Mention reapp during the interview?

[sdnstud]

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do you think it is wise to emphasize that you're a reapplicant during an interview? If so, what kind of things do you say? something like..."i made sure that i have taken the time to address the major weaknesses on my application before reapplying. for example, item 1, item 2 and item3.... I feel that I am a much stronger applicant this year. Not only on paper...but also I feel I am much more prepared physically and emotionally for medical school."?????

 

[FoughtFyr]

do you think it is wise to emphasize that you're a reapplicant during an interview? If so, what kind of things do you say? something like..."i made sure that i have taken the time to address the major weaknesses on my application before reapplying. for example, item 1, item 2 and item3.... I feel that I am a much stronger applicant this year. Not only on paper...but also I feel I am much more prepared physically and emotionally for medical school."?????

Not unless they bring up the weaknesses. Don't give them more negative information than they already have. The only time I would advise bring up the reapplication issue at all is if the question of dedication to becoming a physician comes up. Everyone knows this is a difficult process. Willingly going through it twice says alot!

- H

 

[PBMaxx]

I applied to a different set of schools last year, and only re-applied to some of them this year while adding new schools to the list. This year, at an interview where I am a first-time applicant the interviewer asked if this was my first interview. I replied that it was my first interview for this year and we then addressed my re-applicant status overall (w/o regards to the specific school). My question is, did I shoot myself in the foot mentioning that I didn't get in last year? Should I be more careful in the future? (I found out that I'm on the alternate list at the above-mentioned school).

 

[cammy1313]

I really don't think mentioning that you're a reapplicant is detrimental in anyway. I mean, they already know this (unless it's a school you havent applied to before). Here's what happened with me. I also applied to some of the same schools again and some different. I found that the schools to which this was my first time applying asked what I would do if I wasn't admitted to school. This is when I would feel obligated to mention that I had already gone through that situation and that I am obviously dedicated, etc. etc. The schools to which this was my second time applying, they obviously know that you have applied before and so I did end up mentioning this fact only to back up an answer to whatever question they had thrown at me. Moral of the story, I don't think it's bad to bring it up so long as you use it to support a point or what have you. I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[jetskigirl]

I wouldn't try to emphasize it. It might put doubt in someone's mind that previously had none.

My routine has been to wait until it is brought up. If the interviewer asks if I'm a reapplicant, I say yes, and how I've benefited and grown from the experience, the year off, etc. I personally do not know why I didn't get in last year, and I think it's better not to speculate in front of the interviewer. I don't want to sound like I'm making excuses ("I didn't get in because I applied to late; it couldn't have anything to do with no clinical experience" and the like).

No matter how you want to deal with it, just make sure you have a positive spin on everything, and don't bring up weaknesses that they don't ask for.

 

[TheFish005]

It was my experience that most schools ask if you've applied 'here or anywhere else' in the past. This is especially true if you're slightly older than the average college grad (~22). Don't be affraid to tell the truth, they respect that. I got in to a DO school as a third year applicant (although it was my first year to apply DO) and every school asked me about it. Just be sure you've improved over the intervening years. They're most concerned with what you've done with the time between graduation and this particular application. They respect perserverance. It's OK to tell them all this; every applicant pool is different every year. You never know who you're up against, so it can't hurt to continue to apply if medicine is what you really want. If MD schools won't give you time of day, check out some DO schools; they're not quite as competitive (stat-wise) and you'll get just as good an education.

-E-
COMP 2008

 

[DubZteR]

do you think it is wise to emphasize that you're a reapplicant during an interview? If so, what kind of things do you say? something like..."i made sure that i have taken the time to address the major weaknesses on my application before reapplying. for example, item 1, item 2 and item3.... I feel that I am a much stronger applicant this year. Not only on paper...but also I feel I am much more prepared physically and emotionally for medical school."?????

I'm also a reapplicant and like other posters have said, I feel it's a bad idea to bring up that you're a reapplicant even if you're asked by your interviewer to discuss one of your weaknesses. I went over all these sorts of possible scenarios/strategies with a very good friend of mine who sits on the UG Adcom for international students at a very prestigious US university. Of course this is just one person's opinion but the rule of thumb is don't bring up things like you're a reapplicant, your low initial test score(s) ... etc unless you are specifically asked about them .... in which case keep your answer very brief and simple !!!!!!!

feel free to drop me a line if you'd like more of my thoughts on this.

Good Luck!