Should I reapply right away?

[About28]

---

Members do not see this ad.

It's getting very late in the season and my only interview ended in a rejection. I'm still waiting on a fair amount of schools but I need to start planning if I don't get in.

I have an overall 3.65 GPA with a major in Biochemistry. My Science GPA is a 3.61.
My MCAT score is a 34.

I have been in a biochemistry research lab for over a year now attempting to express a eukaryotic membrane protein in E. coli.
I have been to Honduras and Panama for medical brigades (I went to panama after my application was in) and volunteered/shadowed at a hospital every summer for 3 years. I have been assured that all my recommendation letters are very good. I applied to a wide array of schools.

The only fault I could see in my application is that I got my secondaries in far too late (between early october and early november). What should I do between now and when I reapply in June to increase my chances? I already have more shadowing experiences and a new letter of recommendation lined up.

 

[GM2006]

I made a similar mistake during the last application cycle -- applying too late. I had zero interviews last year and made very few changes to my application when I applied this time (apart from rewriting my personal statement, activities section, and secondary essays). I managed to receive 7 interviews and a couple of acceptances. The only difference was that I applied on the very first day this time around.

My advice would be to continue all the activities you're involved in and apply again this coming year. If you apply broadly enough you won't have to take another gap year.

I hope you end up hearing good news from the schools you're waiting on, though. =)

 

[About28]

I made a similar mistake during the last application cycle -- applying too late. I had zero interviews last year and made very few changes to my application when I applied this time (apart from rewriting my personal statement, activities section, and secondary essays). I managed to receive 7 interviews and a couple of acceptances. The only difference was that I applied on the very first day this time around.

My advice would be to continue all the activities you're involved in and apply again this coming year. If you apply broadly enough you won't have to take another gap year.

I hope you end up hearing good news from the schools you're waiting on, though. =)

Hey thanks for your reply, and congrats on getting in!

Yeah I had no idea how much applying late could hurt my application, I was just way too overconfident in my MCAT score. I guess I learned my lesson. Did you have a similar GPA/MCAT/EC situation?

 

[Goro]

Do some interesting ECs and apply as early as possible. Also, work on your interview skills.


The only fault I could see in my application is that I got my secondaries in far too late (between early october and early november). What should I do between now and when I reapply in June to increase my chances? I already have more shadowing experiences and a new letter of recommendation lined up.[/quote]

 

[AliciaAccepted]

It's getting very late in the season and my only interview ended in a rejection. I'm still waiting on a fair amount of schools but I need to start planning if I don't get in.

I have an overall 3.65 GPA with a major in Biochemistry. My Science GPA is a 3.61.
My MCAT score is a 34.

I have been in a biochemistry research lab for over a year now attempting to express a eukaryotic membrane protein in E. coli.
I have been to Honduras and Panama for medical brigades (I went to panama after my application was in) and volunteered/shadowed at a hospital every summer for 3 years. I have been assured that all my recommendation letters are very good. I applied to a wide array of schools.

The only fault I could see in my application is that I got my secondaries in far too late (between early october and early november). What should I do between now and when I reapply in June to increase my chances? I already have more shadowing experiences and a new letter of recommendation lined up.

GM2006 provided excellent feedback! I would simply like to emphasize the importance of strategy in reapplying to medical school. It will be essential to demonstrate how much you have improved your application since the last time you applied; this could include GPA, MCAT score, new activities, rewriting and reframing essays, etc. Also, including an explanation about how determined you are to be accepted that you decided to reapply after receiving a rejection will provide compelling evidence of the level of your commitment to pursue medicine as a career. For more ideas on how to improve your strategy, please see this special report on "Medical School Reapplicant Advice: 6 Tips for Success." I wish you success next application cycle!