<p>I'm 22 and I just transferred to UC San Diego from a Jr. College. The thing is I don't have enough extra curriculars to make my application strong. My plan is to strengthen my application for the 2 years I have at UC and apply my sr year. </p>
<p>However, would it be a bad idea to plan on applying this coming June? If I do that, I will only have this one year of extra curricular activities so if I don't get in any schools I still have my Sr year to apply. In that way, I'll have more chances of getting in medical school if I get 2 chances. </p>
<p>Would it look bad if they see that I am applying twice? Or should I just focus on strengthening my application for 2 years and just apply my sr year.</p>
<p>The only thing I worry about applying my Sr year is how old I am getting and the gap year. </p>
<p>It's not that big of deal but if I am not losing anything (besides money) by at least attempting to apply this coming year then I would at least like to try a couple schools.</p>
<p>Statisically, reapplicants are LESS likely to gain an acceptance than first time applicants. </p>
<p>Reapplicants are expected to present a significantly improved application (Better grades, MCAT, new LORs, more ECs, improved personal statement, better interviewing skills etc.)</p>
<p>Also consider the cost of the application process. A single round of med school applications easily costs several thousand dollars.</p>
<p>In addition to the things said in the posts above, I also observed that re-applicants many a time don’t get interview invites from the very schools that may have extended them interview invites the first time around.</p>
<p>The pre-med advisors at my school have also been very clear on this: you are much better off to wait until you can put together your strongest possible application and apply once.</p>
<p>Make a plan for a good glide year, do research or something health/medical related during that time after graduation and that could contribute to a strong application. Don’t even worry about taking a year off, sure the ‘normal’ thing is to go straight to med school, but many people take time to do other things. DD took a year off and is still one of the younger ones in her class. It’s not a bad thing to have other life experiences before going down the medical education path. By the time you are done with residency and fellowships, you may be glad you had the chance to experience other things, travel, etc., as by your 30s you will likely want to settle down and move ahead with your MD life.</p>
<p>Get your experiences that you are looking for and apply ONE time.
If you feel like having a gap year, then do it. If not, then do not, but do not plan on applying 2 times. I do not understand at all why to shoot yourself in a foot for no reason whatsoever.</p>
<p>ok thanks everyone for the advice. At least now this gives me more time to strengthen my application. Also, they allow you to update your application after you’ve applied? I intend on spending my gap year volunteering or researching and I would definitely like to add all those experiences onto the application.</p>
<p>You cannot update your application once it’s been submitted to AMCAS.</p>
<p>You can list activities in progress on your application. (But it’s poor form to list anticipated activities since it looks like you’re padding your resume.)</p>
<p>However, some (but not all) schools will accept update letters during the admission cycle.</p>
<p>(It’s important that you check the school’s policies in advance of sending an update letter. Sending an update letter to schools that say not to can result in getting your app round filed for failing to follow procedures.)</p>