Is it disadvantageous to be a reapplicant?

[kellalynn]

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I have a question that I'm hoping someone can help me with. I am deciding whether or not to apply this year or wait until next year. I need to improve my MCAT score, as it is a little lower then I would like. My problem is this: because my state school (and first choice med school) gives such a strong preference to in-state residents, I know that I am guaranteed an interview based on my gpa and MCAT score. I was planning on re-taking the MCAT in the winter and applying for medical school next summer. However, since I am guaranteed an interview at my state school, I'm thinking that maybe I should just take my chances and apply this summer. I've talked to a faculty member from my state's medical school, and he said that if my MCAT, gpa, etc. make me an eligible applicant, then I should go ahead and apply. However, I've read advice online from other medical school staff stating that you should only apply once because reapply makes you a less desirable candidate for admission. I have not been able to find a consensus anywhere on whether or not it would be better to apply and take my chances, or just wait it out another year. Does anyone have any idea whether being a reapplicant would hurt my chances of ever getting into medical school, or if would they remain the same? I would appreciate any advice you could offer!

 

[trevagandalf]

It depends on the school, some schools are friendly towards reapplicants while others are not. And some schools restrict the number of times you can re-apply.

 

[Funky]

I think the way reapplicants get hurt is that they don't do anything to improve their application. They apply with pretty much the same thing and I think that is why schools do not look favorably towards reapplicants.

Boost your application and you'll be seeing changes.