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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