reapplicants at a disadvantage?

[pygmalion09]

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I've heard from an advisor that being a reapplicant just by itself decreases your chances of getting in.
Any comments??

 

[senseigmg]

That is completely contrary to anything I've ever heard from at least 40 current physicians at my hospital and a few reapplicant med students.

 

[spreebee]

I've heard from an advisor that being a reapplicant just by itself decreases your chances of getting in.
Any comments??

These advisors your talking about don't know everything... Unless they are physicians and affiliated with medical schools they usually just attend a conference or two during the year and forward the information to students on admission, etc.....

The all out saying your "Chances are decreased" the second time around is just jibberish... That may be true for a handful of schools but is definately not the RULE...

 

[Blade28]

If you're reapplying with the exact same application package as the first time, yes, you're at a disadvantage.

So it behooves you to improve your app the second time around - improve your GPA, retake the MCAT if necessary, rework those personal statements, improve your extracurriculars, etc.

 

[MILK07]

At one of the schools in my state, about 40% of each entering class is reapplicants. I have been advised by adcom members at three schools to improve my stats and keep reapplying! I would definitely say that the people you talked to were incorrect.

 

[nontrdgsbuiucmd]

At one of the schools in my state, about 40% of each entering class is reapplicants. I have been advised by adcom members at three schools to improve my stats and keep reapplying! I would definitely say that the people you talked to were incorrect.

I concur, the same thing is true at Colorado (not sure of exact number of reapplicants who are accepted, it is high) and I believe OHSU was around 30% (of matriculants who are reapplicants)

If reapplicants were not "preferred", why would so many schools offer admissions counseling/advising sessions for unsuccessful applicants to assist them in strengthening their application? When a dean speaks to a reapplicant candidate in one of these sessions for 30 minutes * many reapplicants, that's a huge chunk of their time.

If you read the rejection letters by most schools, they basically say there were too many great candidates for them to accept; leaving the door (metaphorically) open for reapplying.

I'd guess that reapplication chances depend on circumstances, if an applicant was unsuccessful due to a few things that have been corrected, and the applicant now exceeds "average" numbers, ECs, etc, it does not make sense that a school would turn them down just because they are a reapplicant.

Two schools that I spoke with specific with specifically said that if a candidate attended an admissions counseling meeting, this would be noted in their file and was a strong + for reapplication.

I'd bet in some cases, admin people think a first time top applicant is preferable to a reapplicant, in other cases they'll see the additional effort put forth by a reaplicant and believe that their commitment to medicine has been clearly proven. Don't believe it is possible to say unequivically that a reapplicant has exactly the same chances at success that they would have as a first time applicant with the same background that they have when they are reapplying.

 

[theserbatron]

If you're reapplying with the exact same application package as the first time, yes, you're at a disadvantage.

So it behooves you to improve your app the second time around - improve your GPA, retake the MCAT if necessary, rework those personal statements, improve your extracurriculars, etc.

yes yes yes yes yes.

 

[Mobius1985]

Reapplying with an improved application shows dedication and persistence, qualities Adcomms are generally looking for. You will not be at a disadvantage.

 

[nellia]

Reapplying with an improved application shows dedication and persistence, qualities Adcomms are generally looking for. You will not be at a disadvantage.

agreed. i have been told numerous times that reapplying shows your desire and dedication to the field of medicine. like so many aspects of the medical school admissions process, there is a great deal of "weeding out." if someone is willing to give up after one unsuccessful try .. they probably didn't want it very badly in the first place. good luck !

 

[Blade28]

Reapplying with an improved application shows dedication and persistence, qualities Adcomms are generally looking for. You will not be at a disadvantage.

agreed. i have been told numerous times that reapplying shows your desire and dedication to the field of medicine. like so many aspects of the medical school admissions process, there is a great deal of "weeding out." if someone is willing to give up after one unsuccessful try .. they probably didn't want it very badly in the first place. good luck !

...again, your reapp will look good assuming you've improved it from the first time 'round.

Reapply with the exact same app and I guarantee you won't be doing yourself any favors.

Don't make the mistake of assuming that just because you're persistent you'll "get in." You've still got to put in the work to improve your entire application package!

 

[batman1983]

Having applied and been rejected from medical school twice now, I guess to some extent it can be a disadvantage. Now there were probably reasons why I was rejected, esp, they were all post-secondary/preinterview(most likely due to lateness of both apps). Nonetheless, it was weird that I was waitlisted for an acceptance at Davis during my first application cycle, yet, I did not even receive an interview the second time, despite having better stats/credentials across the board and applying earlier relative to my first time.
I am of the belief that the med application process is just like anything else, a beauty pageant to show why a school should consider you. Thus, by saying you were unable to get in, it might put doubt in schools or compel them to take a closer look to try to find reasons to not give you an interview/acceptance. Besides that "image" factor, I think the other major determent of being a reapplicant is probably with the risk of recycling primary/secondary essays and etc.

 

[gman33]

...again, your reapp will look good assuming you've improved it from the first time 'round.

Reapply with the exact same app and I guarantee you won't be doing yourself any favors.

Don't make the mistake of assuming that just because you're persistent you'll "get in." You've still got to put in the work to improve your entire application package!

Agree with Blade.

Being a reapplicant without a significantly improved application puts you at a disadvantage. I think it was Einstein who said the definition of insanity is taking the same action and expecting different results.

If you weren't good enough the first time, you need to improve your app. A lot of reapplicants don't do this, hence they are at a disadvantage. It's not so much that being a reapplicant hurts, it's more that there tend to be weaknesses in the application that are not fixed before reapplying.

 

[Blade28]

Agree with the above post - well said! 👍

 

[semper]

hi, i was just wondering how most school look as a third time applicant.

i know that it is looked down upon to apply to the same school 3 times, however, what if you're applying to different schools your third time around?

 

[MILK07]

I have a friend who applied 5 times before he got in. He graduated in the top 5% of his class and is doing an ortho residency right now. Keep it up!

 

[RuseMD]

Let me ask you something... you want to be a physician right? Screw the statistics, advisor's opinions(which aren't much anyway), and fight towards achieving your goal. Maximize and take the constructive criticism received during last cycle and act on it. Enhance your application with something interesting, help yourself with a postbacc... but don't give into rumors of someone being at a disadvantage etc... you want to be a doctor... focus on that and don't let go of that dream.

 

[Dedikated2liftn]

I have a friend who applied 5 times before he got in. He graduated in the top 5% of his class and is doing an ortho residency right now. Keep it up!

****in' awesome..although that dude's one hell of a glutton for punishment.

 

[Pedsbro]

hi, i was just wondering how most school look as a third time applicant.

i know that it is looked down upon to apply to the same school 3 times, however, what if you're applying to different schools your third time around?

I think UCLA SOM says on its website that a 3rd application is strongly discouraged. But most schools won't look down upon it as long as significant improvement is seen since your last application. That's all that matters. People apply 4, 5, even 8 times before getting in...just depends how much they want it and how much they're willing to give up for it.

 

[RuseMD]

People apply 4, 5, even 8 times before getting in...just depends how much they want it and how much they're willing to give up for it.

The reality here is, this is supposed to be a career choice and likewise wouldn't one want to give up feasibly everything that one could to attain that goal? I honestly will stop at nothing(short of committing any crazy crimes or schemes) until I get into a med school.