Accepted Admissions Consulting Blog
Admissions consulting and application advice
Good news, y’all! Linda Abraham’s awesome podcast, Admissions Straight Talk, is now available on Stitcher!
So all you Stitcher people: run, don’t walk, to your nearest iPhone, Androiod, iPad, or PC and join Linda for a bi-weekly discussion of what’s new, thought-provoking, and useful in the world of graduate admissions.
Med school applicants, you’ve tuned in to the right episode! Our guest is Cyd Foote, former administrator at the University of Washington School of Medicine, author of three ebooks on medical education, and medical school admissions consultant for over ten years.
Listen to the full recording for a great discussion about presenting yourself at your best in your med school applications, reapplying to med school, and more.
00:02:55 – You are a competitive applicant with a good MCAT scores, posed with pen in hand to start writing your personal statement. What’s next?
00:05:54 – Common mistakes in approaching the AMCAS: Leave the kitchen sink in the kitchen!
00:07:52 – Should you save some of your more impressive experiences for your secondaries?
00:09:40 – How to best present your most meaningful experiences in your medical school application.
00:12:01 – That list of 12 experiences: it’s what you did, not what the organization does!
00:13:23 – Cyd’s top tip for med school reapplicants.
00:14:55 – The big reapplicant question: To reuse or rewrite last year’s essays?
00:17:18 – Advice for M3s getting ready to apply for the residency match (This is a good one!)
00:19:33 – The key difference between the medical personal statement and the residency personal statement. Metaphor alert.
Subscribe to Admissions Straight Talk in iTunes to keep up with the latest in admissions news and trends! You know you want to give us a 5-star rating!
Stitcher fans, we’ve got good news! Admissions Straight Talk is now available on Stitcher! Check it our here.
*Theme music is courtesy of podcastthemes.com.
Shownote Links:
• Subscribe to Admissions Straight Talk Podcast
• Write Your Way to Medical School, an ebook
• Write Your Way to a Residency Match, an ebook
• Write Your Way to a Fellowship Match, an ebook
• Reapplying to Med School, a blog series
• Sample Medical School Personal Statements
• Ace the AMCAS, a free special report.
• 7 Signs an Experience Belongs in Your Application
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Attention guys and gals developing business plans on the backs of napkins or elsewhere:
Does an MBA, specifically an MBA from a top program, really offer something valuable for entrepreneurs? Listen to the full recording to hear Linda Abraham explore this question and much more with entrepreneurs Casey, Hicham, Amaris, and Mike of MBAs Across America.
00:01:55 – 10 weeks in 10 cities: An internship HBS has never seen before. Meet the MBAs Across America team.
00:02:43 – The genesis of an awesome idea – it all started at dinner with friends and a travel-bug.
00:04:10 – There is no getting around it, Linda is jealous.
00:04:27 – Working and learning with visionary entrepreneurs in overlooked locations. How the itinerary was developed (and how a town of 900 people made it onto the list of destinations).
00:07:19 – What value will MBAs Across America provide for the businesses it works with? And a word about the storytelling component.
00:10:02 – Personal goals for the program: see the country, have fun, create a replicable model for future grad students worldwide, and more (I’m not giving it all away in the notes).
00:14:30 – What are their post-MBA goals and how does MBAs Across America fit into their plans?
00:17:57 – Given your entrepreneurial leanings, why Harvard Business School?
00:20:08 – Harvard’s supportive response to this unconventional internship idea.
00:22:42 – Some refreshing comments about honesty in admissions, going to grad school for a good reason (yay!), and priorities (high starting salary vs. impacting the world).
00:25:02 – Mike wants to be the CEO of GE. 
00:27:44 – Great tips for HBS applicants from those who’ve been there.
00:32:58 – MBAs Across America is awesome! Go ahead and donate now to be a part of this internship revolution!
Subscribe to Admissions Straight Talk in iTunes to keep up with the latest in admissions news and trends! And we do love a bit of feedback…
*Theme music is courtesy of podcastthemes.com.
Shownote Links:
• Subscribe to Admissions Straight Talk Podcast
• MBAs Across America
• Top MBA programs with a focus on entrepreneurship
• Harvard Business School Zone
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Practice MBA’s CEO and Founder, Ivan Kerbel, joins us this week for an excellent episode of Admissions Straight Talk. Be sure to listen to the full recording to be in the know about Practice MBA, and get some great advice for MBA applicants, future applicants, and accepted students.
00:00:05 – Worried about your quant skills? Concerned about speaking up in class? Tune in, this is for you!
00:02:19 – Meet Ivan, CEO and Founder of Practice MBA. His list of accomplishments is long. (How about former Director of the Career Development Office at the Yale SOM, and former Sr. Associate Director at Wharton MBA Career Management Office for starters?)
00:03:11 – What is Practice MBA?
00:08:15 – The curriculum of Practice MBA: The 5 backbone courses that will allow you to be effective in b-school.
00:13:49 – The three most important things the Class of 2015 MBAs can do between acceptance and the start of classes. (other than attending Practice MBA, of course).
00:17:44 – Ivan shares the most important to-dos for MBA applicants before they apply from a career management point-of-view.
00:23:38 – What is the difference between Practice MBA and a school orientation?
Subscribe to Admissions Straight Talk in iTunes so you don’t miss any segments! Stay in the admissions know. (And a review would be great, too.)
*Theme music is courtesy of podcastthemes.com.
Shownote Links:
• Subscribe to Admissions Straight Talk Podcast
• MBA Decisions: What Next?
• Practice MBA
Accepted.com ~ Helping You Write Your Best
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Dr. Drew Appleby
For this week’s episode of Accepted Admissions Straight Talk, Accepted’s biweekly podcast, we interviewed Drew Appleby, Professor Emeritus at Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis, who identified five types of applicant errors. These mistakes decrease candidates’ chances of acceptance to graduate school – even if the applicants have stellar stats.
Check out the full recording to learn more about these “Kisses of Death.”
01:58:00 – Introducing Dr. Drew Appleby in Admissions Straight Talk.
02:40:00 – How Dr. Appleby discovered the Kisses of Death.
05:20:00 – Why letters of recommendations are so important.
07:52:00 – The difference between good grades and motivation.
14:18:00 – How personal is too personal?
15:50:00 – Choosing relevant letters of recommendation.
18: 54:00 – Lack of information about the program to which you are applying AKA when you just go by the rankings.
20:00:00 – Importance of good writing skills.
21: 00:00 – Misfired attempts to impress the adcom.
24:15:00 – Help your professors write the best letters of recommendation.
28:40:00 – How undergrads should determine professional goals.
33:51:00 – Dr. Appleby’s sound bites to live by: 1. Know Thyself 2. To Thine Own Self be True, and 3. Just Do It.
37:49:00 – What should an applicant focus on when drafting a statement of purpose?
41:20:00 – 3 most memorable “words of wisdom” at the psychology orientation panel.
42:36:00 – Learn more about Dr. Drew Appleby.
Subscribe to Admissions Straight Talk in iTunes so you don’t miss any segments! Stay in the admissions know. (And while you’re there, feel free to leave us a review.)
*Theme music is courtesy of podcastthemes.com.
Shownote Links:
Accepted.com ~ Helping You Write Your Best
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Sheryle Dirks
For this week’s episode of Accepted Admissions Straight Talk, Accepted’s biweekly podcast, we interviewed Sheryle Dirks, Associate Dean for Career Management at Duke’s Fuqua School of Business. Check out the full recording to hear our in-depth conversation about Duke University’s Masters in Management Science Program and the career options for business school graduates.
00:16:00 – Introducing Sheryle Dirks, Associate Dean for Career Management at Duke’s Fuqua School of Business.
02:54:00 – The job market for MBAs now and compared to previous years.
05:00:00 – Companies that recruit exclusively in the fall season or later in spring season.
06:50:00 – Who is hiring in the technology sector.
10: 07:00 – Active/top industries for MBAs.
14:04:00 – Internship search and hiring and importance for career changers.
18:38:00 –Benefit of determining which job path is NOT for you.
23:04:00 – Stats on the Masters in Management Science program.
31:29:00 – Recruitment & hiring for Duke’s MMS graduates.
36:40:00 – Steps applicants can and should take prior to the program’s commencement.
42:15:00 – Recommendations for everyone before the job search.
47:47:00 – Learn more about Duke Fuqua’s MMS program.
Subscribe to Admissions Straight Talk in iTunes so you don’t miss any segments! Stay in the admissions know. (And while you’re there, feel free to leave us a review.)
*Theme music is courtesy of podcastthemes.com.
Check out these links discussed in the show:
Accepted.com ~ Helping You Write Your Best
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Dr. Christie St-John
For this week’s episode of Accepted Admissions Straight Talk, Accepted’s biweekly podcast, we interviewed Dr. Christie St-John, Director of Admissions, and Sandy Kinnett, Associate Director of Career Management at Owen Graduate School of Management, Vanderbilt University. Check out the full recording to hear our fascinating conversation about Vanderbilt Admissions and a specialization in Human and Organizational Performance (HOP).
00:17:00 – Introducing Christie and Sandy to Admissions Straight Talk.
02:11:00 – Which companies are the biggest recruiters at Owen?
08:37:00 – Advice for students who are undecided on career focus.
09:57:00 – What exactly is HOP and why does Owen specialize in it? (Hint: It has to do with jobs.)
15:15:00 – Dispelling Human Resource Management myths.
20:20:00 – Individual Attention is a big plus at Vanderbilt.
22:25:00 – Admissions criteria at Owen.
24:33:00 – Advantages of the mod system at Owen.
29:00:00 – Importance of school visits.
31:13:00 – The truth about the rankings.
37:38:00 – Advice for MBA applicants: Know why you want the degree.
40:28:00 – Learn more about Owen School of Management.
Subscribe to Admissions Straight Talk in iTunes so you don’t miss any segments! Stay in the admissions know. (And while you’re there, feel free to leave us a review.)
*Theme music is courtesy of podcastthemes.com.
Shownote Links:
Accepted.com ~ Helping You Write Your Best
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
For this week’s episode of Accepted Admissions Straight Talk, Accepted’s biweekly podcast, we interviewed Mark Babbitt, CEO and Founder of YouTern. Check out the full recording to hear our fascinating conversation about student internships.
01:09:00 – Introducing Mark to Admissions Straight Talk.
02:24:00 – YouTern’s background. How did Mark come to found YouTern?
03:37:00 – The value of internships. How do they help grads enter the workforce?
07:27:00 – Comparison of different types of internships: summer, part-time, and virtual Internships.
09:17:00 – What makes YouTern different from other job boards? Mentorship!
11:40:00 – Do unpaid internships make sense?
18:16:00 – Internships can help clarify goals and answer the big question, “What to you want to be when you grow up?”
25:03:00 – Differences in the internship process for undergrad and graduate students.
33:55:00 – Learn more about YouTern.
Subscribe to Admissions Straight Talk in iTunes so you don’t miss any segments! Stay in the admissions know. (And while you’re there, feel free to leave us a review.)
*Theme music is courtesy of podcastthemes.com.
Accepted.com ~ Helping You Write Your Best
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
For this week’s episode of Accepted Admissions Straight Talk, we interviewed Daniel Macklin, Co-Founder & VP of Business Development at SoFi. Check out the full recording to hear our fascinating conversation about alumni funded student loans.
00:47:00 – Introducing Daniel, Co-founder and VP of Business Development at SoFi.
02:25:00 – SoFi’s background. How did Daniel come to co-found Sofi?
05:02:00 – SoFi’s plans for future expansion beyond the 78 currently eligible schools including Stanford, Harvard, MIT, NYU, and UC Berkeley.
06:07:00 – More than just financial loans! Find out about the wonderful networking opportunities available to you through SoFi’s alumni community.
11:15:00 – Find out how SoFi works together with universities’ financial aid offices.
13:58:00 – Do you qualify?
15:25:00 – Daniel’s financial advice for current students and applicants: Do your research and don’t take the first loan that is put into your hands!
18:02:00 – Insights into Daniel’s experience as a Stanford Sloan Fellow.
20:31:00 – Learn more about SoFi.
Subscribe to Admissions Straight Talk in iTunes so you don’t miss any segments! Stay in the admissions know. (And while you’re there, feel free to leave us a review.)
*Theme music is courtesy of podcastthemes.com.
Accepted.com ~ Helping You Write Your Best
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
For this week’s episode of Accepted Admissions Straight Talk, we interviewed Jon Hodge of Strictly English. Check out the full recording to hear our great conversation about test prep, the latest technology in test-taking and more!
00:29:00 – Introducing Jon Hodge, founder and owner of Strictly English.
01:26:00 – The origins of Strictly English and its focus on the TOEFL.
03:16:00 – Find out how the TOEFL changed since its start in 1969 and added a speaking component to the exam.
06:29:00 – Overview of the 3 different English exams: TOEFL, IELTS, PTE.
08:58:00 – Is there really a difference in the speaking sections of these three exams?
15:13:00 – Do students of certain native backgrounds have greater difficulties with certain parts of the TOEFL?
17:30:00 – Impact of cultural background on communication skills.
18:57:00 – Newest exam, the PTE – uses the latest technology to provide test-takers with results within 48 hours.
21:22:00 – Heads up: TOEFL allows universities to hear a selection of your speaking!
25:22:00 – Learn about this essential communication skill: paraphrasing.
29:40:00 – Reading improves all language skills: speaking, writing, and listening. So, read, read, read!!
33:35:00 – The unique approach at Strictly English not only prepares you for the TEOFL, but also teaches essential skills for graduate school.
39:23:00 – Learn more about Strictly English and TOEFL prep.
Subscribe to Admissions Straight Talk in iTunes so you don’t miss any segments! Stay in the admissions know. (And while you’re there, feel free to leave us a review.)
*Theme music is courtesy of podcastthemes.com.
Accepted.com ~ Helping You Write Your Best
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
This work is licensed under a
Creative Commons License.
Contact Accepted.com:
Phone: 310.815.9553
Fax: 310.815.9554
Privacy Policy
