Should I wait to apply?

[mly88]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hello SDN,
I am finishing up my undergraduate degree Summer of 2017, that is by taking about 17/18 credits per semester. These will also be mostly science courses. My dilemma is this, I was planning to apply this upcoming cycle for matriculation in 2017, (planned to take MCAT in spring) however, I do not feel like I am a competitive candidate. I wasn't sure if I should still try anyways, or if I should use 2016 to strengthen my application by doing more volunteer work, shadowing, research, etc. Does it look bad when you are a reapplicant?

Any suggestions are helpful and welcomed!

 

[Glandzburg]

Can you explain why you think you are not a competitive candidate? The general rule is that you should not apply until you think your application is strong enough, as being a reapplicant has inherent disadvantages.

 

[Lannister]

More information please. What is your GPA? Your ECs?

 

[SOMBound13]

finishing up my undergraduate degree Summer of 2017, that is by taking about 17/18 credits per semester

You need to wait. There's too much of a risk that you won't end up graduating after summer 2017 when you need to take that many credits each semester.

Too many negatives:
1) You'd have heavy load semesters during the interview semesters.
2) You'd likely be too busy during summers and semesters to have adequate medically-related ECs.
3) You'd likely end up having to drop a class or two and then not graduate on time.
4) Your GPA will negatively be affected.
5) It sounds like you'd be missing too many credits at the time you'd submit this summer.


I don't know if med schools would like getting a final transcript that indicates that you've graduated within days of MS1 classes starting....and your undergrad may not be able to send that in time. When would those summer 2017 classes end? Some med schools have mandatory orientation events in July.


What classes and number of credits will you be taking:

Spring 2016
Summer 2016
Fall 2016
Spring 2017
Summer 2017

 

[Tugak]

as being a reapplicant has inherent disadvantages.

What inherently about being a reapplicant is disadvantageous? I mean obviously if you do nothing to improve between matriculation cycles, but outside of that?

 

[SOMBound13]

What inherently about being a reapplicant is disadvantageous? I mean obviously if you do nothing to improve between matriculation cycles, but outside of that?

I have heard that some med schools will not review reapplicants' files until after a certain date. Don't know how prevalent that is. It's a disadvantage when it happens.

 

[mly88]

Thank you everyone. This definitely helped me make a decision.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Tugak]

I have heard that some med schools will not review reapplicants' files until after a certain date. Don't know how prevalent that is. It's a disadvantage when it happens.

Oh no.. 😱 That's scary to think about!

 

[Glandzburg]

What inherently about being a reapplicant is disadvantageous? I mean obviously if you do nothing to improve between matriculation cycles, but outside of that?

A lot of people don't actually do anything to significantly improve their application. And it can even be tough to demonstrate/explain any significant improvements. Why put yourself through having to explain that when you could wait until you are actually competitive? This may be a tough call for borderline applicants, but many people apply each year that don't yet have a realistic chance.