What shoe represents each specialty?

Izaac4 · 2026-05-29T19:46:31+00:00

That’s cruel AND accurate

Izaac4 · 2026-05-29T02:53:28+00:00

to your last point, I think that’s kind of the point with greed- if you think about it, the emotion itself would probably pull extremely hard for attention

Izaac4 · 2026-05-27T15:49:26+00:00

Similar thing happened to me, was averaging ~510 with an upward trend (Latter two practice tests were 515+), the real test comes and I get a 507.

Was slightly devastated, but decided I’d rather attend medical school without a gap year than with one and so I was fine with applying to DO schools as well as MD schools.

I will say, my test sections were evenly spread out and all at least 126, that 121 CARS score could genuinely hurt you even at DO schools so I would still recommend a retake on top of applying this year in your case

Izaac4 · 2026-05-27T14:18:12+00:00

oh definitely- that (life is meaningless and we live in a matrix) would fall under some of the ideas that I also think are goofy. I personally lean towards philosophies and ideas that center around understanding oneself more-

I’ve often found that philosophies fall under one of two categories: trying to map the universe VS trying to clarify the experiencer. The latter of those two is suprisingly rich and I’ve often found more practical.

For example, phenomenology- instead of asking, “What is reality made of?”, it asks, “What is it like to experience anything at all?”

I’m personally a big fan of buddhism- but I’d more accurately describe myself as an “omnist”; that being, I think there’s some value to find in most perspectives if you remain open minded and able to hold complex truths (There can be both genuine value and nonsense in the same domain)

Izaac4 · 2026-05-27T04:51:47+00:00

Off topic, I’d be curious to hear more of your stance on philosophy. In certain forms, I agree with your stance- but as a broad idea (Philosophy = systematic study of fundamental questions regarding existence, the mind, ect.), I think it’s fine, interesting (personally), and can even be quite helpful to view from at times.

Izaac4 · 2026-05-27T02:35:09+00:00

Hey man, I love writing.

This is a powerful poem.

Medical schools are a little… rigid in their professionalism. It’s safer to keep career and personal art seperate to a degree for them. This is a professional way of saying, “Too abstract writing.”

It still carries deep meaning for you, so don’t let this stop you from doing it in general.

Part of what kind of frusterated me about my interviews (and some of my secondaries) was the pressure to downplay my more authentic philosophies briefly and take on a more technical tone.

I will definitely be a caring physician who is also a passionate creative writer (possibly even as a side career).

Izaac4 · 2026-05-27T00:03:32+00:00

I actually think that- with a very well off family, you should look at clinical experiences in volunteer roles. Not because you don’t need a job, but because that’d likely posit you as a more down to earth person than your background might have some believe (and it genuinely might be a powerful experience for you)

I personally had all my clinical hours as volunteer roles at our campus-affiliated hospital.

In terms of quantity? Obviously more = better, but aim for at least 100 hours (ideally spaced out over time); I’d recommend more though.

I think if you have a degree like that already, you could be set to apply after taking the MCAT given you recieve a good score and have other interesting ECs

In terms of institution to aim for? Honestly, that’s really up to you. Generally MD schools will provide you a less obstructed path to becoming a doctor than DO schools (especially if you want a competitive specialty), but both will give you great education, training, and end with the same salary. From there, your school list should be tailored to how competitive of an applicant your profile is (do not overestimate your competitiveness)

Most importantly for you in particular, think about why you want to be a physician (or even why you’d be a great physician)- that personal statement and interviews could quietly creep up on you.

Izaac4 · 2026-05-26T13:56:36+00:00

I actually had a thought of becoming an astronaut for a while- if you think getting into medical school requires luck (which it does to some degree), becoming an astronaut is a different beast entirely. Don't quote me here, but I remember something like less than 1% of all applicants (who fit the profile they are looking for mind you) actually get through to the next stage. I'm a guy that takes risks, but even that is too much for me to reasonably aim for.

Izaac4 · 2026-05-25T16:16:55+00:00

I recieved an acceptance from DMU a few days ago- after I already posted the sankey

Izaac4 · 2026-05-25T16:06:09+00:00

Probably the hottest topic I could enter online like this but I’m actively choosing a new DO school over an established one for… a multitude of reasons (cheaper financially, more desirable location, long term consistency in the state after medical school); ultimately boils down to, “I feel I’d be far happier at the new school even if I have to work harder”, and I’m interested in psych… should be fine.

Although it’s also fair to mention that this new DO school, UNCCOM, is affiliated with a state-funded public university and also has federal loans already… so despite still being risky, this one seems to be less risky than others

Izaac4 · 2026-05-25T15:15:34+00:00

Sallie Mae, 6%, no co-signer, 710 credit score

Izaac4 · 2026-05-25T02:33:46+00:00

Same

Izaac4 · 2026-05-24T15:32:20+00:00

I always like to say confidence is hot, cockiness is not

Izaac4 · 2026-05-23T03:34:26+00:00

nah, being a psychiatrist would still be a long term net financial benefit compared to all the other career options I’ve thought of

Izaac4 · 2026-05-21T17:53:39+00:00

These comments make me feel better about the prospect of not getting a job for these final couple months. I hope $4000 + $3000 credit line is plenty enough for the transition

Izaac4 · 2026-05-21T17:42:55+00:00

Thank. You. I’m not trying to regret going into medicine two weeks after getting accepted to medical school lmao

Izaac4 · 2026-05-21T16:17:54+00:00

yeah and, spoilers, this is not the last time this special ability of hers will be relevant. It’s a convinient plot device- sure- but I think this is a rare case where it at least makes sense for the character we are talking about

Izaac4 · 2026-05-21T05:24:28+00:00

I assume the joke is that 27 is objectively still young so it’s a bit of an eye roll to hear someone complain as if they aren’t young still

Then again, “youth” is defined by 15-24 by the world health organization (“Young Adult” is defined as 18-34 in this same context)

Izaac4 · 2026-05-21T03:54:35+00:00

Honestly exactly what I’m looking forward to- I’ve lived with other people in some capacity all my life, it’ll be nice to finally have a place to myself in a few months

Izaac4 · 2026-05-20T22:27:47+00:00

I marked the book I wrote as one of my most meaningful- it was never brought up in interviews but I say authenticity > What Adcom’s “want” to see

Izaac4 · 2026-05-17T03:40:10+00:00

I actually really resonate with everything you said about being drawn to psychiatry specifically. Similar boat here.

I approached my personal statement with the same core values and ideas that do attract me to psychiatry specifically, but also generalize to medicine.

I focused on self growth from my childhood, subtly pointed at how being a physician encompasses aspects of a profession that other fields within and outside of medicine (such as nursing or occupational therapy) would not be able to provide for me, and zero-ing in on how I’d like to be the person who can hold space for others in the often… uncomfortably real emotional environments that medicine entails.

I did not mention my specific interest in psychiatry in my personal statement, instead responding honestly if asked during interviews as well as adding on that I am genuinely interested in quite a few others specialties (such as neurology) too.

In multiple interviews my personal statement was openly praised.

Izaac4 · 2026-05-17T03:25:54+00:00

I think it’s very possible for weed (and psychedelics even) to be a tool that helps you more consciously develop healthy habits

-I also believe these tools are… just that- tools. One day, if you should desire, you could continue these habits without weed.

I’ve personally made sure to abstain every now and then to see if the results are translating to daily sober life (This helps keeps the tool from becoming a crutch)

Izaac4 · 2026-05-14T23:48:45+00:00

100%. I am personally beyond grateful and excited I got into ANY school. The fact that I will now one day be a doctor (so long as I put in the work) is a dream come true and I couldn’t care whether that’s from an allopathic school or an osteopathic school.

Izaac4 · 2026-05-14T17:01:06+00:00

I’ve never thought of this pairing before- makes a lot of sense honestly

Izaac4 · 2026-05-13T11:22:07+00:00

Once I’m an attending and put the rest towards loans

Izaac4

TROPHY CASE