When to give up?

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Chrissisissi

M4
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So here's a little background information. I'm a 25 year old African-American woman with pretty mediocre stats, but A LOT of volunteering/research/etc. In 2010 I went through the application process only applying to one school (UIC) with hopes of getting into their postbac program which is a conditional acceptance of sorts. I only applied to one school because I knew my app wouldnt be strong enough for an actual MD program. Then I did 3 semesters at a postbac program and got pretty good grades then applied for 10 (bc frankly I could not afford the cost of applying to more than that) schools which yielded one interview and me being on the accept when place available list which is supposed to accept 80-90 percent off of this list but alas I am still without an acceptance. I told myself last year that this year was do or die aka the LAST TIME I would be applying. On the one hand I have put so much time and money into trying to get into medical school so it's pretty painful to think of giving up at it but it is equally painful to think of going through this application process again. I just interviewed for a pretty good job at a well known lab with pretty interesting work.
At what point do you through in the towel and try to move on with your life? In other words, to reapply or not to reapply.
 
If you shared your stats and which schools you applied to the second time, maybe we could offer more specific advice. However, in general, if you apply more broadly and possibly to M.D. and D.O. schools, it may not be too late and you may have a fruitful cycle this time around, as long as you have some strong EC's, LOR's, etc. I know how stressful and time consuming the application cycle is, but if you give it one last strong try, it may turn out well for you. Good luck! :luck:
 
So totally, you applied to 11 schools? If you are thinking about giving up, you clearly don't want it badly enough.
 
So totally, you applied to 11 schools? If you are thinking about giving up, you clearly don't want it badly enough.
Aerospace engineer Clay Anderson received 15 rejection letters from NASA before he was finally accepted into the astronaut training program. In an interview, Anderson says he considers these rejections badges of courage and he's proud of the fact that he never let them deter him from his goal...
 
well you still might hear about the acceptance, no? if so, wait it out a bit longer and then make a decision. no one can really tell you when to throw in the towel, at least you shouldn't listen to people who would tell you to give up. Only you can and should answer that question.
 
Never give up. Never surrender.
 
10 programs, 9 rejections? Most people call that "October." Don't give up.
 
Never ever give up. - Michael Scott.


Seriously, though. You don't give up on your dreams especially when they're realistic.
 
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