reapplying after an A?

[emt girly]

I only got into 1 MD school, and don't want to go. went to visit and really hated the area - it's a tiny suburb in the midwest, nothing really within a 10 min drive of campus. I'm a city person from CA, so I think this might be a difficult adjustment. I absolutely am so grateful to be admitted anywhere at all, but I truly believe I would struggle having nowhere to go off campus, with horrible winters, so far from any big city, etc.

I've read lots of threads and pretty much everyone says don't reapply, you won't get in anywhere because schools will know you turned down an A. but how would they know? amcas doesn't ask in the primary, and I just logged into the secondary portals for a bunch of my schools and there's no questions about previous As, just previous matriculation.

can anyone confirm?

(obviously not 100% sure, but I think I could get into at least 1 school, especially if I cast a wider net. my gpa is not great, but ECs are quite above average, and even better this year)

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[karaya]

Most applicants don't get in. Most accepted applicants only had one A. The desirable schools you wish to target are probably more selective, stats-, region-, or mission-wise, than your current A. Statistically speaking, the chances you improve upon your outcome are slim. This isn't what you want to hear, but you must appraise your situation without bias.

How many IIs?
How much improvement over last year?

 

[emt girly]

Most applicants don't get in. Most accepted applicants only had one A. The desirable schools you wish to target are probably more selective, stats-, region-, or mission-wise, than your current A. Statistically speaking, the chances you improve upon your outcome are slim. This isn't what you want to hear, but you must appraise your situation without bias.

How many IIs?
How much improvement over last year?

thanks for your honesty 😅 I’m trying to be realistic, but getting waitlisted at UCSD really got my hopes up. only those 2 IIs though, so I agree it’s clear I’m not a superrr competitive candidate. but will be adding 2000 hours as an ER tech (very heavily involved in patient care) and a great LOR

 

[wysdoc]

Don't do this. Go to the midwest and make friends at your school, city road trips on weekends off
Most California residents end up at OOS medical schools since there are so many strong CA applicants

 

[SpicyHotSauce]

Would you really wanna go through another application cycle? I've applied a few times now, and I'm done .

Sure you could apply, but it might show up. Especially since I've seen discussions on here about adcoms being able to see previous year's reapplications (personal statements and works & activity sections) if you're a reapplicant. This makes me wonder if they'll be able to see your CYMS history too (since we as the applicants can see the history on our side).

I'd say take the A, and thug it out for 4 years. It'll pass by very quick I promise.

 

[Faha]

If you had only 2 II and 1 A this cycle, why do you believe you would receive more than 1 A the next cycle? What is your plan if you are not accepted anywhere next cycle ? Try for a 3rd cycle or a 4th ?

 

[Goro]

I only got into 1 MD school, and don't want to go. went to visit and really hated the area - it's a tiny suburb in the midwest, not even a coffee shop besides dunkin/starbucks. I'm a city person from CA, so this would be a big downgrade. I absolutely am so grateful to be admitted anywhere at all, but I truly believe it would make me miserable to have nowhere to go, with horrible winters, so far from any big city, etc.

I've read lots of threads and pretty much everyone says don't reapply, you won't get in anywhere because schools will know you turned down an A. but how would they know? amcas doesn't ask in the primary, and I just logged into the secondary portals for a bunch of my schools and there's no questions about previous As, just previous matriculation.

can anyone confirm?

(obviously not 100% sure, but I think I could get into at least 1 school, especially if I cast a wider net. my gpa is not great, but ECs are quite above average, and even better this year)

The worst mistake an applicant can make is to turn down their only acceptance, unless it's to CNu.

Don't assign magic properties to another LOR either.

 

[lean.idler]

Winter is fun. Learn how to make your own coffee. You can adapt!

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Welcome to the forums.

There are plenty of places in the rest of the US without these accoutrements. People who live there also have to travel hours to a grocery store or hospital. These people want health care. If you think you would be miserable as a medical student, think about the patients who have no choice but to live there. At some point, what conditions to "serving others" do you have?

Take the offer, and get your education as a doctor.

 

[LunaOri]

How about applying to DO schools only, if location is your most important criterion (although plenty of DO schools are in small towns too)?

 

[Hollow Knight]

I don't want to be insensitive (I promise this comes from a place of kindness and not judgement), but are you sure you want to do this?

Over the next several years you may be asked to go to work sick and work 36 hour shifts. If not having amenities is what's stopping you from attending an MD school, I'm not quite sure this is the path for you.

Now, I actually don't personally believe that medical training should be as physically demanding as it is; I'm not here trying to promote that toxicity. But for now, it is that bad in many places. I just don't know if you really understand what you're signing up for.

But yeah, to answer your original question- if you reapply because you couldn't handle not being in LA or NYC, then your app will be looked down on and you will have a hard time getting accepted.

If I were you I'd seriously reconsider starting medical school at all. Unless your parents are paying I guess. This is a lot of debt to accrue just to decide it isn't worth it.

 

[greymolerat]

Hey, I just found this thread by chance and I’m currently reapplying since my 2 II (one of which is WL at UCSD as well) didn’t pan out. I am insanely jealous of your situation—there are many applicants out there like me who would give up an arm and leg to be in your position to have an A, any A tbh, to become a physician.

I think you should listen to your gut but also know that if you give it up, you need to be aware of the risks. If you face the worst side of consequences (being blacklisted somehow), are you prepared to give up becoming a doctor for another chance to reapply to *maybe* get into a “better” school?

Also, this is just my two cents but I think the reality is that UCSD waitlists many superb applicants every year, but they probably also waitlist many that they never intend to accept. I’ve done a lot of reflecting and I’m not sure which camp you or I fall into, but I hope you don’t overestimate your chances just because one top school decided to interview you. Good luck and I wish you the best regardless of your choice

 

[Sidus1011]

I only got into 1 MD school, and don't want to go. went to visit and really hated the area - it's a tiny suburb in the midwest, not even a coffee shop besides dunkin/starbucks. I'm a city person from CA, so this would be a big downgrade. I absolutely am so grateful to be admitted anywhere at all, but I truly believe it would make me miserable to have nowhere to go, with horrible winters, so far from any big city, etc.

I've read lots of threads and pretty much everyone says don't reapply, you won't get in anywhere because schools will know you turned down an A. but how would they know? amcas doesn't ask in the primary, and I just logged into the secondary portals for a bunch of my schools and there's no questions about previous As, just previous matriculation.

can anyone confirm?

(obviously not 100% sure, but I think I could get into at least 1 school, especially if I cast a wider net. my gpa is not great, but ECs are quite above average, and even better this year)

This has got to be a troll lol. Turning down an A because there is no coffee shop besides dunkin/starbucks. You are not absolutely grateful to be admitted anywhere if you are actually considering this.

 

[RangerBob]

As a born/raised Californian myself, I actually grew very fond of the Midwest after getting accepted to med school there but not here in state. I enjoyed it enough that we stayed in the general region for my internship and residency, and were actually quite interested in staying long-term if family didn't bring us back.

Winter really isn't that bad--I don't know why in CA we're raised to be so afraid of it. I'm being 100% honest that I'm colder here in Coastal CA than the Great Lakes cities I lived in. Sure, the thermometer went lower over there, but the temperature doesn't change as much between day/night so you usually always have the appropriate number of layers on you, and people don't look at you weird if you're wearing a huge poofy coat or 18 layers--they get it. It's cold there. The weather really builds a camaraderie. My 70-year old neighbor used to clear my sidewalk in winter when I was in residency.

If you think you'll be absolutely miserable, and it's not worth going there to become a physician, then sure, don't go. Just understand you may not get accepted to med school at all--unless something major changes in your application, you're unlikely to get accepted to the schools you weren't accepted to this year. And you clearly wouldn't be accepted to the school whose acceptance you turned down.

 

[emt girly]

This has got to be a troll lol. Turning down an A because there is no coffee shop besides dunkin/starbucks. You are not absolutely grateful to be admitted anywhere if you are actually considering this.

I’m so so sorry, my post did not read the way I thought :’( thank you everyone for reading and providing feedback, I very much deserved the roasting

but to clarify that specific point - I just meant I wanted some place nearby off campus to study. I’ve just learned that I study better in that kind of environment, instead of stuck on campus or in my room. I’ve worked plenty of 18 hr EMT shifts to know I’m just fine without a great cushy environment, but I do have some preferences I guess?

I do also recognize I’d be taking a big risk not knowing whether I’d be admitted to a school this next cycle. in the next cycle I would apply to more lower stat schools, and a couple DO schools - I know still not a guaranteed A anywhere, but I’d like to think I have a good shot at a school like Touro NYC? it would be a lot of work, but I at least know what to expect now, and I would be pretty happy to have another year (or 2 I guess) with my current job, life, social support, etc.

again so sorry for the super entitled privileged original post, that was really quite bad I don’t believe that’s truly reflective of me, but regardless all your feedback is helpful so thank you - will have to keep thinking.

 

[ClashRoyaleKing]

Please take the A!!! Is it Oakland University or Iowa lol.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

but to clarify that specific point - I just meant I wanted some place nearby off campus to study. I’ve just learned that I study better in that kind of environment, instead of stuck on campus or in my room. I’ve worked plenty of 18 hr EMT shifts to know I’m just fine without a great cushy environment, but I do have some preferences I guess?

...

again so sorry for the super entitled privileged original post, that was really quite bad I don’t believe that’s truly reflective of me, but regardless all your feedback is helpful so thank you - will have to keep thinking.

You will find a place. Some on-campus places are rather nice, but I don't know which medical campus you happen to have visited. Med schools spend a lot of money on their lounges, and I know some schools threatened with an accreditation citation if they didn't step up their student spaces. Ask the students where they like to study similar to the coffeehouses you like. Again, you are not the first student who has had to adjust. Plus immersive VR goggles are apparently a thing. Or they will be.

I don't think you have to keep thinking. Get packing.

 

[JAK2-STAT3]

As someone who grew up a pretty cold state I can't imagine turning down an acceptance over the weather. I'm not saying it's easy but having the right attitude goes a long way. You just gotta learn to embrace the cold and find the beauty in crisp air and gray skies. A blast of cold wind to the face can be incredibly refreshing. There is no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate dress--if money is tight thrift shops are a great place to look for sweaters, etc. And invest in a couple nice pairs of wool socks. Winter driving is mostly about having a decent scraper and slowing down when the roads are bad. I'm a medical student where it's hot AF right now and rain=floods=my car could be totaled--I'd take snow any day lol. If I can adjust to this horrible heat and humidity you can adjust to the cold. Good luck and congrats on your acceptance!

 

[cj_cregg]

As a Midwesterner myself who grew up in in a <20k town, and currently lives in a different one, I think your expectation of what living there will be like is a stereotype rather than the reality. At least in the states/areas I'm familiar with, I can't think of a single town with a medical school campus that fits the description you give. College/med school towns usually attract things like coffee shops, cultural events and festivals, interesting places to hang out because there is a demand due to the student population. My current town of about 20k which is 2 hrs from any major city has multiple cute coffee shops (local and chain) for studying, a great public library that also has study spaces available, a farmer's market for most of the year, a movie theater, tons of good local restaurants including some higher end/fine dining stuff, art/craft classes, great symphony concerts at the local university, and multiple different festivals and big events here and in the surrounding town. And that's not even to mention the outdoor activities - multiple places within half an hour that you can do canoe/kayak/float trips, fishing, swimming, very pretty hikes (especially in the fall when the leaves are changing), snowshoe and cross country skiing trails, etc. Easy weekend trip to the big city if we want to go to a pro sports game, concert/event, or something not available here, and we do that every couple months or so.

And if your acceptance is to a school in a "suburb" that tells me there is probably at least a modestly large city very close by and plenty to keep you busy. Yes, you may have to drive 25 minutes instead of 10, but I can't imagine you can't find a good study space or anything to keep you busy that is reasonably close by. Perhaps since it's a suburban midwest area you can afford a larger living space and set up a nice study space at home as well if that's a concern.

The winters - yes they're cold, but they are also beautiful in their own way and can be quite cozy when done right. Have your new Midwestern friends help you pick out a good coat and boots when you get there and you'll be fine. The snow is gorgeous, you can build a snowman or have a snowball fight with your friends if that's something you've never done before, sit by the fireplace with some hot cocoa, and chop down your own real Christmas tree at a local farm if you celebrate (or honestly even if you don't lol).

There are millions of us who choose to live in places like this and very much enjoy it. It's probably a different mindset than you're used to and you'll have to expand your horizons a little when it comes to your extracurricular activities. But I think if you come into it with an attitude of curiosity and excitement to experience a different way of living, you will enjoy it.

 

[thefirerisen]

If you don't take it, there is a decent chance you won't get in next cycle... or the one after that.

Getting only two IIs this cycle and only adding some more clinical hours (and a potential LOR) means that your application should only get 1-3 IIs next cycle again which also might not turn into As. They also likely won't be in California and you'll have to move anyways.

 

[DOcSto]

So the question is, do you really want to be a doctor? I moved to the Midwest from Nevada and didn’t want to go either. Sometimes you’ve got to make sacrifices to get where you want to go. Best of luck.

 

[LeaveNoTrace]

Take the acceptance and run - unless that "great LoR" is from someone that has huge clout within the medical community. If they're a Nobel laureate that has connections to admissions officers at a school you want to go to and all but promised you admission...it might be a different story. Or if they're otherwise very powerful and connected. If it's not a LoR from the Surgeon General or something, or your Medal of Honor citation didn't just come through last month, take the acceptance and run.

 

[GoSpursGo]

If you don't want to go, then please give up your spot for someone who will appreciate the opportunity to be a physician. Reapply at your own peril.

 

[Snurportin]

I only got into 1 MD school, and don't want to go. went to visit and really hated the area - it's a tiny suburb in the midwest, nothing really within a 10 min drive of campus. I'm a city person from CA, so I think this might be a difficult adjustment. I absolutely am so grateful to be admitted anywhere at all, but I truly believe I would struggle having nowhere to go off campus, with horrible winters, so far from any big city, etc.

I've read lots of threads and pretty much everyone says don't reapply, you won't get in anywhere because schools will know you turned down an A. but how would they know? amcas doesn't ask in the primary, and I just logged into the secondary portals for a bunch of my schools and there's no questions about previous As, just previous matriculation.

can anyone confirm?

(obviously not 100% sure, but I think I could get into at least 1 school, especially if I cast a wider net. my gpa is not great, but ECs are quite above average, and even better this year)

Don’t do this, bad idea. Just take your acceptance and enjoy achieving your dream in a new place

 

[TragicalDrFaust]

How will you feel if you get no A’s next cycle? That’s the case for 60% of applicants and perhaps even more reapplicants. Don’t put stock in a waitlist, especially if there won’t be significant app improvements. Unfortunately work hours and a LOR is not going to change your app much. Now if you scored 10 more points on the MCAT that would help. Your judgement and dedication to the field will be called into question if you drop this A and apply next year. Being a reapplicant will detract from your app, perhaps more than work hours and an additional LOR will add.

That being said the most common reason people drop out is mental health. You seem to have lifestyle concerns about the region, which is legitimate, but then why apply there?

I got an interview and WL in a horrible region (to me) back in the day. I was still salivating day and night about turning that WL into an A because I was doggedly obsessed with getting accepted, anywhere. The lifestyle in SadColdTown, USA only crossed my mind for a second before I started drafting my letter of intent. I never doubted and that made med school much easier for me. This is not the only acceptable way to feel, but it may be worth exploring how much you can put up with for this, knowing residency might also be somewhere you don’t like. Med school is going to be a drag if your desire for the outcome can’t insulate you from discomfort.

My advice is to buy a nice long parka and take the acceptance. You’ll be studying anyway. It doesn’t matter so much if there aren’t all of the amenities you’re used to. There may also be things about the area that you hadn’t thought about but are surprisingly enjoyable. I moved for residency to a kind of meh place but was delighted to find abundant bike trails, for example.

 

[secondariesftw]

I think the real question is do you really want to be a doctor? Based on all the expenses, work and other hoops people have to jump through to get any A, turning down an only A because you don't like the area makes me question your desire to be a doctor.