Planning for Re-Application

[premed9595]

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Happy New Year Everyone!

I am grateful to have two interviews this cycle (State school and George Washington), but no decisions yet from these. I am looking towards improving my application for future cycles and would appreciate any input.

Current app: 15 MD programs, complete late July.
sGPA 3.8, MCAT 509, state school undergrad
Clinical volunteering: 350 hours
Shadowing: 140 hours (OB-GYN, family med, Peds)
Non-clinical volunteering: 150 hours
TA/peer mentor (unpaid): 140 hours
Research: 1500 hours (with over 1000 in one lab, multiple poster presentations at my university, honors thesis, and second author pub currently in the works)

Since this app cycle started, I have completed 800 hours of scribing in family practice and volunteered in a clinic an additional 40 hours. I plan to continue both of these at the same rate until at least June.

Applying again too soon is not a mistake I want to make and I would like to know where I should focus on improving after a year of scribing full-time. Would two years make a significant impact compared to one? Or should I seek other opportunities after one year? Should I even consider re-applying this year?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

 

[JaxJax17]

There are many places that state applying the cycle after no acceptances isn’t the smartest choice, but I think it is different for each applicant. For the time being, I would try and get more non-clinical volunteer hours focusing on the underserved population. Stop shadowing you’ve done nearly 100hrs over the recommended 50. And if you enjoy research and are able to get experience and potentially publish, that would be very helpful for both the application cycle and potentially help your future residency resume. I think you’re gonna have to make the decision whether to apply for 2020 or 2021 on an individual basis if neither of your current interviews work out. Just be sure to be ready to show how you’ve improved in the next cycle, not just handing in the same resume/essays.

 

[jarednogeek]

Stats seem good, volunteer with underserved 100-150 hours. Maybe 50 hours hospice. Make sure your LOR and essays are good. Have someone review your app for red flags. Apply broadly to 25 schools next time.

 

[altblue]

There are many places that state applying the cycle after no acceptances isn’t the smartest choice, but I think it is different for each applicant. For the time being, I would try and get more non-clinical volunteer hours focusing on the underserved population. Stop shadowing you’ve done nearly 100hrs over the recommended 50. And if you enjoy research and are able to get experience and potentially publish, that would be very helpful for both the application cycle and potentially help your future residency resume. I think you’re gonna have to make the decision whether to apply for 2020 or 2021 on an individual basis if neither of your current interviews work out. Just be sure to be ready to show how you’ve improved in the next cycle, not just handing in the same resume/essays.

They have 2 IIs and no glaring flaws with their stats or ecs. Any problems like essays could be resolved within several months. I don't think they have to skip a cycle

 

[JaxJax17]

They have 2 IIs and no glaring flaws with their stats or ecs. Any problems like essays could be resolved within several months. I don't think they have to skip a cycle

Not outwardly disagreeing, as I said they would need to make that decision on an individual basis. However,there have been a bunch of resources on SDN that say applying too early without significantly improving your app is why the acceptance rate for reapplicants is lower than first time applicants. All I was trying to say was to consider that when making the decision whether to apply or not again in the upcoming cycle.

 

[altblue]

Not outwardly disagreeing, as I said they would need to make that decision on an individual basis. However,there have been a bunch of resources on SDN that say applying too early without significantly improving your app is why the acceptance rate for reapplicants is lower than first time applicants. All I was trying to say was to consider that when making the decision whether to apply or not again in the upcoming cycle.

Okay now I see where you're coming from, but it's pretty clear that an an extra year wouldn't have been necessary. No sense in encouraging a dillema that shouldn't exist. If they'd want to wait for personal reasons, that'd be a different question 👍

 

[premed9595]

Thank you all for the input. The main thing I am struggling with is whether or not to wait another cycle.

300 of my clinic volunteering hours were with a free clinic for homeless and uninsured individuals. I am continuing to volunteer with this clinic and will look into other opportunities with under-served groups in non-clinical settings.

The likelihood of a publication is fairly high as it has been peer reviewed and we just re-submitted with the recommended edits.

I spent about 6 months on my PS and it had many eyes. My essays had at least 1-2 other sets of eyes but I'm sure the more time and input on these the better.

As far as a re-application goes, how different should my essays be? My motivation for medicine has not changed, however; I don't want to sound like a broken record? Should my personal statement be completely different? Does @Goro have a thread for this?

 

[Goro]

Thank you all for the input. The main thing I am struggling with is whether or not to wait another cycle.

300 of my clinic volunteering hours were with a free clinic for homeless and uninsured individuals. I am continuing to volunteer with this clinic and will look into other opportunities with under-served groups in non-clinical settings.

The likelihood of a publication is fairly high as it has been peer reviewed and we just re-submitted with the recommended edits.

I spent about 6 months on my PS and it had many eyes. My essays had at least 1-2 other sets of eyes but I'm sure the more time and input on these the better.

As far as a re-application goes, how different should my essays be? My motivation for medicine has not changed, however; I don't want to sound like a broken record? Should my personal statement be completely different? Does @Goro have a thread for this?

@gonnif has reapp advice

 

[gonnif]

@gonnif has reapp advice

1) see attached reapplicant guide from one of the Ohio med school admissions dean


2) Also see the multiple medical school links that advise on reapplying too soon in my standard reapplicant reply

As far as a re-application goes, how different should my essays be? My motivation for medicine has not changed, however; I don't want to sound like a broken record? Should my personal statement be completely different? Does @Goro have a thread for this?

You applied to 15 schools and got 2 interviews. I would suggest that expecting any better from these existing essays is optimistic. Your reasons may not have changed, but you need to fully rewrite the way that you are expressing those reasons. 1 to 2 sets of eyes on a PS, especially if those are people who know you, is not enough.

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Many medical schools offer specific pages of advice for reapplicants, something I find few students look into. This would be true whether or not you are a specific reapplicant to that school. Below are links to a few and please note most say the
most common mistake among reapplicants is applying again too soon

Should I do a Masters in my gap year / WAMC / advice please


University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Reapplicants - Miller School of Medicine Admissions
Roughly 20% of the students who apply to the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine in any given year are reapplicants. Data that we have collected indicate they have a lower acceptance rate than do first time applicants

University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Heath
http://www.med.wisc.edu/education/md/admissions/reapplying/31716
(emphasis in the original)
There should be significant improvements in your application before reapplying. This might mean not reapplying the very next year. The most common error made by reapplicants is that they submit their next application too soon.

The Ohio State University College of Medicine
The Ohio State University College of Medicine - Tips & Advice
To maximize the chances of giving off this perception, you must allow enough time before reapplying. This will undoubtedly be the hardest part of the process, but be patient; if you rush it, you may join the ranks of those who are applying for a third time.

University of Minnesota Medical School
Re-Applicant
Though you can submit a second application immediately after your first application, you may want to consider waiting a year if you feel you need more experiences that help you demonstrate the essential and desired qualities of an ideal medical student.

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Reapplicants | Office of Admissions
http://www.med.unc.edu/admit/requirements/our-ideal-candidate/selection-criteria

Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine
http://medicine.vtc.vt.edu/admissions/re-applicants/

LSU Health Shreveport
http://www.lsuhscshreveport.edu/Education/som/admissions/reapplicants/index

University of Missouri
http://medicine.missouri.edu/admissions/nontraditional.html

East Carolina University, Brody School of Medicine
https://www.ecu.edu/cs-dhs/bsomadmissions/whatif.cfm

Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNTHSC)
https://www.unthsc.edu/texas-colleg...ants-home/common-mistakes-made-by-applicants/

Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
http://www.com.msu.edu/Admissions/Guidelines_For_Success/Reapplication.htm