y255li Posted March 13, 2011 Report Share Posted March 13, 2011 Hello, recently I was not selected for an interview at U of T Medical school. I plan on reapplying next year but before that, I want to improve my MCAT score (30O), my EC, and (hopefully) my GPA (3.89). I am wondering if I can recycle my Personal Statement. It took me over 60 hours to plan and write and I am quite happy with the result. My worry is that they may recognize and/or believe that I plagiarized because the same PS was submitted the year before. What should I do? Thank you in advance! ps- what are the chances of getting into U of T if you didn't produce meaningful results from a statistics-based research term? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeliciousMelon Posted March 13, 2011 Report Share Posted March 13, 2011 ^I think the MCAT cutoff for toronto is a R. so if your MCAT did not meet the cutoff, I don't think they've read your statement... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iicii Posted March 13, 2011 Report Share Posted March 13, 2011 are you referring to writing sample?...cuz it's def not R ^I think the MCAT cutoff for toronto is a R. so if your MCAT did not meet the cutoff, I don't think they've read your statement... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
y255li Posted March 13, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 13, 2011 Toronto published their cutoffs as 9/9/9/N for 2011 I believe. And I have also heard that U of T is one of the only schools which gives applications a "holistic" review, meaning that they look at everything (reference letters, GPA, personal statement, MCAT, maybe even EC), and then decide. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeliciousMelon Posted March 13, 2011 Report Share Posted March 13, 2011 oh really?? yeah I was referring to the writing component.. well, if you've met all the cutoff, then it's possible they've done a file review, so it might be safer to use a new essay. But if you didn't, then the old one should be ok. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corie Posted March 13, 2011 Report Share Posted March 13, 2011 Would it even be concidered plagurism? It is your work and you are submitting it for the same purpose. Like if your views havn't changed and your happy with it, I don't see a reason to change it... And how would they recognize the essay? I think even in research they recycle grant proposals and people frequently recycle admission/scholarship/cover letter applications as they generally ask the same question. What do you guys think? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clever Posted March 13, 2011 Report Share Posted March 13, 2011 Your GPA is alright. Focus on improving your MCAT and doing EC's. It's only plagiarism if it's someone else's work, so feel free to use it again; especially considering how much time you put into it, and since you're happy with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treejuice1 Posted March 13, 2011 Report Share Posted March 13, 2011 Using the same personal statement twice definitely wouldn't be plagiarism, but I was wondering if they keep your application on file? So if you re-apply, is there any chance they can compare your current application to an older one? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
y255li Posted March 13, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 13, 2011 There exact words were "Should you wish to apply again in a future year, you must submit a new application along with all supporting documents as outlined in the Ontario Medical School Application Service (OMSAS) materials." I hear they have a database of many PS that they use to compare new ones to to make sure no applicants are plagiarizing. I don't know if old applications are kept on file. Does a new application necessary mean a new PS? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maodiddymao Posted March 13, 2011 Report Share Posted March 13, 2011 Hello, recently I was not selected for an interview at U of T Medical school. I plan on reapplying next year but before that, I want to improve my MCAT score (30O), my EC, and (hopefully) my GPA (3.89). I am wondering if I can recycle my Personal Statement. It took me over 60 hours to plan and write and I am quite happy with the result. My worry is that they may recognize and/or believe that I plagiarized because the same PS was submitted the year before. What should I do? Thank you in advance! ps- what are the chances of getting into U of T if you didn't produce meaningful results from a statistics-based research term? I added 1-2 paragraphs to mine and kept the rest the same. Was accepted with no problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sgt.pepper Posted March 13, 2011 Report Share Posted March 13, 2011 resubmit =/= rewrite. Your PS should change a little bit b/c it is a year of experiences so u are going to add and take out some stuff but the chunk of it should remain the same Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corie Posted March 13, 2011 Report Share Posted March 13, 2011 resubmit =/= rewrite. Your PS should change a little bit b/c it is a year of experiences so u are going to add and take out some stuff but the chunk of it should remain the same That - make the year meaningful. Some school specifically state that they destory everything after final rankings are made. And its you after all. I'd be more suspicious if I read two completely different PS from the same person! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HBP Posted March 13, 2011 Report Share Posted March 13, 2011 The answer, as usual, is it depends. If you feel your PS was your downfall, then naturally you should rewrite. This often requires you to take a hard look at your application, speak to people who got in, and ask advice. Was your PS simply a detailed listing of your activities? Then you're not doing it right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thatonekid Posted March 13, 2011 Report Share Posted March 13, 2011 The answer, as usual, is it depends. If you feel your PS was your downfall, then naturally you should rewrite. This often requires you to take a hard look at your application, speak to people who got in, and ask advice. Was your PS simply a detailed listing of your activities? Then you're not doing it right. This. I used the exact same PS that I applied with last year (with a few minor updates) and got an interview. But I think that's because I strengthened the other aspects of my app that I thought needed improving. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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