Reapplying with same application?

[deleted1004199]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hey everyone, just looking for some advice for reapplying. I applied last cycle to 16 schools (half of them were IS FL schools) and received 2 II from OOS public schools. I completed my secondaries mostly in late Sept to late Oct. I'm currently on one WL but not sure how it'll turn out so I'm reapplying. I didn't make any major changes to my app besides starting a new position, the position isn't clinical however it's been meaningful because it's public health/COVID-19 related. Only other change is I submitted a first author manuscript that's still in review.

I THINK my downfall was applying late and having such a small school list. I plan on completing most of my apps in July and I'll apply to 35-40 schools this cycle. My other issue might've been writing. I'm ORM but from low-SES/disadvantaged background and I don't think I did a great job at "telling my story." So I've rewritten my PS, disadvantage essay, and activities.

Are these changes enough to land me more IIs and hopefully an A? Would schools expect major changes? I'm just worried that it might be unwise to try the same thing twice if it didn't work the first time... I'd appreciate any insight!

edit: One more issue is GPA. cGPA and sGPA between 3.5-3.59, MCAT 515. There was a downward trend from my dual enrollment in HS to university, then upward trend from freshman to senior year. It looked something like this: 3.85 (hs/dual enrollment)>2.5>3.0>3.5>3.9 my GPA at my 4 year uni came out to be 3.4 is this worth repairing for possibly my next cycle?

IIs were to UWisc (WL) and UW (R).

 

[wysdoc]

I think a reapplication with essentially the same information could be successful, IF the main reason for no interest was an extremely late submission, like yours.
So my next question is- why are you not submitting in June this time?

 

[deleted1004199]

I think a reapplication with essentially the same information could be successful, IF the main reason for no interest was an extremely late submission, like yours.
So my next question is- why are you not submitting in June this time?

I plan on submitting my primary as soon as it opens! However, I figured it'd take a month or longer to get it verified, get secondaries back and completing them, so that's why I aimed for a July complete date

 

[chilly_md]

Don't apply to many public OOS schools. There are some that accept quite a few students not from their state such as VCU and EVMS. But others admit very few without ties. I would not apply to Washington again as the majority of the OOS students there are from the WWAMI region.

 

[deleted1004199]

Don't apply to many public OOS schools. There are some that accept quite a few students not from their state such as VCU and EVMS. But others admit very few without ties. I would not apply to Washington again as the majority of the OOS students there are from the WWAMI region.

I can't help but lean towards adding a few where I fit their mission since those were the only schools interested in me last cycle. Is it less likely to receive another II from schools that didn't accept you post-II the first time? Thanks for your input!

 

[Bonne Nuit]

I can't help but lean towards adding a few where I fit their mission since those were the only schools interested in me last cycle. Is it less likely to receive another II from schools that didn't accept you post-II the first time? Thanks for your input!

UW is very generous in providing feedback to rejected applicants, and reapplicants often have success if they implement the recommended improvements. Did you ask for feedback after your last cycle?

 

[Deltasidearm]

I turned in basically the same app and went from 1 interview to turning down interviews and being accepted to most places I interviewed. The only thing I significantly overhauled was my writing. Do not underestimate the power of telling a compelling story throughout each of your essays and PS and even the activities. If it's not perfect, then work on it until it is.

 

[deleted1004199]

UW is very generous in providing feedback to rejected applicants, and reapplicants often have success if they implement the recommended improvements. Did you ask for feedback after your last cycle?

I did but unfortunately they don't offer feedback to OOR/OOS applicants. I've watched through some of their video series for reapplicants who interviewed and would've loved to have gotten their feedback

 

[deleted1004199]

I turned in basically the same app and went from 1 interview to turning down interviews and being accepted to most places I interviewed. The only thing I significantly overhauled was my writing. Do not underestimate the power of telling a compelling story throughout each of your essays and PS and even the activities. If it's not perfect, then work on it until it is.

This is the main thing I've focused on so far. My writing before was very basic and even with an interesting story, it was very watered down. Since I was late, I rushed everything. Did you add more schools or change anything with your school list?

 

[voxveritatisetlucis]

it’s come to the point in medical school admissions where all applicants aside from a few rockstars and those in certain states with extremely IS friendly schools need to apply to 30 schools.

I think that if you applied earlier and with more schools, you would have been successfu. Thus it is worth it to just submit a similar app ( change PS a bit, update letters)

 

[Goro]

I can't help but lean towards adding a few where I fit their mission since those were the only schools interested in me last cycle. Is it less likely to receive another II from schools that didn't accept you post-II the first time? Thanks for your input!

There are schools that will not give you an II a second time around. Some will, only after substantial improvement. If your interview skills were the problem, I'm not sanguine about a reapp.

When you say that you fit the school's mission, is that by word or deeds?

 

[deleted1004199]

There are schools that will not give you an II a second time around. Some will, only after substantial improvement. If your interview skills were the problem, I'm not sanguine about a reapp.

When you say that you fit the school's mission, is that by word or deeds?

I think my interview skills definitely could use work. Both of my interviews had some significant technical issues that really threw me off and I let that get to me when I should've rolled with the punches.

In terms of mission fit, it's definitely reflected in my activities/experiences or else I wouldn't claim it. Even though I'm ORM, I come from an underserved background. So most, if not all, of my volunteering, clinical, work, even hobbies show my upbringing and interests.

 

[Bonne Nuit]

I did but unfortunately they don't offer feedback to OOR/OOS applicants. I've watched through some of their video series for reapplicants who interviewed and would've loved to have gotten their feedback

Oh, thanks for the update, I didn't realize they didn't offer feedback if you're OOR. That's a bummer. UW is an inexpensive secondary so there's no harm in reapplying, but I'd mitigate my expectations about that program. As others have pointed out, OOR IIs are exceedingly rare in the first place (<1%), so don't feel bad if it doesn't work out the second time around.

If you do get another II, definitely work on your interview skills. UW's admissions office is pretty forthcoming about post-II rejections being due to the interview; otherwise you get put on "under consideration" status until the end of the cycle.

 

[voxveritatisetlucis]

I’m surprised that your two interviews were at schools that aren’t necessarily OOS friendly. The UW interview is especially surprising since you’re not from the region

No love from florida schools is also surprising. I would have predicted IIs from UCF, FAU, FIU at least

 

[deleted1004199]

Oh, thanks for the update, I didn't realize they didn't offer feedback if you're OOR. That's a bummer. UW is an inexpensive secondary so there's no harm in reapplying, but I'd mitigate my expectations about that program. As others have pointed out, OOR IIs are exceedingly rare in the first place (<1%), so don't feel bad if it doesn't work out the second time around.

If you do get another II, definitely work on your interview skills. UW's admissions office is pretty forthcoming about post-II rejections being due to the interview; otherwise you get put on "under consideration" status until the end of the cycle.

I actually had no idea about that last part but it makes sense based on the information they offer for reapplicants. I'll have to focus on cleaning up interviewing skills. UW was awesome and gave me a mock interview with an org for disadvantaged students to help me prep but first II nerves + technical difficulties destroyed me

 

[deleted1004199]

I’m surprised that your two interviews were at schools that aren’t necessarily OOS friendly. The UW interview is especially surprising since you’re not from the region

I was just as surprised, nothing makes sense about any of this LOL. I had nearly zero ties to either state.

edit: the main reason I applied to them because I was a mission fit

 

[LindaAccepted]

Hey everyone, just looking for some advice for reapplying. I applied last cycle to 16 schools (half of them were IS FL schools) and received 2 II from OOS public schools. I completed my secondaries mostly in late Sept to late Oct. I'm currently on one WL but not sure how it'll turn out so I'm reapplying. I didn't make any major changes to my app besides starting a new position, the position isn't clinical however it's been meaningful because it's public health/COVID-19 related. Only other change is I submitted a first author manuscript that's still in review.

I THINK my downfall was applying late and having such a small school list. I plan on completing most of my apps in July and I'll apply to 35-40 schools this cycle. My other issue might've been writing. I'm ORM but from low-SES/disadvantaged background and I don't think I did a great job at "telling my story." So I've rewritten my PS, disadvantage essay, and activities.

Are these changes enough to land me more IIs and hopefully an A? Would schools expect major changes? I'm just worried that it might be unwise to try the same thing twice if it didn't work the first time... I'd appreciate any insight!

edit: One more issue is GPA. cGPA and sGPA between 3.5-3.59, MCAT 515. There was a downward trend from my dual enrollment in HS to university, then upward trend from freshman to senior year. It looked something like this: 3.85 (hs/dual enrollment)>2.5>3.0>3.5>3.9 my GPA at my 4 year uni came out to be 3.4 is this worth repairing for possibly my next cycle?

IIs were to UWisc (WL) and UW (R).

I can't say if your rewrite is "enough," but I'm so happy to hear that you chose to rewrite and didn't assume it was merely timing that caused your rejection. I just interviewed the head of admission at Katz, and he also was saying that it's not a good idea to submit the same app as a reapplicant even if you believe that "something else" was the primary cause of your rejection. Other interviewees have replied similarly.

Applying more widely is a good idea, and you may want to consider DO also. And applying in June, as you intend, should also help.