Reapplication Essay Questions

[user5882]

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Hi! I’m am planning to reapply to medical school this upcoming cycle and have started writing/rewriting my personal statement and secondary essays. I am applying to some of the same schools and a lot of new schools this cycle. I have seen some conflicting advice about how to address my reapplicant status considering that I am applying to some schools for the first time. In my personal statement should I address being a reapplicant? Will the schools that I didn’t apply to the first cycle see that as a negative because I didn’t apply to their programs originally?


Additionally, I’ve started looking at secondary prompts and have a similar question about how to adress optional reapplicant prompts at schools I am applying to for the first time. Technically, since I am a reapplicant do I still answer these essay questions even if I am not a reapplicant to that particular school?

I appreciate any advice! Thanks!

 

[wysdoc]

My advice would be that being a reapplicant should not appear in your personal statement.
That statement is your "why medicine" essay. You should revise or rewrite your personal statement though so it isn't exactly the same as on your first application year.

Your new schools won't take the time to see that you "didn't apply to them the first time" so don't worry about that bit. A reapplicant usually will wisely change their school list, leaving off the super competetive schools that were far above their stats range.

For secondary prompts, read how they are worded exactly and answer the question. Always focus on what you have done to add to your qualifications since the last cycle.

 

[deleted1130898]

As a reapplicant, I thought that it would land me some more brownie points at schools, but it didn't really come up as often as I thought it would. Unfortunately, having to reapply is becoming all too common and you'll quickly find that you start off at the same place as everyone else even as a second-time applicant. Definitely don't include it in your personal statement or "failure" secondary essay question, because having to reapply to medical school is not a reason for wanting to be a doctor. The reapplicant statement is really there so that the reviewer can read it and pick out what you've improved on from last cycle without having to read your app from last cycle AND this cycle.

Being able to talk about it honestly in interviews was helpful and I think it comes off as more genuine than writing about it in an essay. Good luck!

 

[Mr.Smile12]

I concur. Saying you are a repeat applicant can introduce bias (at the worst) and distract from your goal to write about your choice to become a physician. You can focus on your ongoing growth through the previous cycle without mentioning your last application. Follow the above advice and form a strong answer showing your growth and self-assessment.