applying twice vs once?

[radhika]

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is it better/worse to apply when you think you may have a chance versus when you feel you have a better chance?

i have a 3.1, 28 mcat, 6 lors and tons of research and volunteering and leadership.

i was thinking to take an extra year to retake more classes to raise my gpa...or should i apply with my current 3.1 and 28? 😕

 

[zmkelchn]

is it better/worse to apply when you think you may have a chance versus when you feel you have a better chance?

i have a 3.1, 28 mcat, 6 lors and tons of research and volunteering and leadership.

i was thinking to take an extra year to retake more classes to raise my gpa...or should i apply with my current 3.1 and 28? 😕

what is your sGPA?

 

[radhika]

2.8🙁

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

2.8🙁

Apply once, when you believe fully that you will get on that cycle. So I recommend some GPA repair. Get your Cgpa up to a 3.4+ and Sgpa up to 3.3+.
But you can always apply now. It'll just make your life 2x harder when reapplying because re-applicants are held to a higher standard.

 

[radhika]

Apply once, when you believe fully that you will get on that cycle. So I recommend some GPA repair. Get your Cgpa up to a 3.4+ and Sgpa up to 3.3+.
But you can always apply now. It'll just make your life 2x harder when reapplying because re-applicants are held to a higher standard.

Thanks!!!!! 😀

im gonna re-take like crazy!!!!
I stillll can NOT get over the gap in grades both schools have!! should have went to state school from day 1 !!!! ughh!!!

Thank you for your help Serenade!!! 🙂🙂

 

[nanaschool2000]

Apply once, when you believe fully that you will get on that cycle. So I recommend some GPA repair. Get your Cgpa up to a 3.4+ and Sgpa up to 3.3+.
But you can always apply now. It'll just make your life 2x harder when reapplying because re-applicants are held to a higher standard.

I agree w/ serenade. Re-applicants need to demonstrate the improvement that can be somewhat burden for students. Does your GPA show an improving trend? How's your sci GPA for the last twenty credits of science courses? I would recommend to increase your sci GPA at least up to 3.0 then apply. Don't forget. You can always make an appointment w/ Admission Counselors of medical school you would like to attend and ask them what you have to do to fully prepare for an application.

You did great job on MCAT. When you talk to the admission counselor, don't forget to mention your MCAT score. G'luick

 

[radhika]

I agree w/ serenade. Re-applicants need to demonstrate the improvement that can be somewhat burden for students. Does your GPA show an improving trend? How's your sci GPA for the last twenty credits of science courses? I would recommend to increase your sci GPA at least up to 3.0 then apply. Don't forget. You can always make an appointment w/ Admission Counselors of medical school you would like to attend and ask them what you have to do to fully prepare for an application.

You did great job on MCAT. When you talk to the admission counselor, don't forget to mention your MCAT score. G'luick

Hello Nanaschool!! thanks for your help!!!
since i transferred two semesters ago, i got a 3.75 and then a 3.5, and all of the classes i took were science classes. 😀



i really should make an appointment with a school, lecom is only like 3 hrs far from me.

Thanks so very much for your help Nanaschool!!! much appreciated!!🙂🙂

 

[MLT2MT2DO]

If I was in your position, I would apply early this go around. Your MCAT is solid and though your GPA is lacking I don't think it will keep you out of alot of interviews. Once you have an interview it is up to you.

I would apply, and sign up for UG retakes at the same time. If you get accepted before Spring semester you saved yourself a year of matriculation and a semester of UG retakes.

 

[radhika]

If I was in your position, I would apply early this go around. Your MCAT is solid and though your GPA is lacking I don't think it will keep you out of alot of interviews. Once you have an interview it is up to you.

I would apply, and sign up for UG retakes at the same time. If you get accepted before Spring semester you saved yourself a year of matriculation and a semester of UG retakes.

good point, except i'm afraid the second time i apply, there will not be much of a difference or a dramatic change on my application.

confused...😳

thanks so much for your help!!!!🙂

 

[GuitarFreak]

Re-applicants should also try to show more than just academic improvement. Do some more volunteer work, research, play some sports, pretty much anything that will make your overall application look better in contrast to the previous one 👍

 

[salazaar]

I have on good authority that some schools (particularly MD) hardly even look at reapplicants. Those applicants go into the "special filing cabinet" if you know what I mean. Why take an applicant who has to apply twice when there are so many phenomenal first time applicants? When applying for medical school you don't want to show your cards until you feel like you are the best applicant that you can be.

 

[radhika]

no wayy Salazaar!!! someone once told me that "its good to apply and get into the 'applicant pool', even if u think u dont have a shot" when she said it, it didnt really make any sense to me! lol!!!

thanks soo much for your help!!!😀

 

[radhika]

Re-applicants should also try to show more than just academic improvement. Do some more volunteer work, research, play some sports, pretty much anything that will make your overall application look better in contrast to the previous one 👍

thanks guitarfreak!!! i think i may wait tho!! it feels like i have TONS of ec, but my gpa really need to go up...totally wish i had went to state school from the get go!!!

 

[DoctorBoom]

thanks guitarfreak!!! i think i may wait tho!! it feels like i have TONS of ec, but my gpa really need to go up...totally wish i had went to state school from the get go!!!

Just curious: How would have state school benefited you with your grades??

 

[radhika]

hey DoctorBroom!!

in my case, the private school i went to was much much more difficult and required a deeper understanding of the material.

At usf, (univ south fl), we are required to superficially memorize slides form the ppt professors provide. Half the students do not bother purchasing the textbook; most do not even come to class.

my hardest class here is biochem since the slides do not cover all the material, and reading the book takes foreverrr, the questions on the exams she gives us are tricky, kinda like the mcat. its my fav. class so far! i like the professor!!

but overall, people get mostly As and Bs here (except biochem..lol)

at my previous college, Cs were most common, 3 people maybe got a B. Most of my classes people never received an A. scaryyy!!!

 

[DbDan]

I have on good authority that some schools (particularly MD) hardly even look at reapplicants. Those applicants go into the "special filing cabinet" if you know what I mean. Why take an applicant who has to apply twice when there are so many phenomenal first time applicants? When applying for medical school you don't want to show your cards until you feel like you are the best applicant that you can be.

I don't think that is even remotely true. Re-applicants who have accomplished nothing since their first application was submitted? sure, they'll get tossed. Re-applicants who have continued to be dedicated, shown academic improvement or have otherwise greatly improved their credentials absolutely have a shot at getting in and would not be tossed to the side without so much as a review.

Why take someone who has applied more than once over someone who is applying first time? because that person applying more than once has shown dedication, worked at correcting flaws and works hard. Is there a stigma attached to being a re-applicant? sure. Is it cause to be completely ignored? I doubt it

 

[salazaar]

That information was off the record from a director of admissions. They may have been exaggerating, but it was clear that reapplicants have a disadvantage when applying. I think it is reasonable to assume that different schools have different approaches to admissions.

 

[DbDan]

That information was off the record from a director of admissions. They may have been exaggerating, but it was clear that reapplicants have a disadvantage when applying. I think it is reasonable to assume that different schools have different approaches to admissions.

I agree that each school has a different approach to re-applicants and personally think that the idea of a re-applicant being tossed just because of having applied before is overexaggerated.

Midwestern's final status update to me this year was actually "Reapplication is viewed positively; especially when the applicant can demonstrate improved credentials and/or increased health care experience." Followed by encouragement to apply early next year.

Each school is different and yes, extremely competitive MD programs may essentially dismiss many re-applicants but its far from impossible to be admitted as one.

 

[salazaar]

I don't think we really disagree. It is harder to get in as a reapplicant than on a first shot. Not imposable, just much more difficult at many schools. Luckily, DO ADCOMs tend to be more holistic in their selection and reapplicants are considered to a greater extent than at many MD counterparts.

Reapplying is simply one more thing you have to overcome as an applicant in order to get into the ACOMs good graces. A significant improvement in an application could be enough to overcome this hump, but it is definitely better to just wait and apply once.

 

[Firewalkwithme]

is it better/worse to apply when you think you may have a chance versus when you feel you have a better chance?

i have a 3.1, 28 mcat, 6 lors and tons of research and volunteering and leadership.

i was thinking to take an extra year to retake more classes to raise my gpa...or should i apply with my current 3.1 and 28? 😕

You have to understand that it takes a lot to gain admission into a med school, all there are lots of factors that are put into consideration by each school. A 3.1 gpa and 28 mcat is def not the worst of all. I suggest you apply this cycle, most especially if you're applying to DO schools. DO Schools are more considerate than MD schools.

As aforementioned, med schools consider where you had your undergraduate education, if you had a job while in school, if you're a minority, extracurricular activities and a host of other factors considered. Maybe the science gpa might affect you a little, but for the schools you do get interviewed at, they'll most likely ask you about that and you'll have to explain if there was any circumstance surrounding that issue. Goodluck!

 

[radhika]

You have to understand that it takes a lot to gain admission into a med school, all there are lots of factors that are put into consideration by each school. A 3.1 gpa and 28 mcat is def not the worst of all. I suggest you apply this cycle, most especially if you're applying to DO schools. DO Schools are more considerate than MD schools.

As aforementioned, med schools consider where you had your undergraduate education, if you had a job while in school, if you're a minority, extracurricular activities and a host of other factors considered. Maybe the science gpa might affect you a little, but for the schools you do get interviewed at, they'll most likely ask you about that and you'll have to explain if there was any circumstance surrounding that issue. Goodluck!

im just sooo afraid of not getting in...🙁🙁

 

[FuturaDocta]

I have on good authority that some schools (particularly MD) hardly even look at reapplicants. Those applicants go into the "special filing cabinet" if you know what I mean. Why take an applicant who has to apply twice when there are so many phenomenal first time applicants? When applying for medical school you don't want to show your cards until you feel like you are the best applicant that you can be.

This is why I love sdn! I thought that being a re-ap would help... wrong!

 

[radhika]

This is why I love sdn! I thought that being a re-ap would help... wrong!

guess im sitting still this summer app-wise!!!! thanks sooo much!!! and good luck FuturaDocta!!!!

 

[csmittyB]

This is why I love sdn! I thought that being a re-ap would help... wrong!

I hope there is some sarcasm in this statement.

OP, take everything said on SDN with a grain of salt.

 

[mspeedwagon]

My girlfriend (soon to be fiance) got multiple M.D. interviews (and acceptances) as a re-applicant, and none except a local state school in NY the first time around, so I can assure they are looked at.

However, I should mention that she raised her MCAT score from a 25 to a 35 in the one year (not sure how, but she claims she just didn't study the first time around).

As far as advice to the OP, I agree with serenade.

I have on good authority that some schools (particularly MD) hardly even look at reapplicants. Those applicants go into the "special filing cabinet" if you know what I mean. Why take an applicant who has to apply twice when there are so many phenomenal first time applicants? When applying for medical school you don't want to show your cards until you feel like you are the best applicant that you can be.