Will applying this year and then failing to match leave a record when you apply next year?

[Need_Help_ASAP]

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The reason I'm asking this is because I still haven't taken Step 2 yet- planning to take it this month. I know a lot of programs don't need your Step 2 for interviews. But I'm just wondering if I apply this weekend and fail to match in the end. Would it have an effect on me reapplying next year? Will programs see that I'm a reapplicant and flag me? If so, I might consider not applying this year and just apply next year so that I can be viewed as a first time applicant next year with my Step 2 scores ready.

 

[NVO]

It will be a red flag either way because in both scenarios, you are 1 year out of graduation (which is a red flag) and you will need to explain that.

 

[Splenda88]

I think reapplying is a bigger red flag...

 

[Need_Help_ASAP]

I think reapplying is a bigger red flag...

It will be a red flag either way because in both scenarios, you are 1 year out of graduation (which is a red flag) and you will need to explain that.

Yeah I understand both are red flags I'm just trying to figure out if reapplying as a fifth year is a bigger red flag than applying as a fifth year for the first time.

 

[samac]

Are you an IMG? As a US grad it would be by far better to just go on and apply.

 

[slowthai]

Yes, it's a red flag if you fail to match.

If you decide to hold off on applying this year, as long as you can find a way to delay graduation by doing a research year (or a masters or something), you'll be seen as a US senior (first time applicant) when you apply next cycle. Don't know how possible that will be because you're already a 4th year.

 

[Need_Help_ASAP]

Yes, it's a red flag if you fail to match.

If you decide to hold off on applying this year, as long as you can find a way to delay graduation by doing a research year (or a masters or something), you'll be seen as a US senior (first time applicant) when you apply next cycle. Don't know how possible that will be because you're already a 4th year.

Will they know that I failed to match the year before? Like, I know they can see the gap in education but will they see on my application that I tried to match the year before?

 

[Splenda88]

Will they know that I failed to match the year before? Like, I know they can see the gap in education but will they see on my application that I tried to match the year before?

Yes the will...

 

[Need_Help_ASAP]

Are you an IMG? As a US grad it would be by far better to just go on and apply.

Yes US grad. Let's just say hypothetically I applied and failed to match so would it have been better if I had just applied as a fifth year for the first time with my scores and everything ready?

 

[Need_Help_ASAP]

Yes the will...

Let's just say I submitted ERAS this weekend but didn't participate in the match next year. Would I still be considered as failed to match? Would they still consider me as a reapplicant next year if I didn't participate in the match but submitted ERAS in September?

 

[slowthai]

@aProgDirector

 

[samac]

Submit your stuff. A year off is a red flag as is reapplying. They’re both not good options, submitting without level 2 and updating when your score is available is your best course here.

 

[Splenda88]

Submit your stuff. A year off is a red flag as is reapplying. They’re both not good options, submitting without level 2 and updating when your score is available is your best course here.

OP was worried about a late level 2! I received my CK score in late November and CS in January; still got plenty invites and matched.

 

[studentdocftw]

The reason I'm asking this is because I still haven't taken Step 2 yet- planning to take it this month. I know a lot of programs don't need your Step 2 for interviews. But I'm just wondering if I apply this weekend and fail to match in the end. Would it have an effect on me reapplying next year? Will programs see that I'm a reapplicant and flag me? If so, I might consider not applying this year and just apply next year so that I can be viewed as a first time applicant next year with my Step 2 scores ready.

Why do you think you won't match? You said you are planning to take Step 2 this month..which means your score will be back before November..plenty of time before rank. What's the issue here?

 

[NotAProgDirector]

No, there's no alrt that you've applied to the match before. That said, when I see a US grad who applies the year after they graduated, I assume they didnt match the prior year. Even people who "get another degree in that 5th year", I assume this was a plan B. But there's no documentation of such.

Usually the issue here is a poor step 1. An applicant has a poor S1 and thinks they will do much better on S2. So they consider waiting to apply until they have a S2 score to avoid an early rejection. But if S2 will be late enough, they will end up with a late app this cycle, or wait to apply for next year.

 

[samac]

OP was worried about a late level 2! I received my CK score in late November and CS in January; still got plenty invites and matched.

I know. I’m telling him to submit his stuff and updating with step 2 later.