When Should I Start Thinking About Reapplying?

[LQshvilli]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Yet another one of these posts, but I'm starting to get worried.

Stats/History:

MCAT - 31R - P 9 B 11 V 11
BCPM - 3.56
Overall - 3.70
ECs - the usual, really.
Interviews - waiting on a decision post-interview (I 11/19) from Drexel; Interview coming up @ NYMC 1/26
Waiting to hear from 11 schools.

So. It's been a humbling experience. I'm on my year off, working and doing research for a non-profit medical org. I think my major problem was not applying early enough. I wasn't complete at most of my schools until late August/September, which is totally lame. I just (stupidly) wasn't aware of the importance of early application.

So now my confidence is waning and I'm thinking about when and how to start this reapplication process. What should my priorities be? Retaking MCATS? I'm thinking about Georgetown SMP maybe. Applying super early is definitely a must.

I'm open to any and all suggestions. Can I reapply right away next year? What's the best MCAT to take to ensure an early app completion?

Thanks so much to everyone!

 

[Regley]

Yet another one of these posts, but I'm starting to get worried.

Stats/History:

MCAT - 31R - P 9 B 11 V 11
BCPM - 3.56
Overall - 3.70
ECs - the usual, really.
Interviews - waiting on a decision post-interview (I 11/19) from Drexel; Interview coming up @ NYMC 1/26
Waiting to hear from 11 schools.

So. It's been a humbling experience. I'm on my year off, working and doing research for a non-profit medical org. I think my major problem was not applying early enough. I wasn't complete at most of my schools until late August/September, which is totally lame. I just (stupidly) wasn't aware of the importance of early application.

So now my confidence is waning and I'm thinking about when and how to start this reapplication process. What should my priorities be? Retaking MCATS? I'm thinking about Georgetown SMP maybe. Applying super early is definitely a must.

I'm open to any and all suggestions. Can I reapply right away next year? What's the best MCAT to take to ensure an early app completion?

Thanks so much to everyone!

I've had a good response with only a 30 on the mcat (UC's, Mayo, Dartmouth interviews + others). Only difference is my GPA is higher and prob different EC's. I would recommend doing something really different, interesting that med schools would like (something really unique). If you studied a lot for the mcat the first time I'm not sure you'll be able to bring it up enough to really matter. I was told that three points doesn't really make a difference because of some math, standard deviation or something, haha. I'm not sure about the number but I think I like the theory. 31 is a very good score, good enough to get an interview at UCSF, UCLA etc (with some luck). Therefore I think go for an unusual, interesting long term experience that shows who you are and why you want to do medicine.

On the other hand, you may not need to reapply. So it's time for some serious thinking. If you get in: another year off vs. the school that accepts you? Good luck, It'll all work out whatever you decide!!! And yes, apply as early as possible.🙂🙂🙂

 

[Carlsbad1919]

It's never too early to evaluate your application and what can be approved. That said, there is plenty of time left for this application cycle and with two interviews thus far you have a very reasonable shot. The best advice I received was to call schools that had rejected you and ask what you can do to improve your application. Each school is looking for something a little different so a variety of advice is very helpful. Georgetown SMP is for students with low GPAs so I would not advice spending the thousands of dollars. Additional coursework to boost your GPA might be a less expensive/less intensive idea. Look for courses that count as upper level undergrad/lower level graduate coursework. That sort of course shows ability and simultaneously improves your GPA (although it's just extra as your GPA is already decent). It's also sort of a crapshoot so doing nothing but applying earlier may be enough. Just some things to think about (although as I mentioned above you might not even have to worry about applying again anyway 🙂).

 

[dragonfly99]

LQ,
I think applying a bit late was probably the major problem.
Don't throw in the towel yet...try HARD at any and all interviews, and try to get yourself in to any place you are wait listed. Try to get someone to phone them on your behalf (like an LOR writer, or ideally a MD or PhD person who went to school or residency there, if you are lucky enough to know one). Think about how you can sell yourself @your interview on 1/26. What motivates you to want to do medicine, what sets you apart from other applicants, and what is it that makes you a good fit for that school?

If you don't get any acceptances by March, or April at the latest, you probably will not get in this year.

In terms of thinking about next year, not sure you need to do an SMP...it would cost a lot of money so that should factor in. You could retake the MCAT, but I'd only do it if you really are going to commit to studying and think you can do better...plus you might need to take it by early summer in order for it to count. Keep up the medically-related volunteer/clinical work if you end up having to reapply.

 

[DrBubbles]

Relax. The waiting and the needed patience is the worst part.

First, it's only January. There is still almost half the interview season left. Second, you haven't heard from Drexel yet, and you haven't had your NYMC interview yet.

Right now, you can do some practice interviews. Seriously. See if someone you know is willing to give you a mock interview, preferably someone from your college's career advising office, or a counselor, and preferably in person. Work with what you've got.

Third, your stats are fine--they can get you in. The biggest issue is likely that you applied later.

If you do need to reapply, think about whether you want to reapply for the following cycle, or relax a bit, enjoy life, gain some perspective, and wait another year before reapplying. (Thing about when your MCATs are good until too--I had to retake mine because my scores were two old the second time around.) If you choose to reapply for the subsequent cycle, find out if your college has a committee that'll write a committee letter for you and sent out your LORs to schools. That deadline might be approaching. Other than that, you don't really need to start writing your essay till around April, and you can't start working on your application till May. So you've got time.

I completely relate to feeling anxious at this point. Please be encouraged by the fact that you haven't been rejected yet by any school you've interviewed at, you have an upcoming interview to give it a great go, and the game's not even close to being over yet.

In the meantime, what you CAN do is think about ways to improve your application. Again, and college pre-health advisor can help. Do you lack research experience? Or hands-on clinical experience? Or volunteer experience? Or do you lack non-medically-related activities that help you define yourself? Those are things you can do for the next three months to keep yourself busy and productive.

Best of luck!

 

[LQshvilli]

Thank you everyone! I really appreciate all the advice and the kind words. I'm so happy I found SDN. It makes us all a little crazy, but it certainly helps to talk to people who are going through the same thing.

Good luck to everyone!

 

[dragonfly99]

Yeah, the mock interview is a great idea.
I never did that (back in the day when I was interviewing) but it certainly can't hurt. Adcoms end up splitting hairs about which applicants they should admit, just because there are always more qualified applicants than they can take, so making a good impression and being able to sell yourself well can be important.

 

[LQshvilli]

I just want to thank everyone for the advice, particularly those people that told me to wait. I ended up getting in this cycle, to Drexel, where I felt right at home and even got another interview late in the game at my state school. Thanks again and good luck to everyone!

LQ

 

[dragonfly99]

That's so cool!
Congratulations!!!
Are you still going to go to your state school interview? Probably a good idea since if it's cheaper it might be worth it to go there vs. some private school...with my 20/20 perfect hindsight I don't think it was of much or any benefit to me to go to the fancy private med school that I attended, since it cost me a lot more and they taught me the same stuff.