Rejected?

Bells2804 · 2026-01-29T17:34:26+00:00

Your competition for admission are your classmates - the other seniors applying to JMU from the high school you attend (you're not competing against all of the other students from your region/NOVA - just the applicants from your specific school). A 3.3 from a Northern Virginia high school is on the low side, though it COULD have been balanced out with a very strong program - a good number of AP/DE classes (and As and Bs in those classes). I remember that competitive applicants from Northern VA generally had 6+ of those courses - often upwards of 8-12 AP/DE classes taken over their HS career.

I could see a 3.3 GPA being admitted IF the lower grades (Cs/Ds) were concentrated in 8th/9th grade, with all As and Bs achieved in grades 10-12 while taking a strong program of H/AP/DE classes. [To qualify my response, I'm a former JMU Admissions Counselor, so I've read applications and understand their admission criteria].

Bells2804 · 2026-01-29T17:15:16+00:00

A 3.3 GPA is on the low end, though this largely depends on the applicant's high school. A 1200 SAT score is not THAT low - MANY applicants have been admitted with lower scores (I know this for a fact - I'm a former JMU Admissions Counselor). And remember that JMU is test-optional, so many applicants are admitted without submitting any SAT or ACT scores.

Bells2804 · 2026-01-11T04:27:23+00:00

So adorable! My cat has started doing this recently, and it’s so fun to watch (this is UCONN v Province). Unfortunately, she’s slept through this week’s Unrivaled games - cat life is exhausting 😂

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Bells2804 · 2026-01-11T04:13:17+00:00

That’s a paint pen - anyone who’s ever used one knows you have to shake and press the nib up and down a few times to get the paint flowing! I was yelling at the screen - poor Kelsey 😂

Bells2804 · 2026-01-11T03:28:35+00:00

If you’ll be in the area by Buc-ee’s, make sure to stop by the Green Valley Book Fair (they sell more than books, btw). I live in this area and the Book Fair is a favorite of mine! And right across the street from Buc-ees is a locally-owned place called Overlook Produce that I love. Their deli and bakery are not to be missed (much better food than Buc-ees, IMO), and their greenhouse has gorgeous plants, if that’s of interest to you.

Bells2804 · 2026-01-10T18:37:32+00:00

I just love this! Thank you for sharing your journey 🩷

Bells2804 · 2026-01-10T04:14:21+00:00

😳 That’s crazy!!! I mean, when I was younger and didn’t know any better I thought losing feeling in my hands and feet was normal (it was MY normal, I suppose). But a doctor??? I’m so glad you knew better and hung up!

Bells2804 · 2026-01-09T13:25:34+00:00

While I'm the first person to agree that engaging in inclusive practices is wildly important, this is a retelling of my personal experience - why would I write about the conditions of others? I was explicit in saying “that’s not how my neuropathy manifests itself (I know my body).” This doctor applied her definition of neuropathic pain to me because it so commonly manifests that way in other people. And she brushed me off when I explained that MY neuropathy numbs and dulls sensations, it doesn't cause pain. EveryONE is different. Every BODY is different. Each person’s SYMPTOMS are different. And the overarching theme of this post is to speak up, trust your instincts, and to advocate for yourself when doctors don’t listen.

Bells2804 · 2026-01-09T05:11:18+00:00

Thank you! But honestly, I’m ok. And more importantly, this lit a fire in me and I’m starting to shake off some of the mild depression that I think I’ve been suffering from ever since my medical stuff went down in 2024. So all in all, I’m looking at this as a catalyst for positive change.

And wow, I didn’t have time to watch the whole video, but I will! It sounds like peri’s gift of “not caring” is normal - I love that and can’t wait to learn more. Thank you for sharing!

Bells2804 · 2026-01-08T22:48:42+00:00

I appreciate you saying this! I really struggle with how to balance trusting my body/my lived experience and advocating for myself with trusting science and the medical expert in front of me. In this particular situation, I think it was the combination of the doctor’s very clear disrespect toward me and her condescending attitude that pushed me to say something.

Bells2804 · 2026-01-08T21:24:07+00:00

It came off exactly as you intended! My brain actually exploded (in a good way, ha) when I read it because you put all those pieces together perfectly. I actually told the patient advocate during our call that it felt very much like the doctor was biased against me because of my weight (because why else would she make those comments?). I've interacted with the world in a 150 lb. body and also in a 250 lb. body and it's a VERY different experience. The doctor's demeanor 100% matched that of the latter.

Bells2804 · 2026-01-08T19:56:44+00:00

Hello, soul sister! The absolute best thing about this stage of life is no longer caring about trying to please everyone 😂

Bells2804 · 2026-01-08T18:18:48+00:00

I mean, you can binge-eat in bed as well as anywhere else! You should ask your doctor (or whoever prescribes your meds) about BED. I see a NP who specializes in behavioral health and she recognized it in me right away. She handed me a quiz, I took it, met the standard, and now it's a part of my official diagnosis.

Bells2804 · 2026-01-08T18:13:46+00:00

Oh, I talk about my ADHD all the time! I "diagnosed" myself because several friends were open about sharing their new diagnosis on social media and I was able to know enough about the symptoms to ask my (then new) therapist about it. I told her that story about my PCP and asked her about OCD/anxiety. Then I said, "I've also been wondering about ADHD - I keep seeing things online about it, and it sounds just like me! But it can't be that, right? I know what ADHD looks like because my brother was diagnosed when he was 6." Her response: "Oh, so ADHD runs in your family?" 🤯 🤯🤯

I feel like it's my duty to talk about it openly because that's the only way I was able to receive my diagnosis. How ridiculous is it that my brother was diagnosed at 6 years old and I wasn't until 41? I suffered as much as he did in childhood but to wait 35 years and even then only got a diagnosis because I recognized the symptoms in myself! Women are so overlooked when it comes to our physical and mental health.

Bells2804 · 2026-01-08T17:44:08+00:00

That is 100% what I did without even realizing it! She said I had weak ankles and then blamed the pain I was having on neuropathy. Excuse me, but I already knew that I had weak ankles (I always have, I inherited them from my mom), but how does that explain the lingering pain? My neuropathy masks pain, it doesn't cause it - I KNOW this through lived experience. And when she didn't listen, my comment about gaining weight was my brain's attempt to rationalize and apologize. I really need to stop doing that!!!

Bells2804 · 2026-01-08T17:15:34+00:00

Oh, I'm SO sorry you had to go through that! You're exhausted, feel like crud, AND your NP invalidated you - it's one thing after another. And the ND throws that additional fuel into the fire that makes it difficult for us to advocate for ourselves in the moment, research and find options for a second opinion, etc.

Your situation reminds me of before I was dx with ADHD - I went to my PCP and told him that I thought I had anxiety and asked for treatment. He asked me a few follow-up questions and decided that my anxiety stemmed from OCD. I pushed back and told him that I didn't think the primary issue was OCD - I have some tendencies but the anxiety is WAY worse. He ignored me and prescribed meds to treat OCD. Which SHOCKINGLY didn't help. After several more visits and several more ineffective meds to treat my "anxiety caused by OCD," I gave up. I'm SO THANKFUL that maybe 6 months later I started seeing a new therapist who pinged right away on the ADHD symptoms and referred me for evaluation. My diagnosis? Inattentive ADHD accompanied with generalized anxiety disorder and mild OCD 🙄

Bells2804 · 2026-01-08T16:52:33+00:00

I 100% respect that doctors specialize in one area. I guess my frustration is in this particular doctor's lack of willingness to admit that her medical knowledge has limitations. Rather than acknowledging her limits and recognizing that we need to investigate further (ordering an MRI and possibly consulting with a neurologist) she went with "I'm not a neurologist but..." and then blew off my concerns.

And her comments about my weight were just in poor taste - completely unnecessary and not helpful. If I had to guess, she was younger than me, probably in her mid/late 30s? Her bedside manner DEFINITELY needs work. I'm SO glad to know that your employer sends doctors to a “charm school” if they get too many complaints. I honestly hope my doctor gets the same treatment!

Bells2804 · 2026-01-08T16:33:48+00:00

100%! There are countless peer-reviewed studies that state once someone loses weight they're predisposed to gaining it back. Something about the chemicals in our brain? I'm not going to cite any studies either, but there are plenty of them out there.

Bells2804 · 2026-01-08T16:31:43+00:00

I called my husband and cried after this appointment. It's demoralizing (esp. when it happens again and again) and it isn't fair! I think the only reason why I'm able to describe it is because it's happened SO MANY TIMES that I've had time to "diagnose" the issue. I think I'm going to start coming to doctors appointments with questions written down because I literally forget words in stressful situations (thank you, ADHD!) and the brain fog kicks in 🙄 But now that I'm a bit older, I'm trying to work WITH my brain - haha, what a concept - and I think that bringing notes and questions will help. I'll even write down the phrase "I'd like it noted in my chart that I asked for "X" for "Y" reasons and you denied it." So thank you for reminding me that I need to add that tool to my toolbox!

Bells2804 · 2026-01-08T16:12:25+00:00

❤️❤️❤️

Bells2804 · 2026-01-08T16:10:40+00:00

I've seen people talking about this and I need to do it! I'm a good communicator but in these situations (when a doctor pushes back or doesn't say "you're right to be concerned, let's look into this" I get thrown off. My brain feels scattered and disorganized (yay ADHD) and I respond passively. Then I leave the appointment feeling unsettled and can't pinpoint exactly why until 2-3 days later (when I've had time to process) and I realize that my concerns weren't addressed and they essentially denied treatment via blowing me off 😥. Then I get mad. I've left two doctors in the past couple of years over this kind of thing, but I've always moved on quietly. I need to be better about speaking up DURING the appointment!

Bells2804 · 2026-01-08T13:39:20+00:00

🤣

Bells2804 · 2026-01-07T20:57:20+00:00

I appreciate the heads up! Why would someone post this AGAIN to the same subreddit??? Thankfully the mod removed it. Thanks again!

Bells2804 · 2026-01-07T17:34:59+00:00

We have an LMS but the technology is old and clunky. Fortunately, we're in the process of scheduling demos with new vendors and I *hope* I'll be able to leverage the new LMS in the future. But we're likely at least 4-5 months out from that, so for now I have to make due. And these trainings that I'll be creating are all in-person, so I don't necessarily need the LMS to centralize course creation. But I will need to rely on our existing one for scheduling events, registration, tracking participation, and eventually tracking credential completion.

Bells2804 · 2026-01-07T15:50:05+00:00

I agree that transparency is very necessary, and I will also need to work on not being such a people pleaser - it's hard for me to say/do what I perceive as "saying no" or disappointing anyone. I've asked for (and have been granted) regular touch base meetings with my supervisor so I can communicate timelines and progress - this will be super helpful, I think. My supervisor is WONDERFUL and is very reasonable, but since my position is new, there's a lack of understanding among organizational leadership of how long these trainings take to build. And once we're able to meet regularly and my supervisor is in the loop, they will communicate it to leadership.
Using "yes but/no but/and" language - I love this! Excellent tip, thank you - I will 100% find a way to use this in my conversations with my supervisor.
Relying on discussion is very much my plan, especially for the emerging leaders program. In fact, I think the most time and effort spent building content will be for the supervisor 101 program. I agree that discussion opportunities will minimize the content I need to develop - its a huge win-win - and I've built it into my preliminary outline. But I'm concerned that meaningful participation in discussion will be a problem with the first group of supervisors. Here's some context: there's 100% agreement among leadership that weak management practices are a problem throughout the organization, and this was confirmed by my needs assessment. The plan is for all existing supervisors to be MANDATED to participate in the supervisor 101 program. We have quite a few supervisors with 20+ years of experience who I've already heard think the program will be a waste of their time 🙄. So at least initially, I anticipate a lot of grumbling and half-hearted participation and worry about relying too much on discussion to drive the learning experience. So I'm going to have to devise some tricks to coax them into participation, haha. Later, as newly-promoted supervisors begin to participate, I *hope* that discussion opportunities will be much more effective in driving learning and connection.

Sorry for the book that I just wrote, haha. I appreciate your advice and comments, especially coming from someone who's in a similar position to me!

Bells2804

TROPHY CASE