First, let me say that we would all like to be admitted our first time around. We put our hats in the ring because we think we have what it takes, and we want to start our medical education. No one starts out shooting to apply two or more times, but trust me, it's not the end of the world.
Picture this: January 16, 2013. I just got back in town from my third and final interview of the season. I applied to 11 schools, got 7 secondaries, and 3 interviews. I eventually got 1 rejection and 2 wait lists from those interviews. As summer got closer and closer, my hopes for getting in off the wait lists dwindled. Since I work at the university where I did my post-bacc, I saw my letter-writing professors every day, and they all wanted to know if I had gotten in yet. I had to tell them many times that I had not. They eventually quit asking, and the whole situation had me down.
It became clear that I should prepare to reapply. I started rewriting my personal statement. It was crazy how much better my second one was. My career goals had crystallized much more clearly by this time. I had some good research and teaching under my belt. Not only did I have more to write about, but I had learned to write about it with more clarity.
I submitted my second AMCAS at 9:32 AM on opening day (and AACOMAS not much later). I got verified that day. I applied to 40 schools (probably more than needed, but money was less of an object this time around). I received 36 secondaries and returned 33. I hit the interview trail in August, and this time around, it was very different. I had tons more confidence because I knew what to expect. It made it easier to socialize with other interviewees, med students, and faculty. I was way more relaxed in the interview room, and that drastically improved the quality of my interviews.
My first acceptance came from MSUCOM in October, and my second from my state school about two weeks later. I got a third about a month after that. I started cancelling interviews and withdrawing apps. What a surreal feeling. I'd worked so hard to get some love from these schools, but now I had acceptances in hand from more desirable schools.
I got 12 interview invites by mid-November, then I withdrew most of my apps after the third acceptance. I attended 5 interviews. Of those, I got 2 acceptances, one wait list, one continued consideration, and I'm waiting to hear from one other.
The gap year/reapplication thing was not my first choice, but I was able to approach the application process with a lot more confidence. I had a lot of time for introspection, and that helped me develop my secondary answers more and improved my interview skills significantly. Perhaps most importantly, the emotional roller coaster is not nearly as bad this time around.
I would love to be starting my second semester of medical school right now, but I'm not. That's just not the way things played out. But I have played more guitar in the past couple of months than I have in quite awhile. I can go running after I come home from a job I love (and I'll hate to leave this summer). I have been able to visit my parents and nieces more often since I'm not in class. I also have more time to spend with my wife since my nose isn't always in a book. My reapplication year has not been half bad.
I'm not saying everyone should give up hope. Interviews will still be going out from some schools for another couple of months. What I am saying is that reapplying isn't the end of the world. Don't worry about shame and all that nonsense. Be smart. Have a plan for next year. With any luck, you can scrap your plan when you get accepted to med school this spring. I am rooting for all you guys (and girls).
TL;DR Reapplying is not ideal, but it's not the end of your life as you know it.
