Comments on: Life as a Re-Applicant

By: tothemax

tothemax — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 17:43:21 +0000

Persistence, confidence, dealing with situations with a clear head! These qualities help make a good doctor. Excellent job! Congratulations, you deserve it! I’m encouraged and inspired by your article; thank you for taking the time to write and post it. How helpful and considerate of you (hmm…more doctor qualities). Best of luck to you!

By: XMXDX

XMXDX — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 05:15:13 +0000

Thanks for sharing all of your stories! I’m currently going through the same predicament except I am looking at 2 years off which is something I was completely unprepared for. But I like the idea of looking at rejection as being in the majority. It is still really upsetting to have worked so hard for so long only to see your dreams be pushed further out of reach then they already were. But I guess being resilient and really going for what you want makes a difference.

By: Q.

Q. — Sun, 24 May 2009 07:28:39 +0000

Thank you Kara for expressing that experience so clearly and eloquently. I am a reapplicant who was waitlisted on the second cycle as well… And I just recently was accepted off a waitlist. It was one of the most unusual 360s my life has pulled on me and I still am not sure if I am dreaming or not because I was in the middle of planning my next year and had barely finished gathering myself for a third Application cycle. But after reading this I feel as if my story and what I learned from reapplying has been told. Thank you.

By: R.

R. — Fri, 15 May 2009 19:03:37 +0000

I am in exactly the same boat as M. Miller above. I am 27 and gearing up for my second round of applications after 1 waitlist.

It is hard to know what is the best path for me at this point. Family life and free time is so valuable to me. But I want to be a doctor so badly.

Decisions, decisions.

Great article. The emotions are true.

By: S

Fri, 15 May 2009 16:52:23 +0000

Great Essay. I can relate to your situation because I too had two interviews and was not accepted the first time I applied. I felt the same humility and stress when I tried to explain to people that I didn’t get in especially the people who couldn’t believe I didn’t get in. It is definitely about overcoming your emotions and fears when you apply again. Congratulations on your acceptance…I know how those feel also and it is the greatest feeling in the world because you know how much you had to overcome to get those acceptances.

By: TO

TO — Wed, 13 May 2009 13:57:04 +0000

Kara did an amazing job at capturing the emotional part of a re-applicant’s journey through the application process. I went through many of the same problems and emotional roadblocks (except as an older non-traditional applicant)and am happy to report that I have also gained entrance into medical school for this year in my second application cycle. I believe she offers good advice that is invaluable to someone who is in the same shoes. In my opinion, the most important things are to make sure being a physician is truly what you want and be prepared to do whatever necessary (even if it seems crazy to others) to maximize your chances.

Good luck to everyone!

By: Rosa Maria

Rosa Maria — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 02:28:36 +0000

Hi Kara!
Congrats for your acceptance!!! Your essay was inspiring!!!! I just got 3 interviews…I applied to 14 schools! Exasperating! uh!?! I’m on a waiting list…I got lots of rejections and still waiting to hear from the other schools! I must admit that I have cried because future is so uncertain after my graduation…But after reading this I guess, it doesn’t matter if I don’t get accepted at first glance. Everything happens for a reason! Thanks for your testimonial!

By: Vincent Nguyen

Vincent Nguyen — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 23:17:46 +0000

It is great. I am not applying to medical school yet, but I am working toawrd it. I have just been rejected by a very good undergraduate school where I want to come and earn my BS and do my pre-med courses.

This article is extremely helpful, I have past my five stage of grieves just instantly after reading this. Yes, I require maturity and confident in your ability as well.

Thank you!

By: M. Miller

M. Miller — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 16:00:00 +0000

Great essay and great replies.

I am 27 and going into my second application cycle. Like a previous poster alluded to, when you get closer to 30, and it’s your second time applying, you start to ask youself if this is really worth it; if it is truly what you want to do.

Seeing your peers geting into careers, making money, and buying property only makes it that much harder. After all, you’re looking at a minimum of 8 years of training before you become a licensed, independent practitioner making “real” money. That’s a tough pill to swallow, and it makes mid-level careers look much more attractive.

I know that sounds a bit defeatist, but at some point practicality starts to trump your youthful ambition. At the end of the day, if you really want to do it you will do what ever it takes. And if you dont you will find something better.

While posts like Gary’s are a wake-up call, remember that not all current physicians look at their journey this way.

By: Victoria

Victoria — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 00:28:54 +0000

That was a very inspiring story. Congratulations! (: