Recommendations for Reapplicants
Admission to Health Profession Schools is competitive and many applicants end up reapplying. For example, every year, approximately 25% of medical school applicants are re-applicants.
In most cases, reapplying is not seen negatively, as long as you objectively reassess your application’s strengths and weaknesses and only reapply when you have strengthened your application. Reapplying with the exact same application will not result in a different response the second time. Schools do not have to settle for a weaker applicant when they have hundreds (or thousands) of other applicants who are better qualified.
Each student’s situation is unique, so it’s best to schedule an advising appointment and talk about strategies to be a more competitive applicant. Some Health Profession Schools might provide feedback to applicants after the cycle ends, too.
The most common reason an applicant isn’t competitive for Health Profession Schools is because they have not shown they are academically qualified – through grades and/or test scores. Schools might not share their minimum GPA/test score cutoffs, but they often share their average GPA/test score or a range for those admitted. If your cumulative GPA, science/math GPA, and/or test scores are below the average, that could be the area you need to strengthen.
- Retake science/math courses you did poorly in or take more advanced science coursework to boost your science/math GPA and show an upward trend.
- Pursue a graduate degree or a post-baccalaureate (post-bacc) program.
- Study and retake the test.
Some applicants lack enough experience (significant hours/commitment) and/or relevant experience that demonstrates the applicant understands what it means to practice in healthcare and care for patients. While strong extracurricular experiences will never compensate for lacking GPA/test scores, having weak extracurricular activities makes schools question whether you have the proper motivation and fit to succeed in a future healthcare career.
- Read here for the types of extracurricular experiences make applicants competitive.
- Continue gaining experiences during your application year(s).
- Consider adding new or diverse experiences to make your application more well-rounded.
- Reflect on your experiences and use anecdotes/stories from your experiences in your personal statement, essays, and interviews as the backbone of why you want to pursue a career in healthcare.
Personal Statement, Letters of Recommendation, Interviews, and Other Parts of your Application
- Update your Personal Statement. You aren’t the same applicant today as you were one year ago, and you shouldn’t reuse the same Personal Statement. There might be elements of your prior Personal Statement that are still applicable (such as why you initially got interested in that career), but you should highlight new experiences and what you’ve done to improve and grow.
- Secondary Applications: Are you finishing secondary applications in a timely manner? Are you tailoring your secondary responses to the individual school? Just like with the Personal Statement, you shouldn’t reuse the same exact responses as prior application cycles.
- Reassess whether your letter writers were the best individuals to positively write about you and your accomplishments. As you get involved in new activities, develop relationships with mentors early on. Make an effort to get to know mentors, form rapport, and respect their time by asking for letters early. Stay connected to your letter writers and ask if they would be willing to update letters with new information.
- Continue to practice for interviews. Strike up conversations with people, consider taking a public speaking course, create flashcards with commonly asked interview questions and practice during your free time.
- Timeline: Are you applying early? If you retake the test, retake it before the application opens or earlier in the application cycle if possible. Are you submitting your secondary applications in a timely manner (ideally by the deadline or two weeks from receiving them)?
- School Selection: Are you selecting the right schools to apply to? Are all your schools within reach (either based on academic metrics, in-state/out-of-state numbers, or whether you meet their mission as evidenced by your experiences)? Will you be able to complete quality applications for all the schools you plan to apply to?
Hear directly from Medical Schools how to improve your chances as a re-applicant:
