Didn’t Get Into Medical School? Take These Steps Before You Reapply!

Not getting into medical school after all the time and effort you put into applying feels like the end of the world –but I promise it isn’t!

I have been in your shoes. I didn’t get into medical school on my first try and so have about 60% of applicants each year. Trust me, you’re not alone! 

Five years ago, I had no idea what to do after sitting endlessly on the waitlist for Case Western, only to never hear back from them. Fast-forward to creating a plan for myself, working hard, and as of today, I’m a fourth-year medical student. Looking back, I can’t imagine my path to medical school any other way.

So after you take time to grieve the reality of not getting in, however long that may take (I was lost and unmotivated to do anything related to reapplying for a sold year and a half), it’s time to take an objective look at yourself as an applicant and then take the right steps so that when you reapply, you’re putting your best foot forward.
I’m going to cover how to find the determination to start over. And I’ll give you your best plan of action to get accepted —the one that I wish I had five years ago!

This post is all about tips to follow when didn’t get into medical school the first time.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you. Full disclosure here.

What To Do When You Didn’t Get Into Medical School?

3 Steps to Take – If You Didn’t Get Into Medical School

The number one thing to know before we get started is never, ever reapply with the exact same application (and that includes redoing your essays). It’s the biggest, biggest, biggest mistake to avoid!

So, what should you do in the in-between-time while you wait for medical schools to open their application windows again? Create a plan!

I’m all about taking action—but not just spinning circles for the sake of doing something. I’m talking about making the individual improvements your application needs. So you can sit back and watch those acceptance letters finally rolling in.

All you need is the determination to take a slightly longer journey than you originally planned. So, don’t lose hope just yet! Here are steps you can take to improve your application before reapplying.

Step 1: Get Feedback Straight from the Medical Schools

Some medical schools are kind enough to give you feedback, to help you understand where you can improve your application. If a school offers this, definitely accept the opportunity to learn directly from them.

When I was rejected from Washington State University, they offered to set up a Zoom call with me to discuss my application. I wish I had taken advantage of this offer. But I didn’t at the time because I thought they rejected me due to my low GPA. However, I’ll never know the true reason. This could have helped direct me toward what else I may have needed to improve. 

Now, if you receive a rejection letter without an offer for feedback, it still doesn’t hurt to reach out and ask for a meeting within a month of your rejection. 

You can also check out the school’s website for virtual information sessions to gain insight into their expectations for applicants. Or you can consult online resources like the MSAR database which displays the acceptance rates based on different MCAT. This also shows GPA levels as well as other application stats for each MD school. 

Step 2: List and Determine What Needs to be Improved

This step is all about figuring out what you need to work on to strengthen your application. Whether you’ve already received feedback or you’re kind of in the dark, take a close look at your application.

Sit yourself down, grab your application, and try to see it through the eyes of an admissions committee. Ask yourself, what areas need improvement?

As you search for answers, try to be as objective as possible when evaluating your application. If you’re struggling to pinpoint the weaknesses, consider reaching out to someone you trust for their honest opinion. It can give you a fresh perspective and help steer you in the right direction. 

Then, grab a notebook and your favorite pen. Or open a Goggle doc. Or whatever way you keep notes and write down every single factor of your application. Your list should at least include the following areas.

• GPA
• MCAT score
• Number of schools you applied to 
• Type of schools: MD vs. DO
• Timeline of your submissions for your primary applications and secondaries
• Number and type of clinical experiences
• Your “why” personal statement
• Extracurricular essays 
• Letters of recommendation
• Interviews preparations

You will find more details on the nailing your application timeline and all the things you need to consider in the following Youtube video:

Step 3: Create a Plan of Action 

Now comes the good part! Next to each item, write a list of ideas how you plan to improve it. (Even those who will be first time applicants, not just re-applicants, can benefit from this step!)

Here are actions you can take to improve the following areas of weakness on your application. Before I reapplied, I did ALL those things and more!

Low GPA – If your GPA is holding you back, consider enrolling in a post-baccalaureate program or pursuing a master’s degree in a related field. This effort can establish an upward trend in your grades and show admissions committees that you are capable of handling the academic rigor of medical school. 

Although I was only able to raise my GPA from 3.1 to 3.3 through a post-bacc, I believe this was still an important factor to at least continue the rise in my grades.

Low MCAT Score – If your MCAT score wasn’t up to par, don’t sweat it. Consider retaking the exam after thorough preparation. There are plenty of MCAT resources to use for studying. Consider taking my MCAT Roadmap course to help you set up a strategic study plan and improve your score! 

Too Few Schools – If you applied to less than 10 schools and they were all top-tier programs, you might want to consider broadening your selection next time. Shoot for at least 15-20 schools within your reach based on your stats.

Only Applied to MD Programs – Consider expanding your horizons and applying to both MD and DO schools next time. Each type of program offers unique opportunities, and it might just be the key to unlocking your acceptance.

Lack of Clinical Experience – Medical schools want to see that you have meaningful experiences in a clinical setting. So, track down clinical experience. Consider working as a medical assistant (MA) or an emergency medical technician (EMT) to gain valuable insight into the healthcare field.

Lack of Shadowing Experience – Shadowing a doctor helps you understand the day-to-day realities of a medical career. If you didn’t have this experience, start calling private practices in your area and ask if you can shadow – persistence pays off.

Poor Interview Performance – If you didn’t ace your interviews, it’s time to practice. Invest in at least three mock interviews to hone your skills and gain more confidence. Constructive feedback can go a long way in helping you improve. Also, brush up on your knowledge and practice your responses for the CORE common questions. 

Weak Letters of Recommendation – Did you manage to snag some letters from professors and supervisors who really know and believe in you? If not, be more selective who you contact and help them write your letter better by providing them with your pre-med resume. 

Late Application Submission – Applying late in the cycle can seriously hurt your chances. Make a commitment to apply early next time – aim to submit your application within the first week of the cycle opening.

Delayed Secondary Submission –  If you took weeks to submit your secondary applications, you need to work on your time management. Pre-write your essays for common prompts and aim to submit your secondaries within three days of receiving them.

Poorly Written Essays – Even if you loved your essays the first time around, you’ll need to scrap them and start over.  And if you struggled writing them the first time, now is your chance for redemption. Reflect on your journey since your last application cycle and use these insights to infuse your essays with fresh perspectives, demonstrating to the admissions committee that you are dedicated to personal and professional growth.

How to Take FULL Control of Your Application

If you don’t want to get lost on reddit trying to figure out all the nitty gritty details to maximize your chances, my Road to Acceptance course is as GOLD as it gets. 

My video lessons guide you through the entire application process with tons of strategies on how to *authentically* stand out from the crowd. And to help you implement the insights from each of the 7 modules – you get worksheets, checklists, templates and tools to make this journey 10x easier for you. 

Plus, our private Facebook group answers all your burning questions and connects you with other premeds to cheer each other on! 

Honestly, applying to medical school doesn’t have to be so daunting and you surely don’t have to do it all on your own. You will learn sooo many strategies to boost your chances to make sure this is going to be the last time you apply – followed by your exciting new chapter as a medical student!

Final Thoughts: Avoid Rushing to Reapply

Use these gap year(s) to your advantage. Take a step back, evaluate your application critically, and identify the areas that need improvement.

Then, be prepared to do whatever it takes and be willing to make sacrifices. Whether it’s taking a pay cut to gain more clinical experience or dedicating extra months to studying for the MCAT all over again.

Make it your number one mission to address every weak aspect of your application. Commit to improving yourself in every way possible so that the next time you apply, you can confidently put your best foot forward.

If it’s your dream and you’re committed to getting into med school, you will get there. Yes, it’s just going to take you longer than you planned, and that’s okay.  Find your “why” and cling to it. Make it the thing that motivates you to take an objective look at yourself as an applicant and create your unique list of improvements. And then, get to work—you got this!

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