:: The Headache Diaries (Retired) ::

:: The Headache Diaries (Retired) ::

:: 9.29.2011 ::

More Waitin'

With each passing day, I get more annoyed that I wasted all this money on stupid med school applications that I knew were useless. I may have to hang this over TJ's head for a while. Usually he has good ideas, but this time, he missed the mark. I know it's still September, but interview slots are filled at some schools into January already.

So all I think about is getting into AUC. I hope my math prof sent out the letter. I know that my manager sent it. And my ochem prof will send it tomorrow or something. My bchem will be sent today.

I applied for the May 2012 semester at AUC, and I know that is going to come FAST. I'm actually starting to get nervous. Firstly because I don't know if they will take me and secondly because Im going to be alone. It's kind of scary to think about!

Ugh! Anyway, I havent studied for the GMAT since. I wonder if Im going to restart that soon or wait until I hear back from AUC. Hmm.

Well, here is to another day!

:: Jane Dee 5:40:00 AM [+] ::
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More Waiting

So here I am at SCC waiting for my ochem prof... I think she forgot about me. She does tend to be late for every meeting I have with her. Well, I hope she comes soon because she only has an hour of office time today.

Sigh....

:: Jane Dee 9:47:00 AM [+] ::
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Ready To Send!

Well, I finished my application for AUC. I just have to mail it out. Ive already sent a letter to my math prof and my ochem prof. I should meet with her tomorrow. Ive emailed my manager and my bchem prof. Ive already sent transcript requests for all of my schools as well. So I am hoping for the best with AUC since Tucson is just not going to work out.

Well, there is a small chance but who is going to count on that?

Ive applied for the MAY 2012 semester. It will be here before you know it so I am kind of starting to prepare now. If I get accepted, I have so many things to do! Find a shipping crate (plastic preferred), clean out the basement and garage of my mother's house (so I can live and park there when I do my rotations in NY), visit the island to see how to navigate and where to get an apartment, etc. It will be a busy few months. I'm not holding out for UA, so going to AUC is like going to any other out of state school. I also have to talk to the program director at SHC about their residency program. I want to see how she reacts to Caribbean school.

Ive been kind of sad that the reality is Caribbean school. Im really going to miss TJ! We haven't been separated for more than five days since we've met and that was only once! Im really going to have to find the strength to get it together. However, when Im depressed, I study better. So if Im depressed because Im so far away, I should do better in school! Odd, but true.

Well, the plan is to apply to AUC and get accepted. I will put in my deposit and see if I get ANYTHING by that "deadline" in March. Supposedly, if you are not accepted or on a waiting list by some date in March, you are going to be rejected. Many months later, but rejected. So I will know where I stand before I start class at AUC anyway. If by some miracle, I get in here, I will only lose my deposit. But since it's so risky to not apply now, I will lose $1600 for security. And if I don't get in anywhere in the U.S., then I'm already accepted to a med school and I can feel better.

So here's to the future!

:: Jane Dee 7:21:00 AM [+] ::
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Half Rejected?

Well, Tucson finally decided to tell me:

Dear Applicant,

Thank you for your continued interest in the University of Arizona College of Medicine Tucson. We are unable to extend an interview invitation to you at this time. Your application is still under consideration and you may be invited for an interview at a later date.

We will notify you with any updates throughout the season.

Sincerely,
Admissions Office
University of Arizona
College of Medicine

Riiiiight. And I crap out flowers every morning. What annoys me the most is that if I would have applied a couple of years earlier, I would have gotten in. Why? Because they only used to take Arizona residents. Now they allow up to 50% of the incoming class to be out of state. You know, it's so they can make money. Do they really believe that allowing out of state students is going to benefit Arizona? They aren't increasing the number of residency slots so everyone is going to go somewhere else.

Well, I have to remain positive. There are still other schools that haven't rejected me. I guess technically, Tucson hasn't rejected me, but what they are saying is that if after they interview everyone and a bunch of those accepted realize they don't want to spend four years in Arizona, then they will consider me. So, I have to remain positive and hope that my AUC application works out.

The other thing is that since I feel slighted by Arizona, do I want to practice here? We'd have to sell the house though. I also don't want to punish my community just because of some stupid school. I would like to pre-match somewhere, but I had thought about applying to a residency in Alaska. I'd have to apply somewhere TJ can transfer to. Maybe I will stay in NY? Not too sure now, but this definitely changes things.

Right now I am going over my AUC application. I am now thinking about starting in May like I originally wanted to. Since I'm practically out of the running at Tucson, what is the point of waiting if I'd have to go out of state anyway? I think TJ will be disappointed if I start in May, but the earlier I start, the faster I come back to the US!

Well, Im going to hope and pray for AUC to come through!

:: Jane Dee 11:56:00 AM [+] ::
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AUC Essay

I just completed my first draft of my AUC essay. I am going to let TJ read it and see what he says. I am going to schedule an appointment with my ochem prof this Tuesday. Tomorrow I will send my math prof the stuff he needs to send the LOR. I already ordered a copy of all my transcripts to AUC. I also need to get the LORs from the bchem prof and my manager.

I hope this will be my last application. If AUC rejects me, I don't know what then. DO school? I would have to shadow a DO. Well, I guess we will see. The good thing about AUC is that they will let you know if you are accepted/rejected within a month. Now that's turnaround! I was hoping to have heard back from US schools by November, but what it looks like is if I hear back, it's probably for a rejection. I guess that is okay, but I would have wanted to be rejected earlier.

I still haven't heard from Tucson. At least I don't have to go crazy about the GMAT right now. Im aiming for March or April. I need to take it at the last minute to maximize the shelf life of the test. Then I can apply for a program during my fourth year or so. Then start during residency maybe.

Speaking of residency, I need to speak with the representative at SHC about their residency program soon. I want to ask if they pre-match. If they do, I will definitely sign up. Well, not now obviously, but when the time is right. Otherwise I will probably have to do my residency in New York. It's not my first choice but I guess I will have to do it.

Other than that, things are okay. A Coach store is opening up in Arizona finally in October and I am going to be there!! I can't wait. I ordered the new Cascada CD. And I'm making more Indian food since I need to vary dinner from all the soy we eat.

So that's stuff for now. Now I make dinner.

:: Jane Dee 4:31:00 PM [+] ::
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Nausea And Not Much Else

Well, another day goes by and still no word from any schools. Tucson just started sending out interview invitations yesterday or so. I'm sure if I get one, it will be a long time from now. I really don't think I have a chance with any of these schools.

So today I started on my AUC application. Ive finished making the first draft of the list of work and school. Now I have to fit it on one page somehow. Im also going to order all of my transcripts (again) and have that done by tomorrow. I am also going to meet with my ochem professor about the LOR and giver her the gift Ive been holding for a while now. I think I will meet her either Thursday or next Tuesday. I will also send my math prof a heads up about this LOR and give him the address where to send it. I still have a couple of more LORs, but those are easier to send out.

Ive been nauseous again. Probably because I know Im going to go to the Caribbean (well, Im hoping they take me!) and that means I will be apart from my husband for quite a while! Two years? Four years, if he doesn't transfer! I am not sure Im ready for this, so Im going to apply to the September 2012 semester. That way, we can have plenty of time to adjust. What's funny is that the only school that is close by is Phoenix and I don't really want to go there! Id rather go to Tucson.

Sometimes, I wonder why TJ even bothered to push me into this. I know he claims its because Im always complaining that I have no career and that all my peers are better off, etc., but is there another reason? I wonder sometimes. Not that I think he is trying to get rid of me or anything, but hm.

As of now, I am looking at this whole application process as a very expensive trip to Las Vegas. I will just pretend that I went to Las Vegas and gambled away almost $2000 and won nothing. Although I probably would have had more fun in Vegas than filling out these applications, I have to think of this loss as something remotely useful.

Of course, if I won the lottery or hit it big in Vegas, I wouldn't be talking about med school. Id be talking about my next trip or cruise.

So here's wishing myself luck on my AUC application!

:: Jane Dee 4:08:00 PM [+] ::
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My New Pet

Ya hear the crunching?

:: Jane Dee 8:05:00 AM [+] ::
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Stupid Missoni!

Thanks watered-down Italian fashion available at Target! Of course at the very same time I need to shop online at Target, Missoni has to be launching their "affordable" clothing and accessories line at Target literally crashing the website. I was FINALLY able to get on this morning! I'm not trying to buy Missoni, Im trying to buy SNAPWARE plastic storage crap. I am expecting my makeup to be delivered today and I need another storage bin. According to CBS news (at least in NYC), people were lined up outside Target for hours to get these products. Great. Right when I need storage bins, there will be a mob of people. Well, since almost all of the goods have sold out in one day, there may not be many people there after all.

We'll see!

:: Jane Dee 6:39:00 AM [+] ::
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Hooray and WTF

Today was a day of polar opposites. It started okay: got up with TJ, make his breakfast, lunch, coffee, etc. Went online for a bit before my stint at SHC. Drive to the hospital back in to a spot and BAM! I backed into the concrete pillar! Oh Lord! I was so mad! I dented the bumper! And no it wasn't the Jeep (the pillar would have been the one dented) it was the ACURA! WAAAAAAHHH!!!!!!

Of course, or maybe luckily, it was super busy at the hospital. It kind of kept me distracted from the terrible thing I had done. I also had a scheduled lunch with a co-volunteer after the shift. I was hoping I wouldn't be too upset when that came around.

As a side note, we ate at Applebees and had this all you can eat soup and salad lunch special. I ordered the French onion soup and some shrimp salad combo and it was good! I was shocked!

Anyway, I felt better by the time I got there and I felt much better by the time I finished my lunch. I guess wounds are less intense after the fifth look. So, I go home and plan my weekend: do I study for the GMAT? Do I finish my application to AUC?

When I got home, I decontaminated myself and played with my makeup a bit to feel better. Then I noticed my phone had a message on it. It was Tucson calling me back about the dual degree! Well I called back and played phone tag once again. Eventually she called me back and told me that I DONT HAVE TO TAKE THE GMAT AT THIS POINT. You know what I said (inside)? WHOO-F#$%ING-HOO!!

And now I await TJ to come home and decide my verdict....

:: Jane Dee 2:56:00 PM [+] ::
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I Can't Focus

Well today is a waste. I can't stop thinking about the aforementioned problems. I can't study today when I can't stop thinking about my application. I knew I shouldn't have applied to US schools. What a waste of money. TJ told me to! I should have just applied to AUC and been done with it. I guess there is a chance they wouldn't accept me either...

I am also annoyed about this MBA thing. I hate rushing my studies just to take it in October. For what? I wanted to take it in February or something. That's because the scores are only good for five years. And they are changing the test. So, if I take the test as late as possible, I can still use my study books and have five years to apply to b-school. I don't know why I am bothering with trying to take the test in October, just to apply to UA. They didn't even get back to me yet. And as I read, you can apply during your first or second year. I am not sure why they told me to apply now. So confusing. Maybe I should call them? Well, I just left a message. It seems if you call after they are open, no one answers.

Well, Im going to go and be confused now.

:: Jane Dee 3:08:00 PM [+] ::
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Plans and Bleach

Yesterday I was certainly fed up with all the Kaplan study aids. Today I am going to start on the Official Guides. I think I will start with the quantitative book because that is what I think I need to focus on.

Now the real questions are starting to percolate and I need some answers! The first one is "Why is everyone taking so long to get back to me?" I mean, I thought I would have been rejected by all but Tucson and I thought that I would have had an interview by now. But no. Therefore, I am not sure how useful applying early really is. Phoenix has not extended anything to me yet. Tucson hasn't gotten back to anyone yet so who knows. All of the other schools besides Morehouse have started interviews already, but I have not heard a thing. Yes, I am annoyed and worried. I am both annoyed and worried because I now have to reconsider my plans.

The first thing I have to consider is Caribbean school. I am going to apply soon and now I have to wonder if I should apply for May and risk a last minute acceptance at an American school or do I apply for September and graduate a little later and have a bigger class? I can only pick one semester because it costs $500 to move your accepted semester. I would rather start in May, but starting in September gives me more time to find an apartment and get settled in. If I start in May, I can't bring my cat either, ha!

The second thing to consider is what to do about the MBA. Do I just take the test in October as planned and apply to UA and Quinnipiac? The problem is that I haven't got an interview invite yet and I don't foresee one coming by the first round deadline at UA November 15. I don't want to spend another $100 applying to a school Im not going to go to if Im not accepted by the med portion. If I still take the test (and risk getting a mediocre grade because of the time constraints), should I apply to only Quinnipiac and start on the MBA while Im waiting for med schools to get back to me? The program at Quinnipiac has three starts a year, like AUC. I can start in January, May, and September. If I took the test in October, should I apply to UA and Quinnipiac and just start in May if I don't hear back from UA? Because unless I get accepted to UA, Im 99% going to go to Quinnipiac.

But, and this is a big but, if I start the QU MBA, I would only have a few months to get started on the MBA program and who knows when I would be able to complete the next classes. The reason I do like QU is that as of now, they do not have a time limit. That means I CAN start a class or two, then hold off until later, then finish it. Here is the problem: If Im just going to finish it much, much later, why not just apply much, much later? The dilemma with QU is that they may get rid of the no time limit thing. If I apply to a better school, I would have to go full-time or part-time, no online class. I can't and won't leave a medical job to do an MBA, and I don't know if I could do a part-time class.

I guess I will have to talk to the recruiter again about the time limits and such. I think it would be more advantageous to start the QU MBA in January, but Im not sure that is a good idea. However, if I start in May, I will definitely know if I was accepted to the UA MBA, and most likely the medical school.

Everything is so confusing! I wish I knew what was going on with the medical applications!

Now that I have wasted enough time lamenting all my woes, I need to study!

:: Jane Dee 8:53:00 AM [+] ::
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Going Up?

So according to Kaplan, Im awesome at the GMAT. I just took their diagnostic quiz, and scored about a 640. HAHAHA! Yeah, Im sure it's over estimating my score. When I took the Kaplan MCAT, I got a 28, but wound up with a 26. So I will say that I will probably get a 600. That isn't bad, I'll take it!

So my worst two topics are data sufficiency and critical reasoning. I get max 2 wrong in the other sections. That is funny because my worst section in verbal originally was sentence correction! Whatever, who knows. All I know is that my verbal section is awesome and I have been getting very few wrong overall. I want to make my math section like that too! Phooey! Well, it seems almost all of my errors are in data sufficiency. My Princeton book offers extra work on that section so I hope it helps.

This diagnostic didn't have essays, but I think I am okay with essays. I will do the essays when I do the full length tests and essay practice separately. Im sure I will do well in that area.

Now that my ass hurts from sitting all day, I shall stand. What I really want to do is play with my makeup. But now I am tired. I actually should get dinner started. It's pretty late. Okay, 'till next time.

:: Jane Dee 5:30:00 PM [+] ::
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Not Quite

Well here I am getting all crazy about "studying now dammit!" and yet I realize today that given the lazy weekend, I forgot to make bread and buy some things for TJs lunch etc. Now I have chores to do while Im trying to study. Sigh. In any case, I am hoping that I get everything I need (I usually forget something) so I won't be interrupted this week.

I also have to write to my math prof to ask him to get ready to send the LOR to AUC. I am not applying yet, but I will let him know to have it ready. I think I will apply by the end of the month. I am also going to meet with my other professors to have them send a letter as well.

So today is the first day of interviews for Downstate and USU (I think). I haven't heard back from anyone yet. I wonder why they take their sweet ass time rejecting people.

I am also still thinking about my plans to go to a Caribbean school and a non-ranked b-school. I guess it wouldn't make much sense to go to a non-ranked (but accredited) b-school if that was your only school. I think that having the MD in conjunction with a non-ranked MBA is more useful than just a non-ranked MBA. But what the hell do I know? I am only drawing my conclusions because the MD definitely gives you a job. The MBA (especially non-ranked ones) won't. If I am to get the MD, the MBA will only help.

But you know, sometimes I wonder about the whole idea. Im sure most people will say its stupid etc etc. But why? If in the end, you can get to the same place, why not? Well, I am going to do it anyway. No one is going to convince me otherwise.

And now it's back to work. Even if I have to go to an unranked b-school, I want to do well on this GMAT!

:: Jane Dee 5:21:00 AM [+] ::
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Wasted Weekend

That's it! after today, I have to focus on GMAT! I wasted two days waiting around for TJ's friends to come and go, all to do nothing. Boring! Not to mention a waste of time. Perhaps I am just anti-social, but I don't have much for conversation with anyone. It reminds me of when I would be dragged to my mother's friend's house and had to stay there for hours while I just stared at everyone and the fish tank. UGH!

Its annoying when people think that studying doesn't count for anything.

Anyway, I have improved my GMAT score about 40 points. Is that good? Who knows? Some days I feel that my future at a Caribbean school and an unranked b-school is not as cool, but whats the next option? To try for another three useless years applying to med school here? I don't think I'd get in anyway.

Well, enough complaining. I will play computer games or something.

:: Jane Dee 4:46:00 PM [+] ::
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Canadians!

They are always searching for that essay prompt "successful politicians are motivated by...." Why is that one popular with them? Who knows.

What I DO know is that I am SUCKING at this Kaplan practice crap. I am scoring between 60% and 80% on the quantitative practice tests. WHAT?! Ugh!!!!!!

There aren't enough "exclamation points" to describe my frustration.

Im not sure about what to do about it. I guess I shouldn't flip out until I take a real GMAT practice test. THEN I will know how crappy Im scoring.

UGH!

:: Jane Dee 4:21:00 PM [+] ::
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