Risk in re-applying second time

[khan]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I am not quite sure if I am completly ready to apply to the MD program. I will be a better candidate next year.

But I do not want to wait for another year.

Now the million dollar question:

What is the risk of applying this year and not getting accepted. Does it lower my chance next year also?

 

[SMW]

No, perserverance is seen as good. Just make sure to analyze what needs improvement, and improve it, if you're not accepted this year, which hopefully you will be! But if you apply this year, you must hurry and get everything in ASAP (like in the next week). Good luck! 🙂

 

[chapinsita]

Some schools only allow you to apply two times. If you don't feel you're ready, don't apply. But...if you're one of those "help! I only have a 3.8 and 35Q, do I have a chance" type of people, then you're only being paranoid and you should just go ahead and apply.

 

[calebho501]

Originally posted by chapinsita
Some schools only allow you to apply two times. If you don't feel you're ready, don't apply. But...if you're one of those "help! I only have a 3.8 and 35Q, do I have a chance" type of people, then you're only being paranoid and you should just go ahead and apply.

Maybe that person's ONLY applying to Harvard HST MD/PhD and Washington U MD/PhD 🙂

As to the original poster, what are your concerns? Is it b/c of lack of clinical experience, EC's, research experience, or low MCAT, low GPA, etc.?
If the problem is very little clinical experience, I may advise you to wait one year and improve the application. If it's lack of research, I'd suggest you to apply anyway, but to schools that place less emphasis on that aspect. If it's MCAT or GPA, it'll depend on how low. If you have, say a 2.0 GPA and 20 MCAT, then I'll suggest you to not to apply this year and retake the MCAT and do a postbac or master.

 

[UCLAMAN]

If you are unsure, don't apply. If you are borderline, don't apply. Wait til 1) you are POSITIVE you want to become a physician and 2) for sure you have the credentials to get you into medical school(ie you aren't a borderline candidate)

I say wait a year. Your bank account will thank you in the long run, rather than having to shell out money twice for the application process. And lets say for instance you do get in the first time around by the skin of your teeth(read: into some lower tiered school in some city you hate). If you had just waited one more year you probably would've had better credentials and gotten into a much better school, or at the very least would've had more acceptances and therefore more options. One year is a drop in the bucket compared to the journey through medical school and residency, especially if you are young. Dont rush things just to gain a year. Make sure you are COMPLETELY ready for things to come before you jump into the app process. It is very time consuming and draining to have to go through it twice. Trust me, I know.

 

[sgilani]

i'm kind of in the same boat as the original poster and i'm very unsure of what to do. my problem is really mcat. i got a 26 and just took it again 3 days ago. i'm very unsure of how i did so but from what i've heard people don't improve so much between tests. i dunno whether to apply.

 

[calebho501]

Originally posted by UCLAMAN
If you are unsure, don't apply. If you are borderline, don't apply. Wait til 1) you are POSITIVE you want to become a physician and 2) for sure you have the credentials to get you into medical school(ie you aren't a borderline candidate).

Well, Webster, you do have a point

In my case, my GPA and MCAT were above average of the people who get accepted to med school, but instead of applying during the summer of my 3rd year, I apply one year later instead. In my 4th year I decided to do a program that integrated clinical work, research, and coursework in mental ******ation. It turned out that in almost every single secondary with essays, my experience in that program was mentioned over and over again.

My point is that if you do something meaningful by deferring one year, it can really help you.

 

[calebho501]

Originally posted by sgilani
from what i've heard people don't improve so much between tests. i dunno whether to apply.

There are some people who improve very little or none as they retake the MCAT, but I think it has more to do with not studying the right way instead.
If you haven't tried the Examkracker MCAT study series, give them a try. I used their verbal book and it was much better than the other ones I used. From what I heard, their science books also help people b/c of the emphasis on "thinking skills" rather than merely the "understanding" of the science material

http://www.examkrackers.com

 

[noy]

I second the examkrackers here - far and away the best material. I used it myself to study, and it paid off BIG TIME.

 

[Winston Smith]

Originally posted by UCLAMAN
If you are unsure, don't apply. If you are borderline, don't apply. Wait til 1) you are POSITIVE you want to become a physician and 2) for sure you have the credentials to get you into medical school(ie you aren't a borderline candidate)

I say wait a year. Your bank account will thank you in the long run, rather than having to shell out money twice for the application process. And lets say for instance you do get in the first time around by the skin of your teeth(read: into some lower tiered school in some city you hate). If you had just waited one more year you probably would've had better credentials and gotten into a much better school, or at the very least would've had more acceptances and therefore more options. One year is a drop in the bucket compared to the journey through medical school and residency, especially if you are young. Dont rush things just to gain a year. Make sure you are COMPLETELY ready for things to come before you jump into the app process. It is very time consuming and draining to have to go through it twice. Trust me, I know.

I'm beginning to think that sounds like good advice. Could you tell us how you improved as a candidate in one year? I actually want some time off before med school begins (a year), and I don't want that to hurt my application later on. thanks.