Reapplicants

Tips for Reapplicants

Getting a letter declining admissions from our office is not the ideal result of your application process. But it doesn’t have to be the end of the road. We have accepted many students who have previously applied to our program. These successful reapplicants made changes in their application that improved their applicant profile. We have compiled tips that may be useful for you in your journey to become a Tarheel doctor.

• If your GPA is sigificantly below our average (e.g. 3.62 for fall 2008 matriculants) consider a postbaccalaureate or science graduate school program which gives you the opportunity to show an improvement in your academic ability. We recommend looking at the AAMC website for a list of post baccalaureate programs.
• If your MCAT is significantly below our average (e.g. 33 for fall 2008 matriculants) consider retaking the MCAT to improve your score. Before retaking the exam, make sure you have the time to devote to restudying the material. The amount needed varies considerably from applicant to applicant. Use practice exams at the AAMC website to help gauge your progress. You may also consider taking a formalized review course.
• Because we at UNC School of Medicine are committed to serving the public, we look for students who similarly have a commitment to giving back to the community. You may consider becoming more involved in service activities in your community.
• Additionally, we strongly recommend that students have health care experiences to show them what medicine may be like. You might also decide to pursue health care related training and career opportunities (e.g. certified nursing assistant, emergency medical technician, clinical research lab assistant, etc.).
• Consider revising your personal statement to include new experiences
• Continue to keep in contact with mentors and health professions advisors
• Consider summer programs like the Medical Education Development Program which is UNC's summer program for disadvantaged students that exposes them to a first year medical or dental school curriculum. 
• Hang in there!  The reapplication process takes somewhat longer than the initial application process.  We will contact you as soon as we have made a decision about offering you an interview.