Do most skip a cycle?

[wolfram241]

---

Members don't see this ad.

For those who don't get in then graduate college, I can't see how you can improve your application much if you apply next cycle, seeing as you realize you won't be matriculating in the early months of the year, and then re-submit your app in June. Since schools don't like students re-applying with little improvement, is it wise to skip a cycle and have a full year to improve one's app?

 

[Siubking]

Retake MCAT and get a higher score, get more research/clinical experiences, get better recomendations, a lot of things that you can improve during 1 to 2 years to make you a better candidate.

 

[mistiza]

The reason I didn't apply this current cycle is exactly because of what you just said. I totally did everything right time-wise the first time around, so I know that wasn't the reason why. Even though one year is really not a whole lot of time to completely change my application, it would be more substantial than if I went ahead and applied in after receiving those final notifications in August.

So, I'm taking a cycle off in between re-apps. It could've been planned better, though for some schools (like the ones I got put on waitlists for) would probably like to see I'm trying.

Upping the MCAT and experiences, etc. from the previous poster is right on the money. Good luck!

 

[Messerschmitts]

I was going to skip a cycle, but then I realised that my MCAT scores were about to "expire" (I took them in August 2003). I didn't gain any new experiences, but I sent stuff in earlier, and wrote better essays. Doing slightly better than last cycle, with 4 interviews instead of 3, and much earlier interview invites. Whether I'll actually get in we'll have to see.

That said, if your MCAT isn't about to expire (or if you're gonna re-take it anyway as part of your application improvement), then I do think taking a cycle off is a good idea.

 

[magdalynaa]

I took the MCAT in 2001, applied in 2002, and was rejected from my schools about halfway through my senior year of college. I've skipped two cycles. I'm applying again next year.

Honestly, I still have nightmares about the MCAT. I invariably dream that I arrive with no pencils, that I forgot to study, or that I'm naked. I think the MCAT is what scared me away from re-applying for so long.

 

[ExtraAverage]

For those who don't get in then graduate college, I can't see how you can improve your application much if you apply next cycle, seeing as you realize you won't be matriculating in the early months of the year, and then re-submit your app in June. Since schools don't like students re-applying with little improvement, is it wise to skip a cycle and have a full year to improve one's app?

I agree with most of the previous posters. I applied for entrance in 2004 and didn't get in. I then got accepted to a grad program and was planning on applying again in 2005. However, my advisor in the grad program warned me against it. In addition to those reasons given by previous posters (e.g. not much changes b/t apps) my advisor mentioned that many medical schools like to see re-applicants who have taken a year off, evaluated their options, and THEN re-applied. It displays a certain thoughtful dedication to the profession. Thankfully, I decided to listen to my advisor, as this year I've been accepted into five programs and will be attending Loyola Stritch next fall! Speaking of which, when I interviewed at Loyola I asked the dean of admissions your question. She echoed the sentiments of my advisor and said they are more likely to consider someone who takes a year or two off than someone who just continually applies every year.

Hope this helps.