If you’ve been doubting your path to medical school and are in desperate need of a premed motivation boost, I want you to know this: I almost quit.
I almost didn’t reapply after getting 100% rejections after my first attempt at medical school.
And honestly? It wasn’t just one reason. It was a whole laundry list of doubts, fears, and “what ifs” running through my head.
If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. So let me share my story, the 7 reasons I almost didn’t reapply, and how shifting my mindset helped me turn rejection into 10 acceptances.
This post is all about premed motivation.
This post contains affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you. Full disclosure here.
Best Premed Motivation Boost For 2025
My Story: From Equestrian Dreams to Premed Doubts
When I started college, medicine wasn’t even on my radar. I was horse-obsessed, and all I wanted was to join an equestrian team. I went to Mississippi College, got exactly what I thought I wanted, and spent my days split between riding and waiting tables for nearly 36 hours a week.
But my grades slipped. By sophomore year, I was exhausted, undecided, and unsure what came next.
One night, after another shift, I decided I was done coasting. I declared chemistry with a medical track. And from that day forward, the doubts came rushing in:
- “People like me don’t go to medical school.”
- “You’re supposed to have straight A’s.”
- “You have to know from childhood that you want to be a doctor.”
- “You have to be a genius.”
Spoiler: all of that was wrong.
But I didn’t know that yet back then.
7 Reasons I Almost Didn’t Reapply (and the Truth Behind Them)
Here’s the list of doubts that almost kept me from trying again after my first rejection:
1. I didn’t get accepted the first time.
Rejection crushed me. I thought, “If I wasn’t good enough then, why would I be now?”.
Looking back, I can clearly see why I didn’t get in:
- I applied way too late
- My “why medicine” was beyond vague
- I only applied to 4 schools (big mistake)
- …and many more avoidable pitfalls
It wasn’t that I couldn’t be a doctor. I just hadn’t given myself a fair chance.
Premed motivation tip: Rejection is not a verdict, it’s feedback. Use it as data for your second (and stronger) attempt.
2. My GPA was too low.
With a 3.1 GPA and five C’s on my transcript, I was convinced I didn’t have a shot and my first rejection streak just added to that doubt.
But here’s what I did instead of giving up:
- Enrolled in a post-bacc and raised my GPA from 3.1 → 3.3
- Focused on an upward trend to show growth
- Strengthened every other aspect in my control
Premed motivation tip: If your stats aren’t where you want them to be, you can still make improvements. Admissions committees care about effort, consistency, and your full story – not just a single number.
3. I had no guidance.
There weren’t any doctors in my family. I also didn’t have a helpful premed advisor and I felt like I was piecing everything together alone.
But here’s the thing: if you don’t have built-in mentors, you can create them. I researched relentlessly, asked questions, learned from students who did it before me, and later turned everything I learned into my Road to Acceptance program so no one else would feel as lost as I did.
Premed motivation tip: You don’t need to walk this path alone. Lean into online communities, find mentors where you can, or invest in a roadmap that guides you.
4. The cost was intimidating.
Applications cost thousands of dollars. Back then, that felt like an impossible risk.
But the truth is: investing in yourself is worth it. Plus, the AAMC’s Fee Assistance Program (FAP) can significantly cut costs if you qualify.
Premed motivation tip: Think of the money as an investment in your lifelong career. Plan for it, budget for it, and know that the payoff is so much bigger than the upfront cost.
5. The process felt overwhelming.
With so many moving pieces, deadlines and to-dos, MOST premeds get overwhelmed when first glancing at all the steps involved:
- Personal statement
- Secondary essays
- School list
- Letters of recommendations
- Deadlines everywhere
It felt impossible to keep track and I messed up so many steps during my first attempt.
What saved me the second time was breaking it down into small, doable steps. I created my own timeline, stuck to it, and chipped away consistently.
Premed motivation tip: Don’t focus on the mountain – just the next step. Tools like my free 12-Month Premed Planner (get access below) make it easier to map out each month and avoid drowning in the details.
6. I didn’t think I was smart enough.
I was never an A+ student and there were many times when I didn’t feel “smart enough” to become a doctor.
But what I eventually realized: success in medicine isn’t about being the smartest in the room. It’s about resilience, perseverance, and a willingness to learn – which I had!
Premed motivation tip: You don’t need to be a genius. You just need grit.
7. Fear of failing again.
This was the loudest one: “What if I put myself through years of preparation, only to end up rejected again?”
But then I realized something powerful: The only way to be 1000% guaranteed not to get into medical school was to not try.
And that regret? That would’ve been far worse than another rejection.
Premed motivation tip: Trust me, fear will always be there. The goal isn’t to be fearless – it’s to move forward anyway.
The Shift That Changed Everything
Instead of quitting, I took four years to rebuild:
- Worked as an EMT
- Raised my GPA
- Researched every detail of the application process
- Rewrote my personal statement and EC essays
- Rebuild my school list
- …and more
The second time I applied? I earned 10 medical school acceptances, with the same “me” that once felt unworthy and simply not good enough.
Now, I’m a 4th-year medical student about to graduate, have mentored 840+ premeds on their own path and even served as the admissions committee at my own med school. 🥹
Proof that you don’t need to be perfect. You just need to keep going.
Why This Matters for You
If you’re reading this and doubting yourself, I want you to hear me:
- You don’t need a perfect GPA.
- You don’t need a perfect MCAT.
- You don’t need to have known since childhood.
You just need the courage to take the next step, even when it’s scary.
Because if I can do it, you can too.
Action Steps to Use Your Premed Motivation
If you’re fired up right now, channel that motivation into action:
✨ Download my free 12-Month Premed Planner and get clear on your timeline
✨ Write the first draft of your personal statement
✨ Reach out to a doctor today for shadowing
✨ Start your MCAT study schedule
✨ Email a professor for a letter of recommendation
Don’t wait until you “feel ready.” Use this moment to take the next step.
Final Reminder
The tough truth is that the doubts never really go away. BUT they don’t have to define you.
If you focus on the many things you CAN still control and ignore the rest, you’ll look back one day and realize you’re capable of more than you ever imagined.
And when you do, I’ll be cheering for you. ❤
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