Another rejection brings out the continued notion that I won't be going to medical school this year, an idea that I have ascribed myself to over the last few days. This time it is Temple. Which is cool and all, but the letter they sent me was the same exact letter they sent to every other rejectee from their school this year. At least they could have the decency to send me a different form letter, one to the tune of "We did really like you as indicated by our decision to keep you on the wait-list, but we don't have space for you". But no. They give me the song and dance about having over 7000 applications and then the kicker "Unfortunately the tyranny of numbers requires us to reject many who have the potential to become physicians"

First of all, what exactly comes to mind when you hear "tyranny." This is how dictionary.com describes it:

1. A government in which a single ruler is vested with absolute power.
2. The office, authority, or jurisdiction of an absolute ruler.
3. Absolute power, especially when exercised unjustly or cruelly: “I have sworn... eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man” (Thomas Jefferson).
4. 1. Use of absolute power.
   2. A tyrannical act.
5. Extreme harshness or severity; rigor.

I think dictatorship, a la Hitler, Lenin, etc. etc. etc. So are they saying they have a dictatorship? Well isn't that cool. Last time I checked, Temple is in North Philadelphia and as Chris (my roommate from Georgetown) put it, "If you go to Temple, you will be robbed at least 1 time per year". The last thing they have is a dictatorship over the medical school applicants and that is based alone on the location, not to mention other stuff with the school like the accredidation problems they were having last year and having 8 (yes 8) people per cadaver -- 4 on each side.

Now don't get me wrong and misinterpret my rantings and ravings. If they had accepted me, I would have been there in a heart beat as opposed to applying to med school for a third time. It is just the little annoying things that get me and am frustrated at yet another rejection. I have all the letters from both years in a folder in my room.

When I get into medical school (notice how I don't say if :) ) I am going to do something with them... and no, it won't be burn them. I will probably make a collage out of them (yah, kinda girly) but I can post it on my wall to serve as a constant reminder that not everything in this world is given to us. These past two and a half years have served as a humbling experience for me; it's an experience that I, though feel somewhat brusied and broken from, wouldn't trade for anything in the world. I am sure some poet or literary-type figure said something to the effect of it's not the destination that is most important, but the journey.

And the journey, my friends, is what makes it all worth it. We can't have the good times if we don't know the bad. It is the people that join you on the journey, whether it is for 1 hour, or 3 years, that make the journey worthwhile. It is the places you go, both literally and figuratively, that make the journey worthwhile. So I hope you look around (I'll refrain from that stupid saying with flowers) and realize the journey you are on, and recognize that it probably isn't that bad, all things considered. Things will work out along your path one day, probably when you least expect it. Everything may suck now, but remember this time so that one day you can look back and laugh.

-waiter