Chances in applying to schools that rejected me last year.

[NoOneLikesAs]

Hey everyone,

 

I applied to PhD programs last year, and was unluckily rejected to every one of them (two of them flew me out for visits, but rejected me due to their overacceptance of students last year). I am wondering what my chances are if I were to re-apply to these schools that rejected me last year? Will they consider me equally? Would I not likely be accepted? I'm interested in these schools not because of their name/rankings, but because they have professors/potential PI's that would allow me to continue my field of interest I began researching in while doing my Master's.

 

I currently hold a M.S. in chemistry from a US institution (just recently defended my thesis in spring), have 4 years of research (2 years of undergrad, 2 years of grad), a first author paper coming out soon (whenever that will be, as the paper has been completed since July, and my M.S. PI is for some reason not submitting it), and multiple poster presentations in ACS meetings during my undergrad career. GPA is 3.7.

 

Thanks for your insight!

Edited November 21, 2014 by NoOneLikesAs

[St Andrews Lynx]

If your application has improved since the last cycle (you've done new things and gained more CV lines), then go ahead and re-apply. Re-applying with the same application packet is going to give the same outcome. 

 

In general, a lot of people reapply, especially to the top competitive schools, so there isn't anything unusual per se in that. 

[prospecting]

Do you know the reason(s) for your rejection last year?

[NoOneLikesAs]

If your application has improved since the last cycle (you've done new things and gained more CV lines), then go ahead and re-apply. Re-applying with the same application packet is going to give the same outcome. 

 

In general, a lot of people reapply, especially to the top competitive schools, so there isn't anything unusual per se in that. 

 

Outside of completing my M.S., and an upcoming first author paper, I do not see myself "improving" much. I did, however, drew some interviews/paid visits from schools last year, but was unfortunately rejected from them.

 

Do you know the reason(s) for your rejection last year?

Most of the bigger schools just gave me a generic email, and ignored my mail when I asked if I can get reasons for the rejection. As for one of the schools that were interested in me enough to fly me out to visit them, they offered me a visit in early January and I was originally suppose to visit them in early-mid February. However, snow cancelled my flight and it took until late March for me to get through their school policies in rebooking flights and finally visit them. By that time, they were telling me they were shorter in funds this upcoming year due to accepting too many grad students a year or two back, and they have already extended "exceeding offers" by the time I visited. Based on this website, that school usually gives the official offer shortly after the visit. Unlucky me, I was extremely late for the visit.

Edited November 21, 2014 by NoOneLikesAs

[Vene]

Outside of completing my M.S., and an upcoming first author paper, I do not see myself "improving" much. I did, however, drew some interviews/paid visits from schools last year, but was unfortunately rejected from them.

I don't think I'd call those trivial accomplishments.

 

Also, if you got interviews that shows they were interested in you. As a rule of thumb getting to the interview stage means your credentials are a good match for the program, but if you're rejected there was some sort of personal conflict with the program. It could mean that you didn't really connect with any professors and they don't think you're a good fit for the program. It could also be that you need to improve your interviewing skills and you failed to impress.

[chemtocs]

I have kind of similar questions with NoOneLikesAs. Will they have any preference for the new applicants? I am a first year international student. Because of the funding problems, I can't join the groups interest me here. So I want to reapply. I think I got very little new things. But I learn a lot of skills of operating several instruments. And also I am teaching. 

 

If your application has improved since the last cycle (you've done new things and gained more CV lines), then go ahead and re-apply. Re-applying with the same application packet is going to give the same outcome. 

 

In general, a lot of people reapply, especially to the top competitive schools, so there isn't anything unusual per se in that. 

[NoOneLikesAs]

Just an update. I got accepted to one of the schools that rejected me last year. So don't lose hope guys! You don't know what the pushing factor you have in the present year that you didn't have when compared to the previous year. It may be an improvement in your resume or even based on the desired PI having space in their lab. Don't lose hope!

 

Also, weirdly, the school that flew me out to visit last year and eventually rejected me is probably not going to take me, as the PI I'm interested in already told me he's not taking any new students into his group.

Edited February 5, 2015 by NoOneLikesAs

[Ella Simmons]

Just an update. I got accepted to one of the schools that rejected me last year. So don't lose hope guys! You don't know what the pushing factor you have in the present year that you didn't have when compared to the previous year. It may be an improvement in your resume or even based on the desired PI having space in their lab. Don't lose hope!

 

Also, weirdly, the school that flew me out to visit last year and eventually rejected me is probably not going to take me, as the PI I'm interested in already told me he's not taking any new students into his group.

 

That's great!  Shows you the importance of being persistent.

[clickclick]

I was rejected from all the programs I applied to last year. I continued research in my lab and worked as a TA between rejection and the next application cycle.. This year I have been accepted to three programs so far. Just keep getting experience and it will pay off!