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Reapplying to medical school can feel discouraging, but it is also an opportunity to improve your strategy and present a stronger application. Many reapplicants are qualified candidates who simply missed key areas the first time around. Just as importantly, reapplying demonstrates grit, determination, and the commitment to keep pursuing your goal. It also provides an additional year to gain meaningful experience, strengthen weak areas, and return with a more competitive appli

Applying for MCAT accommodations is not a last-minute task; it requires careful planning and significant lead time. While the AAMC recommends submitting your application at least 60 days before your test date, we strongly advise applying at least six months in advance to avoid unnecessary stress and delays. A good approach is to work backward from your intended test date. For example, if you plan to take the MCAT in April, aim to submit your accommodations application by Octo

Webinar Series “Thank you all so much for being here. You may or may not know this is our very first webinar, so we are thrilled to be able to present this very valuable information to you tonight. As you're still coming into the room, please put in the chat where you're from, and we will get started now. Thank you. So, welcome. My name is Caryn Marcus. We are here to present to you tonight “Your Path to Medical School: The Medical School Timeline Explained.” And I am Marisa

Creating a thoughtful medical school list is one of the most important steps in the application process. A well-balanced list not only maximizes your chances of acceptance but also ensures you end up at a school that aligns with your goals and values. Here are the key factors to consider as you build your list. Start with Your Academic Profile Your GPA, science GPA, and MCAT score should be the foundation of your school list. These metrics are often the first screening tools

Deeply exploring medicine is imperative for a premed. There are well-known paths for gaining clinical experience, such as becoming an emergency medical technician (EMT), a certified nursing assistant, or a certified medical assistant, among others. However, these roles may come with their own barriers related to cost, time, or in the case of an EMT, physical fitness requirements. Fortunately, licensure-based positions are not the only avenue for meaningful clinical exposure.

A common medical school interview question that probes an applicant’s commitment to and understanding of the physician’s role is, “Why are you not pursuing physician assistant or nurse practitioner school?” It should likely also be the first question an advisor asks any premed student before they begin their arduous journey. It’s vital to know both how other healthcare providers are trained and what career options are available to future clinicians. Let’s walk through the sim

The average debt for a medical school graduate is approximately $200K. While this number seems daunting, it’s also important to note that, generally speaking, doctors are among the top 1% of earners in the U.S. Historically, this debt is paid off through a combination of high incomes, strategic repayment plans, qualifying for Public Service Loan Forgiveness, or working additional hours to accelerate loan repayment. At the same time, the cost of medical school continues to ris

Do you sometimes wish days away just so your child can receive the outcomes of their applications? Do you have to remind yourself that the college application journey and decision are your child’s to make, not an opportunity for you to have a do-over? If you answered yes to either or both questions, you are not alone. From being both a parent and a college counselor, here are the most important lessons I’ve learned so far: Dedicate time to talk about college. During the wai

The simple answer is that it depends on the individual programs. The complex answer is also that it depends on the individual programs. In other words, you must choose your programs before you can start planning your application(s). Many programs use a centralized application service, PostbacCAS, but many use their own applications. Let’s start with the former for a broad date-range overview. PostbacCAS Timeline PostbacCAS opens in early August, so the 2026 August date (TBD)

A postbaccalaureate premedical program (or "postbacc") is an academic program for students who already hold an undergraduate degree and would like to pursue medical school. While that’s the simple definition, there are myriad programs, so understanding the different types of postbaccs available is key. There is a program for nearly everyone and nearly every life situation. The Career-Changer Postbacc The career-changer postbacc mirrors its name, with nuances varying by prog

The choice to become a physician is a choice to dedicate one’s life to service and lifelong learning. It is a path that should be approached with tremendous attention and thoughtful decision-making, requiring years of preparation even before medical school. For those who need one for a myriad of reasons, a postbacc premedical program can be the right launching point for strong medical school candidacy. As you thoroughly research the program best suited to you, start with thes