For people who reapplied this cycle and were successful, any pointers? I feel my PS is very strong but likely need to update it nonetheless. Will also certainly adjust my strategy in terms of which schools to apply to, but I would love to hear what people have done when they reapplied in back-to-back cycles.
Non-trad(ish) here. Graduated undergrad in '06, did some non-health stuff since, applied last year (no invites), and this year (~8 II's, some attended, accepted into one of my tied-for-first top choice = over the moon excited!).
First and foremost: you still have results pending, right? There's still hope! Also, how did you like Minneapolis? I'm interviewing there next week. Been to 1 MMI so far, but excited to see the campus/what they have going on...
My advice for reapplication (given the minimal details in your post history, I'm just making a blanket list here):
-Assess what you are lacking (I don't think it's GPA or MCAT based on 3.7/511), and start addressing it yesterday. You
need:
- Shadowing (I chose several specialties for ~5-10 hr each, added more for my second cycle to a total of 50 h -- an adcom said that was fine and not really a weak point). I'd keep shadowing (sporadic is fine, just have more then last year... I didn't do (or say I would do) any after submitting my AMCAS and no one asked).
- Continuous volunteering (clinical and non clinical). The first cycle I had >100 clinical and some other (< 40 h), but I was missing non-clinical/helping the needy. Added >100 hr clinical, and ~100 hr with meals on wheels, and ~50 with hospice. Importantly: keep volunteering, and note in the application that you're going to! You can enter dates (5/13-5/17 = 200 hours, 6/17-6/18 planned 50 hours). Be explicit. The first year I wrote that I would keep volunteering, but because I didn't write any anticipated hours in the time-blocks, they thought I had stopped (and didn't like that).
- LOR's. You have a limited number, so I'd use them wisely. I added one from my employer (likely stronger than a volunteer or course letter), and one from a basic science that I took as a postbac (where I was top of the class). I personally wouldn't use an MD letter, just because you're limited in how many you can send, and there's likely more substantial letters you can get. That said, a DO letter is heavily recommended/required for application to DO schools. I'd ask the writers to update the letters (to the current year), but you can reuse updated letters.
- Research -- not required I don't think, but it was a strong point in my application. If you work in a field where you can publish an abstract or present at a conference, that could be worth trying. Alternatively, if you have research, don't over emphasize it. You're applying to medical schools, not research programs. I scaled back my 'research' emphasis to a large degree. Honestly, as a non-trad, I think not having research would be a non-issue...
-Contact schools that are open to give feedback (and those that don't expressly prohibit it). Most will likely say nothing, or say they'll only discuss your application after you've been rejected everywhere (or in May/June). While that's too late to change your activities, it's not too late to hear feedback on your PS, activity descriptions, etc. Someone might say yes and provide valuable feedback from the other side of the table. I'd emphasize your non-trad status, since I think we have somewhat fewer options than a student who just graduated or had an advisor. Additionally, when you contact schools you'll demonstrate interest (which they can like), and you can determine what they value. For example, one school said this about my secondary: "Your third paragraph was good, but the rest was talking about our program -- we know what we have and what we're good at, we want to know more about you!" Haha still didn't get an II from that school the second time around, but I took it to heart for the rest of my secondaries...
-Re-write everything. It sucks, but you gotta.
-School list should be re-evaluated. I'd look at the WedgeDawg system (
https://forums.studentdoctor.net/th...icant-rating-system-updated-jan-2017.1131149/ using conservative estimates of your scores), looking at other WAMC threads, and apply to >20 schools. My list was way too top heavy the first cycle, and this cycle I got invites from some unexpected schools (based on my opinion, but in agreement with some of the recommendations on this site).
Thank you! I know I need to apply earlier, make a better school list, and do some practice interviews. As a non-trad, I really don't really have anyone to look at my app objectively.
Agree with Ab2b. I'd also emphasize the importance of those that "know the game", rather than simply objective in nature.
For writing: Most of my essays were critiqued by family/fiancé, but I really tried to emphasize to them what the goal was (based on my reading here, AAMC, school websites, etc). I also had a member involved with admissions review my PS (once I was 95% done), and had discussed with an adcom from my previous unsuccessful cycle.
For general app stuff: I looked heavily at the WAMC threads of others, made my own, and looked at general advice. I like VTech's website as well:
http://medicine.vtc.vt.edu/admissions/re-applicants/.
It's a great sign that you got invites, so you're likely to get in or have strong reason to believe you could next year. Additionally, since you've gotten invites, I'd guess you'd be safe to reapply next year (rather than wait a year).
Good luck and keep your head up!
