Is it harder to get into a med school after being rejected the first time?

[wellcutcookies]

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If I were to apply to med schools and not get into anywhere I want, and then decide to take a gap year, and then maybe apply to those same schools again, would I be at a disadvantage relative to people who've never been rejected there?

A person just told me that he thinks everyone should take a gap year, and although I doubt he knows what he's talking about, it did worry me a little.

 

[Boolean]

Gap year doesn't always have to be preceded by a failed application cycle.

 

[OneTwoThreeFour]

If I were to apply to med schools and not get into anywhere I want, and then decide to take a gap year, and then maybe apply to those same schools again, would I be at a disadvantage relative to people who've never been rejected there?

A person just told me that he thinks everyone should take a gap year, and although I doubt he knows what he's talking about, it did worry me a little.

1. So to answer the question: it seems that it is, in fact, harder to get into medical school after a failed cycle because AdComs expect to see some improvement on your application.
2. Gap years can be useful for enhancing an application; working for a lab full-time, clinical work, not to mention life experience. There is a reason the average age of entering medical school is ~25 years old (and it isn't just 30+'ers throwing off the curve)
3. About the bolded. Don't apply anywhere you don't want to go. If you get in and choose not to attend, it can follow you the next cycle. It shows that you aren't interested in medicine for medicine's sake but rather for personal prestige.

Hope this helps. Your friend may not know what he's talking about, but I'm a strong advocate of gap years.

 

[AticusHolmes]

I think #3 is especially important...personal prestige has a smell that will never quite go away if you get skunked by it...be careful. I took a gap year and I think it has been incredibly useful.

 

[wellcutcookies]

yes sorry i forgot to consider the things that an applicant can do during his gap year. but i guess i meant that if there were an applicant to a med school with the same credentials after the gap year as another person who didn't take a gap year and is applying there for the first time, would the person who took the gap year be at a disadvantage, considering the fact that he/she was rejected the first time? med schools do keep records of people that applied right?

and #3 is a good point. when you apply to approx. 25 schools, there will most likely be schools that you aren't entirely interested in, but maybe applied to as a "safety." (hate to use the word） that would definitely be an interesting situation if one were rejected at the schools he truly liked but got into a school that was a fallback net, and then had to make the decision of whether he is to reapply or accept that acceptance..

 

[Admissions to Medicine]

1. So to answer the question: it seems that it is, in fact, harder to get into medical school after a failed cycle because AdComs expect to see some improvement on your application.
2. Gap years can be useful for enhancing an application; working for a lab full-time, clinical work, not to mention life experience. There is a reason the average age of entering medical school is ~25 years old (and it isn't just 30+'ers throwing off the curve)
3. About the bolded. Don't apply anywhere you don't want to go. If you get in and choose not to attend, it can follow you the next cycle. It shows that you aren't interested in medicine for medicine's sake but rather for personal prestige.

Hope this helps. Your friend may not know what he's talking about, but I'm a strong advocate of gap years.

100% spot on with number 1 being the most important. Adcoms will look for serious concerted efforts at profile enhancement. -Admissionstomedicine

 

[Reckoner]

yes sorry i forgot to consider the things that an applicant can do during his gap year. but i guess i meant that if there were an applicant to a med school with the same credentials after the gap year as another person who didn't take a gap year and is applying there for the first time, would the person who took the gap year be at a disadvantage, considering the fact that he/she was rejected the first time? med schools do keep records of people that applied right?

When you apply to a school for the first time, you're competing with the other applicants. When you reapply, you're competing with your old application before you even get the chance to take on other applicants. If you reapply with the exact same credentials, why would you expect the outcome to be any different?

 

[mvenus929]

You're discussing gap years, and then you're discussing reapplication.

A person who was rejected initially and is reapplying will have to prove his worth compared to a person that is applying for the first time. That said, it'll be up to the individual school how to handle said application.

Out of the three schools I interviewed at the first time I applied, one did not invite me for an interview, one rejected me post-interview, and one accepted me.

 

[gyngyn]

When you apply to a school for the first time, you're competing with the other applicants. When you reapply, you're competing with your old application before you even get the chance to take on other applicants. If you reapply with the exact same credentials, why would you expect the outcome to be any different?

True. But a better list is sometimes the most important variable (and the easiest to remedy!).

 

[mvenus929]

True. But a better list is sometimes the most important variable (and the easiest to remedy!).

But if you change your list, then you're not applying to the same places again, and thus you aren't competing against yourself.

 

[Goro]

100% agree . The key to success is to apply with the best possible packet .

When you apply to a school for the first time, you're competing with the other applicants. When you reapply, you're competing with your old application before you even get the chance to take on other applicants. If you reapply with the exact same credentials, why would you expect the outcome to be any different?

 

[gyngyn]

But if you change your list, then you're not applying to the same places again, and thus you aren't competing against yourself.

Exactly. A better application to better chosen schools has a multiplier effect.
One should be aware that the schools where you have not previously applied can infer a previous application by your AMCAS ID...

 

[loungebunny]

x

 

[487806]

I think #3 is especially important...personal prestige has a smell that will never quite go away if you get skunked by it...be careful. I took a gap year and I think it has been incredibly useful.

Corollary: Don't apply to DO if your primary focus is MD. Recent, repetitive controversies made this evident

 

[Dr. Bob Doe]

If I were to apply to med schools and not get into anywhere I want, and then decide to take a gap year, and then maybe apply to those same schools again, would I be at a disadvantage relative to people who've never been rejected there?

A person just told me that he thinks everyone should take a gap year, and although I doubt he knows what he's talking about, it did worry me a little.

I have heard the phrase damaged goods here before in reference to applicants who reapply, after a failed cycle. However if you improve and learn from your mistakes I doubt you'd have any trouble.

 

[Tawantinsuyu]

1. So to answer the question: it seems that it is, in fact, harder to get into medical school after a failed cycle because AdComs expect to see some improvement on your application.
2. Gap years can be useful for enhancing an application; working for a lab full-time, clinical work, not to mention life experience. There is a reason the average age of entering medical school is ~25 years old (and it isn't just 30+'ers throwing off the curve)
3. About the bolded. Don't apply anywhere you don't want to go. If you get in and choose not to attend, it can follow you the next cycle. It shows that you aren't interested in medicine for medicine's sake but rather for personal prestige.

Hope this helps. Your friend may not know what he's talking about, but I'm a strong advocate of gap years.

In response to #3, what if you get accepted somewhere and realize you can't afford it compared to other schools?

 

[cookiemonsters]

I was a reapplicant, IMO top 20's or so are prejudice against reapps, everywhere else is more lenient.

 

[WillburCobb]

In response to #3, what if you get accepted somewhere and realize you can't afford it compared to other schools?

Then don't apply there in the first place. Problem solved.

At OP, I'm too lazy to look it up, but the AAMC has a table of statistical chances of applicants accepted with certain GPA and MCAT combinations as first time applicants and reapplicants. Just based on the numbers, yes statistically you have a better shot of being accepted. However, those numbers don't provide examples of what applicants did to improve their overall applications (e.g., interview skills, ECs, SMPs, grade and/or MCAT improvements, etc).

 

[DokterMom]

If you take a gap year, do something productive with it.

• If you don't use the time productively, you are worse off than had you not taken the gap year.
  
• If you do use the time to better your credentials or develop as a person, you are better off.

If you get rejected the first cycle, a stigma does follow you to some degree.

• If you fix the weaknesses that caused you to fail the first time, you can overcome the stigma.
• If you neglect to fix the weaknesses and reapply with the same application, the stigma will remain.

 

[Tawantinsuyu]

Then don't apply there in the first place. Problem solved.

At OP, I'm too lazy to look it up, but the AAMC has a table of statistical chances of applicants accepted with certain GPA and MCAT combinations as first time applicants and reapplicants. Just based on the numbers, yes statistically you have a better shot of being accepted. However, those numbers don't provide examples of what applicants did to improve their overall applications (e.g., interview skills, ECs, SMPs, grade and/or MCAT improvements, etc).

Do med schools award financial aid?

 

[WillburCobb]

Do med schools award financial aid?

Yes. Some are better than others when it comes to scholarships and need based aid. If cost is an issue, which it should be, when deciding where to apply it's best to assume you'll receive minimal aid for tuition and COL.

 

[mcloaf]

In response to #3, what if you get accepted somewhere and realize you can't afford it compared to other schools?

Most people in medical school can't afford it. That's why we're all taking out loans and hoping to be dermatopathologists.

 

[sourdoughllama]

.

 

[Reckoner]

I applied to the same school twice (consecutive years) and I got in the second time with a lower GPA. Another school I got interviewed this time around on their first interview day. I think it varies case by case

Right, obviously I'm not saying it's impossible to get accepted as a reapplicant. Also, it's not like you didn't do ANYTHING to improve your application. In your words:

Last year I applied super late and ended up on 2 wait lists (2 interviews late season). This year I've gotten 10 interviews because I applied early knowing that timing was an issue last year.

 

[sourdoughllama]

Right, obviously I'm not saying it's impossible to get accepted as a reapplicant. Also, it's not like you didn't do ANYTHING to improve your application. In your words:

I was saying my credentials are the same. And I don't wish to argue, I just had friends who had solid apps who chose not to reapply because they wanted to improve their app because they think it's a rule without considering individual circumstances

 

[Reckoner]

I was saying my credentials are the same. And I don't wish to argue, I just had friends who had solid apps who chose not to reapply because they wanted to improve their app because they think it's a rule without considering individual circumstances

Fair enough, and that's a great point - identifying the actual damning weakness is key. In your case, I'm willing to bet the timing did you in more than any low grade or lack of experience.

 

[woltej1]

Being a reapplicant can be advantage as long as you spent your off time productively. It shows commitment and motivation. Obviously the goal is to get in your first time, but if your academics are around average or a little under, then being a reapplicant can show you have those qualities that numbers don't show.

 

[gyngyn]

Being a reapplicant can be advantage as long as you spent your off time productively. It shows commitment and motivation. Obviously the goal is to get in your first time, but if your academics are around average or a little under, then being a reapplicant can show you have those qualities that numbers don't show.

A strong first application is the best strategy. A re-application carries burdens that can be overcome but are not desirable.

 

[wiloghby]

Exactly. A better application to better chosen schools has a multiplier effect.
One should be aware that the schools where you have not previously applied can infer a previous application by your AMCAS ID...

I bet those schools are usually right with those inferences most of the time, but it still makes me mad.

I registered for an AMCAS ID in 2007 so I could take a practice MCAT for free because my roommate at the time was a medical student and I was curious about the exam format and how tough it was (I was a private tutor and did some test prep at the time) and that was it. Never planned to use the account again. Ironically, I decided to apply to medical school 6 years later and I had to use my crusty AMCAS ID.

If that's the reason I was turned away from any school this cycle.. my first cycle.. in the context of the rest of my application, then they missed out.


On topic: better to wait a year or two and apply very strong, then apply this year and marginally.

 

[plumazul]

2. Gap years can be useful for enhancing an application; working for a lab full-time, clinical work, not to mention life experience. There is a reason the average age of entering medical school is ~25 years old (and it isn't just 30+'ers throwing off the curve)

Actually, both the mean and median for matriculating women is 23, for men it's 24/23 respectively(the higher mean for men can be explained by "30+'ers throwing off the curve") . These ages have not changed recently and there is no discernible trend. (other than there appears to be a bias against older applicants)

 

[Psai]

I bet those schools are usually right with those inferences most of the time, but it still makes me mad.

I registered for an AMCAS ID in 2007 so I could take a practice MCAT for free because my roommate at the time was a medical student and I was curious about the exam format and how tough it was (I was a private tutor and did some test prep at the time) and that was it. Never planned to use the account again. Ironically, I decided to apply to medical school 6 years later and I had to use my crusty AMCAS ID.

If that's the reason I was turned away from any school this cycle.. my first cycle.. in the context of the rest of my application, then they missed out.


On topic: better to wait a year or two and apply very strong, then apply this year and marginally.

Dude they probably have better things to do than to look at your AMCAS ID number.

 

[gyngyn]

On topic: better to wait a year or two and apply very strong, then apply this year and marginally.

Agreed.