The process is taking it's toll...

[Regretsbutgoingstrong 17]

Being a multiple re-applicant (and finally interviewing for the first time last year), the annual process of writing essays, applications is really taking it's toll. I'm retaking the MCAT AGAIN (3x) to open more doors. Family is of lower SES, so my family is usually never around due to difficult work schedules.  When I want to vent to friends to at least get rid of the bottled up feelings about this process, they either don't understand that feeling of being a reapplicant OR simply tells me to "give up, it's not worth it."  But to me, medicine extremely worth it and I am intrinsically motivated to succeed . But when times get rough, it would be nice to have a support system to rely on.

Has anyone been in the same situation as a reapplicant? What has helped you?

[BernieMac 526]

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[navymd 12]

Hi! I’ve gone through the self doubt of whether I’d be able to be admitted into Canadian medical school. I’m starting this year and my high school class is already in residency or finishing. Try your best not to compare to others and instead comparing you to who you were yesterday. If you’re improving while staying compassionate and disciplined then you should be proud of yourself. 

I was accepted to a few allied health programs and ended up completing one before being admitted. I’m the first in the family to attend post secondary education and my parents immigrated here as blue collar workers. I started working to support my family at 14. By no means am I bragging about the barriers I had to overcome but I think there needs to be mentorship and leadership to show that it is possible with the right support. I’m actually deployed with the military right now but I’ll be posting some of my story to hopefully motivate and cheer you on.

I wrote the mcat 4 times. You won’t need a fourth. If you work hard and stay disciplined, you will get a great score. I believe in you!

[dduk 8]

Im in a similar boat. I am wondering what you guys did during those years before med while you weren't in undergrad anymore? Did you guys work full-time?

[anonymouspls 259]

2 hours ago, dduk said:

Im in a similar boat. I am wondering what you guys did during those years before med while you weren't in undergrad anymore? Did you guys work full-time?

work, travel, plan for an alternative career. 

[clever_smart_boy_like_me 179]

On 8/8/2019 at 11:35 PM, Regretsbutgoingstrong said:

Being a multiple re-applicant (and finally interviewing for the first time last year), the annual process of writing essays, applications is really taking it's toll. I'm retaking the MCAT AGAIN (3x) to open more doors. Family is of lower SES, so my family is usually never around due to difficult work schedules.  When I want to vent to friends to at least get rid of the bottled up feelings about this process, they either don't understand that feeling of being a reapplicant OR simply tells me to "give up, it's not worth it."  But to me, medicine extremely worth it and I am intrinsically motivated to succeed . But when times get rough, it would be nice to have a support system to rely on.

Has anyone been in the same situation as a reapplicant? What has helped you?

I found it helpful to read the non-traditional success stories section. But yeah, it does get tiring to re-apply with no end in sight... Try to start planning for alternative career options while staying on course for your applications to medicine. Venting here is helpful because at least there are people who "get" what you're going through.

Rooting for you this cycle

[Elijah989 19]

I am rooting for you!! it's funny you mentioned intrinsic motivation because I actually recently watched a TedX talk on intrinsic motivation AND the admissions process. you can watch it here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjC7cM8a5zU, it was pretty insightful.. I wish adcoms could be better at spotting who truly truly wants this and all those qualities like dedication and perseverance and passion could shine through, especially for non traditional applicants. 

Wishing you best of luck!! 

 

[eunoia 5]

I'm a bit late to this thread but I can totally relate. Over the years, I've stopped telling most people (friends and family included) I'm applying to medical school because it sets expectations in their mind, especially when they don't understand how difficult the process is year after year of applying. I have a few friends (in medical school) I can vent to each time I get a rejection because they know the process but even that makes me feel like I'm like a broken record player and I feel helpless and hopeless. I like reading these forums a couple times a year because seeing people with similar stats to me get an interview or get accepted gives me hope. Eventually I get tired of being sad and I usually make a plan of what I'm going to do to improve for the next application cycle and that helps create a drive in me.

[LostLamb 228]

I have never gotten around to writing my “story” but if you read my very old posts you will probably piece it together. 
 

I am in my last six months of residency (as a subspecialist) of my life and am thrilled that I stuck things out for 5 (non consecutive) application cycles. I am going to do with my life what I literally have always wanted to do—provide medical and psychiatric care for people with developmental disabilities and mental health across the lifespan—I just didn’t know it was a thing when I was very young. I just knew by having and living with a sibling with significant special needs that it was something missing for that vulnerable part of society...and their families.

Truly, to tolerate the uncertainty of a future career in medicine you need to continue with your life, alternate plans, and put the noise of naysayers out of your mind. 

many people, family included, spoke directly or behind my back about “why doesn’t she give up?”. Since working toward this goal was not costing them or affecting them in any way, I couldn’t figure out what business they had to speak this way....and ignoring that chatter was very healthy for me but also gave me pause to regularly reflect on whether or not this was what I truly wanted. I am fortunate that both my parents understood and fully supported my goal. You need someone in your wheelhouse—and maybe it’s just us on the forum, but that’s something and may be all you need. 

Many meander through life unsure of what they want, what the point is, and very unhappy. Having dreams and goals help immensely, but they must also be tempered with a dose of reality. Sometimes you just can’t afford another MCAT or degree, Or your family or medical situation dictates that you need to work or take time off, and this you’ll press pause on this goal.
 

The key is that you do not define yourself and your success by a singular outcome, and that you continue to seek growth and build mastery and obtain fulfillment whatever the situation you’re in. And at some point you’ll get into medicine, or you won’t and you’ll find another way of living meaningfully and contently. 

All the best to all of you, I get how you feel and I have much confidence you’ll all “make it” somehow—whatever that ends up meaning!

LL (the shrink who almost became a high school teacher)

 

[Elijah989 19]

On 12/11/2019 at 6:04 PM, LostLamb said:

I have never gotten around to writing my “story” but if you read my very old posts you will probably piece it together. 
 

I am in my last six months of residency (as a subspecialist) of my life and am thrilled that I stuck things out for 5 (non consecutive) application cycles. I am going to do with my life what I literally have always wanted to do—provide medical and psychiatric care for people with developmental disabilities and mental health across the lifespan—I just didn’t know it was a thing when I was very young. I just knew by having and living with a sibling with significant special needs that it was something missing for that vulnerable part of society...and their families.

Truly, to tolerate the uncertainty of a future career in medicine you need to continue with your life, alternate plans, and put the noise of naysayers out of your mind. 

many people, family included, spoke directly or behind my back about “why doesn’t she give up?”. Since working toward this goal was not costing them or affecting them in any way, I couldn’t figure out what business they had to speak this way....and ignoring that chatter was very healthy for me but also gave me pause to regularly reflect on whether or not this was what I truly wanted. I am fortunate that both my parents understood and fully supported my goal. You need someone in your wheelhouse—and maybe it’s just us on the forum, but that’s something and may be all you need. 

Many meander through life unsure of what they want, what the point is, and very unhappy. Having dreams and goals help immensely, but they must also be tempered with a dose of reality. Sometimes you just can’t afford another MCAT or degree, Or your family or medical situation dictates that you need to work or take time off, and this you’ll press pause on this goal.
 

The key is that you do not define yourself and your success by a singular outcome, and that you continue to seek growth and build mastery and obtain fulfillment whatever the situation you’re in. And at some point you’ll get into medicine, or you won’t and you’ll find another way of living meaningfully and contently. 

All the best to all of you, I get how you feel and I have much confidence you’ll all “make it” somehow—whatever that ends up meaning!

LL (the shrink who almost became a high school teacher)

 

this was so nice to read, thank you for sharing LostLamb

[5th time the charm 57]

On 12/11/2019 at 6:04 PM, LostLamb said:

I have never gotten around to writing my “story” but if you read my very old posts you will probably piece it together. 
 

I am in my last six months of residency (as a subspecialist) of my life and am thrilled that I stuck things out for 5 (non consecutive) application cycles. I am going to do with my life what I literally have always wanted to do—provide medical and psychiatric care for people with developmental disabilities and mental health across the lifespan—I just didn’t know it was a thing when I was very young. I just knew by having and living with a sibling with significant special needs that it was something missing for that vulnerable part of society...and their families.

Truly, to tolerate the uncertainty of a future career in medicine you need to continue with your life, alternate plans, and put the noise of naysayers out of your mind. 

many people, family included, spoke directly or behind my back about “why doesn’t she give up?”. Since working toward this goal was not costing them or affecting them in any way, I couldn’t figure out what business they had to speak this way....and ignoring that chatter was very healthy for me but also gave me pause to regularly reflect on whether or not this was what I truly wanted. I am fortunate that both my parents understood and fully supported my goal. You need someone in your wheelhouse—and maybe it’s just us on the forum, but that’s something and may be all you need. 

Many meander through life unsure of what they want, what the point is, and very unhappy. Having dreams and goals help immensely, but they must also be tempered with a dose of reality. Sometimes you just can’t afford another MCAT or degree, Or your family or medical situation dictates that you need to work or take time off, and this you’ll press pause on this goal.
 

The key is that you do not define yourself and your success by a singular outcome, and that you continue to seek growth and build mastery and obtain fulfillment whatever the situation you’re in. And at some point you’ll get into medicine, or you won’t and you’ll find another way of living meaningfully and contently. 

All the best to all of you, I get how you feel and I have much confidence you’ll all “make it” somehow—whatever that ends up meaning!

LL (the shrink who almost became a high school teacher)

 

I am the shrink who was a high school teacher before medicine  Love your post!!!