Alternate!!! Crying all day!!!

rph3664 · Jun 21, 2008

I was an alternate at my first choice of pharmacy schools, although I never found out where I was on the list. I was initially rejected by my second choice, but one day the dean called me at home to tell me that they were adding 10 spots to the incoming class and were offering one of them to me! :yeah: I made plans to go to that city a few weeks later to look for an apartment and a job, and a few days before my scheduled departure, called my first choice (in the city where I was already living) to ask where I was on the list, and they said, "We sent out your acceptance letter today!" :cheers:

I had a hard time believing it until I saw my fall class schedule come off the computer printer, but afterwards, I called that school to inform them that I would not be there and why.

My brother said, "Someone else is opening the champagne tonight!"

Don't give up hope. Did you know that medical schools inform people on their waiting lists as late as a week or two into the fall semester? They get a lot of people who just can't handle cadaver dissection.

LMRN10 · Jun 21, 2008

Of course your going to be upset about it...it's a natural reaction. I've been there and I was down for a while, but I knew this is what I really wanted to do and you just have to remind yourself of that and KNOW that right now just wasn't the time and you will get in when it is. It WILL happen!!! Hang in there and BE UPSET if you need to be!

I'm sorry to hear you didn't get in, but there is still a chance - you never know what people are going to do!

SunnyCaRN · Jun 21, 2008

Well I think we all can understand the tears but its not over yet. Some of those people accepted may have been applying to other schools so that will increase your chances and those on the waiting list ahead of you may have been accepted into another school so you may-be further up than you think! I will keep good thoughts for you!

madampomfrey · Jun 21, 2008

I know how you feel. I was an alternate at my nursing school. I cried all day when I got the letter, but I finally accepted that I could use the time to take a medical terminology class and take an extra science to help me. I am glad I didn't give up and it really did help me. I have made better grades than I believe I would have otherwise. I'm among the top of my class which still makes me laugh to think that I was once told by a faculty member that I would not get in. Looking back now, I would not have changed any of the way it turned out. I love the people in my class and have had a wonderful experience that I would not even change if I could.

Don't give up. I know that it is a hard thing to accept now but I believe that all things happen for a reason. If this is what you want then stick with it and it will feel so much more rewarding in the end. Good luck

2bNurse Elizabeth · Jun 21, 2008

Don't give up hope yet! I have a friend who was an alternate and was admitted even before the deadline for those admitted to return their acceptance letters. People drop out often for many reasons. Some apply to several schools to raise their chances of getting, some change their minds, etc. Keep your chin up! :up:

SusanKathleen, RN · Jun 21, 2008

My good thoughts are with you Arrica.....my school also opened up 8 extra spots at the last minute. Lots of people may not go, due to things like 1) not enough funding 2) changed their mind 3) going to another school instead

Even the people on the wait list may not go either. Hang in there and let us know.

MedicalNerd · Jun 21, 2008

At my school the accept 60 and had 862 apply. When I went to the orientation I found out that they ended up going through all 20 alternates and then they needed to pull more because they couldn't fill all the remaining slots. I was really surprised when they told us that.

CDeniseGo · Jun 21, 2008

Hey there! I don't know if you believe in God, but I have been going to school since 2006 after taking 8, 9 years off from college. I applied to my school's nursing program as soon as I got finished with the pre-req's and waited, and prayed, and cried, and waited. Finally, a certified letter came, and I had to go to the post office to get it. I could barely get in the car trying to open it, so I finally got in and started reading down.. "We are sorry to inform you..." was as far as I got. I started crying so loud and so hard that I had to pull away from the post office our of fear of someone calling the cops on me! It had a little form that said that if you wanted to be considered for next year, you could send back the little paper with a couple of checkmarks indicating your interest. So I did. Immediately I started calling around to other schools and meeting with counselors. All of the programs I checked out had waiting lists a mile (years) long, or had a bunch of classes that I still would have to take just to get on the waiting lists. It didn't look good, but I had decided to pick myself up, dry my tears, and press on. I resigned myself to the idea that I was going to be 32 before I got my associate's degree. Well, I got another certified letter. It told how my school had developed a new partnership with one of the area hospitals. I was like "why are you sending me this crap? I don't care." Well, the letter went on to explain that the new partnership allowed for sixty more openings into the program, and that I was being offered one of them! When you make up your mind to get up and press on, even though you feel that hope is lost, God sees your efforts and opens up paths to you that you didn't know were there! Just keep the faith, and I know that if you stick with your goal of being a nurse, things will work out!!! I am a testimony for that!!!:heartbeat

caliotter3 · Jun 21, 2008

Have you applied to other programs? I would allow myself three or four days to grieve and feel bad about it, then pick things up and start the process over again for the next term. You can't just sit still at this point. If applying to another program or waiting on results puts you a long way off at this point, you need to put your alternate plans into action. You can continue to take courses, enter an LPN program, or work. Research your options if you haven't already and come up with a plan of action, then follow it. All is not lost. Good luck.

rph3664 · Jun 21, 2008

I resigned myself to the idea that I was going to be 32 before I got my associate's degree.

When I went back to school, it occurred to me one day that I would not graduate until I was 30. Okay, and what if I didn't go back to school? How old would I be then? Still 30, and without a degree.

:jester:

Icaria · Jun 22, 2008

I really feel for you. I am in the same boat. I got my letter 2 weeks ago and it was a real blow. I keep hoping that there will be a spot for me. I know there are 12 alternates, but they will not tell me where I am on the list right now. I still have to attend everything as if I were in the program. It really sucks going through the motions and not having a clue if it will matter in the end. I am not going to give up though. I am meant to do this. So I will keep fighting. Care to fight by my side? I can always use a partner! I hope and pray everything works out and you get that call.