Blog Post Focus: For Those Not Accepted to Medical School
This post will discuss options for the applicant who is denied acceptance to medical school.
This may feel devastating–another challenge to overcome. Perhaps a sense of having wasted time pursuing this or feeling behind.
Yet, it may be a good thing. This may be the start of renewed vigor or a realization that there is something else better suited for the applicant.
Intro—Just Preparing for Medical School Was Tough
Medical school applications are stressful. To even apply to medical school you likely arranged your entire undergraduate education around being prepared for medical school applications. You likely studied harder and longer than you ever expected you could. You probably pushed aside opportunities to be with friends and family members and pets. You likely missed chances to travel. You may have had to give up summers to take courses. In addition to all this you may have even taken an extra year of studies to be extra competitive for medical school.
So, the last thing you want is a denial. However, what do you do if you don’t get accepted to medical school?
How You May Feel with Rejection
Before we get started: if this is you, then it is okay to feel how you feel. How you feel is probably a mix of rejection, depression, sadness, anger, self-loathing, self-pity, and embarrassment. How you feel is fine, but don’t let the feelings lead you to do anything you would regret. These emotions may be strong, but find your support sources, and listen to me here: you have value no matter what. You can make a life filled with purpose and opportunity. Do not let this rejection destroy you. Do whatever you need to do to overcome any rough feelings.
Steps after Rejection
First, see how you feel. If you feel terrible, do whatever you need to do to feel less terrible—in fact, do whatever you need to do to feel loved and valuable. Medical school is not the answer to your value. However, if you feel relieved, or even happy, then celebrate.
Find Your Support
Second, share the results with loved ones and those you trust. It can be difficult. It can be embarrassing. Regardless, it is your reality and you need your support there for you. They cannot help you if they don’t know what is going on.
Introspection
Third, determine why you feel the way you do. If you were rejected and you feel terrible, you need to discern whether it is because you feel that you failed others or if you are missing out on your true passion. If you feel relieved or even happy, discern whether it is because this is something you did not want to do or something you simply needed to happen to move on to the next part of your life.
Fourth, once you determine why you feel the way you do, you need to make some plans. How will you share the rejection with others? Do you want to apply again? Do you need to do something to make your application stronger next time? Do you feel it is time to figure out a different career path?
Planning
This step of planning can be difficult. It likely will be emotionally challenging. You had a plan for medical school and it failed. You may be doubting the efficacy of your plans.
Feedback
So, you should get feedback when able. Do you have trusted advisors? Do you have friends or family who went into medicine before you? Reach out to any mentors, advisors, and anyone you trust for feedback about your situation. Reach out to programs for feedback on your application and why it was denied and see if they can tell you what was lacking.
With the medical school entrance team feedback you may have some obvious and clear answers. Some probably will not respond or give a generic answer. Here, the feedback of those you know and trust and have succeeded before you can be enlightening. Perhaps you need to show your passion better, or your writing was poor, or your interview skills were not so strong as you hoped.
Or, maybe you will find that others think you would be better suited in a path different than medicine. That can be frustrating and may even make you mad, but they would share this if they see your gifts as thriving in a different area. Maybe medical school was a desired result, but another area in life that you haven’t considered could be a better fit for you.
Action
Fifth, put a plan into action. Whether it is to apply again to medical school or to change career goals entirely, trust yourself. Life is too short and stressful to lack trust in yourself. If you make a plan with information and feedback, it is a solid plan. If you make a plan with your emotions, it can be a solid plan if you feel you have a true passion, but it should be tempered with a less emotional state as well.
Conclusion—Apply Again or Find Another Career?
If you don’t get accepted into medical school you ultimately need to decide whether to apply again or to not apply again. Apply again if it is your true passion. If it is your passion, get feedback on how to make your next application successful, make a plan and stick to it. If you decide not to apply again, find what else you need to do instead. Make a plan and trust yourself.
Medical school will not make your life valuable—it already has value. It will only add value if the profession of medicine aligns with your passions and desires. It will detract value if you force yourself through the time and effort simply for the sake of practicing medicine.
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