Reapplication

[thruthewire]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Okay, so I am 99% sure I'm going to get rejected from the two waitlists I'm on, which means I'll have to be a reapplicant. I just graduated college, and my problem is this:
-I haven't done a whole lot my senior year that would make my application any more appealing than it was last cycle
-My GPA went down a bit

Also, as for my PS, I don't know what to do with it either. I have nothing to really add to it, and I was happy with it the first time around. I am in a total black hole. I'm not optimistic about the coming cycle, I'm still really bummed about this past cycle. I have a 3.63c, 3.55s, 31 (11VR, 9BS, 11PS). I had about 150 hours of shadowing, 3 years of research, volunteered abroad for 2 months, the usual. I guess my clinical experience is what let me down, along with my interviewing skills perhaps. I had 3 interviews, at NYMC, Upstate and Buffalo. NYMC was a reject, Upstate was a "hold," Buffalo was a waitlist, which I just found out is probably a reject.

What on earth do I do? As I see it, DO is my only real shot

 

[ciestar]

If clinical experience is your problem, why would applying DO produce different results?

Additionally, have you shadowed a DO?

Maybe take this next year to up your clinical experiences, and just to better your app and apply next year?

 

[mariambaby3]

Try finding a new job or something to do immediately. See if you are able to obtain some meaningful experience. If you manage to get something nice, perhaps it's worth considering re-applying in two years after you've been on the job for a year.

 

[ThisCouldBeYou]

There are things you can do, but it takes awhile to get over the disappointment of having to reapply. First, get a job. Get some kind of a job that will provide you with some kind of clinical experience. Then, you could retake the MCAT, but this also depends on how you felt you did the first time around. And finally, you could improve your interviewing skills. Practice. Get someone to be "very harsh". Video tape it. Then practice it again. And again. Meanwhile, you can also call or write those schools that rejected you and ask what they'd like to see improved.

 

[Jepstein30]

Don't rush into reapplying. It's the worst thing you can do. I know two years off seems like it will suck but its better than shooting yourself in the foot further and having that turn into four or five years.

Identify the major weaknesses you had in your previous application. You can reach out to the schools that rejected you for assistance. If it's GPA, take some post-bac classes (not full-time). If its clinical experience, find a job that will get you some. It's not good enough to just apply now and do that in the meantime.. most schools won't give you enough time to send an update letter before they reject you.

As for retaking the MCAT, it's not hurting you. If you were scoring significantly better on practice tests, consider it. Otherwise, I don't think its an area you should focus your time on. I'd go for clinical experience + some classes for a year.

 

[gyngyn]

Time to look at your interview style.

 

[thruthewire]

1. I have no clue where to start looking for a clinical job, any suggestions? I'm going to start by looking at all the major hospitals around here I guess. I'd like to get something paid. Scribing, perhaps?
2. Suggestions on how to improve interviewing style?

Thanks so much for all your responses, everyone.

 

[gyngyn]

2. Suggestions on how to improve interviewing style?

Your school will have a skills center where you can request mock interviews (even if you are a grad). If you know any crusty old docs, explain your situation and ask them to interview you. Ask the guys you shadowed to give you a mock interview. Record yourself answering questions you got this year (this one is pretty gruesome, try the others first)!

 

[thruthewire]

First of all, thanks so much for your help. For two of my interviews, I didn't have the means to record myself, but I did rehearse to myself. With one of my interviews, I was honestly thrilled getting out of it. I thought it went smoothly, I made a good impression, I demonstrated a good fit, and got along with my interviewer. Well, either they didn't intend to give me an II, or my judgment of my interview was way off. I'm betting on the latter, so I definitely buy the "crappy interview skills" argument

Secondly, what are the odds I even get interviews again (assuming I apply this cycle?)? I'm honestly not very optimistic.

 

[Jepstein30]

First of all, thanks so much for your help. For two of my interviews, I didn't have the means to record myself, but I did rehearse to myself. With one of my interviews, I was honestly thrilled getting out of it. I thought it went smoothly, I made a good impression, I demonstrated a good fit, and got along with my interviewer. Well, either they didn't intend to give me an II, or my judgment of my interview was way off. I'm betting on the latter, so I definitely buy the "crappy interview skills" argument

Secondly, what are the odds I even get interviews again (assuming I apply this cycle?)? I'm honestly not very optimistic.

You can have a stellar interview and still not get in. You can have terrible interviews and still get in. They are only part of the equation.