Waiting on Interview Invites

[Naphthalene]

As I sit here on one of my days off from work, I find myself perusing this forum - as I've generally done for the past few months - trying to find bits of info that might be relevant to my current status as an applicant. I've reached the point (well, actually, I reached it over a month ago) where my materials have been submitted and are under review by the 7 schools to which I've applied. A good portion of these schools are in the process of dishing out interview invitations for the coming months.

 

Let me be heard: the waiting game is terrible.

 

As I'm sure many of you will resonate, I've hit an all-time high as for my level of stress. Per day, the frequency with which I refresh my gmail page isn't healthy. And each and every time I login to my account and there is nothing new to read (which I expect there to be considering I've received a few of the generic, "your application is currently under review, and you should hear something in the next few weeks" emails) I think I'm going to lose it. Honestly, the next time it happens I might need a new laptop.

 

The intent of my post (aside from the personal catharsis) is to start a topic where people could chime in about how they've managed their stress during times like the one I'm currently undergoing. Maybe you could share a funny story, or perhaps an anecdote that significantly helped you in your application process. Whatever it may be, let's keep it upbeat!

 

 

[ctstone1]

Two years ago I applied to my local PA program. I had worked with their academic advisor over the years as I completed pre-reqs and what not and felt confident about my chances. I applied late in the game, unaware of how bad an idea that was for schools with rolling admissions. I got my interview invite and felt I was on my way. My interviews went very well that day. My last interview of the day was with the program director and in his closing remarks he said:

 

You seem like you really have your stuff together, but sometimes this late in the game it comes down to numbers. If it doesn't work out this year, re-apply earlier next year.

 

Two weeks later I was notified about being placed on the wait-list. Learning experience. Shouldn't have waited so long. Nobody's fault but my own. So I continued working and gaining more HCE every day. When the next CASPA cycle rolled around I updated all of my information and re-submitted the first day CASPA opened.......applying to only the school I was wait-listed the year before. I'm the head athletic trainer for the minor league baseball team in the area so summer came and went without much thought about my application. I made the only adjustments they recommended so I felt I was good to go. Then October came and went. Then November. By Christmas I was going crazy. No correspondence. No "your application has been received and is under review" email. Finally I couldn't take it and sent an email asking for confirmation that my materials had been received. In mid January I received confirmation that my application was under review. Six weeks later I received the dreaded "thank you for your consideration, but we are unable to offer admissions at this time."

 

I drove myself nuts while waiting. But in December I decided to formulate a backup plan and stop limiting myself to one program. I researched dozens of schools and picked 8 more to apply to this cycle. 8 more schools all over the country. In September of this year I was accepted at a different program that is a much better fit and it made everything worth it. Hang in there.

 

Becoming proactive during the waiting game definitely helped me. Studying to become better at my job while researching other schools made me feel like I was still making progress toward my goal. From October - late December, however, I felt like I was in limbo and wasn't getting any closer to where I needed to be. So I found ways to make progress just in case it didn't work out.

 

Good luck and hang in there. Fingers crossed for you.

[Naphthalene]

@ctstone1 - Thank you. I really like your story. Nothing that is worth doing is ever easy. Congratulations on your acceptance, and best of luck in school.

[jkdballet]

I work in a children's hospital and our child life specialist had me do an activity today to ease my stress, while it was aimed for children, it was fun and served a purpose. She called it the emotion ocean and had me draw "scary" ocean creatures and "nice" ocean creatures. She then had me write stressors/worries by the scary creatures and after that had me write coping skills on tongue depressors.  After that, I had to glue the tongue depressors on the paper as a "life raft" to keep me afloat through this stressful time.  I share this because it made me smile and hopefully will you too. I agree with ctstone though, start working on next year's application NOW! Make yourself a better candidate as you go along. Even if you get admitted this cycle, the steps you've taken to improve your next year's application will be beneficial regardless.  Have faith that you will end up where you are meant to be, especially if you've given it a good shot! I know sometimes I feel like, what more could I have done, but I know there is always more I can work on...whether it be volunteer hours, taking an extra class, etc.... It'll all work out, that is what I keep telling myself :)

[Naphthalene]

@juliekdubois - I think you are spot on here. I've managed to ensure that I will gradually improve upon my weaknesses if in fact this isn't my year. As you said, any action taken in the present will serve to benefit me for the next round.

 

I commend anybody who can be steadfast in that approach. As I get older, I have difficulty coping with delays in reaching my goals. But, honestly, who the heck wouldn't? The only thing there is to do is move forward with purpose.

 

I enjoyed your story - and it did make me smile. All the best to you in the future.

[ctstone1]

@juliekdubois - I think you are spot on here. I've managed to ensure that I will gradually improve upon my weaknesses if in fact this isn't my year. As you said, any action taken in the present will serve to benefit me for the next round.

 

I commend anybody who can be steadfast in that approach. As I get older, I have difficulty coping with delays in reaching my goals. But, honestly, who the heck wouldn't? The only thing there is to do is move forward with purpose.

 

I enjoyed your story - and it did make me smile. All the best to you in the future.

I turned 30 this year. In my initial timeline I would graduated at 30!!! I think there is a lot to be said about resilience and perseverance. Luckily, I found a program/program director that values those characteristics too.

 

@juliekdubois thanks for sharing!! I enjoyed your story too!

[Ejsmith829]

Boy do I hear you!!! I never imagined the waiting process could be so anxiety producing and stressful. I applied pretty early, and received the usual "your application is under review" emails soon thereafter. Then, I began saying "if I can only get an interview invite, all this stress will get better." The wait took a couple of months. And then came my first interview invite. I've had two more invites since then, but the wait to hear from the first (completed) interview is no easier! In fact, I think it's worse. Haha. I had to chuckle at your comment about checking your gmail far too often. I was doing that for a month straight. I'd literally refresh it on my phone every other minute. I even went so far as to unsubscribe from all my spam mail so when an email did come, it'd up the chances it was from a school! Now, I'm doing the same thing with the mail. Every day I text my gf when she gets home and ask if there was any mail. And every day that passes I get a little more frustrated! But IT WILL HAPPEN! You will hear back!!! I got an email from a highly ranked school a while back telling me I didn't meet their math requirement. I thought for sure I could count them out for an invite. And the other day, they asked me to interview. Anything is possible!

In the mean time, try to distract yourself! If I wasn't working full time and taking two classes, I'd spend my time reading for fun! Do things you won't have time to do when you're in PA school! Hang in there!!! Patience is the key-- and I admittedly suck at it! But we're learning!! It'll happen!!!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - now Free