So I do not have great stats, my MCAT is very low and I know I am not able to get accepted for Fall 2012.... But, I plan to re-take the MCAT next spring/summer and apply next fall for the Fall 2013 entering class. My questions is, should I still apply now just for the heck of it so that they have my application, and see my improvements for next year? I have heard that it is good to apply to have your application on file, so the next time you apply they see you are a re-applicant, they like to see re-applicants or something? Is this true?
Applying for the heck of it?
- Thread starter Shawn14
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Why not retake the classes you did bad in? and study harder before you apply again. You can do it!😀
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In my totally uninformed opinion:
That's a terrible idea; it's a waste of money, time, and emotional effort.
Apply for the heck of it? Seriously? 😡
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Being a reapplicant is not a good position to be in. Not to mention you'd be pissing away a few grand and a **** ton of time.
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horrible idea. they aren't going to think, "wow this guy improved." They are going to think, "why did this guy apply. that was really stupid. should we take a chance?" it will definitely hurt you far more than it will help you.
I have "heard" of this too but not from any reliable sources. The only thing I know first hand is from a friend who was a director of residency (so not med school, but take it for what its worth). He said reapplicants were a red flag for him because it meant they didn't get in anywhere the first time so made him wonder what was wrong....
It may not hurt you but I doubt it would help you, save your $
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Only apply if you are truly comfortable- in your case, I highly recommend applying next semester. It will save you time, effort, and a lot of money.
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Well, when the guy endorsing Ron Paul says it's a bad idea...
If you absolutely know you won't get in, don't do it. You'll find on a lot of secondaries and interviews they will specifically ask re-applicants what you did to improve and sometimes it can be hard to really sell it, so I would avoid that.
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Being a reapplicant is viewed favorably in very few situations. For example, if you own a home and are raising 3 kids in state X, applying to that state's medical school for several years in a row may be viewed as commitment to the school, and it can earn you brownie points. However, that is a very different thing than applying broadly (for no apparent reason) when you are an underqualified applicant.
If you know that you can improve you application: improve it, and then apply.
If you know that you can improve you application: improve it, and then apply.
