Should I apply this cycle?

[ktcc123]

Hey guys need some advice. My original plan was to apply this cycle. But currently I only have about 1k HCE hours and 500~PCE hours. I am still waiting for letter of recs (getting all of them by august). Also taking the GRE in august. By then I think Ill be pretty late to the game, and with pretty low odds. Should I still apply to like, build rapport with schools? Or should I just apply next cycle instead?

 

If anyone was in my shoes before, please share some insight, would really appreciate it!

(Willing to spend the $$application fee if it actually helps.)

Edited June 12, 2022 by ktcc123

[ANESMCR]

If you can start applying by the end of August/early September, hell yes you should apply. If you’re going to start applying into October/November, wait for the next cycle.

[ktcc123]

9 minutes ago, ANESMCR said:

If you can start applying by the end of August/early September, hell yes you should apply. If you’re going to start applying into October/November, wait for the next cycle.

Thanks! I guess I'm also asking is it worth applying just to build rapport with schools. Because I think, as of now, I am not a competitive applicant (lower GPA (3.02 cumulative), low PCE hours etc.). I think experiencing the application process might be worth it? Even though I don't think I will get in this cycle. 

[ANESMCR]

6 minutes ago, ktcc123 said:

Thanks! I guess I'm also asking is it worth applying just to build rapport with schools. Because I think, as of now, I am not a competitive applicant (lower GPA (3.02 cumulative), low PCE hours etc.). I think experiencing the application process might be worth it? Even though I don't think I will get in this cycle. 

If your sGPA is >3.0, you have your prereq’s done, you have work experience (1000hrs is good) you should aim to do well on your GRE and apply. Apply broadly though, no less than 10 schools. Keep in mind you’ll have to get your recs done again every single cycle, they don’t roll over. Write a nice narrative. Building rapport with schools by simply applying is negligible.

[ktcc123]

29 minutes ago, ANESMCR said:

If your sGPA is >3.0, you have your prereq’s done, you have work experience (1000hrs is good) you should aim to do well on your GRE and apply. Apply broadly though, no less than 10 schools. Keep in mind you’ll have to get your recs done again every single cycle, they don’t roll over. Write a nice narrative. Building rapport with schools by simply applying is negligible.

I was thinking like emailing and keeping in touch with the admission people. What recs doesn't rollover? Letter of rec, PA shadowing hours, PCE, GPA, I hope these rollover. I know PS I need to write a new one... but is there anything else? 

 

Thanks for the advice! I feel more confident from that. Thank you.

[ANESMCR]

12 minutes ago, ktcc123 said:

I was thinking like emailing and keeping in touch with the admission people. What recs doesn't rollover? Letter of rec, PA shadowing hours, PCE, GPA, I hope these rollover. I know PS I need to write a new one... but is there anything else? 

 

Thanks for the advice! I feel more confident from that. Thank you.

You can’t rollover your recommendations to the next cycle. You will either have to ask your original underwriters to resubmit, or find new recommendations.
 

It gets your name out there. Don’t think it weighs too much on an acceptance decision. Unless you applied the year prior, then improved your candidacy year to date, making your app reflect effort and commitment. Simply working another 1000 hrs in the same occupation may not do very much. You’d likely have to improve your GPA as well.