The disadvantage of a reapplicant?

[hellocubed]

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I was wondering how great of a detriment it is to be a "reapplicant" opposed to someone applying for the first time. I know that some schools only allow a limited application attempts. But aside from those specific cases, I know that an adcom may have a bad tinge if they see that the applicant didn't get accepted last year.

 

[ppfizenm]

I was wondering how great of a detriment it is to be a "reapplicant" opposed to someone applying for the first time. I know that some schools only allow a limited application attempts. But aside from those specific cases, I know that an adcom may have a bad tinge if they see that the applicant didn't get accepted last year.

LizzyM, an adcom member on here, says that when she sees a reapplicant she wonders what is wrong with this person and links them akin to damaged goods. Her words.

 

[hellocubed]

Yeah, I heard something along those lines

I believe that an applicant has about 3 chances before they're done?

 

[ppfizenm]

Yeah, I heard something along those lines

I believe that an applicant has about 3 chances before they're done?

If the school doesn't limit the number of applications you can submit than there really isn't a set number of times. I'd say if you can realize why you weren't accepted the first time around and fix it you should be fine.

For instance, I applied last cycle. Had 2 interviews and no acceptances. Improved my MCAT from a 30 to a 34. Applied (primaries and secondaries) by mid August instead of late October. Worked at 2 different volunteer positions since last September (that I couldn't list on my primary b/c I hadn't started them yet) and got a job teaching kids with learning and behavioral disabilities. So far this cycle have 5 interviews and one rejection so far.

If you are reapplying without trying to improve your application then you probably won't have any luck. Also I'd recommend not reusing secondary essays. The schools keep your apps from previous years (or at least say they do) and might not be representative of you as an applicant anymore.

 

[kautionwirez]

If the school doesn't limit the number of applications you can submit than there really isn't a set number of times. I'd say if you can realize why you weren't accepted the first time around and fix it you should be fine.

For instance, I applied last cycle. Had 2 interviews and no acceptances. Improved my MCAT from a 30 to a 34. Applied (primaries and secondaries) by mid August instead of late October. Worked at 2 different volunteer positions since last September (that I couldn't list on my primary b/c I hadn't started them yet) and got a job teaching kids with learning and behavioral disabilities. So far this cycle have 5 interviews and one rejection so far.

If you are reapplying without trying to improve your application then you probably won't have any luck. Also I'd recommend not reusing secondary essays. The schools keep your apps from previous years (or at least say they do) and might not be representative of you as an applicant anymore.

Were you a late applicant last year?

 

[Midwestern Blot]

I have spoken to the admissions director at my state school and she told me that they look favorably on reapplicants, as long as they improve and start their application from scratch, because it shows determination and perseverence. FWIW, she could have just been giving me a bunch of BS, but I think she sounded sincere.

 

[1TB4RKSB4CK]

^ Dude, I was looking at your MDapps and you got waitlisted with your MCAT and GPA? Did you apply broadly or did you have a good amount of EC's to go along with that?

 

[Suncrusher]

I was a reapplicant and it didn't hurt me much. I'm sure people wondered what was wrong with me and, unfortunately, took a closer look at my grades and such. And every interview, I had to answer the question of why I think I wasn't accepted last year...but I could spin it into 1) I learned from my mistakes, 2) I improved myself and my study habits in ways that will help me be especially successful in medical school, and 3) I gained maturity from taking a year off from school and all the volunteering I did.

 

[ppfizenm]

Were you a late applicant last year?

Yeah, give it a re-read. Said I was finished applying by late October but I am pretty sure I sent one or two in in November as well. I wanted to be done before August this time but settled for mid August b/c verification took a week longer this year than the previous cycle.

 

[Midwestern Blot]

^ Dude, I was looking at your MDapps and you got waitlisted with your MCAT and GPA? Did you apply broadly or did you have a good amount of EC's to go along with that?

Yeah, I was pretty stunned that I didn't get into at least one school last year, but such is life. I was pretty nervous/awkward in my interviews last year because I didn't prepare well enough for them. This year I have interviewed a lot better, and had better luck with my interviewers. I swear last year I got a bunch of hardasses trying to pressure me into saying stupid things.

I was told my LORs were excellent, and my ECs were good, not great. I suppose I didn't apply broadly enough, but there are only a handful of schools I would be willing to attend. I missed getting in off the waitlist at my state school by 4 seats....pretty disappointing.

I never got a straight up rejection anywhere that I interviewed, though, so I guess that's kind of positive.

 

[DrMcHindi]

I am a re-applicant here and have had several interviews this season. I've been very candid about this being my second go and given that I've made some fairly drastic improvements to my application, I've heard nothing but positive feedback. More and more applicants are having to apply 2, even 3 times and for the most part it seems the schools understand that gobs of qualified people aren't issued offers each year. Some times its your stats, others its the mix of schools you selected, and at times its down right bad luck. I dont think its a 'scarlet letter' so to speak.

 

[marginalzone]

I'm a second-time reapplicant who had zero research experience before and wanted to get a better handle on biology knowledge. I'm in my second year of a research masters...I hope they see this as an improvement! (Still no interviews though, applied to 14 schools) 🙁

 

[simondimond]

Some schools will look at what you did during the last year. Keep in mind that LizzyM is from some top tier school so her opinion might not be the same as an adcomm member from a lower ranked school.

If your application was not strong the first time around but you worked really hard on it for the next cycle, that would show dedication and motivation. I don't think most people will write you off after just one try.