tired_old_crow
New Member
- Joined
- May 16, 2024
- Messages
- 4
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Hello, unfortunately this past year hasn't been nice. On top of some personal stressors, I was reject from all the programs I finished applications for. I did manage 2 interviews that I thought went well, but unfortunately ended in WLs and eventual rejections. I'm trying to figure out if it is worth reapplying this year.
Some Stats:
GPA: 3.8
MCAT: 519
~4000 hours of research across multiple labs. At the time of application last year it was about 2500.
Some posters from undergraduate work, but no publications. I got asked about this in both interviews and I'm worried it held me back.
Mistakes:
- I applied very top heavy last year. I can be less picky with geography this year, but I struggled to find PIs in my area of interest (computational neuroscience).
- Terrible secondary writing.
- Didn't finish many secondaries
I was encouraged to reapply by my mentors, but I'm hesitant. I don't have any clear signs of research productivity besides a starting a new project. While most of my interviewers seemed to like me, the only clear positive feedback I got was on my personal statement.
I'm currently considering: a) just take a shot and maybe better writing + more schools will make the difference and b) find a new research tech job and wait another year before applying. I'm considering (b) because my current PI has explicitly told me not to expect any publications from my work and I'm frankly miserable where I am now. On the other hand I already feeling like I've thrown away one year and don't want to throw away another two to maybe be a better applicant.
I'm looking for advice and recommendations.
-Crow
Some Stats:
GPA: 3.8
MCAT: 519
~4000 hours of research across multiple labs. At the time of application last year it was about 2500.
Some posters from undergraduate work, but no publications. I got asked about this in both interviews and I'm worried it held me back.
Mistakes:
- I applied very top heavy last year. I can be less picky with geography this year, but I struggled to find PIs in my area of interest (computational neuroscience).
- Terrible secondary writing.
- Didn't finish many secondaries
I was encouraged to reapply by my mentors, but I'm hesitant. I don't have any clear signs of research productivity besides a starting a new project. While most of my interviewers seemed to like me, the only clear positive feedback I got was on my personal statement.
I'm currently considering: a) just take a shot and maybe better writing + more schools will make the difference and b) find a new research tech job and wait another year before applying. I'm considering (b) because my current PI has explicitly told me not to expect any publications from my work and I'm frankly miserable where I am now. On the other hand I already feeling like I've thrown away one year and don't want to throw away another two to maybe be a better applicant.
I'm looking for advice and recommendations.
-Crow
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