8/9/05-I think I'm a little behind on secondaries. It's tedious doing all those essays but I'm not one to complain. I didn't have any problems completing the AMCAS application and I find the whole process to be very organized.
8/18/05-I got my first interview today! University of Michigan. I am so happy. My file isn't complete so this was totally unexpected.
8/24/05-My LOR package from the school has finally gone out. Looking forward to 'completion.'
8/24/05-I am really starting to think I really didn't need to apply to that many schools. Can't believe I have already spent over $2000 on applications!!!
9/6/05-Wake Forest Interview. I am so glad I will do this interview before UMich so that way I can warm up for it!!!
9/20/05-I have a few more secondaries left but I have very little motivation to do anymore.
10/03/05-Three interviews done. All went well despite the fact I got emotional at each one. What gets to me is when they ask about the kind of support I am getting. Everyone has just been so supportive of me and the thought of it makes me tear up every time.
10/14/05-I could find out about UMich as soon as 12:00am tomorrow. I will be camping out at the computer tonight. This is my first choice school!
10/15/05-I just got accepted to University of Michigan. I mean it hasn't really sunk in yet. I am so grateful. God is good! This was once just a dream and now I am really going to be a doctor. Look out Michigan here I come!!!
10/18/05-I have decided to give up some interviews. I hope I am doing the right thing. At least I feel good knowing that it gives other people the opportunity to get an interview. I really hope that was the right move.
10/26/05-I got the official acceptance letter from Michigan. It's so nice how they personalize it to make you feel special. I have read the same four/five paragraphs about ten times. I am so going there. I was getting a little distracted by going to other interviews (Wash U) but now I am like 100% sure it is Michigan all the way.
11/01/05-Well I just got waitlisted at two schools. That experience definitely gave me some sense of how frustrating the application process can be. I am really surprised by being waitlisted at Wake Forest because I thought that was my best interview performance.
11/09/05-Northwestern is absolutely gorgeous! The hospital looks like a hotel!
11/15/05-Upenn update: Deferred decision to interview. File will be reviewed again at a later date. This is getting really interesting.
11/17/05-My school is finally sending out that Dean's Certification Letter for Wash U. Committee meets today to make some decisions. I guess I won't hear from them until the next committee meeting.
12/09/05-I was really impressed with Pritzker. I think the facitlities are great and the curriculum is solid. The student lounge was also pretty cool. The admissions committe showed a lot of interest and the director of admissions made a comment to me that I would always remember. Although my interviews went very well, the thing I would remember most about my visit is being stranded in Chicago. It snowed and while I awaited my flight a plane skid off the runway and onto oncoming traffic (had a very unfortunate outcome). The aiport shut down due to the bad weather and I had to spend another night in a hotel ($$$), the next day was extrememly chaotic and I spent all day at the airport before I could get a flight. What an experience!
01/01/06-It is actually 2006, the year I will attend medical school. Imagine, by this time next year I would be a medical student. As I brought in the new year those thoughts kept running through my mind. This is so surreal. Truly, a dream come true.
01/08/06-Relaxing in the caribbean right now. How sweet it is to take a break from everything medical school/application cycle.
01/11/06-Returned home today and found out I was invited to interview at Harvard. OMG!!!
1/27/06-FAFSA submitted.
2/10/06-When my mom told me over the phone that I had a thin letter from Pritzker I knew it couldn't be good news. The tone of the letter was optimistic and I did like the school a lot so I think I'll hang around on the alternate list for a while. This process just becomes more and more unpredictable. I thought the interviews went well. Then again, there are a lot of variables to consider so a good interview in itself does not guarantee an acceptance. Well there is a plan and purpose behind everything.
2/13/06-I am waiting patiently to see what happens with Northwestern. From what I heard, the status page was updated last Thursday. I have also heard that there was a computer glitch and some people had their acceptance message turn into, 'A decision is forthcoming.' I checked my application status for the first time on Friday and saw the forthcoming message. I am hoping that mine was one that was switched but at this point I have just resigned to the fact that I would only know for sure when the letter comes.
2/13/06-Wow, I just checked and I did get in. This is so cool!!!! Yay, I am going back to Chicago!!!
2/25/06-From time to time I go back to my AMCAS to read my personal statement. Always keeps me motivated. Just thought I'd share.
3/2/06-I got my first rejection today from Emory. I kinda knew that was coming so it doesn't really bother me too much.
3/3/06-After I got into Michigan I didn't think any rejection would hurt. That was before I got rejected by Columbia. That stung, it really did.
3/17/06-The fact that my pharmacy has close ties with Columbia (we provide medication for their fertility clinic - Center for Women's Reproductive Care) makes thing a little more difficult. It's a constant reminder.
3/22/06-Rejections and waitlists have been really coming in lately. Oh well, that's the nature of this process. One acceptance definitely negates any feeling associated with multiple rejections. Well it does for the most part.
03/30/06-My medical school application cycle is coming to a close soon 'sniff, sniff.' It has been an absolutely awsome experience visiting new cities, meeting smart and ambitious people, touring hospitals etc.
Reflections:
Do I have any regrets? I definitely do but hey, hindsight is always 20/20.
1. Why did I withdraw from Yale?
2. I dropped a lot of interviews and kept the more competitive ones. I probably shouldn't have declined as many and maybe I would have had more negotiating power as far as money is concerned.
3. I applied to way too many schools. Ten would have sufficed.
4. Vandy, why o' why did I procrastinate with that autobiography? Had I done it I would have gone to the interview and possibly fallen in love with the school.
Biggest surprise? Pritzker! My experience there was so great. It was one of those interview days where you leave saying, 'I am so getting into that school!' A close second is Wake Forest.
Most confused moment? This came with the Harvard interview. To tell the truth I absolutely detested Harvard (except for the bible study session my host invited me to). I didn't like the curriculum and when I stayed in Vandy I felt a bit depressed. The school seemed so big and lonely. It just was not for me. Getting a Harvard interview caused quite a stir in my family so I was trying to convince myself that I liked it.
Most humbling moment? Getting numerous thin letters in the mail.
Best interview experience? Wake Forest by virtue of being my first interview. It was the first time I flew to a stange place alone. Stayed in a hotel by myself. The novelty of the experience was exciting.
Best moment? Getting my first interview from UMich back in August. I was at work when I found out and I cried (yes I am a crier). Also, I would never forget 10/15/05 when just after midnight I got that wonderful email from UMMS.
I guess I shouldn't think of this as a journey ending but as one just beginning!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
4/30/06-Wow, so I thought this application season was over but I was just offered a better scholarship at Northwestern.
5/5/06-Ok, now I am really, really, really confused. I am at Mount Sinai's Revisit weekend and realizing how much I love New York!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
5/9/06-Decision, decisions.
5/10/06-So I am going to UMich after all! I can breathe a sigh of relief. My application cycle has offically ended!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
