What should prospective physical therapy students look for in a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program? In this episode of Admissions Straight Talk, Dr. Valerie Wherley speaks with Dr. Steven Ambler – professor of physical therapy and orthopaedic surgery, division director of education, and DPT program director at WashU Medicine – about what makes WashU’s …
Applying to physician assistant (PA) programs is an incredibly competitive process, and for many applicants, the path to acceptance is not always straightforward. In this episode of Admissions Straight Talk, host Dr. Valerie Wherley speaks with Cassandra Zoetjes about her journey as a three-time PA school applicant and the lessons she learned along the way. …
All applicants to Texas medical schools must submit the Texas Medical and Dental Schools Application Service (TMDSAS) application. Candidates applying to one of the 14 medical school programs that use the TMDSAS application need to complete an Activities section similar to, yet different from, the one in the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) application. …
If you are applying to allopathic medical schools, the Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR) online database is an invaluable resource. Created by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), the MSAR is a comprehensive guide of all MD-granting, Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME)–accredited medical schools in the United States and Canada. Applicants can use …
Medical school admissions committees expect applicants to have accrued shadowing hours by application time, but what you get out of the experience depends entirely on how you approach it. In this episode of Admissions Straight Talk, Dr. Valerie Wherley sits down with Dr. Rachel L. Schreiber, a board-certified allergist/immunologist and past president of the Greater …
What does it take to stand out and become a competitive applicant to Touro University California College of Osteopathic Medicine (TUCOM), and what makes this program unique among osteopathic medical schools? In this episode of Admissions Straight Talk, Accepted consultant and podcast host Dr. Valerie Wherley speaks with Dr. Alesia Wagner, associate dean of academic …
There are three important reasons medical schools want candidates to write essays to complement the stats and data provided in the other sections of the AMCAS application. Table of Contents: AMCAC Essays 1. Essays provide a window into who you are. The admissions committees are interested not just in your grades, scores, impressive awards, and …
The Texas Medical and Dental Schools Application Service (TMDSAS) has its own application process. You can begin filling out the organization’s electronic application on May 1, similar to the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) application. On the TMDSAS application, there are two required essays and one optional essay. Ready to get to work on …
What does it take to get accepted to a top medical school like Baylor College of Medicine, and what should applicants really know about the program? In this episode of Admissions Straight Talk, Accepted consultant Dr. Valerie Wherley sits down with Dr. Jesus Vallejo, senior associate dean of admissions at Baylor College of Medicine, to …
“Why medicine?” This is the question admissions teams ask every medical school applicant during interviews. However, the personal statement is an ideal opportunity to answer this seemingly nebulous, overwhelming, and multifaceted question. Table of Contents: What Is a Medical School Personal Statement? The personal statement remains a critical component of applications from the American Medical …
The Veterinary Medical College Application Service (VMCAS) offers a common application that simplifies the process of applying to schools of veterinary medicine. The VMCAS application cycle opened on January 21, 2026, and the application deadline is September 15. With advanced planning, knowledge of the new and changed aspects of the VMCAS, and a competitive, holistic …
What does it take to stand out as a competitive applicant to the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, and what makes the program unique among U.S. medical schools? In this episode of Admissions Straight Talk, Accepted consultant and podcast host Dr. Valerie Wherley speaks with Dr. Rona Woldenberg, associate dean for admissions and interim …
In this 30-minute session, one of our admissions consultants will review your profile, assess your chances of acceptance at your target programs, and tell you exactly where you stand.
