Reapplicant motivational thread!

[PatrickStarMDPHD]

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Hello all, I figured I would start this thread to motivate us all. This is only one thread I happened to come across, but take the time to read it! http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/any-lucks-fellow-reapps.1102724/

Any former reapplicants should feel to post their success stories too!

 

[kthxbai]

I went from zero IIs in 2014 to 10 IIs and 3 acceptances this year. And I'm matriculating to a school that rejected me last time!

FWIW, I don't think the so called "reapplicant stigma" affects much of anything as long as you improve your app. In my mind that's such an obvious thing to do that I simply don't get why people bring it up as a potential pitfall. Play smart the second time around and don't worry about it!!

 

[PatrickStarMDPHD]

I went from zero IIs in 2014 to 10 IIs and 3 acceptances this year. And I'm matriculating to a school that rejected me last time!

FWIW, I don't think the so called "reapplicant stigma" affects much of anything as long as you improve your app. In my mind that's such an obvious thing to do that I simply don't get why people bring it up as a potential pitfall. Play smart the second time around and don't worry about it!!

Always awesome to hear a success story! If you don't mind me asking, what was the problem the first cycle? I am applying for the 2015-2016 cycle, and my problem was low clinical involvement and an academic medicine/research-oriented PS during my first cycle.

 

[kthxbai]

Always awesome to hear a success story! If you don't mind me asking, what was the problem the first cycle? I am applying for the 2015-2016 cycle, and my problem was low clinical involvement and an academic medicine/research-oriented PS during my first cycle.

Those were my issues in a nutshell. Overkill on the volunteering hours and write a kickass PS, and I have no doubt (if all other aspects are good) that you should end up in my shoes too.

 

[newmember1234!]

If you guys need anyone to look at your PS, feel free to shoot me a message!

 

[darthsubway]

I wholeheartedly agree with @kthxbai. The stigma doesn't really matter as long as you improve your application. My first time I had average to lowish MCAT, decent GPA, next to zero volunteering hours and an extremely late completed application (LOR were super late coming in, completed November). This plus hastily thrown together secondaries equaled a very weak overall app. I had 2 II in late cycle which translated to WL.

This past cycle: Volunteered at crisis call center, got a promotion to leadership position at work, and got all my application stuff in super early including secondaries. I intelligently applied to 25-30 schools (I cannot remember exactly) then had 7 II (turned down 2) and 3 acceptances. I think the thing that helped me the most was becoming more mature during the failed cycle. It sobered me up to the idea that I could fail at becoming a doc if I didn't get my crap together and push to succeed. Interviewers will ask what happened last cycle, and it will be in your favor if you own up to your mistakes and deficiencies and show how you improved with examples in your AMCAS app.

Along the interview path, I met a decent amount of people (interviewees and medical students alike) who reapplied and succeeded which encouraged me. You can be one of them OP and others reading this thread.

 

[PatrickStarMDPHD]

Ok, kind of glad I made this thread lol. I saw another thread in pre-allo marked "drawbacks of reapplying" that seemed more dismal. Glad to hear of success stories like @darthsubway and @kthxbai !

 

[burntorange]

😱

 

[italiancowgirl]

Third time applying, now accepted to my first choice school. Improved my MCAT, GPA through post bac courses, research, volunteer etc. Just kept working to improve each aspect of my application. If you want it bad enough you can work your butt off and get there! 🙂

 

[bruwin2011]

3rd time reapplication this year! first year 1 interview and alternate status, second year 0 interviews, to this year 8 II (3 MD, 5 DO) and was accepted to 5/6 schools I attended the interviews. Will be a M1 at an allopathic school in august!

 

[darthsubway]

3rd time reapplication this year! first year 1 interview and alternate status, second year 0 interviews, to this year 8 II (3 MD, 5 DO) and was accepted to 5/6 schools I attended the interviews. Will be a M1 at a allopathic school in august!

Wow! What did you do differently the third time for such a difference in application experience?

 

[bruwin2011]

Wow! What did you do differently the third time for such a difference in application experience?

This year was the first year I applied to DO schools, but I also did the following:
- new job doing clinical research at top 10 institution with a letter of rec from my PI
-studied for 6 months taking a prep course and retook the MCAT in june (score very very well)
-continued to have strong ECs (the strongest part of my application)
-APPLIED EARLY!! I turned in the primaries the first day the application opened, I prewrote all my secondaries and turned in 90% of them within 24 hours of receiving them (if not within the same business day).

I think this made the biggest difference because I had my first interview sept 5th, 7/8 IIs by the end of September and my first of 3 DO acceptances on Sept 18th. I was accepted end of March to my first allopathic school 12 days post interview and was pulled from the WL at a second school in May. In 2013, I made the mistake of rushing the MCAT (resulted in a drop) and did not have my primary verified until end of August. My secondaries were completed Sept-October and this killed me. Last april I spoke with a dean about how to improve my application and she told me that applying late can really hurt you if you aren't strong metrically, so get those secondaries in asap.

note: The odds were not in my favor because my ugpa is really low (not a URM or disadvantaged student) and I am CA resident. I did a SMP to strengthen my academic record in 2012, but still did not have a 3.7 or higher post SMP.

You can PM if you have any questions, but best of luck! @darthsubway

 

[MedGuy67]

I wanted some advice. URM 3.46c, Non trad, In the healthcare field, 500 hours of community service and I'm going to start a MS/DO program this fall.

Now my question lol sorry.

I'm retaking the mcat in July and applying to both DO and MD schools. I'm not sure if I'll be ready by then and wondering if there is a big difference in pushing the mcat to August?


I'll appreciate any of you guys opinions?

 

[darthsubway]

I wanted some advice. URM 3.46c, Non trad, In the healthcare field, 500 hours of community service and I'm going to start a MS/DO program this fall.
I'm retaking the mcat in July and applying to both DO and MD schools. I'm not sure if I'll be ready by then and wondering if there is a big difference in pushing the mcat to August?
I'll appreciate any of you guys opinions?

What is a MS/DO program? MS program at a DO school? Does it offer immediate acceptance to the DO school if you do well enough?

Pushing the MCAT to August is risky since it'll delay your app being complete until around September. For MD schools this is considered late by some people including myself (August is "on time"). For DO programs I think it is still okay.

 

[gcmom415]

I wanted some advice. URM 3.46c, Non trad, In the healthcare field, 500 hours of community service and I'm going to start a MS/DO program this fall.

Now my question lol sorry.

I'm retaking the mcat in July and applying to both DO and MD schools. I'm not sure if I'll be ready by then and wondering if there is a big difference in pushing the mcat to August?


I'll appreciate any of you guys opinions?

What was the score on your first MCAT? I think if its still strong enough to get secondaries taking the Aug MCAT would be ok.

 

[TheWhiteSpark]

Guys, i need some advice, perhaps some common sense knocked into me.

I got accepted to ACOM for the 2015 fall semester but i have to tell them if i am going by Monday. I have not gotten any other acceptances. I have already re-submitted my application to AMCAS and AACOMAS and have gotten 2 secondaries. My application is MUCH stronger this year. Before, i did not have any LORs from a clinical experience but i do now, i didnt have ANY patient exposure, but i do now, and i have been working in a genetics lab full-time for 6 months.

Should i just go to ACOM or should i try again? ACOM is nice, but it is far away from my family and not what i imagined.

From what i can tell, my biggest black mark is a C- in one of my Organic chemistry classes (I do have a biochem class that could take its place for some schools). my GPA is 3.3 and my science GPA is 3.07, i got a 32 on the MCAT

 

[darthsubway]

Guys, i need some advice, perhaps some common sense knocked into me.

I got accepted to ACOM for the 2015 fall semester but i have to tell them if i am going by Monday. I have not gotten any other acceptances. I have already re-submitted my application to AMCAS and AACOMAS and have gotten 2 secondaries. My application is MUCH stronger this year. Before, i did not have any LORs from a clinical experience but i do now, i didnt have ANY patient exposure, but i do now, and i have been working in a genetics lab full-time for 6 months.

Should i just go to ACOM or should i try again? ACOM is nice, but it is far away from my family and not what i imagined.

From what i can tell, my biggest black mark is a C- in one of my Organic chemistry classes (I do have a biochem class that could take its place for some schools). my GPA is 3.3 and my science GPA is 3.07, i got a 32 on the MCAT

If it were me, I'd take ACOM and run. Unless you have special or outstanding circumstances, your chances with MD school are minimal due to low GPA. For DO school, I admittedly do not know how competitive you are, but why take the risk? You have a guaranteed acceptance right in front of you and a near perfect chance of becoming a doctor. Turning it down will make your fate uncertain again. Not to mention the reapplication process is painful.

If you got into ACOM earlier in the cycle (and no other schools) would you still consider reapplying? At some point, you must have wanted to go there because you applied.

Ultimately, it is your life and your choice. If you decide to take the acceptance, then congrats 🙂

If not, good luck!

 

[kubb_champ]

I'm happy to join the re-applicant success story. The first time I applied, I was interviewed and wait-listed to one in-state school but was eventually never accepted. After my unsuccessful cycle, I called up every single school and talked to as many deans as I could about how to improve my candidacy. Instead of applying right away, I took up an opportunity to teach and enhance myself as a professional and individual. This year, I received an interview and acceptance very early (10/15). As of 3/14, I have had five interview invites.

I know it can be extremely disheartening when you have committed yourself to a profession that doesn't seem to deem you worthy of entering. I saw this as an opportunity to improve myself and live life a little more. I have not regretted my decision and I know I will be infinitely more ready to tackle the challenges of being a student of medicine now than two years ago. My best wishes to you along your journey.

 

[deleted707454]

I'm happy to join the re-applicant success story. The first time I applied, I was interviewed and wait-listed to one in-state school but was eventually never accepted. After my unsuccessful cycle, I called up every single school and talked to as many deans as I could about how to improve my candidacy. Instead of applying right away, I took up an opportunity to teach and enhance myself as a professional and individual. This year, I received an interview and acceptance very early (10/15). I have a second interview but I am not sure I will take it up.

I know it can be extremely disheartening when you have committed yourself to a profession that doesn't seem to deem you worthy of entering. I saw this as an opportunity to improve myself and live life a little more. I have not regretted my decision and I know I will be infinitely more ready to tackle the challenges of being a student of medicine now than two years ago. My best wishes to you along your journey.

Can you advise on the differences between your first round (no acceptances) and your second round acceptance?

 

[kubb_champ]

Can you advise on the differences between your first round (no acceptances) and your second round acceptance?

Here are a few things I felt were helpful:
1. submitted primary early June and all secondaries by mid to late August (make sure you have new/improved personal statement and secondaries)
2. gained a graduate degree, clinical volunteer work, shadowing, and professional work (which I addressed on the secondary)
3. expanded my school list from 20 to 30ish; be realistic but don't count yourself out
4. used media to truly understand a school's culture and mission (look at the YouTube or Facebook of each school, the programs they post about, the pictures, the student discussions give you the nuances of each school so you can better differentiate them)
5. insider knowledge, this is incredibly useful and if you know someone on the inside they can give you the real deal, if you don't, email the admissions and see if you could get contact to a student

One last thing is that I did not tell many people I was applying or where I was applying. I feel that sharing this information added unnecessary stress in my first cycle and did not benefit me.

good luck!