Each Tuesday at 8 pm CST, I meet with current applicants in a zoom room to chat, answer questions and occasionally tell some stories....

Writing a personal statement can feel overwhelming. Many people struggle to get started because the task feels too big. You want to stand out, show your interest, and prove you have what it takes. But how do you balance all the important elements while maintaining your voice? This post breaks down four key priorities to focus on when crafting a personal statement, especially for those applying to medical school or similar fields. Understanding these priorities will help you

In your 700/600 character descriptions, do not tell stories in your short descriptions. You cannot develop a story in such a short space. Instead, follow this structure: Sentence One: BIG PICTURE-What did you do? Describe your role (I led a team..), context (in a busy urban hospital), and relevance (contributing to a project on ...). Last Sentence: Your takeaway. What did you learn from this experience. Each experience should have a unique takeaway. In between first and las

As I embark on yet another application cycle with a new set of ambitious, inspiring young people trying to become doctors, dentists and PAs, I reflect back on the last 12 cycles I've helped people through. Each year, people come to me with unique stories, backgrounds, and challenges, yet for the most part, the groups have been pretty similar. The fear, anxiety, stress and "what ifs" that come with applying to a health profession program eat away at people's personalities to t

One of the aspects of my job that I love the most is bringing people together! Over the years, I've hosted many events in different states across the country. Whether it is a medical school tour, dinner, or conference, seeing those I work with in person is so rewarding. What makes that even sweeter is when I can bring in former advisees who are now medical students or practicing physicians to share their experiences. On February 6 and 7th, I get to do a little of everything i

It's so easy to start to panic right about now if you haven't heard anything at all from schools. It's so easy to imagine the worst case scenario. Many people do that and spiral into a state of panic, or worse... I beg you to consider the possibility that you will get interviews but they will come later. I can't answer WHY they come later than others' (I have my theory) but I can only assure you that most people do get interviews later in the cycle (November-February). I know

Are you applying to PA school and wondering which exam you should be taking? There has been a lot confusion about exam requirements for...

Learning Spanish as a future PA, Dentist, or Physician is so incredibly important to make medicine more accessible to so many more...

I am wishing everyone a Happy New Year! This application cycle is certainly something to be happy about! Although not everyone...

Are you getting ready for the MCAT or beginning your medical school application journey? If so, excitement and nerves may be running...

Applicants often focus heavily on perfecting their personal statements while neglecting the importance of their Work and Activities...

You prep a ton for the interview, you leave the interview feeling amazing, and then three weeks later, you get the dreaded email saying...

Now is the time that many applicants begin sending update emails to schools they haven't heard back from. Updates can include: Getting a...

With CASPA, AADSAS, AMCAS and AACOMAS opening soon, I wanted to check in to make sure the following things have been completed (if...

I'm excited to share my new podcast: Into the Nuance. I joined forces with two of my colleagues and good friends to dive into the nuance...

Whether your personal statement is four or five paragraphs, I don't know that it matters much, but I will continue to argue that every...

I remember years ago sitting at an AAMC meeting in Philadelphia when the AAMC folks introduced the "situational judgment test" to a room...

I can think of so many stories from personal statements where people present problems they've seen in society or clinical spaces. When...

It happens. People have bad grades in science classes. That doesn't mean anything about you....as long as you ultimately prove that you...

Information taken from: https://students-residents.aamc.org/media/15396/download For YEARS, I've used the AAMC Core Competencies to guide...