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by Mary Mahoney
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 …
One of the most important pieces of advice you’ll ever get regarding your personal statements and application essays is this: Show, don’t tell. It’s a classic writing lesson, and you’ve probably heard it before, but how do you actually “show, not tell,” in your essays? Simply “telling” is ineffective, because it usually involves boastful claims such …
Show Summary In this episode of Admissions Straight Talk, the Assistant Professor and Director of Admissions at the Emory University Physician Assistant Program, Allan Platt, offers an insightful look into the Emory University’s Physician Assistant Program. He breaks down the program’s distinctive curriculum, including its unique approach to anatomy, and shares valuable advice for prospective …
by Mary Mahoney
You know you want to become a doctor, but you also realize that you’re not quite ready for medical school. Whether that’s because your academic profile isn’t as competitive as it needs to be; your GPA or MCAT score needs attention; you’re low on clinical, volunteer, or research hours; or you’re a career changer (in …
by Cydney Foote
On one eagerly anticipated day each March, after years of study and hours of applications and interviews, thousands of medical school students and graduates discover where they will begin their specialty training. This Match Day – March 21, 2025 – 47,208 applicants got their answer. The National Resident Matching Program (NRMP), which oversees the matching …
In today’s world, where everything moves at lightning speed, we’re constantly making fast decisions. This applies to admissions committees, too. The pressure of their job forces them to make very quick decisions about whose applications they will invest more time in and whose will merit only an obligatory but cursory review before being set aside. …
by Mary Mahoney
Do you have a very clear picture of where you want to go with your career? Is medical school calling your name? If this is the case, then a combined BS/MD degree program might be for you! In this post, we explore the pros and cons of such programs and provide tips to help you …
The Veterinary Medical College Application Service (VMCAS) opened on January 22, 2025, this year. The final VMCAS application deadline is September 15. With advanced planning, knowledge of the new and changed aspects of the VMCAS, and a competitive, holistic application, you will be ready! VMCAS Timeline The following suggested timeline highlights important VMCAS dates, provides reminders …
by Mary Mahoney
The Vanderbilt University School of Medicine (VUSM) places special emphasis on the relationships students form during medical school with their classmates and professors. Students join one of four colleges on campus to participate in small group learning activities. In their first two years of medical school, students create their own project to self-direct their learning process, with …
by Mary Mahoney
Predictably, the rate at which aspiring medical school students are taking a gap year is rising. According to the AAMC’s 2024 student questionnaire, 74.3% of M1s took at least one gap year between their undergraduate education and starting medical school. That rate was 60% in 2017. Clearly, the takeaway from this data is that the …
There are approximately 300 accredited PA (physician assistant) schools in the United States. In 2024, these schools received more than 27,000 applications. The matriculation rate for PA schools hovers near 30%, which is lower than the approximate 40% matriculation rate for medical schools. To stand out in this crowded applicant pool, you need to ensure …
Show Summary: In this episode of Admissions Straight Talk, Dr. Beth Piraino, Associate Dean of Admissions at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine (UPSOM), explores the school’s innovative Three Rivers Curriculum, emphasizing small-group learning, early clinical exposure, and the integration of “Streams” (special interest areas) and Threads” (core competencies like leadership and clinical reasoning). …
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