Re-application question

[dnovikov]

---

Members don't see this ad.

My last cycle resulted in 6 interviews which landed me on 6 wait lists and no acceptances, ultimately leading me to re-apply. Aside from not having the best interviews, I submitted my primary July 27th and my secondaries beginning - mid September; some even in October. Part of the reason I applied so late was because I had to push my MCAT back from June 21st to July 6th due to my computer crashing in the middle of my VR section. So this brings up my main question... some schools ask about how I improved my application. During last years application cycle I did a year of clinical research and co-founded a not-for-profit (we still haven't had a fund-raiser but are planning one for the fall). While these are improvements, I don't necessarily think my application was lacking in those areas. This cycle, I definitely wrote a better and more meaningful PS and spent way more time on my work and activities (after talking to a school post rejection they mentioned this was an area I needed to work on). In addition, I submitted my primary this year June 13th (as opposed to July 27th last year) and am half-way done with secondaries. I was wondering if I could write this as part of my answer when explaining how I improved my application since last year - "I am applying significantly earlier this year. Unfortunately due to a late MCAT test date, that was a result of a computer failure, I ended up applying later than expected.."

Sorry for the lengthy post but any advice would be much appreciated! 🙂

 

[Jepstein30]

My last cycle resulted in 6 interviews which landed me on 6 wait lists and no acceptances, ultimately leading me to re-apply. Aside from not having the best interviews, I submitted my primary July 27th and my secondaries beginning - mid September; some even in October. Part of the reason I applied so late was because I had to push my MCAT back from June 21st to July 6th due to my computer crashing in the middle of my VR section. So this brings up my main question... some schools ask about how I improved my application. During last years application cycle I did a year of clinical research and co-founded a not-for-profit (we still haven't had a fund-raiser but are planning one for the fall). While these are improvements, I don't necessarily think my application was lacking in those areas. This cycle, I definitely wrote a better and more meaningful PS and spent way more time on my work and activities (after talking to a school post rejection they mentioned this was an area I needed to work on). In addition, I submitted my primary this year June 13th (as opposed to July 27th last year) and am half-way done with secondaries. I was wondering if I could write this as part of my answer when explaining how I improved my application since last year - "I am applying significantly earlier this year. Unfortunately due to a late MCAT test date, that was a result of a computer failure, I ended up applying later than expected.."

Sorry for the lengthy post but any advice would be much appreciated! 🙂

I wouldn't personally... especially the way that is worded since you are completely putting the blame off yourself (even though you aren't to blame).

I think doing a year of clinical research and co-founding a not-for-profit are good enough improvements to stand on their own. You can throw in a line "Improved my application materials" if you want.

 

[Toss]

"I am applying significantly earlier this year. Unfortunately due to a late MCAT test date, that was a result of a computer failure, I ended up applying later than expected.."

Sorry for the lengthy post but any advice would be much appreciated! 🙂

What does the MCAT have to do with your application?

Verification and MCAT scores are two separate things.

 

[Jepstein30]

What does the MCAT have to do with your application?

Verification and MCAT scores are two separate things.

Uhh he never said he was verified later because of the MCAT.. but having a later MCAT does make your application late because schools won't look at your app without that score..

 

[Toss]

Uhh he never said he was verified later because of the MCAT.. but having a later MCAT does make your application late because schools won't look at your app without that score..

He submitted his AMCAS application on July 27th.

His reasoning? "Part of the reason I applied so late was because I had to push my MCAT back from June 21st to July 6th due to my computer crashing in the middle of my VR section."

He could have submitted his AMCAS application earlier to a throwaway school so he wouldn't have to wait to get verified after his MCAT score came out.

 

[Jepstein30]

He submitted his AMCAS application on July 27th.

His reasoning? "Part of the reason I applied so late was because I had to push my MCAT back from June 21st to July 6th due to my computer crashing in the middle of my VR section."

He could have submitted his AMCAS application earlier to a throwaway school so he wouldn't have to wait to get verified after his MCAT score came out.

To be fair, he only said that was part of the reason.

Also, it's tough to study for the MCAT and prepare your primary simultaneously.. though it is certainly advantageous if you do.

Regardless, this isn't really helping answer the OP's question..

 

[Toss]

To be fair, he only said that was part of the reason.

Also, it's tough to study for the MCAT and prepare your primary simultaneously.. though it is certainly advantageous if you do.

Regardless, this isn't really helping answer the OP's question..

The part I quoted in my first post is kind of a non sequitur because of my explanation.

 

[TheShaker]

I used this as part of my "reapplication essay" as well. Phrase it in a way that will make it sound like you used your problem solving skills and are making up for your mistakes. I personally wrote that I called several schools that rejected me to ask for feedback and that my lateness was the major criticism. I was uninformed about the application cycle last time around so I wasn't aware of the damage that lateness can cause to an application and my better management of the cycle this time around will make me a more competitive applicant. I threw in some stuff about my updated activities as well.

I dunno if this will work for adcoms but I hope this helps.

 

[SilentSoldier]

Just a question thought that is slightly related to the thread. The OP received 6 interviews despite a "late" application. Wouldn't that mean that the timing of the app is less the problem over something like say interviewing skills, or LOR?

 

[chillaxbro]

Just a question thought that is slightly related to the thread. The OP received 6 interviews despite a "late" application. Wouldn't that mean that the timing of the app is less the problem over something like say interviewing skills, or LOR?

I submitted the same day as OP (to one school) and didn't even add the rest of my schools until a month after I was verified. I still ended up with 5 interviews and ultimately no acceptances so interviewing skills are definitely important.

However, 4 of the 5 invites were from state/safety schools and I had good stats, so I think getting II's from match/reach schools require good timing as well. 👍

 

[dnovikov]

Thank you all for the advice. I am going to take out the part about the MCAT and just go with the fact that my candidacy has improved and i am a stronger candidate for the following reasons XYZ.

 

[mvenus929]

Just a question thought that is slightly related to the thread. The OP received 6 interviews despite a "late" application. Wouldn't that mean that the timing of the app is less the problem over something like say interviewing skills, or LOR?

It depends on which 6 schools they were. And while interview skills are important, sometimes it's the whole package that just doesn't lead to an acceptance, rather than failur at one thing. Maybe OP was a mediocre applicant, interviewed for mostly waitlist positions, and just couldn't wow the adcom. Not one thing that killed the application, just not enough to make it stand out from the other couple hundred interviewees at any given school.

 

[Arbor Vitae]

My last cycle resulted in 6 interviews which landed me on 6 wait lists and no acceptances, ultimately leading me to re-apply. Aside from not having the best interviews, I submitted my primary July 27th and my secondaries beginning - mid September; some even in October. Part of the reason I applied so late was because I had to push my MCAT back from June 21st to July 6th due to my computer crashing in the middle of my VR section. So this brings up my main question... some schools ask about how I improved my application. During last years application cycle I did a year of clinical research and co-founded a not-for-profit (we still haven't had a fund-raiser but are planning one for the fall). While these are improvements, I don't necessarily think my application was lacking in those areas. This cycle, I definitely wrote a better and more meaningful PS and spent way more time on my work and activities (after talking to a school post rejection they mentioned this was an area I needed to work on). In addition, I submitted my primary this year June 13th (as opposed to July 27th last year) and am half-way done with secondaries. I was wondering if I could write this as part of my answer when explaining how I improved my application since last year - "I am applying significantly earlier this year. Unfortunately due to a late MCAT test date, that was a result of a computer failure, I ended up applying later than expected.."

Sorry for the lengthy post but any advice would be much appreciated! 🙂

are you and hopeles the same person?