Re-applicant stigma

[UCLAbrewin]

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I know I'm probably being paranoid, but I'm still worried about being a re-applicant especially after seeing my friend re-apply and do worse the 2nd time around. My friend had a good run the first year he applied and even got waitlisted at a couple of schools (I got no interviews when I applied a couple years ago). The 2nd time around, he got no interviews. I'm wondering if schools, particularly the UC's, feel that they've already looked at you before and rejected you so why should they give you another chance even if you've made improvement.

Do you guys feel that you're being given the same fresh look as new applicants or do you feel they're evaluating you more critically because you're a re-applicant?

 

[dd128]

I've heard good and bad stuff. It may depend on the school I guess. I'm not sure if they give you a completely "fresh look." They may want to see what you've done to improve your app for one. Last year I only applied to two schools (really late) interviewed and wait listed at one, and nothing from the other. This year received interviews at both schools including the one I hadn't hear from last year. No acceptances yet, but I'm hoping! 🙂

I don't think schools would hold it against you that much anyway, they want to see that you're really dedicated to becoming a physician. Applying once and giving up would seem to mean that you really didn't want it that much to begin with. One of the schools I interviewed at actually told us they tend to take a lot of people their second time around who were waitlisted the first time.

 

[UCLAbrewin]

I'm hoping that they do see that you're dedicated and don't give up easily. I've done a lot to improve myself since the last time I applied and I just don't want the fact that I'm a re-applicant to hold me back. I'm applying for the 2009 cycle and I'm already worried about the process 😱.

Good luck!!

 

[PlayMeSomeMusic]

I would agree.. I have had alot better luck this time around then last time.. including acceptances at the only two places I interviewed last cycle.. so I don't think they necessarily hold it against you, moreso probably looking for improvements.

 

[njbmd]

I know I'm probably being paranoid, but I'm still worried about being a re-applicant especially after seeing my friend re-apply and do worse the 2nd time around. My friend had a good run the first year he applied and even got waitlisted at a couple of schools (I got no interviews when I applied a couple years ago). The 2nd time around, he got no interviews. I'm wondering if schools, particularly the UC's, feel that they've already looked at you before and rejected you so why should they give you another chance even if you've made improvement.

Do you guys feel that you're being given the same fresh look as new applicants or do you feel they're evaluating you more critically because you're a re-applicant?

There are two things that have you have to understand in terms of reapplication. First, just resubmitting your application without significant upgrading is not going to get you into medical school and second, you are considered within the context of your competitiveness among the pool of applicants to the schools to which you applied.

The number one reason that many people don't get into medical school is overestimation of their competitiveness. I can tell you that applications to the two schools that I do admissions work for are through the roof and in the thousands. Applications to medical school overall are up but some schools experienced significant increases.

Every year, the average uGPA/MCAT scores of applicants has increased and ours are pretty high this year. This means that if you reapplied and you did not significantly increase the competitiveness of your application by increasing academics and other factors, you are not going to be very successful in obtaining admission.

If you were not successful in gaining admission in a previous year, take an objective look at your application and upgrade everything that you can. If you are a re-applicant, schools expect to see some improvement as you have been through the process. It is not so much as you are not being evaluated with a "fresh look" but you absolutely NEED to make some significant upgrades and in many cases, people just refile the same application with no improvements.

 

[Blade28]

Is there going to be a stigma? Yes.

A re-applicant is not going to be viewed the same as a first-timer.

So it behooves you to make significant improvements to your application.

 

[dd128]

There are two things that have you have to understand in terms of reapplication. First, just resubmitting your application without significant upgrading is not going to get you into medical school and second, you are considered within the context of your competitiveness among the pool of applicants to the schools to which you applied.

The number one reason that many people don't get into medical school is overestimation of their competitiveness. I can tell you that applications to the two schools that I do admissions work for are through the roof and in the thousands. Applications to medical school overall are up but some schools experienced significant increases.

Every year, the average uGPA/MCAT scores of applicants has increased and ours are pretty high this year. This means that if you reapplied and you did not significantly increase the competitiveness of your application by increasing academics and other factors, you are not going to be very successful in obtaining admission.

If you were not successful in gaining admission in a previous year, take an objective look at your application and upgrade everything that you can. If you are a re-applicant, schools expect to see some improvement as you have been through the process. It is not so much as you are not being evaluated with a "fresh look" but you absolutely NEED to make some significant upgrades and in many cases, people just refile the same application with no improvements.

I was kind of wondering do most people give carbon copies of their apps from the previous year regarding things like their personal statement and secondary essays? Honestly, I wasn't sure about this, so I went ahead and pretty much started from scratch when writting all my essays. Do adcoms usually have copies of what you wrote last year for comparison?

 

[njbmd]

I was kind of wondering do most people give carbon copies of their apps from the previous year regarding things like their personal statement and secondary essays? Honestly, I wasn't sure about this, so I went ahead and pretty much started from scratch when writting all my essays. Do adcoms usually have copies of what you wrote last year for comparison?

We keep copies of previous years applications and we do have all copies when we review applications. Yes, there are some individuals who show poor judgement and resubmit the exact same application and personal statement. If it didn't work in the previous year, it's is likely not going to work in the present year.

Sure, you will have some things that are going to be the same but upgrade everything that you can upgrade.

 

[swim2006]

This is my second time applying and I have received interviews at both schools I got interviews last time and several more from schools that I had applied to previously and had not applied to previously. I schools that I have interviewed at this time and applied to last time I have been asked why I thought I didn't get in previously. I just told them what I thought was my weakness (both times this has happened the interviews were open file so I didn't explain what I changed). I have one acceptance at the moment 2 schools that haven't given decisions and 3 interviews to go. So don't give up hope as a reapplicant.