my way and I have not been accepted to medical school. After I was rejected to a school I interviewed at 2 months ago, I broke down. Without going into too many details, I have been put on a high dose of antidepressants and antianxiety medications. Additionally, I am also seeing a therapist. I believe that I am a qualified applicant and I am driven to help improve healthcare where those who do not have proper access to care can gain that access. It absolutely frustrates me that our country needs more doctors (especially the populations I want to serve), but many of us can’t get a school to believe in us and to give us a chance to act upon our passion. Currently, I am on hold at two schools and each day is a struggle. I am 27 years old and my MCAT will expire at most schools for this upcoming cycle so I cannot reapply without retaking the MCAT. I do not have time to do this in the next few months so I will have to wait until the cycle of 2018 to reapply. The thought of having to wait 2 more years to start medical school is hard to bear and causing me to go to dark places in my mind.

Is anyone else in a dark place like me?

First off, let me tell you that I'm really sorry you're going through this. Rejection and MCAT retake are two very difficult things to deal with, but not impossible. I've never gone through your experience but am certain their are others like you. In the meantime, utilize extra time you have in a meaningful way. If you're going to wait 2 years to start school then you might as well do your best to make it an incredible two years. Also, aside from SDN, find a support group whether it be at school, friends, or a local place of worship.

 

[Okazaki Frag Grenade]

I am writing this because I am hoping there are others out there who are going through a similar situation. This is not a post asking how I can improve my application.

This cycle was supposed to be my year. I had all my ducks lined up in a row and I was proud of the application I put together. All of mentors equally shared my optimism and were excited for me to finally apply to medical school. Unfortunately, things have not gone my way and I have not been accepted to medical school. After I was rejected to a school I interviewed at 2 months ago, I broke down. Without going into too many details, I have been put on a high dose of antidepressants and antianxiety medications. Additionally, I am also seeing a therapist. I believe that I am a qualified applicant and I am driven to help improve healthcare where those who do not have proper access to care can gain that access. It absolutely frustrates me that our country needs more doctors (especially the populations I want to serve), but many of us can’t get a school to believe in us and to give us a chance to act upon our passion. Currently, I am on hold at two schools and each day is a struggle. I am 27 years old and my MCAT will expire at most schools for this upcoming cycle so I cannot reapply without retaking the MCAT. I do not have time to do this in the next few months so I will have to wait until the cycle of 2018 to reapply. The thought of having to wait 2 more years to start medical school is hard to bear and causing me to go to dark places in my mind.

Is anyone else in a dark place like me?

Sorry to hear about your difficulties OP. I hope you are able to find some level of peace and help with the therapy. Looking at a two year wait has to be hard 🙁

 

[Saifa]

You should find lots of help here, especially from people who have been in similar predicaments. It's difficult to offer much insight knowing so little about your applicant credentials, but if you've only applied to allopathic schools then you might be behooved to look into some osteopathic programs, which would still get you well on your way to achieving the goals you've set forth.

 

[Goro]

Was getting into med school such a be all and end all that not getting what you wanted broke you? If so, I strongly recommend a different career path.

As it stands right now, you have a lot of healing to do before you can even think about med school again. And med school is a furnace and I've seen it break even healthy students.

Come back when you're ready. Med schools aren't going anywhere, and there will probably be about 5-10 more opening in 2-3 years.

Actually, our country doesn't need more doctors, it needs them distributed in the right places. Finally, med school and a career in medicine is not about your passion; it's about the patients.

I am writing this because I am hoping there are others out there who are going through a similar situation. This is not a post asking how I can improve my application.

This cycle was supposed to be my year. I had all my ducks lined up in a row and I was proud of the application I put together. All of mentors equally shared my optimism and were excited for me to finally apply to medical school. Unfortunately, things have not gone my way and I have not been accepted to medical school. After I was rejected to a school I interviewed at 2 months ago, I broke down. Without going into too many details, I have been put on a high dose of antidepressants and antianxiety medications. Additionally, I am also seeing a therapist. I believe that I am a qualified applicant and I am driven to help improve healthcare where those who do not have proper access to care can gain that access. It absolutely frustrates me that our country needs more doctors (especially the populations I want to serve), but many of us can’t get a school to believe in us and to give us a chance to act upon our passion. Currently, I am on hold at two schools and each day is a struggle. I am 27 years old and my MCAT will expire at most schools for this upcoming cycle so I cannot reapply without retaking the MCAT. I do not have time to do this in the next few months so I will have to wait until the cycle of 2018 to reapply. The thought of having to wait 2 more years to start medical school is hard to bear and causing me to go to dark places in my mind.

Is anyone else in a dark place like me?

 

[IlDestriero]

I took a few years off, by design, and raised a little hell. I knew where I was going, was on the pathway, but didn't like the idea of jumping head first into the meat grinder straight out of school. Make the most of it.
Travel, work on work-life balance, exercise, keep up with whatever volunteering you're doing, establish a reasonable study plan, take up a new hobby or two, sow some wild oats, etc. The only thing I lost was some future income, but to me it was absolutely worth it. Then when the time came, I was in the right place to go all in and kill it.


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Il Destriero

 

[BeachBaby]

I am really sorry about your situation. I think it's very understandable that you are upset and good you are getting some help with meds/therapy. There really is more to life than this goal but it can be hard to see that during the application process.

It does suck...there are so many qualified people who DON'T get in and it's hard to feel like it's anything more than random after a certain point.

On the bright side you are not alone. 48%? I think? of people have to reapply and so many get in after their 2nd or 3rd time. I read about someone rejected 3x who is now president of their class. This experience will only make you stronger.

 

[thatwouldbeanarchy]

I took a few years off, by design, and raised a little hell. I knew where I was going, was on the pathway, but didn't like the idea of jumping head first into the meat grinder straight out of school. Make the most of it.
Travel, work on work-life balance, exercise, keep up with whatever volunteering you're doing, establish a reasonable study plan, take up a new hobby or two, sow some wild oats, etc. The only thing I lost was some future income, but to me it was absolutely worth it. Then when the time came, I was in the right place to go all in and kill it.
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Il Destriero

THIS! I had med school on my mind way before undergrad but I just wasn't ready to commit. I took 6 years off and just... lived my life! I hung out with my friends. I focused on my hobbies. I worked a bunch of different jobs--some I loved, some I hated, some that gave me really great clinical experience that ultimately made me more certain about med school. Life doesn't stop because you're not in med school yet.

I know your situation may be different since it feels like you're ready now. And maybe you really are. But I think that taking some time off could actually make you a better medical student 2 years from now. Take this time to rest up, get healthy, try new things. Getting into medical school or not should not be the be all and end all of your life.

 

[IlDestriero]

I'd also add that if you're not the best applicant for whatever reason, it's a good idea to identify and/or start working on Plan-B during your down time.


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Il Destriero