Recycling Secondaries/LOR?

[jadedenvy]

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Sorry if this is a thread that comes up a lot, but on searching it it doesn't seem like there's been any new topics beyond 2008.

So I'm a reapplicant, and I'm applying to at least one school that I got an interview at. Is it okay to recycle the secondaries?

For example I'm reapplying to University of Hawaii. Their secondary questions last year were "why medicine" and "why JABSOM". I will have to rewrite the Why Medicine since I used that answer as a jumping off point for my revised PS this year (seriously why ask this question, isn't that what a personal statement is supposed to be about). However I still feel as though my answer to Why JABSOM is solid, accurate and succinct, and nothing that I've done within the past year has changed why I want to apply there. Similarly, last year there were a lot of secondaries that asked how I would add diversity to their school, and I feel as though my answers still stand.

So would it be an okay idea to keep those answers and send them in, with maybe a few touchups if needed, or should I scrap it and rewrite it?

I think also that I read people think it's mostly okay to reuse your old LOR if you're sure they're good ones. So far I have one updated letter, one new letter, and I'm hoping on getting one more (though it might be too late if I want to turn in my secondaries early). I still have at least one letter I know is good that I can resend. Do you guys generally agree this is okay?

Thanks everyone, I really appreciate your answers.

 

[Goro]

People do it all the time. Just make sure you actuall write in JABSOM and not, say, Keck USC SOM. I've seen people do that.

They get rejected.

Sorry if this is a thread that comes up a lot, but on searching it it doesn't seem like there's been any new topics beyond 2008.

So I'm a reapplicant, and I'm applying to at least one school that I got an interview at. Is it okay to recycle the secondaries?

For example I'm reapplying to University of Hawaii. Their secondary questions last year were "why medicine" and "why JABSOM". I will have to rewrite the Why Medicine since I used that answer as a jumping off point for my revised PS this year (seriously why ask this question, isn't that what a personal statement is supposed to be about). However I still feel as though my answer to Why JABSOM is solid, accurate and succinct, and nothing that I've done within the past year has changed why I want to apply there. Similarly, last year there were a lot of secondaries that asked how I would add diversity to their school, and I feel as though my answers still stand.

So would it be an okay idea to keep those answers and send them in, with maybe a few touchups if needed, or should I scrap it and rewrite it?

I think also that I read people think it's mostly okay to reuse your old LOR if you're sure they're good ones. So far I have one updated letter, one new letter, and I'm hoping on getting one more (though it might be too late if I want to turn in my secondaries early). I still have at least one letter I know is good that I can resend. Do you guys generally agree this is okay?

Thanks everyone, I really appreciate your answers.

 

[pandaman2000]

If your reasons are very similar/the same it's fine, but at least take the time to reword it...show them that you put in the effort. (Concerning why my school) For the major secondary questions (and PS), rewriting, although painful, is a better idea. (Like the diversity one you mentioned).

It would be arrogant to send in the exact same essay and expect a different response. Think about it. If your re-application is almost identical to your first one, it shows you didn't put in any time and effort and you aren't serious about their school. It's more painful, but it's best not to take too many chances. Good luck.

 

[jadedenvy]

Thanks, I appreciate the advice. I did get an interview from Hawaii last year, according to the dean the problem with my application was that there were about 300 extra applications this year than last (and that I hadn't done any shadowing, which I've taken care of).

Thanks for clearing that up, I think I will at least touchup on some of it...maybe rearrange some sentences, add some new ones if I can.

 

[QofQuimica]

I'd suggest at least adding a paragraph to emphasize what you've done to improve your app since last year. Sure, they can read your activities and see that you've done more shadowing. But better for you to make the adcom's job easy and highlight the improvements you've made, particularly since they've given you advice on what to improve and you've done what they suggested. If I were reading your app, that would be the first thing I'd look for (i.e., what did you do in response to the dean's advice on how to improve your app).