When premed students contact us about guiding them through the medical school application process, many of their questions are related to timing. “When should I…” is a frequent question-starter. While there is no one answer that applies to everyone, here are guidelines we use when advising our medical school applicant clients. The common thread throughout…
The Questions You SHOULD Be Asking – ANSWERED! [Episode 500]
Invaluable insights into all aspects of the graduate admissions process [Show Summary] In celebration of Admissions Straight Talk’s 500th episode, Linda Abraham invites Accepted consultants to pose and answer the questions that students should be asking – and frequently don’t ask. This conversation is filled with invaluable insights that will benefit anybody preparing for graduate…
How to Make a Stand-Out MBA Application Video
Presenting yourself effectively on video has become an essential part of the MBA application process. Admissions officers expect you to be able to capture their attention on the small screen. It’s an opportunity for them to see you think on your feet and speak ‘unscripted.’ What MBA programs want to see These are just a…
3 Tips for Applying to Early Admissions Programs for Medical School
If you are absolutely certain that you want to pursue a medical education, applying to early admissions programs (EAPs) can give you the freedom to pursue any major. The Icahn School of Medicine’s FlexMed Program accepts students in the second semester of their sophomore year from all majors—the more diverse, the better. Flexmed’s only requirements…
Bonus Episode: USN Rankings, LSAT, and Laid-off Workers: What Does it All Mean?
Find out the latest admissions news and what it all means [Show Summary] It was a very newsy November and in this episode, Linda Abraham is covering the most notable updates in the graduate admissions world: law school test waivers, top school withdrawals from US News rankings, accommodations for laid-off workers, and more! In this…
How Can You Show Passion in Admissions?
When one thinks of passion, one doesn’t generally think of investment bankers. But the admissions committees are looking for passion in their applicants; so how are you – a computer guy, an engineer, a biology major, or yes, an investment banker – going to craft a winning application that shows them the passion they’re looking…
MD/PA/NP/DO/DDS/MPH: What Do They Require? [Episode 499]
Discover the differences between and how to get accepted to common healthcare admissions tracks [Show Summary] Accepted consultant Dr. Valerie Wherley has an impressive and extensive background in pre-health, having advised thousands of students to acceptance at their dream schools and programs. In this highly informative podcast interview, she distinguishes the differences between common healthcare…
How to Answer Character and Fitness Questions on Law School Applications
A legal career requires all who enter the field to possess strength of character and to be fit to practice the law. Not physical fitness or endurance – though that may help you survive first year of law school! – but fitness under the definition of suitability. This is why law school applications include a…
NYU Part-Time MBA Essay Tips & Deadlines [2022 – 2023]
NYU’s Stern Langone part-time MBA requires just one short essay: a straightforward goals essay. It also requires a less conventional “getting-to-know-you as a person” photographic essay. These two items, together, create a succinct but vivid portrait of your candidacy. NYU likes candidates who can be both efficient and creative with their messaging and communication. Perhaps keep…
4 Ways to Show How You’ll Contribute in the Future
Schools are looking for applicants who can show that they have strong leadership qualities and experiences and can demonstrate that they will actively contribute to their student/alumni communities, not to mention to the greater community and society. Many applications include an essay question with some variation of “what would you contribute to your future campus…
Four A’s to Help You Get Accepted in Round Two!
Were you rejected in round one? Do you know what to do before round two? Oh no! You haven’t received interview invitations for round one, or your dream school has already denied you admission. What do you do now? One thing is sure; if you apply with the same application, you will have the same…
U.S. News & World Report Sees High Drop Out Rate Among Elite Law Schools
They’re falling like dominoes. On November 16, Yale and Harvard Law Schools announced their withdrawal from the U.S. News & World Report law-school rankings. On November 17, the University of California, Berkeley School of Law followed suit. Since then, eight others among the highest-ranked law schools in the U.S. have also opted out. As a consequence, this…
How to Get Accepted to MIT Sloan MBA [Episode 498]
Discover all you need to know about MIT Sloan’s MBA program [Show Summary] MIT Sloan is one of the magic M7 MBA programs, and its Assistant Dean, Dawna Levenson, shares everything applicants aiming for acceptance should know. Interview with Dawna Levenson, Assistant Dean at MIT Sloan School of Management [Show Notes] Welcome to the 498th…
ABA Drops LSAT Requirement Beginning in 2025
Beginning in the fall of 2025, law school applicants may be able to skip the formidable task of studying for and taking the LSAT. That is when the American Bar Association will no longer obligate applicants to their accredited law schools to take this or any other standardized admissions test. By an overwhelming margin of…
Class of 2022 MBAs Earn Bullish Starting Salaries
Distance learning and unstable market conditions due to the Covid pandemic have not hurt the fortunes of MBA grads from top programs. The 2022 employment reports released in recent weeks from top schools, including NYU Stern School of Business, University of Michigan Ross School of Business, UC-Berkeley Haas School of Business, MIT Sloan, Harvard, and…
Extra-Curricular Activities Can Help You Get Accepted to Graduate Therapy Programs
Your involvements outside of the classroom can be an important component of your graduate school application. Can you make a connection between your activities and the field you are entering? Did your participation in an activity influence your decision to pursue this career? For example, an applicant to clinical social work or counseling/marriage and family…
Happy Thanksgiving!
Today is Thanksgiving in the United States, a national holiday during which we give pause – at least for a brief moment – to count our blessings. Wherever you are, that is a good exercise. With the war in Ukraine and conflicts elsewhere, tensions, and crises throughout the world, it is particularly important. Given the…
Why Authenticity is Vital to Your MBA Application
Too many times, as an admission officer, I read applications from candidates who shared career goals that didn’t quite make sense. Whether there was no connection to what they had been doing or no explanation of how they would successfully pivot to their desired role, I was left wondering how much thought these candidates put…
Laid off! Should I apply to B-school/Graduate School?
Did you lose your job due to layoffs in your field of work? Whatever the reason, it is a great opportunity to take stock of your career. The following paragraphs contain a few different scenarios and recommendations for you. 3 Different Scenarios for Unemployed Applicants I loved my work Lucky you! In this case, you…
Encore: An Interview With the Temple Katz School of Medicine Admissions Dean [Episode 497]
Welcome to the 497th episode of Admissions Straight Talk. Thanks for joining me. It’s Thanksgiving week! I want to take this opportunity to thank you again for joining me. Because of the holiday I decided to air one of the most popular shows of 2022: An Interview With the Temple Katz School of Medicine Admissions…