Regret to Inform
I was going to think about this post for a long time, attempt to be as eloquent as possible, and then type up a long tale recounting the events that have transpired since my application to dental school. Perhaps that post will still be written, but this post is not that one. I didn’t make the cut for the University of Minnesota class of 2011 dental school. This Tuesday, the rejection notice came in the mail. No wait list for me. No dental school this September.
I am trying very very hard to see this as a nice year off from school, an opportunity to build a stronger application, and time to reflect on my general thoughts about life. Sure, I would have loved to have been going to dental school this fall, but there’s nothing I can do about that now. For my biggest trick and biggest change yet, I will attempt to plan for the future while enjoying the present.
Dental school, I’ll see you in 2008.
Comments
Justin Gehring
What idiot didn't let Alex Micek into their school… Sometimes I swear the U of M needs to do more along the lines of meeting the people and less looking at the money supply and grade history.
My bet: they give priority to U of M students.
Dan McKeown
Alex, please accept my condolences on not making it into the program this year. However, I feel I should be writing a similar letter to the head of the department at the U of M since they have missed out on having perhaps the best dental student of our generation, nay, the history of dentistry, at their institution this year. They are missing out and will not realize this until you get in next year. Until then, stay positive, you deserve to get in and you still will.
Nils
Alex,
Hard as this may be, try to see this as an opportunity to do everything else you couldn't do this next year if you were in dental school. Surely, there must be many things that you can now briefly turn your attention to that would have been impossible previously. Traveling? Write/record more piano music? Another TumbleDry redesign? More photography? Your opportunities are endless. Don't look at dental school rejection as a bad thing, consider it another chance to focus on your other interests, aspirations, hobbies, etc.
Or if not, you could always apply to other dental schools. UofM isn't the only one, is it?
Keep your head up, don't worry, and in the words of Eric Idle, "Always look on the bright side of life!" whistling
Sagert
I'm sure you don't want this to become a "What should Alex do with his life?" kind of thread, but seriously, travel. Travel travel travel travel. I can't recommend enough looking into teaching English abroad (e.g. Japan). You get paid, work experience, travel, make awesome relationships, and many positions require little or no qualification other than a BA or BS. And after seeing the teeth around the world, you'll be so happy you're setting up shop in the good ol' U.S. Or you'll be inspired to start a dental revolution elsewhere.
Nils
I, too, would like to stress the value of an abroad experience, whether it's just as a tourist, or taking some kind of working position like Sagert recommended. Really. Look into it.