reapply or wait another year?

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squirrelking

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Hello all!

So I have looked at some of the past post but really would like some help specific to my case. Here's the deal: I am on three waitlists (OHSU, SUNY Downstate, and Georgetown), and am starting to figure that very likely I won't be going to medical school next year. I spent this year mostly working in a coffee shop and finishing up some pre-recs (they are all lab classes so take a LOT of time).

My stats are good: 3.7 GPA, 32Q , I did a Fulbright working in a neuropsych lab, and I think i have pretty good LORs.

My biggest weakness is that I don't have much clinical experience. I shadowed a neurologist in Germany for half a year, and have volunteered this year off an on at a children's hospital... but it's all pretty limited. Come April, I will be enrolled in a phlebotomy course, and hopefully will get a job in that soon thereafter.

My question is: should I reapply this June or wait a full additional year to boost up my application? Realistically, I won't have much more clinical experience when the next apps go out (I guess the children's hosptal volunteering and being done with courses), so I don't know how much more attractive a candidate I will be. I mean, the phlebotomy training and eventual experiences will be great, but will having completed that course make a difference? I dread the idea of waiting two more years before starting, but failing two years in a row doesn't sound too good either.

I would really appreciate any comments you guys can give me!!
 
Well, the useless question I have is, why aren't you getting patient contact right now? Then you could be contacting those schools you're waitlisted for with that new information (hey, here's a letter from Dr. X describing the volunteer work I've done at clinic Y).

Secondary to that, I would try very hard to get some experience ASAP (this summer) and reapply, but I'm not a terribly patient individual. I can't see how it would be helpful to spend a year as a phlebotomist/researcher, so if you're planning a year off, I'd come up with something super cool to do with my time, to make the wait more appealing.

Presume that you've already sent in the letter to Georgetown saying you want to be considered for a position, and that the other schools know you are interested as well

Have hope! It's not may 15 yet!:luck:
 
This is a tough year for applicants. Normally someone with your stats would be in at their state school, but I think the cycle has been particularly brutal with the sheer number of applicants. I don't know that it will get any better in the future (probably will get worse, actually), but take some solace in the fact that a lot of remarkably qualified applicants are in a similar spot.

I'm not sure where you live, but you could always consider taking a year off, moving to a state with either multiple med schools or where you can develop some relationships with the university hospital, and reapply after working/volunteering there for a year.

Good luck with whatever you decide.
 
i think ur busy doing stuff that doesnt seem original...research, childrens hospital...

i'm doing the same common stuff and it bugs me so i might not get in this coming application cycle, then i'll join americorp or something...
 
I'd reapply this summer while getting involved with clinical activities during the lag year. LORs from those experiences will also help a lot. Also consider rewriting your PS to talk more about why you chose medicine.
 
Thanks for your help, guys.

I'm from Oregon, and OHSU seems to be really tough to get into as far as state schools go.

So CrepesofWrath, you seem to be suggesting basically what I've been thinking myself- apply again even though my resume is only partially better in terms of clinical experience (though with pre-recs done, some volunteering, and I will apply a bit earlier and broader)?

Does the phlebotomy idea seem like a good one? Coming back from the Fulbright, I spent weeks trying to get a job at a hospital or lab, but was shot down so many times (and in the mean time needed to pay rent). I figure this way having the certification would really help me into a clinic, I would get loads of patient contact, maybe not be bored out of my mind, and feel like I'm making progress with my life, even if I'm not in med school just yet. Or is this just optimistic?

MAN, this is tough. Sometimes doing this all on my own can be just so tough.... ugh. I may also apply to DO schools and maybe some Caribbean one's as well next year as well.
 
good question, Im in a similar situation. I am interested in hearing all of your responses.

I have a good MCAT score and a somewhat lower gpa in engineering but I also have an MS degree from a top ranked program (with a 3.84 gpa). I just started my clinical experience this year so I had to write about it as a future experience when i applied last summer. I don't know how this came off to the adcoms and I'm working on figuring out what they thought my weaknesses are.

My situation is not identical because of my low gpa but I do often wonder if my inability to organize my personal statement/essays around a specific clinical experience that influenced my desire to pursue medicine has hurt me. I also wonder if they thought, since my clinical experience came later, that I could not know whether or not I really wanted to pursue clinical medicine for a career.

This might lead me to think having significant clinical experience before applying may be necessary/ help a great deal. What do you all think?

Also, what schools did you apply to? Poor school-choice was definitely a problem for me, although my less-competitive state school has me on the waitlist too.
 
Blade28 said:
Did you apply broadly and early?

At least 10-15 schools?
Click to expand...


I'm not sure if you're directing this question toward me, but I'll go ahead and answer it for the sake of keeping the convo going.

I applied to a lot of places, but reviewing my list of schools shows me how little I understood the process at the time (applied to many out-of-state public schools thinking they were backups to some degree and other mistakes)

That's definitely the first thing I'll change if I have to reapply.
 
JMedical08 said:
I'm not sure if you're directing this question toward me, but I'll go ahead and answer it for the sake of keeping the convo going.
Click to expand...

I was directing it towards the OP, actually. 🙂

But it sounds like you have a solid plan for next time.
 
I sent out maybe 22 on my AMCAS, and 15 secondaries. I got the last one out in early november, but maybe 10 of them were done by mid october (including to georgetown, who offered me the interview). This next time around I won't have to wait for LOR's, so should be able to get lots out in July already. think that might make much difference?

As to applying broadly... I don't really know how to answer that. Sometimes I feel like it's all so random, the name or ranking doesn't really make much difference. I am probably being pessimistic.
 
squirrelking said:
I sent out maybe 22 on my AMCAS, and 15 secondaries. I got the last one out in early november, but maybe 10 of them were done by mid october (including to georgetown, who offered me the interview). This next time around I won't have to wait for LOR's, so should be able to get lots out in July already. think that might make much difference?
Click to expand...

Applying early can make a HUGE difference. Many people get their secondaries sent out 24-48 hours after receiving them. Their AMCAS app is complete by July (or earlier!).
 
squirrelking said:
I sent out maybe 22 on my AMCAS, and 15 secondaries. I got the last one out in early november, but maybe 10 of them were done by mid october (including to georgetown, who offered me the interview). This next time around I won't have to wait for LOR's, so should be able to get lots out in July already. think that might make much difference?

As to applying broadly... I don't really know how to answer that. Sometimes I feel like it's all so random, the name or ranking doesn't really make much difference. I am probably being pessimistic.
Click to expand...

Well in my personal experience I applied three times. Thankfully this third is the last time. The major thing that has made a difference in this application is applying early and sending those secondaries in as soon as possible. Last year I got waitlisted at 5 schools and at one of the interviews I was actually told that my application was all good... except for my late secondary. So rather than using those secondary due dates as the final day you can send it in, send them in as soon as you get it.
 
Blade28,

thanks! that is really encouraging to hear... do you think that will help in terms of getting more interviews or by having a better shot of getting accepted after interviewing? maybe both? anyway, it's nice to imagine that this isn't all hopeless.
 
squirrelking said:
Hello all!

So I have looked at some of the past post but really would like some help specific to my case. Here's the deal: I am on three waitlists (OHSU, SUNY Downstate, and Georgetown), and am starting to figure that very likely I won't be going to medical school next year. I spent this year mostly working in a coffee shop and finishing up some pre-recs (they are all lab classes so take a LOT of time).

My stats are good: 3.7 GPA, 32Q , I did a Fulbright working in a neuropsych lab, and I think i have pretty good LORs.

My biggest weakness is that I don't have much clinical experience. I shadowed a neurologist in Germany for half a year, and have volunteered this year off an on at a children's hospital... but it's all pretty limited. Come April, I will be enrolled in a phlebotomy course, and hopefully will get a job in that soon thereafter.

My question is: should I reapply this June or wait a full additional year to boost up my application? Realistically, I won't have much more clinical experience when the next apps go out (I guess the children's hosptal volunteering and being done with courses), so I don't know how much more attractive a candidate I will be. I mean, the phlebotomy training and eventual experiences will be great, but will having completed that course make a difference? I dread the idea of waiting two more years before starting, but failing two years in a row doesn't sound too good either.

I would really appreciate any comments you guys can give me!!
Click to expand...


I would not write yourself off yet!!! OHSU takes many from the wait list as do others!
 
Personally glad this thread got bumped though, it's helping me lots! 🙂
 
It highlights the importance of applying early for one thing! That was my mistake
 
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