u/Big-Background3999

I am testing 5/14, and I am just too tired to study anymore. I genuinely thought that I would be so studious and diligent the last few days, instead, I have just been dragging myself to do the section banks. I still haven't taken Fl5 or FL6, because I'm too scared to take another test and not see any improvement. I going to force myself to take FL6 tmrw anyways and see how it goes. Obviously, I am shooting myself in the foot by not using what time I have left to review and practice as much as possible, but I'm also just resigned to the fact that I'll probably have to retake it.

My committee letter has set the deadline for writers to submit the LoR on June 1. So far, none of my letter writers have sent in their rec letter. I was thinking of sending a reminder email two weeks before the deadline. However, I also know that they will probably be busy grading finals and assignments, so I am not sure if I should send the email a bit later.

I haven’t started on my personal statement, how far behind am I? I’m taking the Mcat on 5/14, and my brain is currently mush.

My parents are expecting me to apply this cycle, and I need to figure out how to explain to them that I need another gap year. I already knew that I have some weak spots in my application, and I recently talked with one of my university‘s premed advisors who also reaffirmed that I would need at least one gap year to make my application competitive.

I am hoping that someone who has been in the same situation as me can give tried and tested tips and how to convince my parents this is necessary.

Earlier, when I was still deluding myself into thinking I should apply this cycle, I tried to gently manage the expectation of my parents. They think that I am going to get into NYU and Harvard, and I was trying explain why it is very likely that that will not happen at all. They got mad at me for being “so negative“ and ruining my own chances of getting into a top medical school. How am I supposed to have an honest discussion about where I stand, if my parents just get upset?

Another issue is that they seem think of gap years as an absolute waste of time. My parents have also been telling literally everyone that I am applying this cycle, and I know that they will be pissed if they have to tell people that I will be delaying it.

I don’t have the kind of relationship with my parents where I can talk candidly about my feelings and thoughts, and I always need to be so careful about wording.

I am so stressed and burnt out and I have just been wrecking my brain as to how I should approach this. I was thinking of my phasing in the idea slowly. Like maybe one day I’ll show them MSAR stats. And then maybe another day I’ll try to talk a bit more about my own application. The one thing I know absolutely can‘t do is just tell them outright that I will not have a successful cycle if I apply now.

I am also studying for the MCAT and this has just been adding so much stress. I am not comfortable, applying now and I absolutely do not want to waste time and money on applications, knowing that I will have an unsuccessful cycle.

I would really appreciate any help and advice.

Does anyone have any good resources for understanding lenses and mirrors?

Websites, videos, notes, literally anything would help.

https://preview.redd.it/6zh84ii6g1zg1.png?width=1836&format=png&auto=webp&s=74ea70f26d6bb5c75eea162bf4e42179b6e5243a

https://preview.redd.it/wr2ky4xag1zg1.png?width=1832&format=png&auto=webp&s=31ec0e3b352a0aca6a0d66bcb22371ee3779d43a

I'm testing 5/14, and I am really hoping for around 515. However, as you can see, I seem to have hit a plateau. I am feeling really discouraged, and I would really appreciate any advice and help.

For FL4, I struggled a lot more in c/p than I did in Fl3. I'm thinking its partly because FL4 had a bit more physics, and physics is something I need to work on. I also had timing issues in FL4, whereas in FL3 I did not struggle with timing. In FL4, I guessed on at least 7-8 questions in c/p and b/b due to me running out of time.

I am working through the pankow deck for psych/soc, and am moderately optimistic that I will see improvement there.

What should I do to improve in the other sections? I am dying of stress because I feel like I don't have enough time. What would be the best way to use the remaining days that I have?

What are your best tips for dealing with experimental passages? How do I parse the useful info/ from the not as useful things? Should I take any notes down, or just highlight important parts?

Before I spend my time and money on getting certifications, what are the pros and cons for each? I am really interested in hearing your personal experiences.