Re-applicant.
Polishing off my PS and getting ready to submit as early as possible (read as next two weeks). I'm still debating my list of schools to some extent, so if you have any input, feel free to leave a comment.
7.17.2006: Been picking at secondaries for weeks now. I've got to really get moving. I know. I try... I really do. I go home from work and sit down at the computer with a bowl of ice cream in front of me. I have every intention of writing Columbia's secondary essay. But I don't do it. I end up looking up parodies of 'Snakes on a Plane' on the internet and rocking out to Franz Ferdinand. It must change.
7.17.2006:... later that day.... AMCAS finally verified. It's go time, now folks.
7.18.2006: Submitted Penn's secondary. I feel a sense of accomplishment. I'm not sure if I should feel jipped at paying $80 for a secondary which basically adds nothing to my application, or relieved that they didn't ask me to write another essay. I'm feelin' more the latter.
7.20.2006: Had a good day and submitted three secondaries. I think I'm going to have to sell my eggs to fund this application cycle though. It's a shame that some good people out there are going to have to raise my Hell-spawn. :-/
7.24.2006: I'm getting there. I find that the secondaries are becoming less painful to write. I'm also pretty stoked about the Pitt invite.
7.28.2006: These nutrigrain bars are making me feel GRRRRRREAT!
7.31.2006: My 'Ask me Jesus' responds with 'I forgive you'. Huh.
8.8.2006: Nothing very sexy to report. This Trader Joe's natural peanut butter is pretty good though. Other than that, I'm just continuing to pick at secondary essays and sweat out the Vanderbilt screen. Who knew I'd ever really care about something in TN? (I jest.. I jest...)
8.8.2006: Tra la la... I'm complete at places!
8.13.2006: After a month of complaining, kicking, and screaming, I have finally completed Columbia's secondary.
8.15.2006: Drexel submitted. Emory the better part of the way finished. Case is coming along nicely. So is Sinai. After this... only Stanford, Duke, Harvard, Vandy (maybe), and Brown.
8.19.2006: Pffffft. Vanderbilt. Yeah... I didn't wanna dance with you anyway.
8.23.2006: Mayo has verified receipt of my hard-earned money. I also submitted Case and CCLCM secondaries. However, I should mention that...
I'm sick and tired of these motherf'in secondaries on my motherf'in 'to do' list!
8.31.2006: Received invite from Jefferson. Pretty stoked about that, especially since it's right in town. Set it and forget it! Also got a biochemistry course request from Mayo... gotta call about that (niiiice). Also finally moved. West Philly represent!
9.1.2006: Nothing. *Sigh* The people were built normal size, but the house was built too small... this is NOT awesome!
9.5.2006: PSU invite. It'll be nice to go home for a bit.
9.13.2006: Got back from Pitt. Great school. The faculty and students really seemed laid back, interested in the school, bright.... overall a decent experience. I could see myself there *crosses fingers* Also got Case invite for Oct/Nov. I guess this means I've been dinged from the College program (?) hmmm.. that stinks.
9.26.2006: Now that I've gotten over the pneumonia, I'm ready to start submitting applications again. The delay has irked me.
10.2.2006: Getting antsy. Must proof MudPhud essays. It's going to be a good day... I already talked my way into a free muffin at the coffee cart!
10.10.2006: Feeling like a screaming banshee. I don't recall feeling this much angst since well... well the 7th grade actually.
10.17.2006: I'm going to be a doctor!!!!! I 'HEART' you PITT!!!!
10.18.2006: On cloud 9!!! I am so relieved! Also happy to have received an interview at Columbia.
10.19.2006: Got the big packet from Penn State. Niiiice. I'm actually surprised at their decision given that 1.) I was a reapplicant there and 2.) had a pretty decent research background and wished to go into academic medicine (something which came up during interviews when my interviewers stressed how they are more focused on primary care.)
10.22.2006: After 2 months of Stanford sending me reminders and emails galore, they have finally received their $80.00. I have submitted the secondary. Now if only I could get the motivation enough to tackle Duke. Also withdrew from schools... will start the process tomorrow or so.
11.5.2006: Sooooooooooooooooooo lazy. SO LAZY!!
11.9.2006: NYU interview. Shweet.
11.13.2006: Seven cups of coffee later I've determined that 1. it's now difficult to type and b.) I'm still a lazy mofo who hasn't scheduled my NYU interview. *spazzes out* Also got a Drexel interview. I think I'm going to go... it's local (YEAH!!!) and my friends there seem to really like it.
11.15.2006: Received Mayo onsite invite. W00t. withdrew from a massive amount of schools (since deleted).
11.18.2006: Johns Hopkins invite. Niiiiiiiiiiice. Word to the late night compulsive email check.
11.21.2006: Angst. Man, I hate to travel. Im terrified of flying. Ive never flown before, and really, the prospect of having to do so makes me want to assume the fetal position -- not pretty. I am also running out of cash.... seriously. I am very much debating withdrawing from Mayo and UT-SW. I love both of the schools, and I am honored beyond belief to have been invited to interview, but I just do not know if I can lop another $300-$400 on my credit cards. Interviews close to home are not a problem (what... $25 tops?), but I am already living off of a cup of coffee and a bowl of soup a day... and while I could give up the soup, I'll be d*mned if I'm giving up the coffee.
11.27.2006: Made up my mind. I'ma w/d from all the 'far-away' schools. I like them, and if they were closer (or I could move my family out there) I'd be all over them, but alas I cannot. Stanford, Mayo (pout), and UT-SW are no longer options. Also discovered that I submitted an MD/PhD application to Harvard, but I did not answer any of their questions. Niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiice. I wonder if I'll get in????
12.7.2006: just got back from NYC (my first trip... very exciting). I absolutely loved it up there and had a great time at Columbia and NYU. My student hosts were awesome (remember interviewees, take your hosts out to dinner... they really do appreciate it!). Now it's just a lot of waiting. *crosses fingers and toes*
12.15.2006: Came home to a big packet from Drexel. Yeah!! I can stay in Philly if I wanna!
12.21.2006: Came back from my Christmas party to see a Penn MD/PhD interview sitting in my mailbox. Yippie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
1.1.2007: sooooooo tired of waiting. Also debating just w/d-ing from some of my remaining schools... might keep Duke tho (let's give love a chance, babe).
1.2.2007: That's it.... I'm buying the Wii. If I gotta wait until March, I'm going to do it with class and overpriced electronics.
1.28.2007: *siiigh* It's been... it's been swell these past few weeks. Rejections are rolling in, and -- to be perfectly honest -- I just don't care anymore because 1.) I'm tried of travelling and 2.) interviews really eat into my 'wii time'. I mean, lets face it, does anyone actually enjoy interviewing? The uncomfortable shoes, the suits, the pantyhose, fake smiles, toolish gunner small-talk about how 'this one time I petitioned Pfizer to give more free meds to Africans in need.. blah blah BLAH', NO ONE CARES!!! Did I mention the pantyhose? They really suck. Guys won't understand this... but believe me, they do.
1.29.2007: I'm still thinking about the pantyhose... and they still make me... they make me angry.
3.2.2007: I am so stressed out right now. It's a vicious cycle... VICIOUS I tells ya.
3.3.2007: Accepted at Columbia. This is where I'm going regardless of what I hear from Penn and Hopkins. So completely happy.
3.26.2007: WL'ed at Penn and Hopkins (not unexpected results). W/d from both seeing as how I'd not attend either one of them over P&S. Big Apple, here I come!
For future applicants who may be reading this whole, long-winded profile, I say this:
1.) really do get your materials (and everyone else's) in early. Ask for LORs WELL in advance, and keep on top of it.
2.) Don't get your heart set on one school. It's difficult (I know) but this process is such a total crap shoot. While you can be pretty certain (normally) of getting into a certain range/tier/type of school, there is no knowing exactly which school will accept you.
3.) As always, wear comfortable shoes. ;)
Good Luck!
Keep the comments flowing. I like 'em. I promise to check in more often.
