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does anyone have any stories of people who got in to a U.S. MD program after applying 3 or more times?

thanks!

 

[Aaron Earles]

I was accepted into two DO schools my fourth time applying.

does anyone have any stories of people who got in to a U.S. MD program after applying 3 or more times?

thanks!

 

[EvoDevo]

1 DO on my 3d try, and possibly some other schools as the year goes on.

 

[Slave#8801011]

I have heard of a guy who applied to medical school about 5 times and got in. (an MD/allopathic school in the US). He then got into a very competitive surgical specialty and is now beginning practice. .... A success story after a slow start.

 

[daisypnaymph]

My friend's uncle applied 5 times to his alma mater, which is also the same school where his father received his MD!

He finally got in and now he is a successful physician! Last time I talked to him was when he was finishing his residency. He advised me to NEVER give up! 😳 He would actually do it all again!

 

[Megalofyia]

To those people who applied 5 times and are now doctors how did they deal with not becoming bitter about the whole process?

 

[jennymd_]

I know of a doctor that got in after her fourth try. Every doctor I have talked to has given me the same, yet great, advice: DON'T GIVE UP!! Persistence and patience are the keys. When I didn't get in last year (2004), I was disappointed. But it seems that everything does truly work out. My long term boyfriend has gotten a great paid internship because we stayed where we were. I know reapplying (and worrying about rejection) is hard because I'm reliving it all with every single one of you. But we can't give up on our dreams- that's all we really have, isn't it?

Good luck to everyone!

 

[Taurus]

We have one person who got in after his 4th try!

 

[alison_in_oh]

Third time was the charm for my husband, who got into a top-20 school with a huge scholarship.

 

[scooter31]

I remember working with a 3rd year at UCD in a free clinic who applied 3 times... overall, between his first application and his final acceptance, it took him 10 years to finally get in. Persistance pays off... 👍

 

[Megalofyia]

But how do they not become bitter after all that effort?

 

[AliZ]

But how do they not become bitter after all that effort?

Yeah, and what do they do in between re-applying?

 

[daelroy]

If you are applying more than 3 times to medical school, you aren't a victim; you are just not doing the right things. It means you haven't significantly improved your application. Either you haven't improved your MCAT score or your GPA. Yes, I do know of four individuals who applied more than three times and it was pretty obvious why they were rejected each time. None of these applicants ever repeated the MCAT or raised their MCAT. They didn't enroll in a postbac or Masters. These applicants hoped to get in by their EC's. Most of them just fruitlessly kept working at their medically oriented job. One girl just kept volunteering while another kept working at her research job. Another guy continued to work as an EMT. But none of them did anything to significantly raise their GPA or MCAT.

 

[scooter31]

I know the guy who I spoke of earlier went and did AIDS research of some shape or form--- I want to say it was Public Health related; wherther he had his MPH, I dont remember. 👍

 

[John Deere Gree]

Here's my story.

First year: 2 interviews, rejected (applied only MD)
Second year: 2 interviews, rejected (applied only MD)
Third year: 7 interviews, 2 waitlists, 1 outright acceptance (DO) (cancelled 3 interviews)

As far as what I did in the time off:
I stayed at my University to work (nothign related to medicine) for a full year, took six hours of classes-one semester only, and then decided to do a one year master's program. I earned my MHS (not in flying colors).

Why I didn't become bitter?
I did at first, but then you lose the ego and realize there are tons of other applicants out there just as competative if not mroe competative and mroe deserving than myself. It's a difficult and tedious process but worth it. I was bitter that I was on two waitlists (which I eventually got off), especially after being told in an interview by both interviewers that they would do everything to get me there.

I do feel very lucky to be in med school, whereas those accepted outright first time around have no clue. I also know there are some very deserving people that I somehow beat out and aren't in med school.

Keep trying. There's nothign wrong with telling people in your class your a third time applicant.

 

[Surfer75]

I have two friends who applied 3 times who eventually got in, 1 in Canada, and 1 in US. Apparently both had MCATs >/30 but had 8's in verbal and GPA's in the 3.6+ range

S

 

[Nora]

does anyone have any stories of people who got in to a U.S. MD program after applying 3 or more times?

thanks!

There is a story about a guy at a Canadian school who just couldn't leave his city for family reasons and applied 10 times to the one medical school in the city and eventually got in. Apparently he had no regrets and couldn't see himself going anywhere else. Most reapplicants do not wait as long and have to apply 2-4 times before admission.

 

[DrB]

I am a first time applicant... I don't think it would significantly help to work on your GPA or MCAT score on a year off. Taking a few extra classes (and hopefully a few extra A's) may not significantly raise a GPA that is based on many years of hard work. Also, if you know that you won't get into med school the only chance you have to retake the MCAT is in April (if you take it in August you will be late on your applications thus chances decrease) and you may not be sure of all your rejections by then... some people are accepted as late as a few weeks before the new school year.

That being said, what you should do on a year off is to improve your EC's. Get a job in the medical field (at least save some money). Take classes that will help you in med school (anatomy, physiology, spanish, etc.) and take them at a local community college (better education at cheaper prices).

I think it is silly to retake the MCAT or try to raise your GPA. We are not trying to become professional students or professional MCAT test takers, we are trying to become physicians. Learn how to heal the sick, learn about managed care institutions and about the machine that runs the show.

Just two cents to chew on...

-

 

[doc05]

I am a first time applicant... I don't think it would significantly help to work on your GPA or MCAT score on a year off.

DrB you are sadly mistaken. the vast majority of medical school rejects did not get in because of academic weaknesses. Improving EC's is silly; and, with the exception of spending time with the Peace Corps or doing serious medical research, virtually worthless. Getting a job in the medical field is not the best advice, either, because it probably won't pay very well. good luck.

 

[John Deere Gree]

Just two cents to chew on...

-

And spit out...after your first sentence of being a first time applicant why would I want to take your advice as a reapplicant.

You must improve any/all academic weaknesses. Improving ECs doesn't do much, unless it's to work/volunteer in a clinical setting if you had none.

Lasting getting a job in a medical field doesn't mean a thing. Look above, I never had a job in a health care setting, didn't get one in my year away from school and am a med student. I would highly recommend getting the best payign job that's out there that would be fun so you can have a little money for the med school years.

 

[NRAI2001]

Why would someone waste 3 years of reapplying when carribean and DO schools are less competitive to get into, but provide the same level of education. I know there are a few carribean schools that will accept almost anyone (not to say that they will just hand out MDs once people get there).

In three years you could have finished a residency.

 

[DrB]

Why do you want to be a physician? Do you really have any idea what they do? There are too many of the type of applicants like John Deere Gree. They don't understand that all this... this game that we play to get into a medical school... ends in a job.

My advice is to find out about that job... Do whatever you think will get you in, john, but don't blame anyone but yourself when graduation day arrives and you still don't know what you are getting yourself into.

-

 

[John Deere Gree]

Why do you want to be a physician? Do you really have any idea what they do? There are too many of the type of applicants like John Deere Gree. They don't understand that all this... this game that we play to get into a medical school... ends in a job.

My advice is to find out about that job... Do whatever you think will get you in, john, but don't blame anyone but yourself when graduation day arrives and you still don't know what you are getting yourself into.

-

DrB-

I'm a med student that got in on my third try (it helps to be literate when applying to med school).

Let me ask you this again...why should any reapplicant take your advice when this is the FIRST and ONLY time you've applied?

 

[gibna]

I got in to a US MD school after taking the MCATs five times. It sucks that it took me an extra 3 years but what can you do, if you really want to be a doctor just don't give up, but in the interim I recommend taking anatomy and all the other tough basic science classes, that way you will have a head start and your classmates will envy you. I sure envy those who were more prepared them me.

 

[John Deere Gree]

I highly recommend any embryology class. Good grief I'm sure that would ahve helped.

 

[NRAI2001]

I got in to a US MD school after taking the MCATs five times. It sucks that it took me an extra 3 years but what can you do, if you really want to be a doctor just don't give up, but in the interim I recommend taking anatomy and all the other tough basic science classes, that way you will have a head start and your classmates will envy you. I sure envy those who were more prepared them me.

If all u wanted to do was become a doctor, why not got carribean or DO?

 

[ToxicFugu]

i know people with token ECs that meant next to nothing, but pretty decent GPAs and MCATs who got into very good schools. Your GPA and MCAT are critically important and without good numbers, most schools will just ignore you, even if you have superstar ECs. I would suggest that re-applicants try to analyze exactly where their academic weaknesses lie. honestly, you don't have to be intelligent to succeed in science courses(or even the MCAT). you just have to have a solid work ethic and more than a little confidence. i believe that anyone (almost anyone) can get great grades. they just have to pinpoint their flaws. remember, the more you study, the easier it gets. you may hate studying 8 hours a day at first, but it gets easier the more you do it. you also build a lot of confidence as you see your progress. just never give up. if you feel tired while studying, and feel like taking a break that you know you haven't earned, force yourself to keep studying. trust me, it works.

 

[gibna]

because I didn't want to

 

[John Deere Gree]

If all u wanted to do was become a doctor, why not got carribean or DO?

Because the carribean sucks...

 

[DrB]

Don't take my advice, John, you are right, how could I know since I am a first time applicant. I am only suggesting; trying to be helpful. The point I was trying to make was that becoming a physician is an enormous investment of your time and money. Like any big investment, it is best to do a little research first. I think ToxicFugu has some helpful hints too.

I would suggest that re-applicants try to analyze exactly where their academic weaknesses lie. honestly, you don't have to be intelligent to succeed in science courses(or even the MCAT). you just have to have a solid work ethic and more than a little confidence. i believe that anyone (almost anyone) can get great grades. they just have to pinpoint their flaws.

Yes John, it helps to be literate first. Hopefully we have all come that far. Everyone's application is different and if you need to reapply then it is wise to "pinpoint your flaws".

Thanks toxicfugu for your tetrodotoxin! 😀

 

[Ypo.]

I think it is silly to retake the MCAT or try to raise your GPA. We are not trying to become professional students or professional MCAT test takers, we are trying to become physicians. Learn how to heal the sick, learn about managed care institutions and about the machine that runs the show.

Just two cents to chew on...

-

I really agree with this statement here-however, it is true that the only way to get into medical school is to play the numbers game. If you don't have the numbers, MCAT and GPA-you got to get them, or apply many times on your ECs. Which is more effecttive, spending 1-2years on taking post-bad or graduate classes, and preparing for the MCAT, in addition to doing a little volunteering, or ignoring your numbers and throwing yourself into humanitarian causes? The answer is the former, handsdown. Unless you are applying DO, as these schools place a much greater emphasis on ECs and overall experiences, you do need to become an MCAT-taking machine and a professional student.

 

[John Deere Gree]

Don't take my advice,

I won't because it sucks. If your grades/MCAT aren't good, then you better do something about it, and no ECs aren't going to help (unless of course you cured cancer and AIDS while stranded waiting for a liver in Antartica).

The point I was trying to make was that becoming a physician is an enormous investment of your time and money. Like any big investment, it is best to do a little research first.

So you are saying that people that have applied mroe than once haven't done any investiment on becoming a doctor? Yes it's an enormous amount of time...let's see for me it was 5 years of undergrad, a year off, and a one year acclerated master's program before I'm going to put forth four more years in med school and who knows how many years in residency.

I'm pretty sure reapplicants know what they are getting into, and at school, those who are reapplicants look at medical school in a completely differnet light than those accepted outright.

Everyone's application is different and if you need to reapply then it is wise to "pinpoint your flaws".
😀

Holy cow!!! you actually said something intelligent (although you stole it from previous posts including myself). That's right you need to pinpoint your flaws when you reapply, cuz it does no good to turn in the same application year after year.

I still want to know what it is that I don't understand about becoming a doctor... 😕

 

[Fermata]

That's a lot of punishment.....

 

[NRAI2001]

I don't understand why anyone would apply more than twice and still not considering going to carribean or doing DO. Is it pride?

 

[FoughtFyr]

Why do you want to be a physician? Do you really have any idea what they do? There are too many of the type of applicants like John Deere Gree. They don't understand that all this... this game that we play to get into a medical school... ends in a job.

DrB - from your posts on other forums, it seems to me you are not only a first time applicant, but that your application is meeting with some, shall we say, resistence?

Personally, speaking as a reapplicant who now has an M.D. degree and is in my #1 choice residency, you are full of ****. John Deere Gree and others who are working hard to improve their applications are as motivated (if not more so) than others to become physicians. How do I know? You have not yet had to try and explain to friends and relatives that you did not get in, but you were trying again. You have not yet had to try and carefully begin a career (in case you didn't ever get in) while reapplying. You haven't tried to explain to loved ones why you should invest the time and money to go through the application cycle again. And that says nothing of the emotional cost. Now before you come here, all holier than thou, telling us who makes a good applicant and who doesn't, get in yourself!

My advice is to find out about that job... Do whatever you think will get you in, john, but don't blame anyone but yourself when graduation day arrives and you still don't know what you are getting yourself into.

-

My advice is wait a few years, serve on an adcom, maybe work a bit before offering advice on this topic. I, for one, highly doubt you know what you are getting into. A phlebotomist is a long way from a doctor. I was a paramedic for 8 years before medical school, and I can tell you, being a resident is unlike anything I ever imagined!

Good luck with your app...

- H

 

[John Deere Gree]

Personally, speaking as a reapplicant who now has an M.D. degree and is in my #1 choice residency, you are full of ****. John Deere Gree and others who are working hard to improve their applications are as motivated (if not more so) than others to become physicians. How do I know? You have not yet had to try and explain to friends and relatives that you did not get in, but you were trying again. You have not yet had to try and carefully begin a career (in case you didn't ever get in) while reapplying. You haven't tried to explain to loved ones why you should invest the time and money to go through the application cycle again. And that says nothing of the emotional cost. Now before you come here, all holier than thou, telling us who makes a good applicant and who doesn't, get in yourself!

- H

I couldn't agree more with you. I wouldn't say I'm more motivated than others, because I know there are others who are more motivated, have done more in terms of health care. There are a few friends that will eventually get in who I personally think are better candidates, but explaining to them why I got in and they didn't is a difficult process.

The money and time are huge, but yet I never thought of doing anything different (had I not gotten in after my third attempt I dunno what I would have done since money was a serious issue). Just for the record, between my second and third attempt, the only 'improvement' was a Master's degree. I had no new ECs, or any ECs for that matter since my master's program ruled my life.

Like the above poster said...don't start offering advice to reapplicants when you yourself aren't in and this is your first attempt. It'd be like me talking about getting into residencies when I'm a first year student.

To the OP: My bestest classmate was also a third time applicant, and there are a few others that took two times if not more (some people are touchy about admitting how many times it took...in the end it doesn't matter).

 

[lattimer13]

does anyone have any stories of people who got in to a U.S. MD program after applying 3 or more times?

thanks!

person in my class got in on their 3rd try.

 

[DrB]

🙂

 

[Celiac Plexus]

If you don't have a good GPA (3.5 or higher), and a good MCAT score (30 or higher) then you should work to bring those up. That may mean taking another year or two of full-time classes. The best predictor of future academic achievement is past academic achievement.

If you have these 2 bases covered, and you were unsuccessful applying then I have a couple pieces of advice:

Apply early and widely. Most adcoms admit on a rolling basis so the earlier you apply the better.

Develop the rest of your application... volunteer/work in a health-related field is a great way to demonstrate your interest and committment. Anyone can say they want to "help people", but few actually have the experience to back it up.

There were a lot of people in my med school class that were reapplicants. Hang in there and don't give up.

 

[Dr. Macenat]

I got in to a US MD school after taking the MCATs five times. It sucks that it took me an extra 3 years but what can you do, if you really want to be a doctor just don't give up, but in the interim I recommend taking anatomy and all the other tough basic science classes, that way you will have a head start and your classmates will envy you. I sure envy those who were more prepared them me.

Hi I've taken the MCAT a few times myself, but I have heard that after 3 times the admission boards start to look down on your application. They feel that if you have problems with the MCAT then you will have problems with the boards, which would bring their numbers down. Did you have that problem, Becuase that was a very big concern for me. Did you apply to any DO schools?

 

[gibna]

the adcoms didn't seem to care that much but it was frustrating on my part to take it so many times. I knew people who were in high school the first time taking the MCAT taking it with me during my fifth time, so it kind of sucked when I had to explain to them my reasoning of taking the MCAT again.
Other then that I think adcoms admired my persistents. I actually got accepted to multiple schools so I don't think it was a fluke. Just make sure to tell them that you are now more dedicated and mature to kick ass in medical school and kill the boards. Plus all that crap about you wanting to make the world a better place

 

[NRAI2001]

What was ur final score and what med school did u get Gibina?

 

[NRAI2001]

People tell each other their stats all the time on SDN, there is nothing to feel uncomfortable about. Congratulations.

 

[Fusion]

gibna, nice job on the 32 👍

Did you take the April or August MCAT when you took it for the final time?