Day 472: And then some

I took my MCAT yesterday. I'm quite astounded by how much information I had to know for the MCAT. I'm astounded because they really only tested me on a few select topics. For example, there were no fluids (Physics) questions. And that's quite a chunk of the material one has to know in Physics. I'm sure you can imagine what else they didn't test me on in regards to Chemistry, Biology and Organic. All in all, it went much better than the first go-round and that's all I can ask for. I know my score improved, but by how much, well, we'll just have to see.

I am currently in the process of deciding which schools to apply to. I plan to be as realistic about this as possible. My GPA is decent and I am assuming the lowest MCAT score possible and figuring out which schools to apply to based solely on those two factors. My father is convinced that my liberal arts background will set me apart but I'm not as confident.

It's odd to think this is all happening. My original plan was to take my first MCAT and kick butt and then apply early and be accepted by now. Instead, my plan has been slightly derailed but if I end up at my desired destination (med school), then I guess the journey doesn't matter all that much does it?

I can't decide if I should be hopeful or worried or content. Hopeful that I'll get in with what I've got (my GPA and new-and-improved MCAT score--that will be coming in a month). Worried that I'm applying too late for all these rolling admissions. Or content knowing that I've done everything I can (I'm confident about my personal statement, my activities, et cetera) and it's officially out of my hands when I click "Submit." A lot to process.

Today is my first day of doing nothing and it freaks me out a little. I've been reading (Kurt Vonnegut's "Armageddon in Retrospect") and researching possible medical schools to apply to and that's about it. I just don't know what to do with myself when I'm not studying, haha. It's been a constant state of being, as of late, and I don't know what to do otherwise. Weird, I know.

Day 138: Some new ideas

I've been thinking that since the love of my life Joy will not be here next year (fingers crossed she'll be at pharmacy school back home) and North Carolina is by no means home, I'm thinking about going home after I'm done this year. Granted, that was intentionally the plan but then I made friends and realized I'd sort of established myself here and blah blah blah. Then I realized my friends are only so-so (the norm, discovering flaws in people after you've hung out with them so much) and my sister's pretty convinced that this place is not good for my soul (she may or may not be correct in that assumption).

The old plan: Stay here. Take calculus over the summer OR (maybe) apply to this "Medical Education Development Program" at UNC-Chapel Hill (basically a program where I take med school courses before I actually get in to medical school). Take cool courses like biochemistry and physiology to further my science aptitude and impress med schools. I would have already established myself -- with the school, with a hospital where I volunteer, etc. Post-bacc friends are here! (Some will leave but most of them will still be here.) Live with Chris (as was the plan) -- and may a somewhat small rent.

The "new" plan: Go home. If I don't do the MedEd (my own little shortening :D) program, then I will have taken calculus so I can scratch that sucker off. Enroll in a local state school where I will take biochemistry and physiology to further my science aptitude. I need to look more into it but maybe I could take it at the Berkeley extension which will certainly impress schools more than UNCG (let's be honest). Be with my family. Be much closer to my sister. Be with other, non-post-bacc friends. Not pay rent. Save more money. Be closer to schools I'm applying to (read: in-state).

As it looks, I'm leaning towards this new plan (hence the more prevalent pros) but it's still in the works.

Any thoughts?