Bad to be third time applicant?

[akimhaneul]

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Hello, I am currently working on applications for my second application cycle. My main weakness is my Mcat score. My ecs and gpa are great. Mcat is the only thing standing in my way. I couldn't improve my Mcat so I ended up voiding my exam.

I think I didn't plan my Mcat studies very well and my main weakness was verbal so I am planning to take maybe tutoring and read a lot more. I didn't really take necessary breaks during my studies.

During my first application cycle I submitted about 13 secondaries got interview from one school and then got rejected. I applied VERY late (some schools in November December). I was very dumb to do this.

This time I would like to apply to a lot more schools (at least 30) and finish all secondaries at the latest by the end of this month.

I am wondering if it is very bad idea for me to submit pretty much same app but with one or two new volunteering activities as a reapplicant. If I didn't get in anywhere during this cycle, would I be really hurting my chances of becoming MD ever? If I did improve my Mcat next year, would I still be ok as a third time applicant?




Thanks!


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[gyngyn]

Re-applications are a pre-screen for many schools.
We can't tell you more without data.

 

[ohioguy]

Your story sounds similar to mine. I got into med school my 3rd time. A couple acceptances were from schools that waitlisted me the year prior. I'm now a 4th year at a top 20 med school. I didn't really know what I was doing the first two times. Key things for me were:

Applying early (I literally applied the last day for one cycle)
Retaking the MCAT.
Getting clinical/research/volunteering/leadership experience. (after not getting in the 2nd time, after a really improved MCAT, I literally just got into as many ECs as possible)
Getting a couple pubs.
Having a good PS/activity descriptions

Each year, I markedly improved my app. So from my experience, you'd probably be wasting your money if you're just applying again with basically the same app.

edit: in response to above post and supposed screenings for re-apps. While that may be the case at some schools, being a (3X) re-applicant didn't hinder me at all. Heck I even got an interview at UPenn.

 

[Hospitalized]

Re-applications are a pre-screen for many schools.
We can't tell you more without data.

Re-application as in not changing your application from the past year and just resubmitting? As opposed to being a reapplicant who has improved in some areas?

 

[GinnyWeasley]

Re-applications are a pre-screen for many schools.
We can't tell you more without data.

So some schools automatically reject a reapplicant? Considering for a lot of state schools around 30-40% of the class is made up of reapplicants, isn't it a bit premature to auto-reject without even looking at how the student has improved?

 

[Hospitalized]

So some schools automatically reject a reapplicant? Considering for a lot of state schools around 30-40% of the class is made up of reapplicants, isn't it a bit premature to auto-reject without even looking at how the student has improved?

This is true at my school. Kinda confused by what @gyngyn is saying.

 

[Goro]

I suspect that schools that are so stringent are selecting for people who have a "do it right the first time" mentality. That and because it's a seller's market, they can afford to ignore whole groups of (re)applicants.

DO schools and state MD schools will be the most forgiving in this process.

So some schools automatically reject a reapplicant? Considering for a lot of state schools around 30-40% of the class is made up of reapplicants, isn't it a bit premature to auto-reject without even looking at how the student has improved?

 

[bananafish94]

So some schools automatically reject a reapplicant? Considering for a lot of state schools around 30-40% of the class is made up of reapplicants, isn't it a bit premature to auto-reject without even looking at how the student has improved?

Yes, but some schools like them!

Of course, it depends on the circumstances. If they liked you in the interview and just didn't have enough room for you in the previous year's class, that's one thing. If they hated you in the interview, they probably wouldn't interview you again. If you sent them a really shoddy application the year before, that does not reflect well on you.

 

[gyngyn]

Re-application as in not changing your application from the past year and just resubmitting? As opposed to being a reapplicant who has improved in some areas?

So some schools automatically reject a reapplicant? Considering for a lot of state schools around 30-40% of the class is made up of reapplicants, isn't it a bit premature to auto-reject without even looking at how the student has improved?

State schools (including TX), DO and mission-based schools are more generous in their evaluation of re-applicants.
Others view re-applicants as "pre-screened" in order to increase effective use of resources. Some schools only consider a single re-application, for example.
In contrast, some schools get their best matriculants from the re-applicant pool.

 

[JustAPhD]

Regardless, OP, resubmitting the same app with "one or two more volunteering experiences" is generally not a good move.

 

[gyngyn]

Regardless, OP, resubmitting the same app with "one or two more volunteering experiences" is generally not a good move.

Where's @gonnif when we need him?

 

[premedicalstudent]

Your story sounds similar to mine. I got into med school my 3rd time. A couple acceptances were from schools that waitlisted me the year prior. I'm now a 4th year at a top 20 med school. I didn't really know what I was doing the first two times. Key things for me were:

Applying early (I literally applied the last day for one cycle)
Retaking the MCAT.
Getting clinical/research/volunteering/leadership experience. (after not getting in the 2nd time, after a really improved MCAT, I literally just got into as many ECs as possible)
Getting a couple pubs.
Having a good PS/activity descriptions

Each year, I markedly improved my app. So from my experience, you'd probably be wasting your money if you're just applying again with basically the same app.

edit: in response to above post and supposed screenings for re-apps. While that may be the case at some schools, being a (3X) re-applicant didn't hinder me at all. Heck I even got an interview at UPenn.

Awesome! Eat that, cynics!!

 

[akimhaneul]

The vast majority of schools do not auto screen out anyone, including a second application. Some schools have specific and published policies that will not consider an applicant more that twice. Thus 3rd time applicants are automatically screened at those schools. At most schools, a reapplicant is noted as such and previous applications will be "pulled" for possible comparison. Usually the evaluation/summary sheet from previous applications will be reviewed

So I guess as long as i improve, I should be ok as a third time applicant if I end up not getting in anywhere during this cycle?



I think that because I was really dumb about it during my first cycle (applying very late like in November and December and applying to only like 13 schools) I think I want to give it a try by being smarter about it during this cycle (applying to at least 30 schools and submitting much earlier). I think the main reason is that I do not want to waste another year of my life.

Thanks!


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[mistafab]

Is being a third time applicant bad?
Yes. Yes it is.

It is an important process - you can't go half-way, it will only hurt you. Especially if you do it 2 or 3 times.

 

[akimhaneul]

That is a very simplistic and unrealistic concept; your uphill battle becomes significantly steeper by being a third time reapplicant.


So I am confused; have you applied already? when did you put your AMCAS in? When was it verified and transmitted?

I didn't know that things get harder for third time applicant...




My primary is already verified and I received some secondaries from schools so far.


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[gyngyn]

I didn't know that things get harder for third time applicant...

Every application cycle can be considered a screen. The more times you have been screened out, the less desirable you have been determined to be and questions regarding judgement loom large. Some schools don't even consider third time applicants.

 

[akimhaneul]

when was it verified?

Couple days ago


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[Donald Juan]

Couple days ago


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My two questions for you are: how bad is your mcat? And if you knew that applying late was a problem the first time, why didn't you apply as early as possible this cycle? You had all year to prepare for it, there are less excuses this time around.

 

[gyngyn]

This is why @gyngyn I dont get involved with the incredibly obvious.

I understand. Sometimes, I feel like a voice in the wilderness, though...

 

[gyngyn]

We cant save every feral cat that comes our way.

Tell my Mother!
At least she spays and neuters...

 

[akimhaneul]

This is why @gyngyn I dont get involved with the incredibly obvious.



for Primary, June is early, July is medium to late, August is late, after Labor Day is very very late.

You have no improvement in your app, you have almost no improvement in your timing, and you have slight improvement in your broadness.

What is you plan B?

So should I just completely withdraw my app, try to improve Mcat, and then apply next year?


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[gyngyn]

So should I just completely withdraw my app, try to improve Mcat, and then apply next year?


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You are already a re-applicant to wherever you have applied this year.
If the reason for your lack of success was a limited scope of application, a broad application may be of use.
Since you have not shared any data on scores or strategy, we cannot help with this question.

 

[akimhaneul]

You are already a re-applicant to wherever you have applied this year.
If the reason for your lack of success was a limited scope of application, a broad application may be of use.
Since you have not shared any data on scores or strategy, we cannot help with this question.

Ok.

Total gpa : 3.9+
Science gpa : 3.8+

Mcat : first attempt : 29
Second attempt : 503

A lot of research with several pubs
Almost thousand thousand hours of non clinical volunteering
Hundreds of hours of clinical volunteering/physician shadowing



I prewrote secondaries but haven't clicked on submit button. I only listed 4 schools on my primary so far and these are schools that haven't seen my app before at all.


I was thinking about taking MCAt again next summer in June after much reading. I might take exam for another career such as gre or dat this winter but I would much rather go to medical school so I am definitely willing to give Mcat another try during this summer.


Maybe I should still apply this cycle since a lot of schools will not take old Mcat next cycle?


Thank you!!!



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[banthapug]

Dude I think you need to withdraw this cycle, re-take MCAT (and absolutely nail it) and reapply.

503 is 27-28. Considering you are an ORM (inferred from your screen name), that's too low for MD. If only 4 schools have your primary this year, just withdraw. Or just fill those secondaries out and see what happens. Either way I think you'll end up reapplying next year.

People do get in on their 3rd try (I'm one of them) but only when they make a substantial change to their app. Nail the MCAT, get more clinical exposure, and submit the best app you can as early as you can next year.

Good luck.

Ok.

Total gpa : 3.9+
Science gpa : 3.8+

Mcat : first attempt : 29
Second attempt : 503

A lot of research with several pubs
Almost thousand thousand hours of non clinical volunteering
Hundreds of hours of clinical volunteering/physician shadowing



I prewrote secondaries but haven't clicked on submit button. I only listed 4 schools on my primary so far.



I was thinking about taking MCAt again next summer in June after much reading. I might take exam for another career such as gre or dat this winter but I would much rather go to medical school so I am definitely willing to give Mcat another try during this summer.


Maybe I should still apply this cycle since a lot of schools will not take old Mcat next cycle?


Thank you!!!



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[candbgirl]

Ok.


Mcat : first attempt : 29
Second attempt : 503

Maybe I should still apply this cycle since a lot of schools will not take old Mcat next cycle?


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Why are worried about an old MCAT score when you have a new score too? Or is it the 503 that is expiring?



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[candbgirl]

OP what's the deal with applying so late each year. Last year November, this year midd-late September? What part of apply early with the best possible application possible don't you understand? And taking the MCAT next June will set you up for a later cycle again. What made you think you "couldn't improve my MCAT so I ended up voiding the exam" ? Maybe you should spend sometime working on test taking strategies. Maybe that will relieve your anxiety and you'll be able to do a better job during the test!


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[DetectiveAlonzo]

Jesus christ man. 3 years reapplying and working on med school apps?

LOL dafuqqqq

 

[Frogger27]

I'd apply DO only and get this train rollin

 

[DetectiveAlonzo]

I'd apply DO only and get this train rollin

LOL more like should have applied to DO the first go around as well.

OP would have been done and heading into fourth year lol

 

[DokterMom]

Option A -

Apply DO now. Broadly. Very Broadly.
​

Option B -

STOP!
Retake your MCAT
Apply next year, MD (very broadly, very early) and DO
​

Whatever you do, don't keep making the same mistakes that you've already identified having made last cycle -- late app, low MCAT, small number of schools. The Late App and Low MCAT are, at this point, unfixable for this cycle, but completely avoidable if you wait a year.

If you're not willing to wait a year, apply DO -- lots of DO schools.