Waiting for a Year...or Whatever

I am remiss in my blog duties. I apologize to the three people who might actually follow my blog. I will try to be better about writing on a more regular basis.

As many people know, I have spent the last 8 months applying and interviewing for medical school. It's expensive, takes up tons of time, and--most important of all--it makes you CRAZY. I cannot count the hours I spent worrying and stressing myself out over interviews, personal statements, extra curricular activities, and countless other pre-med things. Just ask my roommates.

There are up days and down days. Days when you think, "Yeah! I can get in for sure." and days when you despair and, in my case, call your mom and cry for an hour.

Even though there were times when it felt like I was just jumping through application hoops, it really isn't like that. It's necessary and you want your schools to know EVERYTHING about you. But at some point in the process, you kind of want to throw up your hands and yell "Okay! I've done everything. My applications have been in for months. Just accept me or reject me PLEASE. I won't be mad if you are honest and let me know how it is. This way I can plan my life: do I have to move to Texas/Virginia/Nebraska or wherever school is OR do I have to reapply? " When a school gets back to you quickly with a rejection, it might sting, but it is nice to know that your plans can continue.

During my senior year (and more), I worked in a lab with several pre-med students. We commiserated together about the MCAT and lengthy secondary applications. All of the boys (yes, all of them were male) in my lab are qualified, dedicated individuals. Every single one has spent years working toward med school, not exactly an easy feat. Most of them are just as (if not INFINITELY more) qualified to go to medical school as I am. And yet, a few of them haven't even received an interview invite. I am, to say the least, baffled by this. One of the guys I know from my MCAT class (A.K.A. The boy who ACED the MCAT. Seriously, he kicked some serious MCAT booty) is ever waiting to hear back from schools.

It really is absolutely awful and, at times, unfair. Getting to know these people and understanding their triumphs and knowing they deserve everything they want and THEN seeing their hopes dashed...it's not fun. But it is the way it is. There are, unfortunately only so many seats to fill, and it can really bite.

All of the guys in my lab and the people in my MCAT class will be great doctors. And I'm excited for them to hear back and go to the schools they want to attend. I hope they all succeed. Because I know who I want to call when I'm sick.