“I really want to help people” simply isn’t a valid response to the common medical school application question, “Why do you want to be a doctor?” Watch this short video for Linda Abraham’s reflections on what to say – and what not to say – when answering this million dollar why I want to be a doctor essay question. Do…
10 Reasons Why You Should Consider Participating in a Special Masters Program (SMP)
You’ve completed your undergraduate degree and are looking forward to attending medical school, but are looking for a way to set your application apart. If you have a strong undergrad science GPA, pursuing an SMP can be a fantastic way to do just that. There are currently more than 75 different science-based SMPs nationwide. There…
Check Out Our Recent Q&A with Medical School Experts!
What an amazing turnout we had for our recent live session, Your Burning Questions – Answered! A Live Med School Admissions Q&A! Our panel of experts served up vital information and our attendees asked them great questions that were of interest to everyone. Did you miss the event? No worries. We’ve made the session available…
Improve Your MCAT Score for Medical School Acceptance
Fortunately, it’s easier to tackle a poor MCAT score than a poor GPA. While you should not retake the exam too many times, a better-prepared second or even third attempt can be a sound strategy. Many people find that studying independently or with a group of friends works well. Reviewing your old class notes and…
What is a Good MCAT Score to Get Into Medical School
You’ve spent months in an MCAT review course, taken practice test after practice test, and finally sat for the exam. Your results are in. Are they good enough to get you into your target medical school? Let’s take a look at what your scores mean. MCAT scores and your grades are weighted differently The primary…
The Keys to Getting into Med School in 2023
Our recent webinar, Start Medical School in 2023: How to Get Accepted This Year, was absolutely jam-packed with information about how to get prepared for the 2022–2023 admissions cycle. If you have your heart set on snagging that acceptance letter in 2022, check it out. Watch the video now! Watch the webinar:
Retaking Classes For Med School: What Every Premed Needs to Know
If you have retaken classes in the past or will need to retake a class in the future, this post will tell you what you need to know—both in general and tailored to either the AMCAS application or the AACOMAS application. All grades earned are calculated into the cumulative GPA.While your college campus may offer…
How To Get Accepted to University of Illinois College of Medicine [Episode 423]
All about the University of Illinois College of Medicine’s admissions process [Show summary] During this episode, Dr. Leila Amiri who is the University of Illinois College of Medicine’s Assistant Dean of Admissions and Recruitment, not only dissects the UI COM admissions process but also provides a wonderful and experienced perspective on the overall medical school…
Should I Take a Gap Year Before Medical School?
According to a 2019 study conducted by the American Medical Association, sixty-five percent of first-year medical students surveyed took gap years. Most students who took gap years did so for 1-2 years (44%), followed by those who did so for 3-4 years (13%), followed by those who did so for 5 plus years (8%). Clearly,…
Predoc & Premed Summer Undergraduate Research Programs
Often, top medical schools in the U.S. offer predoc and premed summer undergraduate research programs. We’ve compiled an all-you-need-to-know chart that includes school name, deadlines, and links to the specific predoc/premed programs for more information. Why do these undergraduate research programs exist? The purpose of these programs is to expose ambitious, talented college students to…
How Will Covid-19 Impact Your Admissions Journey? 5 Med School Admissions Experts Speak
First, the Accepted team and I want to extend our best wishes for a speedy and complete recovery to those who are sick or who have ill family members. We also know that some of you or your families are experiencing financial difficulties because of the pandemic and lock-down. Again, our thoughts and prayers are with…
Tips for Getting Into Medical School When Your Parent is a Doctor
There has been an interesting shift in medical school admissions for applicants whose parents are doctors. In 1989, these applicants were 15% more likely to get into medical school. When I first became involved in admissions over ten years ago, students who had a physician for a parent were still more likely to get accepted…
How to Prepare for Medical School: 4 Important Things to Do Before You Get Started
As I become inundated with science coursework, buried under electronic books, and finally set into the rhythm of my first year of medical school, I can’t help but notice the things I am so thankful I did, and some things I wish I would have done. The importance of understanding your strengths and weaknesses When…
How Much Does Your Social Media Presence Factor Into the Application Process?
On January 13th, Kaplan Test Prep released the results of their annual survey of business schools, speaking to admissions officers from 288 top schools around the country. The results clearly indicate that an applicant’s social media profile could well be a factor in the application process. Here are some particularly important stats: 36% of admissions…
How Should I Prepare For Medical School in College? [Timeline]
Follow the guidelines below to create a winning medical school application! (If you are starting the process later than your first year of college, use this key to enable you to follow the advice below.) Freshman year Look for possible mentors. Volunteer. Explore Research. Maintain personal interests. Get your feet wet by shadowing. Click here…
What Do Medical Schools Look for in Applicants
Do you see the light at the end of the tunnel? Your undergrad career is coming to an end, and it’s time to start applying to med schools. Having done your research, you know where you’d like to apply. But what are med schools looking for in an applicant? Here are the 14 things that…
What I Learned from My Shadowing Experiences
As a pre-med, I was grateful to shadow seven physicians in different medical environments. Some were primary care doctors, others were D.O. physicians. I even had the opportunity to learn alongside an orthopedic surgeon. People constantly say shadowing is important for resumes, applications, and medical school acceptances– and that’s true. But shadowing is more than…
How to Shadow a Doctor
When looking for activities to include on your AMCAS application, shadowing is a powerful way to demonstrate your interest in and realistic knowledge of the field of medicine. Shadowing as many different kinds of doctors as you can is helpful; the only way to know whether you will enjoy a career in a particular area…
How Important is Volunteering for Medical School Admissions?
Volunteering is crucial for medical school applicants. Here’s why: Med schools aren’t just looking for science geeks who’ve never stepped outside the lab. They’re looking for students who will not just succeed in the classroom, but who have also had rich and varied experiences that will make them stand out as interesting and passionate individuals…
Connections Count. And You Can Create Them.
I worked with a client, who due to medical reasons, only earned a 2.2 GPA in a social science degree program. After graduating, he decided that the right career path for him was computer science so that he could realize his dream of becoming a tech entrepreneur. He had an ideal school in mind and…
