Mixed Messages: Reapplying

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I have repeatedly read that you are at a disadvantage if you are forced to reapply to medical school. However, I had the opportunity to ask this question to the Dean of Admissions at Weill Cornell and he said "it could show how you respond to setbacks." What does everyone think? Is this perspective isolated to Cornell?

 

[Lnsean]

it could show how you respond to setbacks.

What I got out of that was him being nice and just telling you there is a chance....but make no mistake...you will be at a disadvantage. Adcom will always wonder why you didn't get in the first time. Do re-applicants matriculate? I am sure some do...you better make sure you have an improved application though.

 

[libertyyne]

I have repeatedly read that you are at a disadvantage if you are forced to reapply to medical school. However, I had the opportunity to ask this question to the Dean of Admissions at Weill Cornell and he said "it could show how you respond to setbacks." What does everyone think? Is this perspective isolated to Cornell?

Three things:
1. Do you really have a choice ? If you want to go to medical school you have to apply again if you don't get in the first time.
2. Just have a better app, since that is the only thing you can do.
3. If the top 20 don't look at you favorably aim lower.
Good luck

 

[lpp06]

What I got out of that was him being nice and just telling you there is a chance....but make no mistake...you will be at a disadvantage. Adcom will always wonder why you didn't get in the first time. Do re-applicants matriculate? I am sure some do...you better make sure you have an improved application though.

The disadvantage exists but may be a bit overstated here though because it's completely up to the applicant on how they contextualize their first app. One can disregard the first app and leave the interpretation up to the adcom, or they can control the communication and provide an honest critique of where they fell short and how they've addressed it.

Although it's not desirable to reapply, it's not a death sentence.

 

[JustaDO]

However, I had the opportunity to ask this question to the Dean of Admissions at Weill Cornell and he said "it could show how you respond to setbacks." What does everyone think?

I am thinking you completely missed the point of his statement.

 

[Goro]

This.

The key thing about reapplying is: have you fixed the deficits that got you rejected the first time around??????????????????????????????

The fix might be as simple as not applying late in Round 2.

The disadvantage exists but may be a bit overstated here though because it's completely up to the applicant on how they contextualize their first app. One can disregard the first app and leave the interpretation up to the adcom, or they can control the communication and provide an honest critique of where they fell short and how they've addressed it.

Although it's not desirable to reapply, it's not a death sentence.

 

[vellez]

If you reapply with the same app, that is bad. If you addressed your weak areas, that is less bad (maybe even good?). I am just speaking from my experience at moderately ranked state schools, but reapplicants make up a very significant portion of my class.

 

[LizzyM]

Clearly someone who needs to reapply is not as strong in their first cycle as someone who is admitted on the first try. Now the person not admitted on the first try is reapplying and needs to be at least as good if not better than people who are applying for the first time. If you didn't beat out the people who were applying for the first time in that previous cycle, why do you think you'll do better this time? Something has to have gotten better: your GPA, your MCAT, your level of maturity, your essays, etc. Finding what held you back and fixing it before you reapply is KEY!

 

[camtheram1815]

I'm a reapplicant, and this is my experience. First off, you have to strengthen your app, obviously. This is most important and you can't get around it. This includes focusing and improving your writing, experiences, LOR, etc.. Considering this, I'd say each school is different on how they view reapplying. In my experience, I've interviewed at 2 schools that give added "points" to reapplicants. They said this explicitly at both interview days. One of my profs used to be associated with one of these schools, and he repeatedly told me reapplying shows persistence and usually is viewed favorably. I actually heard this from several different profs in two different states associated with two different schools.

In short, first, shore up your app. Second, each school views reapplying differently. I have experienced favorable remarks, but I did significantly improve my app. I have met people who applied 3 separate times, and finally got accepted to top US MD schools. Just because you are reapplying doesn't mean it's the end of the world.

 

[piii]

They want you to reapply so they can take your money (again).

 

[Kgizzle]

They want you to reapply so they can take your money (again).

Thanks Obama

 

[Lawpy]

This.

The key thing about reapplying is: have you fixed the deficits that got you rejected the first time around??????????????????????????????

The fix might be as simple as not applying late in Round 2.

But this can backfire, especially for strong applicants. If someone with a 3.9/526 (43) applied in November with a bad school list (i.e. low yields) and gets rejected everywhere, this person may still not get in upon reapplying on time with good school because adcoms may wonder what went wrong the first time.

 

[Goro]

I think that this logic is overused by the anxious on SDN.

But this can backfire, especially for strong applicants. If someone with a 3.9/526 (43) applied in November with a bad school list (i.e. low yields) and gets rejected everywhere, this person may still not get in upon reapplying on time with good school because adcoms may wonder what went wrong the first time.

 

[ayjaystudent]

But this can backfire, especially for strong applicants. If someone with a 3.9/526 (43) applied in November with a bad school list (i.e. low yields) and gets rejected everywhere, this person may still not get in upon reapplying on time with good school because adcoms may wonder what went wrong the first time.

Do other schools know that you applied to other schools in the previous cycle? For example, you applied to Harvard, John Hopkins, and Baylor only last cycle. Then, this cycle you re-applied to those three schools and applied to 4 other mid-tier schools. Would those 4 schools know you applied in the previous cycle to some schools?

 

[gyngyn]

Do other schools know that you applied to other schools in the previous cycle? For example, you applied to Harvard, John Hopkins, and Baylor only last cycle. Then, this cycle you re-applied to those three schools and applied to 4 other mid-tier schools. Would those 4 schools know you applied in the previous cycle to some schools?

You will not appear as a re-applicant in the AMCAS primary.
Some schools will ask about previous applications in the secondary, though.

 

[ayjaystudent]

You will not appear as a re-applicant in the AMCAS primary.
Some schools will ask about previous applications in the secondary, though.

So schools would only know you applied to other schools in the previous cycle if they specifically ask for it in the secondary? How often does this happen?

 

[gyngyn]

So schools would only know you applied to other schools in the previous cycle if they specifically ask for it in the secondary? How often does this happen?

We may assume a previous application from your application history.

 

[sullen-burger]

So schools would only know you applied to other schools in the previous cycle if they specifically ask for it in the secondary? How often does this happen?

"Am I a reapplicant to all schools or only the ones I applied to before?
You are only a reapplicant to schools that previously received an AMCAS application from you. For example, if you applied to School A and School B last year, you would be considered a reapplicant at both of those schools if you apply to them this year. You would not be considered a reapplicant at School C since you did not previously apply to that school.

You will indicate your reapplicant status per school in the Medical Schools section of your application. " (1)

(1) Taken from AMCAS FAQs at https://students-residents.aamc.org/applying-medical-school/faq/amcas-faq/


And to answer the OP question: Work on yourself and areas of weakness. There are more things you have control over than you think. The way you write, your extracurriculars, the MCAT, employment, shadowing...all of these things are within your power to change. Will it be easy? Not if you're doing it right. Can it work? Anecdotally, yes. Zero interviews my first time. Two years later, 5 II and 1 acceptance so far. I say that to this to say: it is possible.

Good luck to you!

 

[ayjaystudent]

"Am I a reapplicant to all schools or only the ones I applied to before?
You are only a reapplicant to schools that previously received an AMCAS application from you. For example, if you applied to School A and School B last year, you would be considered a reapplicant at both of those schools if you apply to them this year. You would not be considered a reapplicant at School C since you did not previously apply to that school.

You will indicate your reapplicant status per school in the Medical Schools section of your application. " (1)

(1) Taken from AMCAS FAQs at https://students-residents.aamc.org/applying-medical-school/faq/amcas-faq/


And to answer the OP question: Work on yourself and areas of weakness. There are more things you have control over than you think. The way you write, your extracurriculars, the MCAT, employment, shadowing...all of these things are within your power to change. Will it be easy? Not if you're doing it right. Can it work? Anecdotally, yes. Zero interviews my first time. Two years later, 5 II and 1 acceptance so far. I say that to this to say: it is possible.

Good luck to you!

Thanks for that response! That's awesome!

Also, You also mentioned you went from Zero II to five II the following cycle. What changed on your applications (especially the GPA/MCAT?)? Or did you just apply very early?

 

[sullen-burger]

I improved on almost all the things I mentioned above. And it took me the next next application cycle, two years after my unsuccessful one, before I felt 100% ready to apply. And when I did, you bet I submitted AMCAS on day one and most secondaries within days or one week. The ones with II were same or next day secondary submissions, for whatever that is worth.

Thinking back, I was thoroughly shocked with my two-year younger self when I looked through my email history and saw that it sometimes took months for me to reply with secondary essays to some schools.

Cheesy as it sounds, sometimes it takes personal growth. GLTU!

(*Edit, And for what it's worth to people taking my advice: I did not address myself as a re-applicant in my essays or personal statement. I personally chose not to define myself in that way, but take that for what it's worth.)