Chronicles of The Acceptance (Pt. 1)
It’s odd writing about my acceptances and what I did for Winter Break 4 months after the fact, but seeing as how these are significant, it’s definitely worth mentioning.
It all started on December 15th, circa 6 PM. I was in Tisch (Tufts’ library) studying for my Differential Equations final that was the following morning. This class was one of the most poorly taught and difficult courses I have taken, and so I’m sure you could imagine my stress level. I decided to take an opportune break after a four hour studying marathon and decided to talk to a friend. In the middle of our conversation, I received a call from an unknown number, and this is essentially how the conversation went:
“Me: Hello?
Caller: Hello, is Rushabh available?
Me: Yep, speaking
Caller: This is Dean Rivera from NYU School of Medicine. How are you?
Me: I’m doing well
Caller: That’s good to hear, but I’m glad to say that it’s going to get better…..”
And with that, I was informed of my first acceptance to a medical school. Holy shit. My stress levels went from incredibly high to nonexistent, in a matter of seconds. I couldn’t believe it. This is probably one of the most surreal feelings and experience I ha6 d ever witnessed. Here I had been, for the last 5 years, trying to pursue a career in medicine. I had dedicated so much time, sacrificed a notable amount, and had put everything I had in me behind the cause, and here I finally was. I had been accepted. The first thing I did was call my parents and tell them immediately. To say that they were excited, is an understatement. My mom might have started crying (out of joy, of course). My dad was thrilled, and I told him it was an early birthday present (his birthday is December 16th). The second thing I did was pack up my stuff and leave the library, immediately. I could not contain my excitement. I enjoyed a study break with my fraternity brothers, as we ate dinner together, and I told them of my news. I eventually did get back to studying and finishing my Differential Equations and Biochemistry finals later that week, but I had little motivation. Several more acceptances were to come down the road, thus offering me flexibility.
With the end of my finals ushered in a new stage in my life. Gone were the days of pre-med stress, lack of time, excess work, and minimal rest. I could finally relax for the first time in my life and focus on the bigger picture and more important things in my life. I finished up my obligations and extracurricular activities, and upon their completion, I could focus on my career (it’s weird seeing this in writing. To think about healthcare and medicine as my career….I just feel too young to refer to it as that). Don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t dropping everything I had and slacking. I wasn’t involved with a bunch of activities as a form of resume-padding. What I mean is that once I was accepted into medical school, I could better focus on my preparation as a health care provider and think about myself for once.
One of my strongest traits is organization. I am able to organize really well and get assignments done on time, with leeway if needed. However, this is also one of my weak points. I tend to prioritize deadlines and assignments. Over the last four years, I have neglected myself the most. I don’t go to the gym as often as I should. I don’t eat nearly as healthy as possible. I don’t take time to appreciate literature and arts while studying. Why? Because it is more convenient (and I save time) if I don’t do these things. Obviously I did take breaks, but these were more guilty pleasures that haven’t contributed towards personal development as much as I would like. Television, junk food, weekend outings, etc… However, with my new found time, I could focus on this vital aspect much more.
So yeah. My finals were done. Winter break began. The upcoming semester (Spring 2012), I would only be taking 2 real classes and 2 gym classes. I had no regular homework. I had no classes on Mondays or Fridays (4 day weekends!). It was time to relax, until medical school started. Like I said, it was a new stage in my life. Essentially what I have been doing is preparing myself (whether directly or indirectly, for medical school).
Brief pre-graduation update
So much to come, soon!
College graduation. Summer of no obligations. Last YJA. My own car. MEDICAL SCHOOL. NYC. I hope to get this website in much better shape soon. As well as other goals. When I’m in the mood I’ll get around to it.
Also, I find buying wallets a little ironic.
Late Thanksgiving Update
It’s been a while. It’s Thanksgiving break, one of three chances I’ve had all semester to breathe. I’m watching The Untouchables as I write this post. This is probably the last chance I’ll have in the next four weeks to be sane. Once school starts, it’ll be back to grindstone. It’s funny because I was reading my old posts and I ran across something I wrote at the end of the summer about Senior year. I wish what I had said then stayed true. This has definitely been the busiest semester thus far. Surprisingly, classes are not bad/overwhelming at all. DiffEq is a little irritating, but nothing I can’t handle. It’s everything else which was more than I had expected. I started off with three jobs (TA, research, and tutoring), three extracurricular activities (Garba captain, TEMS, and Theta Chi), and medical school interviews/applications. That’s what got me.
But, it’s only this semester. Four weeks left of the last big push. Next semester will be a godsend (4 day weekends!). Only one job, three standard classes, and two extracurricular activities.
These lasts four weeks, I’m going to give it everything I’ve got it. I doubt any of you will really see me around if you’re not in the library or campus center…
Better and brighter news! Spring break, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic! I’m going with seven good friends, four nights/five days! At this point, I’ll definitely be done with applications and I’ll have no obligations left but to enjoy Senior year.
Oh, and I’m going to India for winter break! My cousin is getting married, and so it looks like it’s going to be a great trip. The last time I was there was four years ago, also for a (different) cousin’s wedding. Three weeks in India during the perfect season? I won’t complain. We’re also stopping in Dubai for a few days on the way there! My parents went there a few years back, and from the (way too many) pictures my mom showed me, I’m psyched to check it out. It’s definitely a tourist scene which I haven’t experienced before (modernized city outside of Europe).
Note: Wrote this during Thanksgiving, only had a chance to publish it now. As soon as winter break starts (4 days), I’ll update it again.
Interviewing
I bought myself a new suit. It’s pretty boss.
These medical school interviews are going to be fun. I have two lined up. Wish me luck.
Scrubs
Huge fan of the show.
I just rewatched the first 8 seasons over the course of the last month or month and a half.
Mm. yea.
Meh.
Only with persistence will you be able to overcome your greatest obstacles…
I always told myself that I couldn’t do it. The few rare times I had tried, I had failed miserably. I was scared and did not want to risk getting hurt. But, a good friend came up to me and told me we could do it together. With this, I went hat-shopping today and bought a pretty boss hat.
Lame, yeah, I know.
But seriously, I never thought I would be able to pull of a hat of any kind. I had tried finding different styles that could work but I couldn’t do find anything that did my head any justice. As a birthday gift though, an awesome friend decided to take me shopping and get a hat that I liked and that would work. Surprisingly, I found a couple and ended up with a baseball cap that works well. I’m stoked.
Summer 2011
It’s been a long summer.
It’s going to be hard for me to summarize my whole summer and talk about every little aspect in detail, but as Summer 2011 winds down, it’s difficult for me to not reflect back upon it.
I started my summer early May with the end of my finals, still riding on a wave of jubilation of having finished my MCATs. I came back home for a week to relax and take a break, but I knew that once I returned for research, it would be a whole different feel. I’m glad I got to be up in Boston (at Tufts) because something about the vibe that I got from it during my last summer here when I took Organic Chemistry enticed me to stay. As I moved in, I had big plans: enjoy my summer vacation, try new things out in Boston, surround myself with good friends and company, and apply to medical school.
I was lucky enough to be employed as a researcher, but I soon realized how I really felt about it. As much as I loved science, I couldn’t see myself being stuck behind a lab bench for the rest of my career. This made the application process to medical school much easier because my sentiments with research only enhanced my application to medical school. Even then, I felt a little bit disappointed about this research. A clinical research opportunity or healthcare position would have been great, but I am not one to regret anything because there’s little I can do to change the past. Regret also seems to hurt people more than it helps them.
As I started my applications to medical school, I got into this habit of going to work, going to the gym, and coming back home and working on my applications. I still had free time after work to take some time off and free time during the weekends to relax, but there was some sort of structure to the summer. For better or for worse, I played into this regularity and soon got caught up in the whole process. This summer has been very introspective. Applying to medical school does that to you, especially when you have to write 20+ essays about yourself. It was great, though, having to only worry about me, myself, and I. Summer was great. I didn’t have anything to stress me out or any big problems or obstacles to deal with. This summer was more or less just about me, living. I know it sounds cliche and even shallow-despite-an-attempt-to-be-deep, but that’s not what I really intend it to mean. I made money this summer. I hung out with friends. I focused on my biggest personal goal of applying to medical school. I didn’t face any adversity. I enjoyed the sun and the perfect summer days. What else could I really ask for?
I cooked a bunch. That was fun. It just seems as if time went by so fast. I wanted to cook more, although I did learn/invent a few new recipes. I have 3 weeks before school starts, I realize, but once I go back to school next week for Orientation Leader training, I’m going to be sucked right back into it.
Senior year.
Yeah.
There’s going to be a long post all about it.
I’m ready though. I’m confident. I won’t be tripped up off my path and I won’t be stopped.
I want it, and I will get it.
Home
For two weeks. This is going to be awesome. I have a bunch of chores/tasks to complete but this is my second day back and all I have done thus far is eat, sleep in, and watch TV. Yep. Standard college kid break.
I’m watching “Yes Man” right now. I’ll probably sit on my butt all day and watch movies until 3 AM tonight. I miss having downtime.
21!
Oh yea, happy belated 21st birthday me!
Kind of self centered I know but it was an awesome weekend with many of my close friends and family. I couldn’t ask for anything else.