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 …
In the medical school admissions process, your MCAT score and GPA carry significant weight. If the rest of your application is stellar, having less-than-perfect stats likely won’t prevent you from being accepted. However, having low stats might. A “low” GPA or MCAT score is one that falls significantly below the average or median at the school you’re …
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 …
Springtime is often the most frustrating part of the application process, with seemingly interminable waits, alternate lists growing longer, and waitlists stubbornly refusing to move. Fortunately, the AMCAS Application and Acceptance Protocols (sometimes referred to as the “Traffic Rules”) keep things rolling along – at least for allopathic medical school applicants. While some dates have …
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 …
A BS/MD program is a direct pathway from high school into medicine. In these programs, high school seniors are accepted into college and medical school at the same time (though conditions apply, based on success in college, academic metrics, leadership, maturity, and clarity of commitment to medicine). BS/MD programs are highly competitive, with acceptance rates …
Each March, after years of study and hours of completing applications and interviewing, thousands of medical school students and graduates discover where they will begin their specialty training. On this year’s Match Day – March 20 – 48,050 applicants got their answer. The National Resident Matching Program (NRMP), which oversees the matching process to pair …
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 …
If you have retaken classes in the past – or expect to need to retake a class in the future – this post will help you understand this element of your profile, in general, for the AMCAS application, and for the AACOMAS application, as needed. 1. All grades earned are calculated into the cumulative GPA. …
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