Overcoming Disappointment After Medical School Rejection
7 months ago by Chris
After all the work you have put in, you have now received a notification that you have been rejected from medical school. Well, believe it or not, this is more common than you think, and you are not alone! Take it from me, the first time I applied for medical school I was rejected and you are probably feeling very similar feelings to what I did back then.
Firstly, these feelings are valid. You have worked hard during school/university to gain top marks and have also spent time and effort on UCAT preparation. Not only this, but the process of university applications can also be lengthy, and now that you have not gained the outcome you have hoped for, you are more than likely shocked, upset and questioning what you should do next. In this blog, I will outline 6 tips and tricks I learned when I was in the same position as you to help you get through this challenging time.
Feel the emotions
As I said before, your feelings are valid. Whether you’re feeling upset, confused, or even angry – this is normal! It means you care, and this is important. Allow yourself to process your emotions before making a plan to move. Involve friends, family and other support people to help you during this process.
Take a step back
You have worked tirelessly over the last few months studying, practicing, and sitting UCAT, applying for medical school, and potentially interviewing for multiple universities. This process takes time and energy, and only the people who have been through it can really understand this feeling. You need to give yourself a break, whether it is a day, a week or even a few weeks to reset your mind and gain clarity to make your next move.
Think about what you really want
There are multiple professions out there that you may not have thought of that you could enjoy. Whether you want to remain in healthcare or open your horizons to something you may not have considered, this rejection provides an opportunity to reconsider what you really want in life. Have a think about where you see yourself in the next few years. Where you do think you could find yourself at your happiest? Use this as a basis for your career decision. It is helpful to have a Plan B in case things do not work out.
Avoid making rash decisions
It is normal to consider completely giving up your dream of medical school and not looking back. But you don’t want to go through with it on a whim at the time of your rejection and ultimately regret this decision. If possible, it may be a good idea to speak to someone you trust, whether it is a friend, a parent, a careers advisor or even a mentor. Let them hear you out, be honest with yourself and this person and begin a plan to help you get back on track.
Reflect on what went wrong
Ensure you have taken some time to yourself and are in a positive mindset for this step. Think about where you went wrong in this process, and particularly, where your weaknesses lie. Was it that your UCAT score was not high enough, or you feel as though you didn’t place enough emphasis on UCAT and needed more time to prepare? Or was it that you were unable to be your best self on interview day? There are many factors that may have led to your rejection. You need to be honest with yourself and identify your area(s) of weakness so you can work on these and improve for the future. An additional advantage of this step is that if you have another medical interview you can consider discussing this, showing that you can reflect and act on your mistakes!
Try again!
Being rejected from medical school is common and you shouldn’t be disheartened or embarrassed about it. Rejection can make you a better person, in that you can relate to others more closely, identify your strengths and weaknesses, and gain a different perspective on your life. If getting into medical school is what you really want, you can work hard to improve on these areas and try again. The most important thing to do here is believe in yourself.
Remember, rejection does not mean failure; it is an opportunity to better yourself.
Written by Emily, who gained admission into medical school on her second attempt.
