ACCEPTED!!!

TEMPLE JUST ACCEPTED ME!!!!! I CAN'T BELIEVE I'M GOING TO BE A DOCTOR!!!

These past couple of weeks have been the best in my life. It's great to know my best has been good enough for someone, and not just someone, but a great school!

:-)

It's been a while

I was feeling pretty good about things, but as the semester draws to a close it can only mean one thing for early applicants: schools are finding time to actually send out rejections.

Great. Anyway, I went to my Temple interview, it went pretty well, and I loved the school. I knew I was going to like the school based on their mission and the type of student they seem to be looking for, not to mention the supportive atmosphere, but I found myself loving it on my interview day. I'm really hoping for an acceptance, but feeling a bit concerned, as people who interviewed around the same time have already been accepted.... although my interviewer may not have been there, as he mentioned an upcoming trip during my interview. I haven't heard of any waitlists/rejections from around the same time, but part of me feels they just haven't had the time to send out those letters and update statuses. So for people with "interview complete" as their status still....not sure that's a good thing. Everyone likes to think that limbo = success, but secretly, we all expect the worst while hoping for the best. You can't help but think that people in a health career will understand how devastating it is to leave students without word for so long, as most people tend to interpret that as a hopeful situation, when in reality, you've been passed by.

And as I say this, I still remain hopeful. Sad.

I also have gotten rejections from Downstate and Albany. I'm expecting more in the mail as the year draws to a close, with a slim chance for a possible interview after the holidays. I remember feelin this way last year, and believe me, it hurts to think that I may have to run this whole thing over again. I have some pretty big decisions to make. I don't want to take the MCAT again in fear of another bad score, but I did so well on the practice exams, I feel it would be a waste not to go once more and really give it my all. Hmm..

Lots to think about this time of year. I hate that this will be happening during the holidays....

Application Submitted, Complete
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
FSU
Howard
Jefferson
NYMC
SUNY Buffalo
UMiami
Tufts
UMDNJ-RWJ
UMDNJ-NJMS
UF
UMaryland
URochester

Withdrew Pre-secondary
USF

Interview Complete, No News
Temple

Pre-Interview Hold
Penn State
Drexel
SUNY Upstate

Post-Interview, Waitlist
GW

Rejected
VCU
WVU
EVMS
Georgetown
Boston U
SUNY Downstate
Albany

Feeling a Little Better

So I've decided to update my list, just so the people who read this (if they exist) know what's going on in my life!

Application Submitted, Complete
Albany Medical College
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
FSU
Howard
Jefferson
NYMC
SUNY Downstate
SUNY Buffalo
UMiami
Tufts
UMDNJ-RWJ
UMDJ-NJMS
UF
UMaryland
URochester

Withdrew Pre-secondary
USF

Invited to Interview (haven't attended yet)
Temple

Pre-Interview Hold
Penn State
Drexel
SUNY Upstate

Post-Interview, Waitlist
GW

Rejected
VCU
WVU
EVMS
Georgetown
Boston U

So, long story short, very grateful for my two interviews, hoping for more, but most importantly hoping for acceptance off GW's waitlist!

This is stressful, but I'll make it through!

Sigh....

Good news and bad news.

Bad news first, because it's what has been weighing on my mind since this morning. People who interviewed around the time I did have gotten acceptances. I haven't. I mean...I'm not sure what I was thinking, how I could have possibly thought that I would get accepted outright. I haven't heard from GW yet, but I'm pretty sure that that means I've been waitlisted, and my heart is broken. In the past, the trend was an e-mail and then a packet in the mail for accepted students. Waitlisted students didn't hear anything until they got that letter in the mail.

So many people were rooting for me, and I appreciate it so much, but at the same time it makes it hurt more that this didn't pan out. This waitlisting means that so much in my life can't happen. So much hinged on this letter. And this is best possible scenario! I could possibly be rejected.

My heart is seriously broken. This hurts so much more than last year.

On the other hand, I have another interview at Temple. It's at the end of the month, and on top of the stress of being waitlisted at this school, I have to worry about this interview. I'm trying to be positive, but some days, it just doesn't pay to get up.

Still Waiting....

So.... it has been completely silent on my end. I know I should feel concerned, but I can't help but feel optimistic. Honestly, I'm still floating from my GWU interview. I hope I hear good news from them in October :-). I want to stress about the other schools, but if I get in here, I'm done!

That's all for now. I'll update you once I hear anything....You know, I'm still not complete at Penn State. Should I be concerned?

I'm back!

So today was an interesting day, and overall, I would say I had a really go0d time. I am so in love with that school, it really is ridiculous. I feel like a lot of the complaints that you see on older interview feedbacks on SDN have really been addressed. Students were extremely enthusiastic. Friendly, realistic. They weren't overly optimistic, but kind and helpful, and they were incredibly involved, and seemed well-rounded. I feel like it's a student body that I would really fit into.

Despite what is going on with the LCME, students were optimistic. They're coming to review again next month, and the consensus seems to be that they will definitely be getting off probation, which is excellent! I had no doubt :-). I think one thing that really sold it for me was how real the students were. They talked about their reactions to the LCME, issues they had with the school (a lot of administrative issues). One student even mentioned how angry she was and how she wanted to transfer at first, but as many administrative issues as they mentioned, it was nothing compared to the glowing praise for faculty, new equipment, and deans. It sounds strange, but there is a real family feel to this school. I really love that.

Speaking of the facilities and new equipment: this school is AMAZING. It is clear to me that only good has come out of the probation. Facilities have been renovated, and like many students said, each new class is only going to benefit. The school just keeps getting better!

My student inteviewer was extremely laid back, it was like talking to an old friend. A lot of laughing, really casual conversation. I asked a lot of questions, but at the same time, she didn't get to ask me a lot of questions, so I'm not sure if that's good. I'm hoping she has a good idea of my interests and how I feel that GWU would be a perfect fit. We got along well, and that can only be good right?

My faculty interviewer was...feisty. Disenchanted, very realistic. It was a change of pace, but that was fine. I was comfortable speaking to him, and outside of "Tell me all about yourself" there was really no other questions asked. The entire conversation was really really conversational. He would say something, and I honestly agreed with a lot of what he said and mentioned. He was very real, and I tried to convey that I was a serious applicant, without roses and lollipops in my eyes, but at the same time one who wanted to do as much as possible, however little it might impact "the world" as it is.... I didn't come out of this interview feeling totally awesome, but I still love the school, and he seemed to be comfortable with me (took off his jacket, rolled up his sleeves, made jokes, we laughed together). At one point, he did say that it seemed to him that me and my interests would really be able to flower at GWU, which I'm hoping was his acknowledgement of a "good fit". In the end, he said that he felt he had a very good idea of who I was, so hopefully.....whatever conclusion he came to was a good one :-).

All well, no point thinking about it now (easier said than done) :-) Here's hoping for some good news come October! Keep praying :-)

Thanks so much for your encouragement, Andy! I barely know you and it's not like we've had a conversation, but it really has been huge for my self-esteem and keeping my chin up :-) I kind of feel like I'd like to have a conversation with you some time (I hope that doesn't sound too creepy) lol.

If you were there Sept. 15, I hope to see you again, whether at GWU or another interview! You were all really great :-)

Interview Tomorrow!

I'm freaking out.

Everyone seems so calm about their interviews, but I'm definitely concerned that I will turn into a big sweaty mess. I'm deeply considering taping paper towels to the lining of my shirt.

You know I've practiced. I'm going to check out their website again tonight, although I've looked over it so many times, I've practically memorized it. I'm praying that it goes well, because if it does, and I manage to get in, then this application season is over for me! Which would be great, I wouldn't want to go to any more interviews if I got in :-). I'm lucky that my top choice is my first interview, and it is an interview that is known for being laid back.

Anyway, if I see you there, good luck! I'll come back on afterward and let you know how it went.

Wish me luck! I've got about an army praying for me, so hopefully it's from their lips to God's ears. :-)