To 2nd Time Applicants

[LetMeInPlease]

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Hi anyone who applied to med school last year but didn't get in so who tried again this year. I have noticed that many people were forced to take a year off of school because they were unsuccessful at trying to get into med school last year. Fortunately, lots of you have been accepted this year, so congratulations!

What I would like to know is what you did in your year off. Did you take post-bacc classes, work, start work on a masters, sleep all day, etc...There have been posts asking what you should do if you don't get in this year, but I would like to know what people actually did do. I'd especially like to know what people who were unsuccessful last year but successful this year did to make their application better.

Although I've had some interviews, I haven't heard yes/no/waitlist yet, so I need to get some new plans and I'd like to know what works!

 

[DarkChild]

hey,
i worked in a field completely unrelated to medicine/healthcare.
i think it worked out well and the perspective it gave me was pretty crucial, because prior to that, i couldnt really pinpoint why i wanted to do medicine. the time away, doing something very different made me realize why i wanted to do medicine. that being said, changes i made this year:
1) strengthened my PS
2) applied to many more schools
3) applied early - but not early enough
i really think the last 2 points are important - this time I applied to 14 schools, but unfortunately for me, my apps at these schools were complete in about early november, which in retrospect was still late. more than any thing else, i think the applicants who are really successful are the ones who apply across the board and apply early as hell

 

[aquaboy]

I'm a 2nd time applicant also. I think getting your applications in early is key also. However, more importantly you need to do things on your time line. I took the April 2001 MCAT because I wanted to get everything in ASAP. I didn't do too hot on the MCAT because I rushed myself and despite having eveything in ASAP last year, I only receined 1 interview invite and that was in Dec. This year I took the Aug MCAT and had everything turned in by the beginning of Oct. I have had 7 interviews so far this year and have received a long-awaited acceptance and am still waiting to hear from other schools. I am also doing clinical research at one of the nation's top-ten cancer centers and I think my experience this year has helped my applicaton a ton. Do things on your time line, and if you have to wait a year then don't fret, improve on what you need to improve and go for it. YEAH FOR 2ND TIME APPLICANTS!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[ERob]

I applied to about 6 schools last year had a couple interviews but flat out rejected. One of the schools stated that I needed some research experience . . . so . . . I volunteered at the local hospital doing neurobiological research, and I think it has helped out on my application quite a bit. In the new year, I am also hoping to do some other volunteer work as well (i.e. Spanish translation at the hospital, Hospice). I applied to 11 schools this year and have 3 interviews, but still no acceptances yet. I have my fingers crossed, and I'm very optimistic about the two schools I have already completed interviewing with.

 

[saumya]

Hi people,

I am a second time applicant as well. The first time around, I did everything that you were not supposed to: take the MCAT's late, apply even later, and turn in the application without the pre-med letter! The second time around: I took the MCAT's in April, and turned EVERYTHING IN EARRRRRRRRRRRRRRLLLLLLLLLLY!!!!
THat really really realllly makes a difference: TRUST ME !!!
In between, try and gain experience that will make you a better person as well as a better applicant as cliche' as that sounds. I gained clinical as well as research experience in NIH, and took some more science classes (grad level) so do whatever it takes to stregthen your application! It will build your confidence levels and help you ROCK THE INTERVIEWWW!~~ 🙂
Good luck.
🙂