On to Plan B: My Next Course of Action

The writing was on the wall. I cannot say that I am surprised. I applied to 4 Caribbean Medical Schools: American University of Antigua, American University of the Caribbean, Ross University, and St. George's University. Unfortunately, I was not accepted into any of these schools.

AUA: We like you but not enough for our medical school. Instead we will offer you a spot in our pre-medical program. If you do well, then you can join our medical school. Oh! And by the way, we don't qualify for government loans and we just lost ties with our private lender. Good luck finding the money to finance this!==I REJECT THIS OFFER!

AUC: Sorry but your MCAT grades are too low. You have 2 weeks to let us know that you have re-registered to take it. Once you have taken it again and scored at least a 25, we will reconsider your application.==NO WAY CAN I MAKE UP MY MIND IN 2 WEEKS ON WHEN I WILL RETAKE THE MCAT. GUESS THIS APPLICATION GOES DOWN THE DRAIN, TOO!

Ross University: We regret to inform you that our program is not the ideal path for you. We don't think that you can handle living in Dominica while studying medicine. Try getting more credentials then apply again for reconsideration.==MORE CREDENTIALS? DID YOU BOTHER LOOKING PAST MY GRADES AND AT MY CREDENTIALS?! I AM IN THE MEDICAL FIELD, LIVED OUT OF MY SUITCASE FOR A YEAR, TRAVELED TO AND STAYED FOR WEEKS IN A 3RD WORLD COUNTRY ALMOST 4 TIMES A YEAR TO PROVIDE HUMANITARIAN AID, VOLUNTEERED MY WHOLE LIFE, AND YOU DON'T THINK I'M FIT?! SMH MAYBE NOT ACCEPTING ME IS A BLESSING IN DISGUISE! PEACE OUT!

St. George's University: We were founded on the principle that medical school rejects will be given a chance but we now only accept 3.4 and above averages. We have forgotten our past and where we came from. We now consider ourselves the Harvard of the Caribbean and cannot accept a below average student like yourself. Complete a Master's program then maybe we will consider accepting you.==I WILL TAKE YOUR ADVICE ALRIGHT! I WILL COMPLETE A MASTER'S PROGRAM AND CLOSE THE BOOK ON YOUR SCHOOL. WITH A BETTER MCAT SCORE AND MASTER'S DEGREE, I WILL  FIGHT HARD TO GET ACCEPTED TO THE SCHOOL THAT ALLOWED ME TO EARN MY GRADUATE DEGREE. SINCE YOU DIDN'T WANT TO GIVE ME THAT CHANCE, I'LL JUST SCRATCH YOU OFF OF MY RADAR ALL TOGETHER. THANKS BUT NO THANKS!

So, on to Plan B I go. I will continue to do my volunteer EMS. Assuming I do not get accepted into a Master's program, I will take graduate courses as a non-matriculated student. I will take the Princeton Review course for the MCATs and blow the test out of the water. Complete my AMCAS application and hope to matriculate into a US Medical School in the Fall of 2014.

Heartbroken? Yes! Mentally broken? Absolutely NOT! Life goes on! On to the next one!

Applying to Medical School...It's The Climb!!

After a few rejections, I almost lost all hope. I thought to myself, "What did I just set myself up for?" I mean I knew going into this that the odds were high against me. Then I logged into my student account to see what grade I got in my statistics course. Low and behold I saw a grade of "A" staring at me. A slew of emotions stirred inside of me. Once again I proved to myself that I am no idiot. I am still that genius student that began reading 5th grade level at the age of 4 and started college courses at the age of 15. Sure I got lost along the way and slipped. However, I did not stay down. I kept on moving and climbing. I will get accepted into a medical school. I will become a doctor. I will be one of the greatest physicians to have practiced medicine. While this application process has taken me for a roller coaster of a ride, I remain motivated and determined. Like the Miley Cyrus song says, "I gotta keep trying! Gotta keep my head held high! There's always gonna be another mountain. It ain't about how fast I get to medical school. It's the climb!" All together these lyrics hit my situation right on. May you find some inspiration in the lyrics and music, too.
THE CLIMBMiley Cyrus
I can almost see itThat dream I'm dreaming but
There's a voice inside my head saying
"You'll never reach it"

Every step I'm taking
Every move I make feels
Lost with no direction
My faith is shaking

But I, I gotta keep trying
Gotta keep my head held high

There's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be an uphill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose

Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb

The struggles I'm facing
The chances I'm taking
Sometimes might knock me down but
No I'm not breaking

I may not know it
But these are the moments that
I'm gonna remember most, yeah
Just gotta keep going

And I, I gotta be strong
Just keep pushing on

'Cause there's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be a uphill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose

Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb, yeah! 
There's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be an uphill battle
Sometimes you gonna have to lose

Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb, yeah! 

Keep on moving, keep climbing
Keep the faith, baby
It's all about, it's all about the climb
Keep your faith, keep your faith, whoa