A Note of Encouragement to Reapplicants

Oftentimes, I peruse premedical forums and come across these questions: “Should I even reapply, doesn’t that look bad? Should I give up after the first application cycle and apply to PA or nursing school instead?”

The answer to this is individual and personal, and as a reapplicant and someone currently on the waitlist, I understand it well. If you’re asking yourself if you should reapply to medical school, I suggest speaking with a trusted mentor or pre-health advisor to discuss. There are also critical strategies to consider when reapplying. I myself am a three-peat applicant, have had several interviews and was even waitlisted during my second application cycle and am awaiting word on my application status during the current cycle. I kept reapplying because being a physician is my dream. My mantra is from Beyoncé. As she says in her song, Freedom, “A winner don’t quit on themselves.”

When I was in high school, I attended Georgetown University’s Summer Medical program. One day I sat in on a panel discussion of current medical students where we discussed how they succeeded in gaining acceptance to medical school. One panelist still sticks out in my memory today because of his status as a five-time reapplicant. He applied to medical school five years in a row. Eventually he decided that if he didn’t get in by the fifth year, he would know he was meant for a different path. On his fifth application try, he was accepted to Georgetown Medical School in Washington, DC.

After hearing his story, I set three cycles as my own personal deadline. I know nurses in their late 50’s who recently began medical school. I know people who applied over a period of 15 years before gaining acceptance to medical school. Every applicant is different and on their own timeline. It’s okay for your plans to change. While you pursue your dream, be sure to seek out medically-related volunteer or paid opportunities. For example, I worked as an emergency room technician where I learned phlebotomy and later I worked as a scribe. Additionally, I began my current career conducting clinical trials. This is an amazing and relevant experience where I am able to work with a team of researchers, physicians, and patients. Running clinical trials allows me to work directly with patients completing research procedures such as blood draws, electrocardiograms, and pulmonary function tests. It’s given me a real world perspective on patient care, clinical and disease outcomes, and how the drug development process can lead to life-changing therapies for patients with complex chronic illness. What has become most evident to me is the ever evolving nature of medicine and the need for continued research as more effective therapies are necessary to improve outcomes for patients.

I see the benefits of reapplying as two-fold: First, you have the ability between applications to use the time to expand your level of experience and work on areas of opportunity. Second, reapplying gives you opportunity to demonstrate how you’ve grown since you last applied and what steps you’ve undertaken to make yourself a better prepared and more competitive applicant. To summarize, there is no rush.

Of course, there are important strategies to consider when reapplying. First, only reapply when you’re sure you’re ready. This means making sure you’ve assessed (hopefully with a pre-health advisor or using feedback from a medical school admissions officer,) where you needed to strengthen your application. You will also want to explore any potential red flags in your previous application that you can address or clear. If you plan to reapply to a few of the same medical schools, ask admissions officers there what you might be able to do to strengthen your application. There is no rule that requires an applicant to reapply within a certain time period, so be sure you apply when you’re most prepared and early in the application cycle. Also, be sure you have thought about the costs involved with applying, including primary and secondary applications and interviews. (Keep in mind that the AAMC’s Fee Assistance Program is available to help with the costs of applying and preparing for application.)

I have applied to medical school three times and am currently waitlisted. After my second application cycle I implemented new strategies that were relevant post-interview season: I always sent thank you cards, followed up with interviewers via email, and asked for feedback on improving my future application. I still currently work in the field as a research coordinator running clinical trials. Our team was one of many who contributed to the success of the recent FDA approval for Trikafta – a life-changing therapy for patients with cystic fibrosis. It’s been a rewarding experience as I continue in this career. To reapply after rejection is to dare greatly. But in my opinion, resiliency and daring are two qualities that help make a great doctor.