Mentioning app improvements from previous cycle in additional info essay

[kfsa1]

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Hey guys,

I had a question about the "would you like to add anymore information for the committee as it pertains to your candidacy for medical school" essay.

Say I previously applied to a school, interviewed, waitlisted, and then got rejected. After the rejection, I then went to talk to the Dean about how I can improve my application. At that time, he suggested that I retake the MCAT and do post-bacc courses as my application at the time did not show a "burning desire" for medical school.

In the essay where they ask about the additional information, would it be appropriate to talk about how I did talk to the dean of the school and improved those specific areas he suggested, and that I hope this shows my commitment?

Thanks for the advice in advance

 

[collegestud2013]

IMO, I wouldn't since the medical will probably know you applied there previously. Let your app speak for itself; if you have to specifically point out how your app has changed for them to notice, then chances are it hasn't changed much anyway.

Also, it makes no sense that the med school dean would recommend retaking the MCAT or post-bac because you showed no passion for medicine. Stats alone won't show much passion for going into medicine, so if your GPA/MCAT already fine then there's not reason to do the post-bac/retake. If they're low than obviously do it, but just raising your stats won't show that you are more passionate about medicine. That's what ECs are for.