Skip to content
  • About
  • Contact
  • Contribute
  • Book
  • Careers
  • Podcast
  • Recommended
  • Speaking
  • All
  • Physician
  • Practice
  • Policy
  • Finance
  • Conditions
  • .edu
  • Patient
  • Meds
  • Tech
  • Social
  • Video
    • All
    • Physician
    • Practice
    • Policy
    • Finance
    • Conditions
    • .edu
    • Patient
    • Meds
    • Tech
    • Social
    • Video
    • About
    • Contact
    • Contribute
    • Book
    • Careers
    • Podcast
    • Recommended
    • Speaking

It’s them, not you: the journey of applying to medical school

Vanya Vojvodic
Education
July 23, 2020
183 Shares
Share
Tweet
Share

I hopped out of the elevator and looked at my watch. I was 20 minutes early. My heart was pounding in my ears, and my brain felt suddenly disconnected. I was standing outside of the office of a prestigious surgeon in a prestigious hospital, waiting to be interviewed for a spot as a medical student in a prestigious medical school. I checked my watch again: 19 minutes early. Being early is an art, instilled upon me as a child when I was 5 minutes early to birthday parties. Being too early, however, is a nuisance. I decided to occupy a small corner in the hallway to pass the time, smiling politely at exiting patients who note my full suit accessorized with subtle breathing exercises. I peer out of the small window next to me, my eyes darting around the mosaic of white coats and blue scrubs below me. Maybe one day that will be me, I thought. Elevator noises mimicked my emotions: up and down, up and down. The pressure of this interview was paralyzing. Imposter syndrome had already started plaguing me about a month prior — when I got rejected from eight schools in only one week — with many more eventually trickling in. I wanted this opportunity so badly, but I feared never being worthy if I actually got the chance. Either way, the coin flipped, I would have to reconcile sharp feelings. 

I take a deep breath and straighten my suit; it is finally time to be politely early. I walk into the office, and before I can utter a word, the office assistant already knows why I am here. She escorts me into the massive corner office, while relaying that the surgeon was running a little late due to a case. I am greeted by 24 award certificates — I counted — hung all around the office perimeter. Hefty degrees adorn the center of the room, and neat stacks of surgery textbooks grace the mahogany desk across from my seat. I am in the presence of a legend. It’s like having a court case with God to plead your entrance into heaven. 

One hour and two firm handshakes later, it is over. As I gather my bag and coat, the surgeon turns to me again. I fear the hint of a verdict. Kind words fill the room — compliments that I can’t believe belong to me. I express my gratitude a million times before he interjects with a somber tone. The surgeon cites his experience with the process, explaining that decisions are often entangled with politics and connections. There is a suffocating silence in the room now. The last words he said to me were, “I will fight for your application. It won’t be a reflection of you if you don’t get in.” 

As the elevator doors closed, I was embraced by a sense of foreboding as to what type of letter I would receive. As a child of war refugees, the harshest lesson I ever learned was that the American Dream is not a well-rounded meritocracy. It was the most painful rejection I ever received in my entire life. The shame was exacerbated by being so close: I didn’t just lose the championship game, I lost by a missed shot at the buzzer. 

Reflecting back on the ordeal of applying to medical school, I remember the compulsive grammar checks on my primary application and the near bankruptcy from submitting secondary essays. While there is an abundance of advice on the details of applying, there is limited support for the emotional burden that results. The application cycle is a bizarre, humbling process. You will never know why one school decided to interview you over another. Some interviews will feel effortless; you may confidently walk out only to be rejected a few weeks later. Some interviews will be an unsettling nightmare, but you may still get the golden ticket. 

My best advice is to apply broadly to a variety of schools. Research different mission statements and curricula, on top of the stats that often seem to drive our decision-making. Applying is expensive and time-consuming, so it is wise to narrow your list as much as possible. However, I would invest in yourself and apply to a couple of schools that may seem out of your reach; yes, even if your premed advisor rolls their eyes when you tell them. I have witnessed the most unpredictable things happen both in my cycle and those of my peers. Shoot your shot (in a fiscally responsible way). 

Adding on, choose wisely who you share this journey with. The process is competitive, and it can bring out the worst in people. I would suggest picking a few close friends, ideally those who are not premed. It is an addicting trap to compare yourself to other friends or classmates applying, especially since you will probably overlap in which schools you are applying to. You will already be stressed- there is no need to compound it. Curiosity is dangerous, and a sense of privacy during this time is an understated gift. 

Lastly, remember that the only thing you can do is try your best. You worked hard to get to this point. The numerous prerequisite classes, the grueling MCAT, the hours spent shadowing, and volunteering: They all led to submitting that primary application. Whether you get admitted into a “prestigious” medical school, your last choice, or none at all- congratulate yourself for having the grit to make it this far. Whatever the outcome, remember that it won’t always be a reflection of you if you don’t get in. 

Vanya Vojvodic is a medical student.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com

Prev

Meet the physician who left concierge medicine [PODCAST]

July 22, 2020 Kevin 0
…
Next

A medical student’s unique education in a pandemic

July 23, 2020 Kevin 0
…

Tagged as: Medical school

Post navigation

< Previous Post
Meet the physician who left concierge medicine [PODCAST]
Next Post >
A medical student’s unique education in a pandemic

Related Posts

  • The financial barriers of applying to medical school

    Shin Mei Chan and Jamieson O’Marr
  • End medical school grades

    Adam Lieber
  • A young mother’s medical school journey

    Choryon Park
  • The journey of being a parent in medical school

    Amy Zhang, MD
  • The medical school personal statement struggle

    Sheindel Ifrah
  • Why medical school is like playing defense

    Jamie Katuna

More in Education

  • How Tratak yoga reshaped my USMLE Step 2 prep

    Dr. Nikita Mehdiratta
  • The role of income in medical school acceptance

    Carter Do
  • Balancing tension and kindness in medical education

    Chloe N. L. Lee, MD, MPH
  • I want to be a doctor who can provide care for women: What states must I rule out for my medical education?

    Nandini Erodula
  • A chance encounter in Chicago: lessons in compassionate medicine

    Emily S. Hagen
  • Business education’s role in preventing physician practice decline

    Curtis G. Graham, MD
  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • The erosion of patient care

      Laura de la Torre, MD | Physician
    • Challenging the diagnosis: dehydration or bias?

      Sydney Lou Bonnick, MD | Physician
    • COVID-19 unleashed an ongoing crisis of delirium in hospitals

      Christina Reppas-Rindlisbacher, MD, Nathan Stall, MD, and Paula Rochon, MD | Conditions
    • Air quality alert: Reducing our carbon footprint in health care

      Shreya Aggarwal, MD | Conditions
    • A teenager’s perspective: the pressing need for mental health days in schools

      Ruhi Saldanha | Conditions
    • End-of-life ethics and antibiotic use [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
  • Past 6 Months

    • Medical gaslighting: a growing challenge in today’s medical landscape

      Tami Burdick | Conditions
    • I want to be a doctor who can provide care for women: What states must I rule out for my medical education?

      Nandini Erodula | Education
    • Balancing opioid medication in chronic pain

      L. Joseph Parker, MD | Conditions
    • The erosion of patient care

      Laura de la Torre, MD | Physician
    • I’m a doctor, and I almost died during childbirth

      Bayo Curry-Winchell, MD | Physician
    • Mourning the silent epidemic: the physician suicide crisis and suggestions for change

      Amna Shabbir, MD | Physician
  • Recent Posts

    • End-of-life ethics and antibiotic use [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Physician return-to-work policies

      Deepak Gupta, MD | Physician
    • Communication, power dynamics, and organizational culture in health care

      Beth Boynton, RN, MS, CP | Conditions
    • How my patients’ Zoom backgrounds made me a better doctor

      Joseph Barrera, MD | Physician
    • Understanding reproductive rights: complex considerations

      Anonymous | Physician
    • Innovations in surgical education [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast

Subscribe to KevinMD and never miss a story!

Get free updates delivered free to your inbox.


Find jobs at
Careers by KevinMD.com

Search thousands of physician, PA, NP, and CRNA jobs now.

Learn more

Leave a Comment

Founded in 2004 by Kevin Pho, MD, KevinMD.com is the web’s leading platform where physicians, advanced practitioners, nurses, medical students, and patients share their insight and tell their stories.

Social

  • Like on Facebook
  • Follow on Twitter
  • Connect on Linkedin
  • Subscribe on Youtube
  • Instagram

CME Spotlights

From MedPage Today

Latest News

  • Mortality Risk From Damaged Bronchi Extends to People Without COPD
  • ChatGPT Improving, but Still Lacks Reliability as a Clinical Support Tool
  • COVID Vax in Pregnancy Protects Young Infants Against Omicron
  • Repeat Tests for Inflammation Aid Prognosis After Acute Heart Failure
  • FDA OKs Another Injectable for Rare Kidney Disorder

Meeting Coverage

  • Hot Flashes: Precursor to Alzheimer's Disease?
  • SABR Offers New Hope for Older Patients With Inoperable Kidney Cancer
  • Menopausal Women With Obesity Endure Worse Symptoms, Less HT Relief
  • Study Pinpoints Growing Use of Cannabis to Manage Menopause Symptoms
  • Fezolinetant Benefits Women Not Suited for Hormone Therapy
  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • The erosion of patient care

      Laura de la Torre, MD | Physician
    • Challenging the diagnosis: dehydration or bias?

      Sydney Lou Bonnick, MD | Physician
    • COVID-19 unleashed an ongoing crisis of delirium in hospitals

      Christina Reppas-Rindlisbacher, MD, Nathan Stall, MD, and Paula Rochon, MD | Conditions
    • Air quality alert: Reducing our carbon footprint in health care

      Shreya Aggarwal, MD | Conditions
    • A teenager’s perspective: the pressing need for mental health days in schools

      Ruhi Saldanha | Conditions
    • End-of-life ethics and antibiotic use [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
  • Past 6 Months

    • Medical gaslighting: a growing challenge in today’s medical landscape

      Tami Burdick | Conditions
    • I want to be a doctor who can provide care for women: What states must I rule out for my medical education?

      Nandini Erodula | Education
    • Balancing opioid medication in chronic pain

      L. Joseph Parker, MD | Conditions
    • The erosion of patient care

      Laura de la Torre, MD | Physician
    • I’m a doctor, and I almost died during childbirth

      Bayo Curry-Winchell, MD | Physician
    • Mourning the silent epidemic: the physician suicide crisis and suggestions for change

      Amna Shabbir, MD | Physician
  • Recent Posts

    • End-of-life ethics and antibiotic use [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Physician return-to-work policies

      Deepak Gupta, MD | Physician
    • Communication, power dynamics, and organizational culture in health care

      Beth Boynton, RN, MS, CP | Conditions
    • How my patients’ Zoom backgrounds made me a better doctor

      Joseph Barrera, MD | Physician
    • Understanding reproductive rights: complex considerations

      Anonymous | Physician
    • Innovations in surgical education [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast

MedPage Today Professional

An Everyday Health Property Medpage Today
  • Terms of Use | Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • DMCA Policy
All Content © KevinMD, LLC
Site by Outthink Group

Leave a Comment

Comments are moderated before they are published. Please read the comment policy.

Loading Comments...