Reapplication Advice

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Also, I am not sure about the writing portion. Do I have to significantly change up my essays and secondaries? I thought they were pretty well-written and had great stories. For reapplication, do I have to revise everything?
 
Also, I am not sure about the writing portion. Do I have to significantly change up my essays and secondaries? I thought they were pretty well-written and had great stories. For reapplication, do I have to revise everything?
I went all in on research. I don't think it did much 🙂. Would recommend getting more patient experience, it will never be a bad thing for a career centered on patient care, and will help you during interviews/secondaries but most importantly pick what you'd enjoy more. Get other people to read your writing if you feel comfortable doing so. Update us when one of those waitlists turns into an A in April/May.
 
I am currently on 3 WLs and had 3 interviews. I only applied to 9 schools. I just need some advice on my next plan. I know I will probably apply to 30ish next cycle. Just wanted some advice on what I should plan to do for my gap year and if there is anything else that I should work on. I am not sure not sure if I should be a MA or do a research position for my gap year.

ORM, FG-LI, CT resident
Stats: 3.98, 511
Research: 300 hrs, 0 posters
Clinical Volunteering: 400-500 hrs as an EMT and hospice volunteering
Non-Clinical Volunteering: 200+ hours
Shadowing: 40+ hours
I also had other tutoring, leadership, and work experiences that were also mentioned.

Applied to
UConn (Interviewed)
Einstein
Tufts
Quinnipiac (Interviewed)
NYMC (Interviewed)
Jefferson
Drexel
Penn State
Albany

Currently, I improved my research significantly. I did a summer research program. I got 2 posters out of it. I am also continuing most of my other activities.
If you are on 3 WLs, do any of them accept or encourage updates? If so, update them!

Given that you are on 3 WLs, don't give up hope for this year even as you prepare for a gap year. If you do need to reapply, apply more broadly, as you already intend to do. Also if you had 3 interviews and end up rejected at all the schools I would strongly encourage you to get interview prep before you interview next cycle.

Finally, while the fact that you had 3 interviews out of 9 applications, indicates that you did a great job on your apps last time, you should rewrite at least some (or most) of them to show the impact and growth that inevitably takes place in the intervening two years. Otherwise you will appear stagnant and possibly lazy.

I'm also assuming that you applied early and responded promptly to secondaries. If you didn't, do so next time around.

Regarding next year, unless you are really interested in a research career get a clinical job (scribing, EMT, med tech, phlebotomist etc.) and also continue non-clinical volunteering.
 
I went all in on research. I don't think it did much 🙂. Would recommend getting more patient experience, it will never be a bad thing for a career centered on patient care, and will help you during interviews/secondaries but most importantly pick what you'd enjoy more. Get other people to read your writing if you feel comfortable doing so. Update us when one of those waitlists turns into an A in April/May.
Awesome, I will try finding MA jobs nearby. Thank you! Will do, hoping for the best.
 
2 of them accept updates, and I sent them right after my interview. When do you think I should reupdate / show my interest again? They explicitly said I will not hear back before April/May from them, if I do get off. Should I email them in March or Early April?

Also, if I do not have major updates, what should I say? Just my overall interest in their program? Thanks!
When did you last update them?

If you have nothing to say, then the best policy is to say nothing. However, can you perhaps talk to some current students about their experience and then tie this chat into your continued interest in their program? IOW, create something that might be worthy of an update?
 
Also, I am not sure about the writing portion. Do I have to significantly change up my essays and secondaries? I thought they were pretty well-written and had great stories. For reapplication, do I have to revise everything?

For reapps, you should absolutely take the time to revise and rewrite your application materials. Often, people find grammatical and narrative issues. Likewise, you've changed since your last cycle so it's important to show that growth. Besides, some admissions officials may read a reapp's materials side-by-side to check if you're just copy+pasting.


If you're interested in discussing those revisions, DMs open.
 
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