Reapplicant: Are Previous Applications Discarded?

[jbhopefullyfutureMD]

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Hello,

With the last application cycle being such a humbling experience after not receiving a single acceptance (15 applications, 2 interviews, 0 acceptances), I am now in the process of applying again. I felt that my last applications were strong. However, I had three holes in my application. 1. My applications were finished extremely late (October 25th), 2. I had no research experience at the time (plenty of clinical, volunteer, and leadership), and 3. My CARS section (MCAT: 511 Chem/Phys: 130 Psyc:129 Bio:128 CARS:124 🙁( ). I landed a job as a clinical research coordinator this year, and I have been pre-writing secondary’s to submit everything ASAP. I am applying to almost 40 schools this year and have added DO schools as well. I am wondering if schools keep your previous application. I plan to revise and generally make everything more well written and include my new experiences, but many areas can also be copied and pasted. My main question is, will medical schools compare your previous application to the new one, or do they discard the old one?

 

[AnMDtoB]

They definitely compare your apps - would definitely recommend improving that CARS score before jumping back in the pool

 

[jbhopefullyfutureMD]

They definitely compare your apps - would definitely recommend improving that CARS score before jumping back in the pool

I agree, reason for not taking the MCAT again this year is because I had to demonstrate commitment to my research position. If I don't get in this year i'll do a masters and take the MCAT again when I have more time to focus on it. Would it look bad if some of my experiences were copied and pasted from last years apps with minor revisions?

 

[ciestar]

I agree, reason for not taking the MCAT again this year is because I had to demonstrate commitment to my research position. If I don't get in this year i'll do a masters and take the MCAT again when I have more time to focus on it. Would it look bad if some of my experiences were copied and pasted from last years apps with minor revisions?

Copying and pasting doesn’t look too great either

 

[candbgirl]

I doubt it was the lack of research that kept you out. You had two interviews so...Did someone tell you it was your lack of research. If anything I’d think it was your late applications. But you had two interviews. Have you thought about taking a gap year before you apply again? @gonnif has said for along time that the biggest mistake a reapplicant makes is reapplying too soo. Do a search and he even cites specific info from a number of schools say just that.

 

[chlorocruorin]

Did you apply last cycle or two cycles ago? You don't need research. How many hours did you have specifically with underserved communities? I always tell people, unless your goal is to do research don't TRY to be like every other candidate, you won't stand out and plus a half a year will not make your application unfortunately (or break it). I think your late application and lack of experiences to make you stand out could be the reason. Also, it coulee been your school choice who knows. What I would do is take a year off and serve the underserved. IMO thats the best experience anyone can do. I had zero research experiences coming out of college

 

[faerie62]

I disagree with retaking the Mcat. There’s probably enough schools that will not screen out a 124 cars that it’s not worth risking your overall score dropping.

 

[jbhopefullyfutureMD]

Did you apply last cycle or two cycles ago? You don't need research. How many hours did you have specifically with underserved communities? I always tell people, unless your goal is to do research don't TRY to be like every other candidate, you won't stand out and plus a half a year will not make your application unfortunately (or break it). I think your late application and lack of experiences to make you stand out could be the reason. Also, it coulee been your school choice who knows. What I would do is take a year off and serve the underserved. IMO thats the best experience anyone can do. I had zero research experiences coming out of college

I applied last cycle and truly appreciate everyone's insights. School choices could definitely be a factor because I applied based solely on the most affordable schools (in-state and cheapest out of states). However, I have already submitted my primary's for this cycle, but if I don't get in I will go for a two year masters and retake the MCAT when my schedule allows me to dedicate much more time. I was president of an organization that provided aquatic therapy to children with disabilities and with my position now, I work directly with patients suffering from rare diseases and am able to administer free treatment to people of all communities.

 

[Goro]

Hello,

With the last application cycle being such a humbling experience after not receiving a single acceptance (15 applications, 2 interviews, 0 acceptances), I am now in the process of applying again. I felt that my last applications were strong. However, I had three holes in my application. 1. My applications were finished extremely late (October 25th), 2. I had no research experience at the time (plenty of clinical, volunteer, and leadership), and 3. My CARS section (MCAT: 511 Chem/Phys: 130 Psyc:129 Bio:128 CARS:124 🙁( ). I landed a job as a clinical research coordinator this year, and I have been pre-writing secondary’s to submit everything ASAP. I am applying to almost 40 schools this year and have added DO schools as well. I am wondering if schools keep your previous application. I plan to revise and generally make everything more well written and include my new experiences, but many areas can also be copied and pasted. My main question is, will medical schools compare your previous application to the new one, or do they discard the old one?

Yes, they will look at your old file.

I've been in our Registrar's office and they have literally cases after cases of all previous apps, going back several years.

Why do we do that???

Ask the lawyers.

 

[MomJeansandDadJorts]

FWIW I had 7 interviews this cycle and 2 the previous cycle. 6 of the 7 interviews were from schools I applied to last cycle and only 1 of them interviewed me last cycle (and I got WL). Got rejected pre II this cycle from the other school that interviewed me last cycle (I submitted very late for them). Completely redid my application but kept some of the secondary essays the same.