Expensive school that I dislike vs. re-apply

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I agree. I think you'll get into med school the second time around--but who knows which one? the thread above mentions you applied to mostly top 20 schools. Is that why you dont like the one that accepted you? Because it wasn't in the top 20? If your goal is to get into a top 20, then that might not be feasible and if it is, you might have a lot of work ahead to fix issues with your application (1 for 6 is not a good statistic). But if you'd be happy at a school of similar ranking (in a preferable location, with a preferable student body) the I think you'll be fine.

Maybe a reapplicant can speak to this but do you have to answer Yes/No on AMCAS as to whether or not you're a reapplicant? My understanding is that schools you have already applied to will know that you're a re-applicant (they save your file) and will also know you turned down an acceptance (again, they have your file which includes your acceptances)....BUT a school you haven't applied to may never know. If you expand your list to different schools I think you might be okay only if you dont need to share your reapplicant status on the AMCAS primary.

Also, adcoms this time around see your stats, see that you have finished college, see when you took the MCAT and they wonder what is wrong with you that you weren't snapped up the first time. That you received one offer from 5 interviews is not a good sign.

Hint hint.

I, as a pre-med student, strongly suggest that you matriculate. I currently have low stats and realize that my chances of acceptance at an MD school are slim. In your situation, I would take the offer and run with it, invite friends and family to Red Lobster and celebrate my acceptance. Getting an acceptance would be a dream come true. And then there's you, who's picky about atmosphere and loans. Get over yourself and appreciate that you got accepted AT ALL.

Originally Posted by soundnin

OP, for the love of god, please listen to those that have walked the walk (or are walking it) and not the idealistic pre-med hopefuls.

Religion aside, being an "idealistic premed hopeful" some jaded old-schoolers assume myself to be, I'd like to attest that yes, OP, I'm not a medical student yet. I'm just giving an advice I would follow if I were in your shoes, so of course take what I (and anybody else, for that matter) say with a grain of salt. You need an opinion of those who have been in your shoes. But there is always a choice. I think with your stats, you have a very high chance if getting into a medical school, MD or DO. Sometimes, doing things non traditionally may be best for YOU personally.

Originally Posted by AmirTimur

$350,000 - that's a lot. If you go to your state school, you will end up paying less than three times as less.

This is why economics should be a required course in undergrad.

Originally Posted by RedSox10

I agree. I think you'll get into med school the second time around--but who knows which one? the thread above mentions you applied to mostly top 20 schools. Is that why you dont like the one that accepted you? Because it wasn't in the top 20? If your goal is to get into a top 20, then that might not be feasible and if it is, you might have a lot of work ahead to fix issues with your application (1 for 6 is not a good statistic). But if you'd be happy at a school of similar ranking (in a preferable location, with a preferable student body) the I think you'll be fine.

Maybe a reapplicant can speak to this but do you have to answer Yes/No on AMCAS as to whether or not you're a reapplicant? My understanding is that schools you have already applied to will know that you're a re-applicant (they save your file) and will also know you turned down an acceptance (again, they have your file which includes your acceptances)....BUT a school you haven't applied to may never know. If you expand your list to different schools I think you might be okay only if you dont need to share your reapplicant status on the AMCAS primary.

It's not about ranking - I'd rather go to a 60-something that I like (am I an idiot?).

As for your second point, that's a very important question - obviously I would focus on schools that I have not already applied to, so the fact that I turned down an acceptance would not matter if they had no way of knowing. It seems to me that only schools that I've already applied to would know my dirty little secret. Does anyone know?

With that said, I'm not necessarily leaning toward this course of action at the moment...

Originally Posted by PYITE

It's not about ranking - I'd rather go to a 60-something that I like (am I an idiot?).

As for your second point, that's a very important question - obviously I would focus on schools that I have not already applied to, so the fact that I turned down an acceptance would not matter if they had no way of knowing. It seems to me that only schools that I've already applied to would know my dirty little secret. Does anyone know?

They may presume that you applied and were rejected everywhere... there is little reason for someone who took the MCAT > 1 year ago and who had excellent stats to be applying after college graduation. They are going to wonder, "why didn't this guy get in last year?" Why is he slumming down here with the mid-tiers... are we his safeties?

You have no idea whether you'll be happy at a school at this point, none.

Originally Posted by PYITE

It's not about ranking - I'd rather go to a 60-something that I like (am I an idiot?).

As for your second point, that's a very important question - obviously I would focus on schools that I have not already applied to, so the fact that I turned down an acceptance would not matter if they had no way of knowing. It seems to me that only schools that I've already applied to would know my dirty little secret. Does anyone know?

With that said, I'm not necessarily leaning toward this course of action at the moment...

Originally Posted by LizzyM

They may presume that you applied and were rejected everywhere... there is little reason for someone who took the MCAT > 1 year ago and who had excellent stats to be applying after college graduation. They are going to wonder, "why didn't this guy get in last year?" Why is he slumming down here with the mid-tiers... are we his safeties?

While valid (and coming from the mouth of an adcom member) I wonder how much weight that holds even if they do assume you applied and were rejected everywhere. I'm saying this because I see so many people on SDN and mdapplicants with great/above average stats without acceptances and sometimes this boils down to lack of advising/knowledge. there are great people out there who either get too ambitious and only apply to top 10, or who don't know any better and only apply to a couple schools....Someone who doesn't get in one cycle might be a terrible person/applicant but he/she may also just be a really uninformed applicant.

Originally Posted by LizzyM

They may presume that you applied and were rejected everywhere... there is little reason for someone who took the MCAT > 1 year ago and who had excellent stats to be applying after college graduation. They are going to wonder, "why didn't this guy get in last year?" Why is he slumming down here with the mid-tiers... are we his safeties?

There is a solution for this: if it comes up, mention that you can't afford the school without going into impossible debt (which is pretty true). Your story is that you were SO happy to gain a med school acceptance but were "crushed" when you found that there was no way you could afford the financial picture.

This happened to me in UG where I applied to a dream school binding ED, then unfortunately had to drop out after I didn't get financial aid. It's sad, but it happens.

I can see both sides to this thread argument. On the one hand, medical school is an enormous investment and it's 4 years of your life-you should be in a place where you will be happy-and all medical schools are NOT alike (it really bugs me when people say this because it's not true IMO). Plus, you seem to be a great candidate (take the comment about practicing interviews seriously) and I think it's a stretch to say you couldn't get in ANYWHERE else with a reapplication. My guess is that if they like you but are concerned about the reapplication they won't reject you outright-they'll ask you in the interview (where you can explain that you couldn't afford it, blah, blah). That plus you'll be applying to schools you haven't applied to before (nitpick some top 20s if you must, but try new places too).

On the other side, people also have a valid point. As someone who's gone through the whole "interview/second look" thing, most of your class is going to be people you've never seen before. Many people that go to interviews aren't accepted and many people that go to second looks change their mind. I chose my medical school because I really loved the people I met who for sure committed (and that I talked to on the fb group)-I'm the kind of person who can be happy anywhere with the right crowd around. So don't be too hasty when saying you "hate" a school-do you all have a fb group where you can look at the other members and see if they're cool? Any chance for a campus revisit? Maybe do some more research on SDN and see how current students like it? The money is scary....but it's true what someone says-a year of salary could compensate a bit and save you a gamble..

Best of luck!

Were you at least waitlisted at the other schools, or were they all post-interview rejections? If it's the latter, then you should definitely take the acceptance and run. If you were waitlisted at the other schools, are any of them still active? Do you have a chance of getting an acceptance to another school?

If I had to guess, I'd say that the school you are debating is Tufts. It's notoriously expensive and located in Boston, which is also ridiculously expensive. However, I met some Tufts M3s while I was interviewing elsewhere in Boston, and they seemed to really love the school. Perhaps you just didn't get to see enough on the interview day. Of course, you could also be talking about one of the other schools in that range (an OOS school would also make sense). Just try to apply for as many scholarships as possible if you choose to take the offer. In addition, schools' COAs are sometimes inflated; if you budget wisely you can end up spending a lot less (especially if you are still covered under your parents' healthcare plan).

Take the acceptance OP. All 5 of the top 10-20 rejected you post interview because some aspect of your application was not up to par with the rest of their acceptance pool. While you have good stats, my guess is that your qualifications as a whole are a better match to more "mid-tier" schools.

Your chances of acceptance are lower the 2nd time around. And yes, schools will see that you are a reapplicant -- which will raise warning flags. If you have not done anything to significantly improve your application, chances are you will fare worse in the application cycle.

Also, to re-iterate what other people have said:

1. from a financial perspective -- it makes more sense for you to go than to lose a year of earnings.
2. you only have a very limited view of what the school will be like at this point

Originally Posted by LizzyM

They may presume that you applied and were rejected everywhere... there is little reason for someone who took the MCAT > 1 year ago and who had excellent stats to be applying after college graduation. They are going to wonder, "why didn't this guy get in last year?" Why is he slumming down here with the mid-tiers... are we his safeties?

You're probably right. Plus, it's not as though I actually did anything this year. And I really don't think becoming the Arch-Mage of the College of Winterhold will impress the adcoms much...

Based on all of your advice it seems that going to XSOM is the right choice. My application, as strong as it was, has depreciated over the last year, and even if it had not, who can say as to whether I would get into a school that I would fall in love with? And if I don't get into any school (I think that's unlikely, but not impossible), then it will take me years to get back to where I am today. And as for the cost, that seems to be a non-issue to you people, just because of the high starting salary of physicians. If that's good enough for you, then I should find a way to accept it.

Thank you all very much for the advice you gave me, even to the people who basically called me an idiot I'll be sure to read any more comments you have for me. And best of luck to all the "idealistic pre-meds" out there May they never glimpse behind the veil...

Originally Posted by Lokhtar

Med schools are more similar than people think.

What's the opportunity cost of missing a full year of physician salary? Subtract that from the $350k. Or the opportunity cost of not getting in at all next time?


Go to the school. This shouldn't be a hard decision.

Actually, you take that year of a physician's salary and subtract it from the different of this school vs. a reasonably priced school (since you likely won't be going to another school for free, there won't be a $350k difference or whatever). You also have to factor in interest and whatnot, so it's not that straightforward.

Long story short, even if this school is expensive, I doubt you'd be much behind (if at all) financially when you factor in that the lowest end salary you'll likely look at is 150k. If you reapply, you'll be missing on that 150k+ as well as just generally being a year behind from where you could be. Furthermore, you might not get in next year.. then what?

If you really, truly can't see yourself being there, then the choice is pretty simple - don't go. Med school is already hard enough, you don't need to add on a location that makes you more depressed/sad/lonely/etc. I would seriously sit and think this one through before you dismiss it. It might suck, but it's 4 years and then you're done. Even if you get into another school next year that's 100k cheaper, what have you really accomplished? You saved a 100 grand, you're a year behind, and you're a year postponed from making a good salary. I would dismiss any thoughts on the price at this point and just concentrate on the actual school itself.

As for all of the people asking "Why did you apply to a place you wouldn't attend?"... hello, McFly, there's only so much you can know about a school before you apply to it. I looked at general cost, mission statements, curriculum, etc before I applied, but I could very easily wind up interviewing at a school and hating the general vibe of it. With my stats, though, I would take whatever

As others have said, it seems a bit hard to make such a conclusion about not fitting in just from the time you were there visiting to do the interview. I'm sure you would adjust.

You have strong stats. You'll be able to make a doctor out of yourself wherever you go, so just take this one and run with it. The app process is long and tedious, plus expensive. No need to go through that again if you don't have to.

Originally Posted by penguinism

Were you at least waitlisted at the other schools, or were they all post-interview rejections? If it's the latter, then you should definitely take the acceptance and run. If you were waitlisted at the other schools, are any of them still active? Do you have a chance of getting an acceptance to another school?

Yes, I was wait-listed at EVERY ONE of the other schools. Two are still active, and I won't not get in for a lack of trying. One of the interviewers that I've kept up with has suggested that I might be just outside the range of what those schools are looking for. At the end of my interview he told me that he really wanted me to go there, and some of my other interviews seemed to go just as well. I really think that interviewing is not my problem - despite the numbers.

Originally Posted by PYITE

Yes, I was wait-listed at EVERY ONE of the other schools. Two are still active, and I won't not get in for a lack of trying. One of the interviewers that I've kept up with has suggested that I might be just outside the range of what those schools are looking for. At the end of my interview he told me that he really wanted me to go there, and some of my other interviews seemed to go just as well. I really think that interviewing is not my problem - despite the numbers.

You have been given solid advice.

Based on everything you have written, I think you would be nutz to turn down this school.

Originally Posted by PYITE

Yes, I was wait-listed at EVERY ONE of the other schools. Two are still active, and I won't not get in for a lack of trying. One of the interviewers that I've kept up with has suggested that I might be just outside the range of what those schools are looking for. At the end of my interview he told me that he really wanted me to go there, and some of my other interviews seemed to go just as well. I really think that interviewing is not my problem - despite the numbers.

I was waitlisted at five of eight schools at which I interviewed, so I understand your pain here. I think this was a really difficult cycle and there hasn't been much waitlist movement, either, which is a double whammy. I couldn't believe my luck when I was accepted to my top choice off the WL. I imagine you're keeping up with the school-specific discussion threads of those schools and are doing things like writing updates, LOIs, etc.? I was told by several people on SDN not to bother writing a letter of intent to my top choice school that waitlisted me because they wouldn't look at it; I ignored their advice and wrote one anyway, figuring it couldn't possibly HURT me. Lo and behold, a month later I got off the waitlist. Who knows if that was why, but this late in the summer I don't think it can be a bad thing to show your determination.

Originally Posted by TheMightySmiter

I was waitlisted at five of eight schools at which I interviewed, so I understand your pain here. I think this was a really difficult cycle and there hasn't been much waitlist movement, either, which is a double whammy. I couldn't believe my luck when I was accepted to my top choice off the WL. I imagine you're keeping up with the school-specific discussion threads of those schools and are doing things like writing updates, LOIs, etc.? I was told by several people on SDN not to bother writing a letter of intent to my top choice school that waitlisted me because they wouldn't look at it; I ignored their advice and wrote one anyway, figuring it couldn't possibly HURT me. Lo and behold, a month later I got off the waitlist. Who knows if that was why, but this late in the summer I don't think it can be a bad thing to show your determination.

Thanks for the advice, and congrats on getting into your first choice! I have been following up and everything, and like I said earlier, I won't not get in for a lack of trying. That would really cheer up this thread

Time is something that you cannot buy or recover. If you pay $350K instead of $170K, you have the opportunity to recover $180K over the course of your life-time. I would take the acceptance.

Originally Posted by Porfirio

Time is something that you cannot buy or recover. If you pay $350K instead of $170K, you have the opportunity to recover $180K over the course of your life-time. I would take the acceptance.

Very good point. I'll start picking up pennies now

There is also a possibility that the bill could end up being cheaper if you're a strong student and earn a little scholarship money. Just saying.

Originally Posted by PYITE

Yes, I was wait-listed at EVERY ONE of the other schools. Two are still active, and I won't not get in for a lack of trying. One of the interviewers that I've kept up with has suggested that I might be just outside the range of what those schools are looking for. At the end of my interview he told me that he really wanted me to go there, and some of my other interviews seemed to go just as well. I really think that interviewing is not my problem - despite the numbers.

Unfortunately, waitlist movement is practically nonexistant at this point in the process.

You probably have nothing wrong with your application, you just likely did not 'wow' the schools with whatever hooks they were looking for. I was waitlisted at 4 of the 5 schools I interviewed at, after applying to like 18. It was only through sheer luck that I managed to come off my top choice.

It's a craptastic process and totally totally unfair, but unfortunately that is the nature of the whole medical school application process. You have to decide what your life's priorities and where you are willing to risk your happiness.

Originally Posted by metaphase

You make a convincing argument . The OP should follow it.

Originally Posted by Xenops

Hint hint.

I, as a pre-med student, strongly suggest that you matriculate. I currently have low stats and realize that my chances of acceptance at an MD school are slim. In your situation, I would take the offer and run with it, invite friends and family to Red Lobster and celebrate my acceptance. Getting an acceptance would be a dream come true. And then there's you, who's picky about atmosphere and loans. Get over yourself and appreciate that you got accepted AT ALL.

This ^
and this \/

Originally Posted by metaphase

Originally Posted by metaphase

If I had seen this 2 months ago my decision would have been much easier.

Originally Posted by PYITE

Yes, I was wait-listed at EVERY ONE of the other schools. Two are still active, and I won't not get in for a lack of trying. One of the interviewers that I've kept up with has suggested that I might be just outside the range of what those schools are looking for. At the end of my interview he told me that he really wanted me to go there, and some of my other interviews seemed to go just as well. I really think that interviewing is not my problem - despite the numbers.

Waitlists stink, especially when you're waitlisted at your top choice(s). I interviewed at 9 schools and was waitlisted at 5 of them (4 of which were my top choices). Thankfully I received 4 initial acceptances, but I was still very bummed that I didn't get in to my favorite schools. On May 15th I was pulled off of one waitlist, and a week later I got another offer. Just because you were waitlisted doesn't mean that you were not qualified. Top 20 schools have so many great applicants that they can't make offers to everyone. If you had something blatantly wrong with you, then you would have been rejected post-interview. Don't count yourself out yet. I would start making plans to attend the school to which you were accepted, but keep up your interest at the other schools. You never know.

If you can learn to be happy anywhere now, life will be so much more enjoyable

Chances are this school you are reluctant about will bring great friends, have a few great professors and a bar or store in the neighborhood you'll learn to love.

Originally Posted by Lokhtar

There is almost zero upside and a quite a bit of downside. It's like refusing a paper cut to take a chance with the ebola virus.

^THIS,

So I appreciate the point made about premeds vs everyone on the other side of the fence.

Premeds will talk at length about stats, numbers, whatever you want to call them. The reality is...you'll find that numbers are only a fraction of the decision-making process. I gain the impression that schools typically won't interview people whose numbers are shoddy, but you have everything to lose at your interview, even though interviews don't comprise the whole admissions decision. Think about it-we know the interview is going to be an important part of the decision-making process, otherwise we wouldn't have it. Now, if you want to believe that your interview is something to blow off, think about how many others (hundreds) will have interview scores better than you. Hence, these are the people who most likely will get in.

You gotta remember that admissions committees have SO MANY APPLICANTS. I remember interviewing candidates for a job...60 applicants for 5 slots...even that was a pain in the rear with the number of applicants. Anyone I saw a red flag, I nixed immediately. Why? Why be so ruthless? Well, because I have another 59 more applicants who are equally qualified, if not better. I'm not going to sit around and rationalize what that person thought, and how I should give them a second chance. Yes, if you sit and spend the time, you can rationalize and give everyone a second chance/second look. But with respect to your situation, does that mean if I were an adcom, I should reconsider your application even though there are MANY OTHERS hungry for ANY acceptance, who had no red flags? As others mentioned, if you got one acceptance, I'd definitely take it and run.

I will say recently coming off of the admissions process, that ironically, I had the least success from the schools that are generally preceived as "lesser ranked." Incorporating that into the scheme, I'd say increasing your span to touch mid-tier schools, etc might be fruitless.

I have to agree 100% with this. As someone who's also interviewed people for jobs and such, if there's anything wrong with your application it was very easy to throw your resume in the trash. When you have so many qualified applicants to choose from and you're starting to feel bad for the people you reject because you thought their applications were equally perfect, it's easy to justify disqualifying those with tiny black marks.

Originally Posted by Alejandro

So I appreciate the point made about premeds vs everyone on the other side of the fence.

Premeds will talk at length about stats, numbers, whatever you want to call them. The reality is...you'll find that numbers are only a fraction of the decision-making process. I gain the impression that schools typically won't interview people whose numbers are shoddy, but you have everything to lose at your interview, even though interviews don't comprise the whole admissions decision. Think about it-we know the interview is going to be an important part of the decision-making process, otherwise we wouldn't have it. Now, if you want to believe that your interview is something to blow off, think about how many others (hundreds) will have interview scores better than you. Hence, these are the people who most likely will get in.

You gotta remember that admissions committees have SO MANY APPLICANTS. I remember interviewing candidates for a job...60 applicants for 5 slots...even that was a pain in the rear with the number of applicants. Anyone I saw a red flag, I nixed immediately. Why? Why be so ruthless? Well, because I have another 59 more applicants who are equally qualified, if not better. I'm not going to sit around and rationalize what that person thought, and how I should give them a second chance. Yes, if you sit and spend the time, you can rationalize and give everyone a second chance/second look. But with respect to your situation, does that mean if I were an adcom, I should reconsider your application even though there are MANY OTHERS hungry for ANY acceptance, who had no red flags? As others mentioned, if you got one acceptance, I'd definitely take it and run.

I will say recently coming off of the admissions process, that ironically, I had the least success from the schools that are generally preceived as "lesser ranked." Incorporating that into the scheme, I'd say increasing your span to touch mid-tier schools, etc might be fruitless.

Originally Posted by LizzyM

Also, adcoms this time around see your stats, see that you have finished college, see when you took the MCAT and they wonder what is wrong with you that you weren't snapped up the first time. That you received one offer from 5 interviews is not a good sign.

Wait, REALLY?

So reapplicants with high stats are actually disadvantaged by not getting in previously?

Originally Posted by centrigeugle

Wait, REALLY?

So reapplicants with high stats are actually disadvantaged by not getting in previously?

Would like to hear someone respond to this.

Well, I can't speak from an adcom side, but given the abundance of student interviewers these days, I would probably argue that most students would feel that if you chose not to accept an offering immediately, it basically comes off as "I'm better than you." Now while there aren't any numerical penalties for an applicant to not choose to go and reapply, these interviewers are people that you are supposed to leave a positive impression on. Otherwise, they're not going to advocate for your cause as strongly. Also remember my last point-there are SO many other highly-qualified, hungry applicants that would love to take your spot, so quite frankly, this is one part where you can easily find yourself at a disadvantage.

I'm sure others will hate me for this, but if I were a student adcom member, I'd feel the same way. Heck, I spent two years off just to get all my stuff together and to be sure i knew which schools for certain I wanted to attend to, because I didn't want to waste my own money, other people's time, and take up spots that I wasn't serious about. Why would I vouch for your cause because you didn't do your research ahead of time?

Remember, you had the opportunity to withdraw immediately post-interview...but i'm guessing most in this position chose not to. Why? Because you (all of us are) were desperate and believed that ANY acceptance is better than none. Now, here we are with your acceptance, and you're thinking that you deserve more. Entitlement, no? I think it makes some sense to maintain some sense of consistency in your values through the process, from the beginning of the cycle to the end.

Alejandro, are you responding to centrigeugle's question, or the OP's? Centrigeugle is asking about reapplicants with high stats that were not accepted anywhere their first go round. Are they looked at with suspicion?

I'm responding to centrigeugle's post. Just because you have high stats doesn't mean you deserve to go to medical school. I'm not sure if you also worked in a hospital or clinical setting before, but quite frankly there are so many individuals that I've worked with who are very talented and hard working who would make incredible docs that did not have the test scores to get into medical school (but would die to have the opportunity to do so), yet some person who just did well on his/her academic work would get into school, without any idea what the profession of healthcare is all about. Getting into A SCHOOL is a privilege.

But, I will say this-there have been a good number of people who are med students, residents, etc who have voiced their opinion on the matter. These people could ALL be on your interview panel. If you chose to go against what most of these people are recommending...tell me, how do you think they'd respond? "Great! We see that you defied all of our advice! That makes you an even better applicant-we'll accept you!" is less likely. Just remember that docs aren't those who usually liked to be defied...or rather, shown up. I've seen it, experienced it, and advise others not to do it.

Again, I don't think there's a box that people necessarily check that says -10 points because reapplying despite being accepted, but i think people MAY have a less enthusiastic opinion of you through the application process (primary, secondary reads, interview.)

Originally Posted by Alejandro

I'm responding to centrigeugle's post. Just because you have high stats doesn't mean you deserve to go to medical school. I'm not sure if you also worked in a hospital or clinical setting before, but quite frankly there are so many individuals that I've worked with who are very talented and hard working who would make incredible docs that did not have the test scores to get into medical school (but would die to have the opportunity to do so), yet some person who just did well on his/her academic work would get into school, without any idea what the profession of healthcare is all about. Getting into A SCHOOL is a privilege.

But, I will say this-there have been a good number of people who are med students, residents, etc who have voiced their opinion on the matter. These people could ALL be on your interview panel. If you chose to go against what most of these people are recommending...tell me, how do you think they'd respond? "Great! We see that you defied all of our advice! That makes you an even better applicant-we'll accept you!" is less likely. Just remember that docs aren't those who usually liked to be defied...or rather, shown up. I've seen it, experienced it, and advise others not to do it.

Again, I don't think there's a box that people necessarily check that says -10 points because reapplying despite being accepted, but i think people MAY have a less enthusiastic opinion of you through the application process (primary, secondary reads, interview.)

That wasn't centrigeugle's question at all. He/she was asking about those with high stats who don't get in anywhere their first app cycle. Are schools during their next cycle going to look at them suspiciously when they apply again?

hah, you got me. I should learn to read better, or else I'm going to start killing patients. lol. I don't think they would be seen as poorly, per se, but at the same time...it does make you wonder...wouldn't you get the same feeling?

Thanks for pointing that out. I'm an idiot.

Originally Posted by Alejandro

hah, you got me. I should learn to read better, or else I'm going to start killing patients. lol. I don't think they would be seen as poorly, per se, but at the same time...it does make you wonder...wouldn't you get the same feeling?

Thanks for pointing that out. I'm an idiot.

It's all good.

It isn't an easy question to answer. I am concerned though because I may be in that position a year from now. I suppose though that not applying broadly or lacking clinical experience aren't looked down upon with much disdain/concern when adcoms are evaluating reapplicants, so long as they improved their application in the meantime.

Figure out why you didn't get in anywhere else. Then think about how much you can actually do in the next year to improve your application. If you can't improve substantially, then just matriculate.

Originally Posted by grapepopsicle

Alejandro, are you responding to centrigeugle's question, or the OP's? Centrigeugle is asking about reapplicants with high stats that were not accepted anywhere their first go round. Are they looked at with suspicion?

Schools are probably licking their chops at the chance of getting a student who slipped through the top 10's fingers the first time around.

Sorry to bump this thread, but OP did you make a decision/would you be comfortable sharing? I'm just curious

I have a friend that only got into Buffalo 3-4 years ago when she applied right after senior year of college. She didn't like the school so she declined and decided her MCAT score was the root of her problems (MCAT of 32). She spent many years studying and retaking MCAT, and reapplied as well. However, now 3-4 years later, she still hasn't gotten into medical school yet.... If she had stuck to Buffalo she could've graduated. I think since it's only 4 years, just stick to it!!!!! Unless you have significantly spiced up your application, reapplying won't get you into better schools!

Originally Posted by Luvahgilahsa

I have a friend that only got into Buffalo 3-4 years ago when she applied right after senior year of college. She didn't like the school so she declined and decided her MCAT score was the root of her problems (MCAT of 32). She spent many years studying and retaking MCAT, and reapplied as well. However, now 3-4 years later, she still hasn't gotten into medical school yet.... If she had stuck to Buffalo she could've graduated. I think since it's only 4 years, just stick to it!!!!! Unless you have significantly spiced up your application, reapplying won't get you into better schools!

Wow was she a neurotic SDN member? I know in SDN land all medical schools somehow only accept students with above-average MCAT scores, but in the real world half of the accepted students are below the average. Funny how it works that way.

Originally Posted by xxhopefulxx

I would go...I mean maybe it will get better after you adjust. And if it doesn't- its four years...you can move home when your finished. Its a huge risk to reapply and potentially get no acceptances.

I'm with this. What will other schools think when they see you turned down an acceptance? They might be afraid you'd do the same to their school. IMO it's 4 years, and you're going to be pretty holed-up studying for those 4 years. Your classmates will (hopefully!) become your family, as you make friends that will help a LOT. I figure I'll probably be studying so much it won't really matter where I am. When the 4 years are up, get out of there.

What was it you didn't like?

I've lived somewhere I absolutely hated and I can say it can make you pretty miserable. So I could understand if you didn't want to reapply. But I feel like with med school it's different because you'll be so busy... Making friends is the best way to remedy being in a place you hate though.

Good luck on your decision!

I've been in your shoes. To make a very long story short I was accepted as an out of state student at my homestate's school and deferred a year to reapply to my instate school. I had no real desire to go back to my homestate and I frankly could not see paying twice the tuition for somewhere I didn't want to be. I reapplied and was accepted to my instate school without consequence. If you have the option of deferring and reapplying go for it. People told me not to do it but I did and I have absolutely no regrets. The 1 year's loss of doctor's salary wouldn't begin to compare to double the debt I would have accumulated. If you have no option of deferring I don't know that I would give up the acceptance but if you can defer, what's the harm?

In my opinion, I think cost is a good reason to think about what school to attend. Most of the things you think are important as a pre-med don't really matter when you're there. All those PBL sessions sounded good until I actually attended them...

Originally Posted by dally1025

I've been in your shoes. To make a very long story short I was accepted as an out of state student at my homestate's school and deferred a year to reapply to my instate school. I had no real desire to go back to my homestate and I frankly could not see paying twice the tuition for somewhere I didn't want to be. I reapplied and was accepted to my instate school without consequence. If you have the option of deferring and reapplying go for it. People told me not to do it but I did and I have absolutely no regrets. The 1 year's loss of doctor's salary wouldn't begin to compare to double the debt I would have accumulated. If you have no option of deferring I don't know that I would give up the acceptance but if you can defer, what's the harm?

In my opinion, I think cost is a good reason to think about what school to attend. Most of the things you think are important as a pre-med don't really matter when you're there. All those PBL sessions sounded good until I actually attended them...

Yeah, no. When you defer, you take up a seat in the next class. Yes, you will eventually give up your seat and someone will be admitted off the waitlist (if it's late in the cycle). But to spend a whole year taking up a space you don't want, and thereby stopping anyone else from being able to occupy it -- that's pretty selfish, IMO. I think you're very lucky that it worked out for you.

Originally Posted by Luvahgilahsa

I have a friend that only got into Buffalo 3-4 years ago when she applied right after senior year of college. She didn't like the school so she declined and decided her MCAT score was the root of her problems (MCAT of 32). She spent many years studying and retaking MCAT, and reapplied as well. However, now 3-4 years later, she still hasn't gotten into medical school yet.... If she had stuck to Buffalo she could've graduated. I think since it's only 4 years, just stick to it!!!!! Unless you have significantly spiced up your application, reapplying won't get you into better schools!

That sucks for her.

Originally Posted by Luvahgilahsa

I have a friend that only got into Buffalo 3-4 years ago when she applied right after senior year of college. She didn't like the school so she declined and decided her MCAT score was the root of her problems (MCAT of 32). She spent many years studying and retaking MCAT, and reapplied as well. However, now 3-4 years later, she still hasn't gotten into medical school yet.... If she had stuck to Buffalo she could've graduated. I think since it's only 4 years, just stick to it!!!!! Unless you have significantly spiced up your application, reapplying won't get you into better schools!

It pains me to read this story.

Originally Posted by Luvahgilahsa

I have a friend that only got into Buffalo 3-4 years ago when she applied right after senior year of college. She didn't like the school so she declined and decided her MCAT score was the root of her problems (MCAT of 32). She spent many years studying and retaking MCAT, and reapplied as well. However, now 3-4 years later, she still hasn't gotten into medical school yet.... If she had stuck to Buffalo she could've graduated. I think since it's only 4 years, just stick to it!!!!! Unless you have significantly spiced up your application, reapplying won't get you into better schools!

This is so sad!