After not getting into medical school while being on three wait-lists, I reapplied the next year more confident with a stronger resume. Eight interviews later I found myself sitting on six wait-lists with no acceptances. I was angry and frustrated. As the months rolled on, I lost almost all hope. Medical schools were going to start in a few months and here I was, acceptance-less. Thankfully, and with good graces I managed to be offered a spot in late May. I happily accepted it and found myself in medical school only a couple short months later.
Once I started I found that I was not the only one who struggled. While some of my peers managed to get multiple acceptances, most didn't. In fact my class was filled with students who had to reapply multiple times, or who barely made it in. Interestingly enough, those students who did struggle ended up being amazing students, the best in the class really.
Fast forward 4 years and I found myself comfortably matched into an orthopedic residency. I often reflect on my struggle and can say with confidence that the hardest part of medical school is getting in. But if I had gotten in on my first attempt I wouldn't have had a year off to really enjoy myself. In the end things worked out for the best. My advice is to just keep your head up and keep trying. It will work out one way or another.