Reapplicants: Apply to school previously accepted at?

Question

For the reapplicants out there and anyone else who can offer advice:

Are you applying to schools you were previously accepted at (and couldn't attend for whatever reason -- family issues, financials, found a great new job, etc)? How do you explain this?

Will schools give you a second chance and accept you again?

ManhattanReview · Answer

You better have a very good reason why you declined their offer of admissions.

Think about it this way -- you rejected their offer of admissions and are now going back and asking for forgiveness of sorts. I would say that unless you have an excellent reason for turning down their offer, your chances of being admitted are slim. Most schools would think that they are being played -- and that you turned them down to get into a better or higher ranked program. Simply put, nobody likes to be rejected.

If you are going to re-apply, make sure you address why you declined their offer of admissions in detail in the additional information section. Also, it better be compelling and personal.

Kimberly Plaga
Senior Admissions Consultant
Manhattan Review

Diablo · Answer

How do schools know you're a re-applicant unless you expressly tell them?

mappleby · Answer

Every school I applied to last year and this year asks at the start of the application, Have you applied to XYZ school in the past? If yes, when/what program?

I can't imagine a school accepting an re-applicant who previously declined admission. About the only scenario I can see this working is something to the effect of, I was accepted and a sick spouse/parent needed my care and the university would not allow me to defer for a year so now I'm re-applying because they have died(or recovered I suppose) and this time I will actually be able to attend.

Admissionado · Answer

Cause they keep your records???

Admissionado · Answer

Actuallyschools do, but yes you do have to present them a very good reason (Sick family member, etc. would be one). I've even seen a few candidates get into schools two years in a row only to reject them a second time 9mostly cause they got into better schools)

Reapplicants: Apply to school previously accepted at?

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