In 2007, the MCAT was first offered electronically. Prior to this technological shift, the MCAT was only offered a limited number of times a year – as a paper and pencil exam. AAMC also restricted the number of times you could take the exam in one year as well as in your lifetime. Now that…
Test-Taking Advice for People with Learning Disabilities or Test Anxiety
Nobody likes taking tests, right? Well, perhaps a few of you out there get psyched at the chance of showing how well you have boned up for your exams. But most people facing a timed test can’t wait to get it out of the way. Even those who are fairly confident of their abilities will…
4 Sure-Fire Ways to Ace Essays Showing Resilience in the Face of Failure
Recently we worked with a client applying to MBA programs who had experienced a failure that could have been the kiss of death for his job. Not only could it have gotten him fired, it also risked ending a lucrative business relationship between his employer and a major customer. How one applicant transformed a failure…
So, You’re Applying to Business School with a Low GPA or GMAT Score?
You want to apply to business school, but you may be holding back because you’re worried about your low numbers–an unimpressive GPA or GMAT/GRE score. Don’t worry – this is NOT the end of the world! This post will define what “low” really means, help you put your scores into context, and show you how…
Got a Criminal Record? Here’s How to Address It in Your Application
If you have ever engaged in disorderly conduct, petty theft, gotten a DUI, been arrested during a political protest, or have any other infractions (minor or major) on your record, we hope that you have learned important lessons from those experiences and won’t repeat them. But if you are applying to a grad program, you…
5 Things to Consider When Justifying Your LSAT Score or Grades
Most law schools provide optional space, an addendum, to explain your LSAT score and GPA. While it can be tempting to “explain away” poor performance, consider these 5 things. You never want the committee to ask the question “why?” and not answer it in your own words. While you should be applying to schools that…
Help! My LSAT is Low – Should I Still Apply to Law School?
The November LSAT scores are in, and some of you may be reevaluating your law school choices or plans. What should you do if your LSAT is low? Can you get into law school with a low LSAT? Below are 5 important things you should consider before making any decisions: The LSAT matters. The LSAT…
5 Tips for Disclosing a Criminal Record to Law Schools
So, you’ve made a mistake. It happens. Law schools all require that applicants address any criminal record, including any arrests or incidents resulting in probation. Below are 5 tips for handling this delicate situation. Mea Culpa. If you’ve made a mistake, admit it up front. You should show remorse and explain why you will not…
4 Tips for Discussing Failure at Your Med School Interview
Inevitably, you will be asked to describe a time when you have failed. It’s a common medical school interview question, and it’s a tough one. This post will help you prepare for this question. Strategies for tackling the failure question When selecting an example to discuss, consider the following strategies: Choose a recent example. It’s…
How Your Academic Statistics Influence Your Medical School Choices
The most reliable source of information about allopathic medical schools is provided on the Medical School Admissions Requirements (MSAR) website, offered by the AAMC. It is worth purchasing access to this database because the statistics it contains can be extremely valuable in helping you decide where to apply. Before you begin exploring the school data,…
Your Guide to Getting off the Waitlist in 2021
The application process is not over for waitlisted applicants. You’ve still got a chance of getting into your dream school. Now’s not the time to slack off, and it’s certainly not the time to give up. Continue fighting for that acceptance! Landing on a waitlist can be a nerve-wracking experience. As a result, sometimes waitlisted…
How MBA Adcoms Evaluate Your GPA
“But my undergrad school was highly competitive…” “But I worked 20 hours a week during college…” “But I was a varsity athlete at a Division I school…” “But even though it took me a couple of years, once I got it together I made dean’s list every semester…” “But my PhD GPA was 3.9…” These…
Writing About Weaknesses in Your Med School Personal Statement
When coming up with material for your medical school personal statement, it’s important that you ask yourself the following: Are there any weaknesses, any holes in my information, or any questionable data that somebody may question about my application? You don’t want your admissions reader getting to the end of your application and then asking,…
Help, I Was Rejected by All the Med Schools I Applied To!
Here’s my 2-minute answer to the question I hear every application season: “I was rejected by every single medical school I applied to. What can I change?” There’s a simple 2-step process that rejected med school applicants need to follow: 1. Assess what went wrong, 2. Fix it! What exactly was your application weakness? Did…
6 Tips for Talking About Your Weaknesses
How do you react when you read/hear the weakness question? With this question, schools are assessing how well you self evaluate. Like a business problem, they want to hear your plan of action, your implementation, and your success rate. Here are some tips to help you a) think about and evaluate your weaknesses, and b)…
GPA Issues When Applying to Med School: What to do With a “W”
Almost everybody has a blemish on their GPA. Usually it’s a failed class or a semester of poor grades. But there’s also the issue of how a “W” on your transcript will affect your chance of admission to medical school. The truth is that withdrawing from one or two classes is not going to hurt…
Waitlisted! What Now?
So, you’ve been waitlisted and you’re not sure whether to laugh or cry. You can choose to do either, neither or both, but then it is time to figure out what to do next. Listen to the recording of our latest podcast episode to hear Linda Abraham’s six tips for waitlisted applicants. Make sure you…
How Do You Deal with Criticism? MBA Admissions Committees Want to Know
Many MBA essays ask you to write about a time you were given criticism and how you dealt with it. This may not be the kind of question you wished they had asked, but it is one that provides an excellent opportunity to show the highly prized quality of emotional intelligence (or EQ). Additionally, the…
Flaws Make You Real
A speaker recently told a story about traveling in Asia where he saw a stunning emerald. Enchanted by the stone’s beauty, he decided to buy it. On the spot. He returned home and took the emerald to a jeweler for appraisal. The jeweler began to examine the stone through his magnifier, and as he did…
Encore: Your Past Doesn’t Define You [Episode 228]
This week we are airing an encore of one of the most populars shows of 2017. Many applicants focus on the past – both the good and the bad – to the detriment of their applications. Find out the role your past plays in admissions and what you should focus on in your applications when you listen…
