CA Reapplicant Looking for Advice

[SecondTimesTheCharm]

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Hi all,

I applied in the 2012-2013 cycle and I'm planning on reapplying this cycle. A detailed description of my current application can be found here: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/ca-reapplicant-looking-for-help-on-school-list.1068131/

In summary: cGPA=3.9, sGPA=3.85, Top 20 university. applied last cycle with 32 mcat (12/9/11). Retook mcat in 2014 and got 38 (12/12/14).

During my last cycle, I received 4 interviews and I ultimately got 3 rejections and 1 waitlist. I contacted the schools and none of them gave me any feedback regarding my application, but I believe 2 of the interviews I did not do as well as I would have liked and 1 of the school I did not fit their mission statement (I'm still confused as to why they granted me an interview in the first place).

Looking back, I think I may have had a red flag in one of my LOR's from a professor (i.e. not positive). I am not sending that letter to any schools this cycle, but will schools I applied to last cycle look at my old file/LOR's and see what I potentially believe to be a bad LOR? I also had limited clinical experience (I applied last time with 0 shadowing and only 250 clinical hours, this time I have shadowing + 300 more clinical hours with direct patient contact).

Things I've improved since my last application cycle:

• Clinical experience (see above)
• MCAT - I know its generally frowned upon retaking a 30+ (According to @Goro), but because my score was from 2011 it expired at numerous schools. Is it still "looked down upon" that I retook a 32 even though I scored better+ it was expired at some schools? I had a 6 point improvement (32 --> 38) and got my verbal over 10.
• Research - Two labs. In the first lab I was first author on a poster and we are currently working on a paper for publication, however it won't be complete by the time I submit my primary. Second lab I now work full time in translational research and I have my own projects/will be first author on papers eventually (none completed).
• Employment - Worked as a tutor for underrepresented minorities in higher education through a program at my school.
• LOR's: Replaced my potentially red flag LOR with a strong one from the professor I did research/did the poster under.

I'm currently reworking my personal statement and ensuring that I submit my primary day 1 of this cycle (last cycle I submitted my primary at the end of june and I wasn't verified until july 29th).

Do you guys have any feedback or advice on how I can have the strongest application cycle this time around? Thank you!

 

[Goro]

I think you can be forgiven with a 38 on the retake. But work on the interview skills more than anything else.

Interviewers do not get to see the previous year's file. Don't know what the Admissions dean him/herself does, but I suspect that they treat each app as if it were new.

Hi all,

I applied in the 2012-2013 cycle and I'm planning on reapplying this cycle. A detailed description of my current application can be found here: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/ca-reapplicant-looking-for-help-on-school-list.1068131/

In summary: cGPA=3.9, sGPA=3.85, Top 20 university. applied last cycle with 32 mcat (12/9/11). Retook mcat in 2014 and got 38 (12/12/14).

During my last cycle, I received 4 interviews and I ultimately got 3 rejections and 1 waitlist. I contacted the schools and none of them gave me any feedback regarding my application, but I believe 2 of the interviews I did not do as well as I would have liked and 1 of the school I did not fit their mission statement (I'm still confused as to why they granted me an interview in the first place).

Looking back, I think I may have had a red flag in one of my LOR's from a professor (i.e. not positive). I am not sending that letter to any schools this cycle, but will schools I applied to last cycle look at my old file/LOR's and see what I potentially believe to be a bad LOR? I also had limited clinical experience (I applied last time with 0 shadowing and only 250 clinical hours, this time I have shadowing + 300 more clinical hours with direct patient contact).

Things I've improved since my last application cycle:

• Clinical experience (see above)
• MCAT - I know its generally frowned upon retaking a 30+ (According to @Goro), but because my score was from 2011 it expired at numerous schools. Is it still "looked down upon" that I retook a 32 even though I scored better+ it was expired at some schools? I had a 6 point improvement (32 --> 38) and got my verbal over 10.
• Research - Two labs. In the first lab I was first author on a poster and we are currently working on a paper for publication, however it won't be complete by the time I submit my primary. Second lab I now work full time in translational research and I have my own projects/will be first author on papers eventually (none completed).
• Employment - Worked as a tutor for underrepresented minorities in higher education through a program at my school.
• LOR's: Replaced my potentially red flag LOR with a strong one from the professor I did research/did the poster under.

I'm currently reworking my personal statement and ensuring that I submit my primary day 1 of this cycle (last cycle I submitted my primary at the end of june and I wasn't verified until july 29th).

Do you guys have any feedback or advice on how I can have the strongest application cycle this time around? Thank you!

 

[SecondTimesTheCharm]

I think you can be forgiven with a 38 on the retake. But work on the interview skills more than anything else.

Interviewers do not get to see the previous year's file. Don't know what the Admissions dean him/herself does, but I suspect that they treat each app as if it were new.

Thanks, that's good to hear about the MCAT (Although unfortunate what you said in the other thread about many schools potentially averaging them 🙁). I plan on conducting mock interviews with various post docs (MD's) in my lab to get feedback and improve my interview skills.

And that's great to hear about them not being able to see my previous years file. Thanks a ton for the advice here and in the other thread Goro! You're awesome 🙂

 

[lalalaaaaaa]

Sounds like you are in good shape. Killer MCAT!!!! That's awesome.

What is the nature of your new clinical experiences? What is your schools list this time?

 

[SecondTimesTheCharm]

Sounds like you are in good shape. Killer MCAT!!!! That's awesome.

What is the nature of your new clinical experiences? What is your schools list this time?

Thanks for the kind words! My new clinical experiences are as a volunteer in the ED. I regularly interact with patients and help the nurses/doctors with anything they need. I also get to watch on any procedures they do (e.g. stitching up lacerations). Recently some of the Ortho Techs have been allowing me to assist with some basic stuff like helping put on splints.

Here's my current school list. I know I need to cut it down and I'm thinking about removing some of the ivies I'm a reapplicant at such as Harvard/Upenn/Cornell. I've bolded all of the schools I am a reapplicant at.

Reaches

• Columbia
• Cornell
• Harvard
• Johns Hopkins
• Stanford
• UCSF
• University of Chicago
• University of Pennsylvania
• Yale

“Target” Schools

• Albert Einstein
• Baylor
• Case Western
• Dartmouth
• Duke
• Emory
• Mayo
• Mt. Sinai
• NYU
• Northwestern
• Tufts
• UC Davis
• UC Irvine
• UCLA
• UCSD
• University of Michigan
• University of Pittsburgh
• University of Rochester
• University of Virginia
• Vanderbilt
• Washington University at St. Louis (WashU)
• USC

“Safety” Schools

• Drexel
• Jefferson
• Penn State
• Miami
• University of Arizona
• University of Arizona - Phoenix

Thanks a ton!

 

[AliciaAccepted]

Hi all,

I applied in the 2012-2013 cycle and I'm planning on reapplying this cycle. A detailed description of my current application can be found here: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/ca-reapplicant-looking-for-help-on-school-list.1068131/

In summary: cGPA=3.9, sGPA=3.85, Top 20 university. applied last cycle with 32 mcat (12/9/11). Retook mcat in 2014 and got 38 (12/12/14).

During my last cycle, I received 4 interviews and I ultimately got 3 rejections and 1 waitlist. I contacted the schools and none of them gave me any feedback regarding my application, but I believe 2 of the interviews I did not do as well as I would have liked and 1 of the school I did not fit their mission statement (I'm still confused as to why they granted me an interview in the first place).

Looking back, I think I may have had a red flag in one of my LOR's from a professor (i.e. not positive). I am not sending that letter to any schools this cycle, but will schools I applied to last cycle look at my old file/LOR's and see what I potentially believe to be a bad LOR? I also had limited clinical experience (I applied last time with 0 shadowing and only 250 clinical hours, this time I have shadowing + 300 more clinical hours with direct patient contact).

Things I've improved since my last application cycle:

• Clinical experience (see above)
• MCAT - I know its generally frowned upon retaking a 30+ (According to @Goro), but because my score was from 2011 it expired at numerous schools. Is it still "looked down upon" that I retook a 32 even though I scored better+ it was expired at some schools? I had a 6 point improvement (32 --> 38) and got my verbal over 10.
• Research - Two labs. In the first lab I was first author on a poster and we are currently working on a paper for publication, however it won't be complete by the time I submit my primary. Second lab I now work full time in translational research and I have my own projects/will be first author on papers eventually (none completed).
• Employment - Worked as a tutor for underrepresented minorities in higher education through a program at my school.
• LOR's: Replaced my potentially red flag LOR with a strong one from the professor I did research/did the poster under.

I'm currently reworking my personal statement and ensuring that I submit my primary day 1 of this cycle (last cycle I submitted my primary at the end of june and I wasn't verified until july 29th).

Do you guys have any feedback or advice on how I can have the strongest application cycle this time around? Thank you!

From your description, I think the best strategy will be to focus on your interview skills. It sounds like you've made wonderful improvements to your application! For the interview, I recommend:

1) Reviewing your AMCAS application and secondary essays for the school where you are interviewing
2) Participating in as many mock interviews as you can
3) Reflecting on what went well in your four interviews last cycle and what you could have improved on
4) Requesting feedback from the schools where you interviewed
5) Thinking about what you would look for in an applicant if you were conducting interviews from the other side of the table
6) Providing mock interviews for friends to get another perspective of the process
7) Watching Ted Talks and determining what makes speakers more effective

For more tips, you're welcome to see this article on "5 Med School Interview Tips." Good luck!

 

[gyngyn]

And that's great to hear about them not being able to see my previous years file.

We can see your previous application if you have applied to our school (we keep the files). It just doesn't appear with this year's application.

 

[lalalaaaaaa]

Are you applying to the 4 schools that interviewed you before? It seems like you might have applied a little top heavy the first time with a 32 based on the schools in bold. With a 38 you're probably fine though. I agree with everyone else: improve your interview skills.

 

[SecondTimesTheCharm]

We can see your previous application if you have applied to our school (we keep the files). It just doesn't appear with this year's application.

That's what I initially thought. In your opinion, how much damage will a bad LOR that I am not re-using from a previous cycle have as a re-applicant? I believe the contents of the letter in question are not outright negative/condemning, but I believe the LOR is not positive.

 

[SecondTimesTheCharm]

Are you applying to the 4 schools that interviewed you before? It seems like you might have applied a little top heavy the first time with a 32 based on the schools in bold. With a 38 you're probably fine though. I agree with everyone else: improve your interview skills.

Of the 4 schools I interviewed at before, I am only re-applying to 1 (The one I was waitlisted at). I definitely agree I was naive and applied top heavy the first time with a 32. That unfortunately makes me a re-applicant at many of the schools I would be competitive at now with a 38; however hindsight is 20/20 and I have to make the best of my current situation.

I definitely agree my interview skills are a major area I need to work on - Any other suggestions for schools I should add or remove? Thank you!

 

[gyngyn]

That's what I initially thought. In your opinion, how much damage will a bad LOR that I am not re-using from a previous cycle have as a re-applicant? I believe the contents of the letter in question are not outright negative/condemning, but I believe the LOR is not positive.

If we were to get to the point that we would consider offering an interview we do go back to review the old file.

 

[SecondTimesTheCharm]

If we were to get to the point that we would consider offering an interview we do go back to review the old file.

That seems logical. What's done is done and there's no point dwelling on what I can't change, so hopefully the LOR I'm concerned about won't be a nail in my coffin this time around.

Thank you for all of your advice and feedback in this and the other thread GynGyn! You've been extremely helpful 🙂

 

[lalalaaaaaa]

Of the 4 schools I interviewed at before, I am only re-applying to 1 (The one I was waitlisted at). I definitely agree I was naive and applied top heavy the first time with a 32. That unfortunately makes me a re-applicant at many of the schools I would be competitive at now with a 38; however hindsight is 20/20 and I have to make the best of my current situation.

I definitely agree my interview skills are a major area I need to work on - Any other suggestions for schools I should add or remove? Thank you!

Schools are still top heavy, but with the 38 I imagine you will be competative at most. It definitely wouldn't hurt to throw in a few more mid/low tier schools. I get a sense that the ones you interviewed at last time weren't these top schools. If those schools are receptive to reapps definitely doesn't hurt to throw them in the mix. The last thing you want is to reapply again! If nothing else consider them practice interviews if you snag a few early in the cycle.

If you aren't from AZ, those are prob not safety if they have low OOS%. UC Davis and UC Irvine seem kind of random if you aren't from CA. Do you fit their missions or have a specific reason to apply there?

 

[SecondTimesTheCharm]

Schools are still top heavy, but with the 38 I imagine you will be competative at most. It definitely wouldn't hurt to throw in a few more mid/low tier schools. I get a sense that the ones you interviewed at last time weren't these top schools. If those schools are receptive to reapps definitely doesn't hurt to throw them in the mix. The last thing you want is to reapply again! If nothing else consider them practice interviews if you snag a few early in the cycle.

If you aren't from AZ, those are prob not safety if they have low OOS%. UC Davis and UC Irvine seem kind of random if you aren't from CA. Do you fit their missions or have a specific reason to apply there?

Correct, none of the schools I interviewed at last time were top schools. The only one out of the four I interviewed at that I'm still interested in attending I'm reapplying to.

I'm from CA (hence all of the UC schools) and Goro and GynGyn recommended I add the AZ/Miami schools as target/safety schools.

 

[AndyQC]

Looking good. I agree with lalalaaaaa that the AZ schools are not a "safety," though Phoenix does take a good number of OOS applicants every year. I think with your strong research background and improved MCAT score, you have a very good shot at several of the UCs.

Just an FYI - the UC Davis secondary is very long so you may want to tackle that one first.

Good luck!

 

[VolunteerMoose]

Hi all,

I applied in the 2012-2013 cycle and I'm planning on reapplying this cycle. A detailed description of my current application can be found here: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/ca-reapplicant-looking-for-help-on-school-list.1068131/

In summary: cGPA=3.9, sGPA=3.85, Top 20 university. applied last cycle with 32 mcat (12/9/11). Retook mcat in 2014 and got 38 (12/12/14).

With a 38 MCAT, dude, go be an analyst at Goldman and make tons of money first. Then come back five years later; you'll have med school paid for.