Hey, I am about to be a senior this upcoming year and I was planning on applying to medical school. Due to extenuating circumstances, I could not get all three of my recommendation letters. I could take a science class this summer and really hope that I get one, but I wouldn't be able to get it until the end of August. Also, I am registered to take my MCAT for the second time in July and need to improve my score about 3 points. Would it be better if I just waited a year and applied next year? I could also raise my science GPA which is around 3.4 this way and increase my experiences too. What do you guys think? Thank you!
Apply late or Wait a Year
- Thread starter airptl13
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Honestly - and this is coming from the biased opinion of someone who waited a year - I would wait a year. You will feel so much more confident when your application is complete, your grades are higher, and your ECs are more polished.
I've also heard from many good sources that it is better to apply once strong than to reapply strong.
I've also heard from many good sources that it is better to apply once strong than to reapply strong.
Definitely wait. There is no rushing the application and most, like myself, enjoy the gap year break.
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If you have the money to apply without your best shot of getting in, I'd say go ahead and apply. At very least, the ADCOMs will see that you're reapplying, which very often seems to help. My buddy was in a similar situation, but he couldn't really afford to spend $500+ on applications and interviews when he didn't have a great shot (statistically) of getting in.
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Wait a year. Applying late can be a fatal flaw. I applied pretty late this year, have pretty good stats, am a nontrad that worked in the healthcare industry for several years, etc., etc. and only got 4 interviews. I'm not sure about your MCAT, but with a 3.4 GPA, I really think that you should wait.
Also, it isn't as simple as "just give it a shot this year, and if it doesn't work reapply". If you reapply, schools see that, and want to see a lot of improvement in your application. This is generally more than a .1 or .2 improvement on your GPA. On the other hand, if you don't apply this year, wait and submit the exact same application early in the cyle next year, you have a better shot of getting in. Additionally, a lot of schools really like applicants that take a gap year to work or research.
Also, it isn't as simple as "just give it a shot this year, and if it doesn't work reapply". If you reapply, schools see that, and want to see a lot of improvement in your application. This is generally more than a .1 or .2 improvement on your GPA. On the other hand, if you don't apply this year, wait and submit the exact same application early in the cyle next year, you have a better shot of getting in. Additionally, a lot of schools really like applicants that take a gap year to work or research.
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Wait a year, no question. Apply strong, apply once.
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As far as I'm aware, not every school requires that you have three letters...It's only June 3, you're still not too late.
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Re-application is not independently viewed as a strength.
