Reapplicant statement

[keytonez]

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Does anyone have a post on sdn in mind or another resource about how reapplicants should write about what they've done since their last application (for schools they've applied to previously)? I'm a non-trad and a reapplicant, and I want to make sure that I explain what I've done the past couple years in the best way possible.

Thank you!

Edit: I'm asking specifically about the essay prompt from schools you've already applied to, asking what you've done since your last unsuccessful application--not the personal statement. I don't want to say I'm a reapplicant on my PS. I think that's a big red flag for schools I'll be applying to for the first time this cycle.

@gonnif

 

[LiFre]

I am also interested in this. Is it ok to tell the same story in the PS if it is rewritten? This story really helps me explain "why medicine?". @Goro @gonnif

 

[sss1219]

If you got IIs then it is likely your PS is good as is but you will want to revamp it to avoid looking lazy if they do look at your old app

If you did not get IIs then work with a reader who was successful in applying and redo it from ground up, as it may be a weakness in your app

 

[keytonez]

Sorry, I should clarify here. I'm not talking about the personal statement. I'm referring to the essay section from schools you've previously applied to, that specifically ask what you've done since your last unsuccessful application

 

[FroYoOreo]

I assumed for the reapplication section you just write about the activities/ classes you have been doing since last application?

 

[MedicineN'Jazz]

I assumed for the reapplication section you just write about the activities/ classes you have been doing since last application?

I think OP is talking about secondaries...in which case I have no idea. Hopefully, someone on here can answer your question!

 

[sss1219]

Sorry, I should clarify here. I'm not talking about the personal statement. I'm referring to the essay section from schools you've previously applied to, that specifically ask what you've done since your last unsuccessful application

"I attribute the failure of my last application to a b and c deficits, which I remedied over the past year through x y and z roles. I feel that with this work, I have built a much more well rounded application.”

It’s really not something you need to overthink

 

[MedicineN'Jazz]

"I attribute the failure of my last application to a b and c deficits, which I remedied over the past year through x y and z roles. I feel that with this work, I have built a much more well rounded application.”

It’s really not something you need to overthink

I disagree. As someone who was prepared to become a third time re-applicant, I can say for a fact that writing unique essays for the same essay prompt is super difficult. How the hell are you supposed to sound unique to a why Medicine essay? Or how do you bring diversity to XYZ medical school? etc. The only questions that are easy to answer, are the ones that ask about your re-applicant status and a brief explanation.

 

[sss1219]

I disagree. As someone who was prepared to become a third time re-applicant, I can say for a fact that writing unique essays for the same essay prompt is super difficult. How the hell are you supposed to sound unique to a why Medicine essay? Or how do you bring diversity to XYZ medical school? etc. The only questions that are easy to answer, are the ones that ask about your re-applicant status and a brief explanation.

This prompt in particular is not something you need to overthink

Those prompts are the complete opposite indeed

 

[MedicineN'Jazz]

This prompt in particular is not something you need to overthink

Those prompts are the complete opposite indeed

Yes, they are "easy" to answer. But how do you make those "easy" answers sound completely different from the previous cycle? Especially if you have no extra ECs, and are literally applying straight out of the 2017 cycle?

 

[OneTwoThreeFour]

Yes, they are "easy" to answer. But how do you make those "easy" answers sound completely different from the previous cycle? Especially if you have no extra ECs, and are literally applying straight out of the 2017 cycle?

I believe it is @HomeSkool in particular who harps on the greatest mistake reapplicants make is not waiting long enough between cycles. If you have no extra EC's why do you expect the outcome to be different?

 

[Hopeful7419]

I believe it is @HomeSkool in particular who harps on the greatest mistake reapplicants make is not waiting long enough between cycles. If you have no extra EC's why do you expect the outcome to be different?

How do you answer these prompts if all that's different/all you needed to fix is your mcat score?

 

[OneTwoThreeFour]

How do you answer these prompts if all that's different/all you needed to fix is your mcat score?

You're saying that in the past year you have not done any additional volunteering, research, work, or school work? All you did was prepare for and take the MCAT?

 

[Hopeful7419]

You're saying that in the past year you have not done any additional volunteering, research, work, or school work? All you did was prepare for and take the MCAT?

I have done most of those things, but they're all mostly a continuation of what was on my previous app. I do have new research experience, but how does one's "diversity" for a particular school change in one year?

 

[MedicineN'Jazz]

I have done most of those things, but they're all mostly a continuation of what was on my previous app. I do have new research experience, but how does one's "diversity" for a particular school change in one year?

Exactly.
I was lucky enough to submit a shiit application my first cycle, which made my last cycle all the more successful. But that's not what you're dealing with here. If the only thing you needed to improve was the MCAT, then what the hell do you say? It sucks OP, and I have no words of advise to give you 🙁

 

[HomeSkool]

I believe it is @HomeSkool in particular who harps on the greatest mistake reapplicants make is not waiting long enough between cycles. If you have no extra EC's why do you expect the outcome to be different?

It's actually @gonnif that hammers that point home, but I reiterate it because he's right. He has all the supporting data to back it up; I mostly just make stuff up as I go along.

 

[OneTwoThreeFour]

I have done most of those things, but they're all mostly a continuation of what was on my previous app. I do have new research experience, but how does one's "diversity" for a particular school change in one year?

We're just talking about how to answer the "What did you do since your last application?" question here, right? All you have to say is something along the lines of "Deepened my involvement with such-and-such organization and further committed myself to helping others by volunteering at xxxxx. I also focused on self-improvement, coming to a better understanding of how I learn which resulted in an improved academic performance this semester and a significantly higher MCAT score."
I personally don't think you need to change the "why medicine" or diversity secondary prompts (maybe just make sure they're well-written?). I never saw an applicants previous AMCAS app and it wasn't made available in the adcom meetings.

 

[MedicineN'Jazz]

We're just talking about how to answer the "What did you do since your last application?" question here, right? All you have to say is something along the lines of "Deepened my involvement with such-and-such organization and further committed myself to helping others by volunteering at xxxxx. I also focused on self-improvement, coming to a better understanding of how I learn which resulted in an improved academic performance this semester and a significantly higher MCAT score."
I personally don't think you need to change the "why medicine" or diversity secondary prompts (maybe just make sure they're well-written?). I never saw an applicants previous AMCAS app and it wasn't made available in the adcom meetings.

And on the other hand, I’ve actually had schools print out both sets of applications + secondaries...(okay it was just one lol).

 

[MedicineN'Jazz]

Yes it is difficult, but as you note schools can print out old and new. At the very least, since everything is electronic and listed by AMCAS ID, your old and new app will come up together, in most cases automatically. At the very least, the new evaluator (or perhaps the same one from the last cycle) will read the "summary" evaluation page that will note positives and negatives. They may read the old essays, ECs, etc. The risk here is what does it say to a reader when the old PS and new PS are exactly the same? To the applicant, it may say "this is perfect and I cant express it any better." To the evaluator its can say "This applicant wasnt even motivated enough or just too damn lazy to change that thing from last year."

Depending on the applicant and story, I usually recommend a complete rewrite. At the very least, get the application read and critique by people who have not read it before and who dont know you like here on SDN. not that I promoting myself, but a third time applicant could really use a professional at least looking at it.





The "diversity" doesnt change but the expression of the idea, that is the writing does. Not changing it, risks the "lazy" tag being put upon you

Damn, this is tough. Best of luck OP! I agree with gonnif, it’s probably best to seek help from professional services

 

[keytonez]

Thank you @gonnif ! That's exactly what I was looking for.

For other commenters, this is my second time applying, and I did re-write my PS from scratch--same themes, but framed differently. If anyone want to trade old and new PS's before I submit in the next 3 days, I'm happy to do that!