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2026-2027 AMCAS Work and Activities Section: What to Include (with Examples)

An ipad wit the AMCAS Work and Activities Section

The AMCAS Work and Activities section is where you will share all that you’ve done to prepare yourself for a career in medicine – your research, clinical experiences, paid employment, publications, leadership, extracurricular activities, awards, memberships, volunteer work, and advocacy and social justice efforts.  The types of activities that you include, the length of time …

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Preparing for Your Lauder Institute Interview: Eight Expert Tips for Success

Globe at sunset featuring Lauder Institute Interview logo

When I served as director of admissions, marketing, and financial aid at the Lauder Institute, one of the most common questions I received from applicants was “How should I prepare for my Lauder interview?” If you’ve applied to the Lauder Institute’s joint degree program with the Wharton MBA or Penn Law JD, you’ll be invited …

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What Nontraditional Applicants Should Know About Applying to Business School

nontraditional mba candidate registering for business school online

When one thinks of a “traditional” business school applicant, what usually comes to mind is someone who has work experience in a particular industry or functional area, such as accounting, banking, or marketing. This person might or might not have an undergraduate business education. For example, many consultants actually majored in history or political science.  …

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University of Minnesota Medical School Secondary Application Essay Tips and Timeline [2025–2026], Class Profile

Founded in 1888, the University of Minnesota (UMN) Medical School has spent more than 135 years advancing medicine through education, research, and patient-centered care. With campuses in Duluth, St. Cloud, and the Twin Cities, the school offers students access to diverse clinical opportunities across urban and rural settings. Its MD curriculum emphasizes active learning, early …

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Med School Timeline: When Do Acceptances Come Out?

A woman checking her phone for med school interview invitations

Sadly, the frustrating truth is that there’s no rule governing when a medical school must respond to your application. However, in this blog post, we’ll try to mitigate some of that frustration by answering some of the big questions you might have as an anxious med school applicant, including the following: When to Expect Secondaries …

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Stanford’s MCiM: Where Healthcare Meets Technology [Episode 610]

Admissions Straight Talk graphic with host Dr. Valerie Wherley and guest Dr. Kevin Schulman

In this episode of Admissions Straight Talk, host Dr. Valerie Wherley sits down with Dr. Kevin Schulman, professor of medicine at Stanford University and faculty director of the Master of Science in Clinical Informatics Management (MCiM) program. Together, they explore how Stanford’s innovative MCiM degree is preparing the next generation of healthcare leaders at the …

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Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Secondary Application Essay Tips and Timeline [2025–2026], Class Profile

Johns Hopkins School of Medicine

The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (JHUSOM) – which is known for its groundbreaking research, innovative education, and world-class patient care – is consistently ranked among the nation’s leading medical schools. Located in Baltimore, JHUSOM provides students with a rich blend of academic rigor, clinical training, and community engagement. Students train alongside Nobel laureates, …

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How to Write a Statement of Purpose for Graduate School

woman sitting on floor with laptop thinking about her grad school statement of purpose

Your statement of purpose is one of the best ways to showcase yourself to the adcom as an original, well-qualified, and purposeful candidate. A strong statement of purpose will demonstrate your knowledge of and fit for your chosen field, as well as your intellectual growth, maturity, and ability to communicate clearly. Additionally, it will show …

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University of California System: Tips for 2025-2026 Personal Insight Questions

high school student writing personal insight questions on her laptop for the California University system

The University of California (UC) system consists of nine campuses that all use the same application. They are UC Berkeley (Cal), UC Santa Cruz, UC Davis, UC Merced, UC Santa Barbara, UC Los Angeles (UCLA), UC Irvine, UC Riverside, and UC San Diego. If you are applying to one or more of these campuses, you …

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Six Tips for Team Interviews

team based interview zoom call

Business school interviews aren’t just about showing your target program what you can do – they’re also about demonstrating how you work with others. Many top MBA programs, such as Wharton, use team-based or group interviews to highlight candidates’ collaboration, communication, and leadership skills. These interviews simulate what happens in the classroom and on group …

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Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine Secondary Application Essay Tips and Timeline [2025–2026], Class Profile

Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine

The Boston University (BU) Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine (SOM) – formerly the Boston University School of Medicine – has a 175+ year legacy of innovation, inclusion, and service to the community. From its historic founding as the first coeducational medical school in the United States, BU has trained generations of physicians and researchers …

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