what is wrong with being a re-applicant

[cofffeemed]

I've noticed on SDN a lot of people warn you not to apply until your 100% because you will get labeled as a reapplicant? I don't really understand what is wrong with that, so I'm hoping someone could explain it to me. Obviously if you apply over three times I could see it, but if you apply once and get rejected and you apply again (after you make some improvements), is that not okay?

Thank you!

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[Aylaa]

Being a reapplicant is okay! Usually in the first round of applying there were some things that need some attention and should be worked on. After an unsuccessful application cycle, if the person has worked on the weak spots of their app and reapply, there's no problem whatsoever. I suppose the stigma against reapplying comes from the idea of not improving and just reapplying with almost exactly what you did. Or working on things for your reapplication that were not the weaknesses that needed your attention. Alternatively, reapplying with multiple low marks/scores (mcat or gpa) probably won't be seen favorable, and those are what I would say are the hardest to improve on.

So it's not really the label itself, it's how people approach being a reapplicant that makes the difference.
At least, that's what I think.

 

[Goro]

I've noticed on SDN a lot of people warn you not to apply until your 100% because you will get labeled as a reapplicant? I don't really understand what is wrong with that, so I'm hoping someone could explain it to me. Obviously if you apply over three times I could see it, but if you apply once and get rejected and you apply again (after you make some improvements), is that not okay?

Thank you!

There's a lot of hype on SDN that being a reapplicant is really bad. There is some truth in this as many people seem to reapply without significantly improving their app. And many med schools on thier own admissions websites (which very few people bother reading) strongly suggest not reapplying right away.

If your problem was applying late, then next cycle, apply early.

If your problem was a weak app, then that can be fixed during the current app cycle

ALL SDNers should consider themselves rejected until they have that accept email in thier Inbox, and accordingly be working on Plan B.

At my school during interviews, if we see someone who had reapplied, the very first question out of an interviewers mouth is "How have you improved yourself since the last cycle?" the answer can make or break one.

 

[DokterMom]

Being a re-applicant is essentially stating upfront that you were not a strong enough applicant to get in the first time, thereby creating a sub-optimal first impression.

As @Goro states, it's important to understand why you were not admitted the first time and to fix those shortcomings. In addition to just 'patching the holes', there's the burden of continued improvement, so while 500 hours of volunteer work might be perfectly acceptable for a traditional applicant, as a reapplicant, you've had an extra year to accumulate more volunteer hours, so if you're still at 500, that's not very impressive.

 

[JimBone905]

There's a lot of hype on SDN that being a reapplicant is really bad. There is some truth in this as many people seem to reapply without significantly improving their app. And many med schools on thier own admissions websites (which very few people bother reading) strongly suggest not reapplying right away.

If your problem was applying late, then next cycle, apply early.

If your problem was a weak app, then that can be fixed during the current app cycle

ALL SDNers should consider themselves rejected until they have that accept email in thier Inbox, and accordingly be working on Plan B.

At my school during interviews, if we see someone who had reapplied, the very first question out of an interviewers mouth is "How have you improved yourself since the last cycle?" the answer can make or break one.

Would reapplying with a slightly higher gpa and an on time/ more well prepared app be enough reason to reapply? I applied late november with a somewhat rushed application and my gpa went up by .1. My mcat is the same (501).

EDIT: i will also have an honors thesis/ graduated by the time I apply

 

[Mr. Babe]

Reapplying is only bad if you don't have a better application. Reapplying does show your commitment to medicine though and that you are persistent so it can be a good thing.

@JimBone905 your GPA going up a little is good, your MCAT is fine, but that's not enough to say that you have a chance......you have to have all the right EC's. An honors thesis is good, but you still need your shadowing hours, volunteering, and research.

 

[JimBone905]

Reapplying is only bad if you don't have a better application. Reapplying does show your commitment to medicine though and that you are persistent so it can be a good thing.

@JimBone905 your GPA going up a little is good, your MCAT is fine, but that's not enough to say that you have a chance......you have to have all the right EC's. An honors thesis is good, but you still need your shadowing hours, volunteering, and research.

I have plenty of research shadowing and volunteering. I'll just have more hours by the time I reapply
Research:~2000 hrs
Clinical vol: ~300 hours
Non-clinical: ~600 hours
Clinical paid MA: ~600 hours
Shadowing: 200 hours split btwn from 2 DO and 1 MD

Edit: my cGPA will be ~3.45 and sGPA ~3.9 by the time I reapply vs this cycle I applied with a 3.37/3.8

 

[Magus5454]

Would reapplying with a slightly higher gpa and an on time/ more well prepared app be enough reason to reapply? I applied late november with a somewhat rushed application and my gpa went up by .1. My mcat is the same (501).

EDIT: i will also have an honors thesis/ graduated by the time I apply

Your late app seems to be most of the issue. Just have everything ready to go next year

 

[JimBone905]

Your late app seems to be most of the issue. Just have everything ready to go next year

You think an earlier app with a similar gpa/ same mcat will be enough of a reason to reapply w.o schools saying "why is he applying with the same mcat?" I want to retake but I don't want to rush. Especially if the 501 could be enough to get me in.

Ps: cars was a 121 (128 121 128 124)

 

[Mr. Babe]

You think an earlier app with a similar gpa/ same mcat will be enough of a reason to reapply w.o schools saying "why is he applying with the same mcat?" I want to retake but I don't want to rush. Especially if the 501 could be enough to get me in.

Ps: cars was a 121 (128 121 128 124)

Yea truly there is no reason for you to retake the MCAT. if your science GPA was 3.8.....going to 3.9 does not mean much because it's already very high. You should have people look at your application and see what discrepancies you might have. You might need to rewire your PS and essays. Sounds like your EC's are there, so no problems in that sense. I'm more than willing to look at your application and give pointers. My GPA and MCAT were both lower than yours and I received multiple acceptances so like I said.....I don't think that's the problem.

 

[beeboops]

You think an earlier app with a similar gpa/ same mcat will be enough of a reason to reapply w.o schools saying "why is he applying with the same mcat?" I want to retake but I don't want to rush. Especially if the 501 could be enough to get me in.

Ps: cars was a 121 (128 121 128 124)

Your MCAT is super unbalanced. I would highly recommend a retake. Make sure you identify why your CARS and psych/soc sections were lower than the science sections. As it stands, that CARS score is worrisome.

 

[Mr. Babe]

Your MCAT is super unbalanced. I would highly recommend a retake. Make sure you identify why your CARS and psych/soc sections were lower than the science sections. As it stands, that CARS score is worrisome.

Even with the unbalanced scores, I wouldn't recommend retaking. Your score is fine.....something else is the problem.

 

[JimBone905]

Your MCAT is super unbalanced. I would highly recommend a retake. Make sure you identify why your CARS and psych/soc sections were lower than the science sections. As it stands, that CARS score is worrisome.

@Goro said that even with that, cars gets the most slack and bc it's >500 it should still land some interviews. I will retake but idk if it will be rdy with a new mcat by the start of this coming cycle. If not, I feel like it's still worth applying to DO with the 501. I'm just worried now because I will be a reapplicant.

 

[Mr. Babe]

@Goro said that even with that, cars gets the most slack and bc it's >500 it should still land some interviews. I will retake but idk if it will be rdy with a new mcat by the start of this coming cycle. If not, I feel like it's still worth applying to DO with the 501. I'm just worried now because I will be a reapplicant.

I was a reapplicant.....I took the MCAT and got 499, then I got 494 the second (pretty crappy). My GPA was 3.45. Albeit the rest of my application was stellar. Being a reapplicant is not a bad thing so don't feel like you're behind. Some schools like to see 2nd and 3rd time reapplicants because it shows their desire and maturity......so I think you'll be ahead.