Confusion re: year off

[nick_carraway]

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Hey folks, sorry for the long post but I have several questions regarding my situation next year. My stats can be found in my MDapps link under my avatar.

Reapplicants are frequently told to apply as soon as they can in June. This means, however, that most of their application will be the same since SMPs/Post-baccs wouldn't start until the following Fall.

Won't their AMCAS essentially be the same as the previous cycle's? Don't a lot of schools frown on reapplying without substantial changes to your app?

Specifically, I spent this year working at a derm office that I wrote about for secondaries but didn't mention on AMCAS. What could I put on it that would make me so much more appealing to adcoms the next time around?

If I pursue a second bachelor's at SFSU, will that really help me? By the time the first grades are out, the interview season will already be in full swing. By the time the second set are out, the interview season will practically be over.

And my last question: should reapplicants rewrite their AMCAS PS? I'm pretty happy with its theme. Even if I update it, will it seem like a cop-out if most of the content/message is the same?

Thanks guys. I hope that this cycle ends up working out for some of us.

 

[mac429]

I would definately re-write the PS. After my first year of unsuccessful application I went to talk to the dean of one of the schools that rejected me, and he told me that no school that had interviewed me in a previous year would reinterview me if I didn't have a new personal statement. They still keep your old application, and it makes it seem that you haven't really developed into someone they would like to accept.

 

[RxnMan]

...Reapplicants are frequently told to apply as soon as they can in June. This means, however, that most of their application will be the same since SMPs/Post-baccs wouldn't start until the following Fall.

Won't their AMCAS essentially be the same as the previous cycle's? Don't a lot of schools frown on reapplying without substantial changes to your app?...And my last question: should reapplicants rewrite their AMCAS PS? I'm pretty happy with its theme. Even if I update it, will it seem like a cop-out if most of the content/message is the same?

It may be much the same. Part of what yu have to think about is how far your current application got you. Did you get 10 interviews and just fell off of the waitlist? Or were you never sent a secondary? If you had a nearly successful year, then you can probably do with just an update. If not, then you need to look at your application and figure out what held you back. Sometimes schools will give you feedback. Often, it's one of the big two: GPA and MCAT.

At this point in the year, unless you've been in class the whole time, it will be difficult to get new grades on the transcript in time for med school applications. If GPA is your weakness, then consider taking two years off, giving yourself time to get those grades on your transcript.

...Specifically, I spent this year working at a derm office that I wrote about for secondaries but didn't mention on AMCAS. What could I put on it that would make me so much more appealing to adcoms the next time around?...

This is a great example of my previous statement. You've got a new clinical experience that didn't make it on the AMCAS last year. This is something to include in an updated PS and AMCAS, and is something ADCOMs would want to see.

...If I do pursue a second bachelor's at SFSU, will that really help me? By the time the first grades are out, the interview season will already be in full swing. By the time the second set are out, the interview season will practically be over...

If your GPA is the thing holding you back, then getting more classes - more credit hours of 4.0s will help.

However, for example, if your MCAT is a 24 and you GPA is 3.4, you've got problems, and then you've got problems. A 3.4 isn't great, but more so than that the MCAT is nowhere near the average matriculant's. In this example, your time would be best spent getting the 24 -> 30+. Now, go through the same thought process and come to a conclusion on where you can best spend your time and effort.

 

[gman33]

You have more clinical experience, which is good, but it doesn't look like you've done anything to bring up your GPA.
One option is to apply again this year, and I'd rewrite the personal statement. In the meantime, you should apply to some SMPs or at least do some more post-bacc UG work. You're correct that in your case, this won't do much good for the next cycle. I really think you may need to work on your grades and not apply again until you get another year of courses in.

Another option is DO. Just start calling every DO you can find. One of them should be open to meeting with you and writing a letter. If you have a DO school in your area, call the school. They should be able to give you a connection.

 

[Blade28]

And my last question: should reapplicants rewrite their AMCAS PS? I'm pretty happy with its theme. Even if I update it, will it seem like a cop-out if most of the content/message is the same?

If you're reapplying, I'd mention what you did in the extra year between cycles.

You want to make sure they know you were doing something worthwhile.

 

[drizzt3117]

If you haven't changed your GPA, I'd consider retaking the MCAT, as it will be the only way you can quantitatively improve your application prior to reapplication. Your other options are a SMP, which would almost certainly get you into med school if you did well, and likely in year 1, especially if you applied to one with a high linkage, which again, you're likely to get into, or waiting a year to apply.

 

[moe_4eva]

I was in much the same situation as you last year, although my grades were a bit better. I can say with absolute certainty that schools realize that in one year, you may not have had a chance to start making huge improvements in your application. I filled in my secondaries with the experiences I had since submitting my primary, and also supplemented that with letters of update to the schools.

Pursuing a second bachelor's will only help you if you can improve your grades. If it'll be much of the same, I wouldn't personally bother.

As for rewriting your PS, I agree with everyone else. I kept the same theme on mine, but changed the contents pretty significantly based off of recommendations from the dean of admissions and my own personal growth through the year. I completely changed my secondary (again based off of recommendations and my own growth).

 

[scraibin]

I agree with the above posters-definitely change your PS. If you're happy with the theme from last cycle's application, change the tone or perspective of it to reflect how you've changed in this unsuccessful year. When I reapplied this cycle, I kept my reasons for deciding to pursue medicine, but added in a whole new perspective of the career from recent shadowing and clinical experiences, reasons for continued motivation etc. I think it shows the adcom that you're constantly reevaluating yourself and your interest in the field. In the end, it makes your decision to be a physician that much more solid and realistic. Good luck!!🙂

 

[ruraldr]

do you recommend getting your LOR's or committee letter updated for a re-application?

 

[RxnMan]

do you recommend getting your LOR's or committee letter updated for a re-application?

If you had a job related to medicine - research, ED scribe, etc. - then you'd want one from a supervisor to act as an update. But that's about it.