Welcome! This blog is Retired. However, you may still enjoy some of the finer pages of vintage online ramblings out there! Inspired by the certainty of my headaches, "The Headache Diaries" may include my headache log, people, places, and things that I don't like, as well as people, places, and things that I do like. Blog officially retired 02.14.2021
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I am noticing that I am taking more time to complete the harder GMAT quantitative questions. That is not good! Two minutes a question is really all you get. I am not even sure how I am going to improve that. Much to think about because now I am unsure if I will be ready for the test in May. I don't want to delay it, but on the other hand, I don't want to rush it either.
I was also looking at different types of management jobs that could be available to me if I don't apply to DO school or if I do well on my GMAT (meaning above 650). Not too many I can apply to at this point. I also thought about teaching, but I am not sure if I would be able to do that or if that would help. Of course, I can't do anything with that now because I am focusing on applying to DO school. Speaking of which, I have to call some up and see if I can shadow any of them. I definitely will do that today. I know this cuts into my GMAT study time, but oh well.
Ugh!It's so late already! The world spins too fast!!!
P.S.: I erase comments that insult me. I suggest you also not post names of professors.
P.P.S.: This guy said it best: "Friends don't let friends go to the Caribbean." He is right. Yes, Caribbean school is legitimate, but not viable. There are many factors that can go wrong and you will pay a lot of money for nothing like I did. It is better to try for US schools at least twice and if nothing, maybe try another career. Don't overlook DO Schools. Give them a shot, even if your mind is stuck on "having that MD by your name." If you want to go to Caribbean school, take my advice and VISIT THE SCHOOL AND SIT IN ON CLASSES, just as you would for a US school. Then tour the island. Take public transportation over and over. Find out how you can do things like shop for food and clothes, send letters, get internet. It is difficult to get stuff done on St. Maarten, so if you think you can handle it, then go for it. You may find, like I did, that the little annoying things add up. There are just not enough hours in the day to give your attention to things that should be laid out for you like what books to reference. That is my opinion, which I am entitled to. In fact I paid $13,000 for this opinion. Take it for what it's worth.
I went for my tour of AT Still in Mesa, and it was a nice looking school. I would say that the facilities blow AUC away. SOMA (AT Still Mesa) actually looks like a medical school.
The interesting thing about SOMA is that you only stay there for a year and then you move around for next three years. They have some nice spots like in Alaska and Brooklyn. Supposedly, they like those who want to go into family medicine, so maybe that is a plus. They also do that muscular manipulation stuff, which looks silly. However, TJ said it best: if it makes the patient feel good, and they want it, then do it. I agree. A lot of people in his family, and people at his work say that they would rather go to a NATUROPATH than and MD. They also said they loved the physical they got from a DO because it was so through. They enjoyed spending the whole hour with the doctor instead of two seconds. That sounds appealing. I want to offer what the customer wants; if the customer wants his back cracked, then so be it.
So this week I am going to find a DO to shadow. I hope it won't be a difficult task. It was a pain in the butt just to find a place to volunteer! There is a guy near me that does OMM, so I am hoping I get a chance with him. I also wish to find a family practice DO as well.
I am also having issues with AUC. I logged onto Sallie Mae to find that one of my loans is still active. After calling AUC and Sallie Mae back and forth, I realize that AUC did not refund "all of the loan money" like they said they would. They refunded all but $3000, so I actually had a bill with AUC AND a bill with Sallie Mae. What idiots. I don't like that school at all. Everyone who works there must have an IQ of 43. I had sent emails to everyone, and I will complain. Not like that will do anything, but I will yell at them even more. I was supposed to get a copy of my statement, and still haven't gotten it yet. I will call that moron on Monday as well and tell her how lazy she is. I'm so tired of places not doing what the say. Now my grand total for ONE MONTH of bullshit is $13,000! I can't believe it. I wish I had used that money to buy a diesel car instead. I hope that school closes down. What a joke. P.S. DON'T GO TO CARIBBEAN SCHOOL!! Fair warning.
Well, at least I have made good progress in my GMAT studies. I get almost all of the math problems right, but I go over the time limit. I have to get faster. I'm hoping that after going through the main GMAT book, I will get faster with the remaining GMAT books. I don't a ton of time left, so I trying to do as many problems as I can.
Today I won't study too much because I have to rummage through my clothes and get rid of old stuff. That should take me at least two hours. I assume four, but I am hoping I go faster.
So today I am officially calling my application cycle over. I am starting over. Again. I highly doubt any school left is going to interview me or accept me. Therefore, I am going to focus on what is next. What that is, I don't know.
I have been feeling pretty crappy lately. I suppose it's understandable. I'm sure thousands of people who applied this year feel the same way. I am just glad that I didn't retake my MCAT. It would be a waste. Besides my age, me wanting to be a family doctor probably scared every single school away. That's why I am going to take a closer look at DO school. Today is my tour at AT Still in Mesa and I am going to ask them if they really want primary care. If I get a crappy answer then I won't apply. I will just have to do something else.
I started on some GMAT problems yesterday and I am SLOOOOOOOOOOOOWWW. I will get a lower score just because I can't work fast enough. Well, I will try to work faster today. Sometimes while I am working I stop and think that I am doing all this for nothing. I probably am, but I can't stop. What else am I going to do? Sigh.
I was also going to look for a job. I saw on yesterday, but I am not sure if TJ wants me to work that many hours. It would be almost 12 hour days. But it seemed to be "like" a leadership position. I don't know. TJ also has to bid on his vacation. If I work too much, I won't be able to spend it with him. Not that we are going anywhere since I spent a lot of money on stupid school. I guess we'll see. Everything is so confusing right now.
I guess I should get to work on my GMAT problems. I have a few hours before my tour.
I have to start studying a bit earlier today so I can get to a certain store by 0700. Sunflower is having an incredible sale on builders bars!! I have to get there before they are all gone!!! After that it's shopping as usual.
I am excited (at least) about getting a job this year. I wish I could do truck driving, but I am not sure that would be a good idea. I have to focus on leadership so if I don't get into med school, I am ready for b-school. Anyway, I am excited that I am going to have a job soon.
I haven't figured out a study schedule yet, but I can do that anytime. All I know is that I have to do as many problems as possible from the books. I think that would be the best thing for me to do right now. I have to focus on math and I should be good for the exam.
Okay I better get some studying in. I don't know how well my brain works at this hour, so I hope I get something done!
HURRAAYYY! I am done with math review! Now I can start on the actual problems. I will start that tomorrow. I am actually excited that I am showing progress. At least I have something to look forward to now.
I only have the "word problems" section to go over, and I done with my math review! Tomorrow, or maybe even today, I will get started on going through all of my GMAT books. I don't have much time, so I am hoping that now that I am pressed for time, I can study longer and harder. I think I will do the big GMAT book first then I will take a real practice test. Hopefully, that will help me narrow it down even more.
What is funny is that I forgot how much I like math. I was thinking since I may not get into med school, that I would go and do the fast track teacher degree and get the MBA in a few years. Hopefully, I will like the DO stuff and I will be able to get in without too much issue about AUC. I called both AT Still and Midwestern, and they said it shouldn't be too much of an issue since I wasn't dismissed for academic reasons. I did get a letter from AUC saying that I was still on Official Leave and that I would be able to take another official leave. The problem is what would my transcript say? I would have to send it to AACOMAS. Hm. I will have to ask.
I STILL haven't got my deposit from GEBE (the electric company in SXM)!! I even contacted the bank and they haven't gotten back to me yet. I hate that place. I will never go there again. UGH!
Anyway, I have a tour scheduled at AT Still this Friday. I am hoping that I like it. If I like the school, I will find a DO to shadow for a bit. If I think it's something I can do, I will apply. I am planning to schedule something with a DO that specializes in OMM and one that just does family practice.
Well, I am still on the waitlist at Meharry. I will call them next week to see what's up. I sent them my letter of intent yesterday. When I call, I will ask if these letters even help. We'll see.
I got the bad news on Saturday: Rejected from Kansas!
I must say I am not super surprised. I was hurt, especially since in their reject letter they give you an extra sheet about what criteria they use to select students makes me think that they go back and reevaluate your MCAT scores and such. I thought that going into an interview, everyone was equal. I don't think that is true. I think schools go back and see what they can eliminate you on. Oh well. Maybe it's better that I don't go to a state that supports Rick Santorum.
Anyway, this week, and probably this year, is going to be better. First, I am going to find a DO to shadow. Then I am going to take my GMAT. After that, I have no tests to study for until I get into school somewhere. I still have a snowball's chance at Meharry. If this application cycle shows me nothing, I will apply to DO school in May/June. I am also going to get a job! I am so tired of sitting around not generating income. I would like to drive, but I want to find something with leadership skills. I was thinking about volunteering at the library to teach GED classes or volunteering at Goodwill to learn some store management skills if they would show me. I will hope that I get some interviews at DO schools that look promising.
Other than that, it looks like my cycle is over. I will write a letter of intent to Meharry, but I am not sure what good that will do. I guess it can show that I am still interested. I am annoyed that Illinois didn't even send me anything. What a bunch od assholes. I got an email from Morehouse saying they are still reviewing candidates, but I am not sure how much longer they are going to interview people. I am not holding my breath for that either.
Because of my disappointment on Saturday, I didn't study this weekend. I will catch up today after I write this entry. I am almost done, like I stated last week. After I finish going over everything in math, I will start the actual GMAT books. I will just try and do every single problem in all the books I have. And I will throw in some verbal review and essay practice.
Well, I guess it's almost back to the drawing board!
I'm really excited that the days are getting longer! That means I can start studying earlier. What I am not excited about is what Kansas will have to say about me in a few days. Every time I think about it, my stomach hurts.
But there is no sense dwelling on it. I have to stay positive and if I don't get in anywhere, I will have to consider DO schools. If I don't get into Kansas, I will set up a shadowing time with a DO because I will have to get a letter from them to apply. I would like to volunteer again, but I don't want to go all the way to Scottsdale again. Or maybe I won't volunteer. I do have to study for the GMAT. I don't know. All I know is that this application cycle is coming to a close and I would like to have an answer.
This weekend is going to be busy for me. I hope I don't get too distracted and not study. I need to pick up the pace. Well, I am almost done with going over the math. I am halfway through geometry. After this, I can go over the word problems section and start on the GMAT books (the real ones). Then I should be able to focus for at least six hours a day. I will just do all the problems. I can do something like four or five hours of math and then two to three hours of vocab and essay stuff. That should work. I can probably start that on Monday. I should be done with all the review by the end of the weekend.
Well, since the sun is up, I am going to start studying now. I am currently on "polygons."
I finally finished off the algebra section of the GMAT. Today I am starting on geometry. Since I probably don't remember anything from this section, I will most likely have to make flash cards. I think there are formulas I will have to remember. Not too much of a big deal. I have about two months left so I am hoping this section goes fast and then I can start working on all the GMAT books. I'm kind of excited to be almost through with the math review. It kind of bring back lots of high school memories. I can't say the same for the MCAT prep! That wasn't as fun.
So this is the week KU is going to send out the results! I am very nervous. Mostly because I expect a rejection. Not that I want a rejection, but that is just how I feel. I totally want to get into KU, so I am remaining hopeful. I am still on the waitlist at Meharry. I hope they extend an offer too! I wonder what is more likely: getting struck by lightning or getting into med school. Hmmm... I think in my case, the lightning is more likely. There are still two schools I haven't heard back from. I don't expect anything from them, but if they don't send me a formal rejection, I will send a not so nice letter.
Then there is the dreaded "What are you going to do if you don't get in" scenario. Well, I don't know yet. I guess I will have to see how I do on the GMAT. The thing is that the GMAT will expire after the MCAT. I am thinking that I should apply to DO school regardless of how I do because the scores will still be valid after DO school. I dunno. If I apply to DO school, I think I will apply to one or two here in Arizona. I don't think I want to go out of state for DO school. But we will see. I have a while until DO school applications open and I can get an acceptance by then. And we all know that Caribbean school is out of the equation. Forever.
Today I am going to try to work on my vacation photo album from LAST YEAR. I know I am so behind. I have so many pictures I need to upload and caption. Ugh. Well, it shouldn't take that long, but for some reason, I am just not focused on anything but this med school stuff. I am glad it will be over soon and I will know some answers.
I spent all weekend trimming, cutting, fertilizing and yeah, DETHATCHING that lawn of mine. I can't say it was easy and my hands hurt, but I am so happy I finished! Now my grass can grow in and I don't have to cut it so short. It is starting to warm up here so the grass will be growing like crazy soon. I am hoping that it will be able to grow in everywhere.
So I have a week left before I can see the results at Kansas. I am hoping for a good answer, meaning "accepted!" It will truly be a miracle if I get in. If I don't get accepted at KU, I may consider DO school. I will see if I can shadow a DO and see what this is all about. If I don't get in, I guess I have plenty of time to fix up my house too. I've been putting off painting the bathrooms, so that will be first. Of course, I will also be taking the GMAT. If I do well, maybe I will start that first. When I was at KU, they said that they allow time off, and some people choose to get other degrees like an MBA. Something to consider if I get in. Of course, I have to get in first.
I will post pictures of my lawn later. Today I am going to try and catch up with algebra and then continue making my photo album for my webpage. This is from my trip last year! Sheesh!
Oh yeah one more thing: LOU IS GETTING MARRIED! Wow! She is Irish so she took advantage of that Irish Leap Year tradition of the woman asking the man to marry her. He said yes, so congratulations! I am the "Matron of Honor." I just call it the "Old Baggie of Honor" since I am old already. I am going to see if I can fly to NY soon.
Well, I will try to study today and hopefully my shoulders won't die on me. I am surprised they don't hurt as much. My hands hurt though. We'll see, sometimes, it takes a while for the muscles to tell me they hurt. On to algebra!
Do you know how hard it is to find olive stickers? Very! I could have SWORN I had an olive sticker left in my collection of stickers, but when I checked twice, there was none. So I went out to buy one... and there was none! Maybe I need to check another store? There are no sticker stores here like there were in NY. Notice I said were. Most of those places don't exist anymore either, just like material stores.
Today I am feeling a little better. Yesterday I felt like I wasn't able to accomplish anything. I still feel kind of useless today, but not as much. I am hoping that translates into a better study session for the GMAT. At least I was able to polish my nails yesterday. I even bought crickets.
I should stop watching youtube and get back to work!!
I didn't study this weekend, but I did get around to fixing most of my yard. I only got to dethatch about 1/3 of the yard, but that is because I don't have a power rake, I have to do it by hand. I trimmed all the plants, and the grass around the plants. My muscles were really sore on Sunday, but I will try to get another 1/3 dethatched next week as well as fertilizing the plants and breaking up the soil in the back to plant stuff. I am looking on Amazon for a dethatcher and tiller. Not that I'm actually going to get one. Maybe.
I am still waiting on KU. They emailed me saying that they project answers being sent by March 16th. So I basically have two whole weeks at least before I see the answer. They supposedly send everything by real mail, so I will be scared every time I go to the mailbox. I want them to take me!!! Argh! Not banking on it, but it would be nice.
Yesterday I just shopped for stuff. I bought almonds and nail polish. My nails finally grew back so I can polish them. I also bought a deep fryer from Walgreens. I wanted a separate one so I could cook fish in it. I will decide if I want to keep it. I am also thinking about getting the omelette maker from Walgreens as well. Right now it's on sale and the website claims you can get a $5 rebate. Well, we will see. I don't see any other information about that, so I will have to see if it comes with the shipment. I'm also going to order some shea butter for my dry skin. I am going to use it on my face so I don't look like such an old baggie. When it is colder, my skin looks worse because it is so dry. I have been using certain stuff but sometimes that doesn't work and I still have dry skin.
Today I hope to get back on track with my GMAT studies. I have finished the "arithmetic" review. I had started the "Algebra" section already. That section should go by fast. I am wondering if I should start working with the GMAT review books already. I haven't because I want to go over everything first but I am not sure if that is the best method. I don't know I guess I will figure it out later.
