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Did you know you can listen to BS/MD advice while you drive to work? We not only release videos on our YouTube channel, but we’ve also launched a podcast called The White Coat Club.
Course Selection Season
The Moon Prep calendars in February and March are always full of course selection meetings with students, carefully guiding students to choose the best AP, IB, honors and Dual Enrollment courses for their college aspirations. Listen to our recent podcast episode The Course Selection Process to answer all of our frequently asked course selection questions: Am I taking enough AP classes? Can I stop after two years of Spanish? Should I still take AP or Honors English if English is not my academic strength?
School Year Activities
While we spend a significant amount of time in meetings discussing meaningful summer research programs and internships, the truth is that resumes are also strengthened outside of the summer months. The time you spend outside the classroom during the school year is essential for continuing to progress your resume toward your collegiate goals. Colleges are looking for students who can manage their time productively, in addition to focusing on academics during the school year.
In our podcast episode, Resume Building During the School Year, the Moon Prep counselors share all of their tips for maximizing your resume during those crucial weeks of the school year, which activities are worth your time investment, and which activities to skip.
Project iQ does a deeper dive into resume building and passion project guidance. This exclusive (free) experience is for registered Moon Prep families only. Reserve your spot today.
Personal Statement Prompts Released
The Common Application has confirmed the 2024–2025 Common App essay prompts, which remain unchanged from the last admissions cycle. Here are the essay prompts rising seniors will begin brainstorming with their Moon Prep counselors in May:
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Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
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The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
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Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
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Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?
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Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
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Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
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Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you’ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.
Senior College List Adjustments
If you know a senior in high school who is still finalizing or not satisfied with their college plans, it always helps to see what application options are still out there. In our Forbes article, Colleges Still Accepting Applications, we break down the colleges with deadlines still ahead in March and April, as well as Rolling Admissions schools that are accepting applications through May 1.
Inboxes and Portals: Last Call!
March is the last call for needing to stay on top of checking your email inbox and individual portals for interview requests. We recommend doing this every day if you are waiting for an interview invitation, even watching your Spam folder. Bookmark our Forbes article, 2023-24 Notification Dates For Early Decision, Early Action And BS/MD Programs, to anticipate most of the upcoming known notification dates for this admissions cycle. Some BS/MD programs give students only 48 hours to submit an additional essay after an on-campus interview event, but more frequently, we see seven or fourteen days notice. This can also be true for scheduling in-person interviews, like the Nova Shark Preview Weekend.
Summer Programs – Deadlines and Applications
If you have not had your summer planning meeting with your Moon Prep counselor, there are many application dates that are already passing you by. For example, if you are looking for a summer research experience in North Carolina, there are only four options still accepting applications, and approximately ten programs with deadlines that have passed. Don’t delay essential summer planning!
Listen to our podcast episode from last month, All About Summer Programs, to learn our tips for finding programs with the most return on investment for your future college applications and read our Forbes article, Competitive and Free Summer Programs, to see our favorite prestigious summer programs. Last but not least, we have even detailed virtual research options for the families who have made concrete summer plans that will take their students away from research facilities in our Forbes article, Seven Research-Focused Virtual Summer Programs For High School Students.
The Spring and Summer are filled with exciting educational opportunities at Moon Prep. Mark your calendars and do not miss out, as space is limited.
Project iQ – starts 4/10/24
As a new offering to our Moon Prep students, underclassmen are invited to a boot camp created to guide their resume in the right direction. In five weekly sessions, students will learn to view the activities on their resume through the perspective of admission officers, standing out from their peers with a clear road map to their top colleges. Attendees will also walk through real examples from successful past Moon Prep students. This boot camp is for students in grades 7-11 searching for that X factor on their college applications.
Here’s what you need to know:
This opportunity is open to registered Moon Prep students only.
Schedule: Every Wednesday (4/10 – 5/8), 7:00 – 8:15 ET/4:00-5:15 PT
What is the investment?
Free (live sessions), Paid (offline work with your counselor/mentor)
What topics are covered?
The course syllabus and learning objectives can be found here.
Current Moon Prep students can register here.
AppIication iQ – starts 7/18/24
Want one more reason to join Moon Prep? Now, our rising seniors have a direct medical college application “boot camp” included in their Moon Prep experience! This summer, our rising seniors will be attending sessions covering the intricate BS/MD application process, including strategies for the medical-focused essay questions. Over seven sessions, students will get a valuable head start on their college applications and essays in a structured, supportive environment. Students receive eBooks, templates, and sample essays to help guide them through the application process.
Application iQ is an experience like no other and will help guide students (and parents) through the complete BS/MD application process.
Here’s what you need to know:
This opportunity is open to registered Moon Prep students only.
Schedule: Every Thursday (7/18 – 8/29), 7:00-8:30p ET/4:00-5:30p PT
What is the investment?
Free (live sessions), Paid (offline editing of essays and activity lists)
What topics are covered?
The course syllabus and learning objectives can be found here.
Current Moon Prep students can register here.
Rising Researchers Camp – 3 new sessions this summer!
Work in a small class cohort under the guidance of an experienced research mentor this summer. Each live session is held virtually via Zoom. All camp options have clear deliverables: research publication, poster presentation, and certificate of completion.
Session 1 – Microbial Bioinformatics – Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) Research
- 5/21 – 6/20 at 7:30pm EST (4:30pm PST)
- Join Dr. Jedy as she leads students through studying microbiology (bacteria and viruses!) using artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms. Students will gain exposure to bioinformatics databases used by scientists.
Session 2 – Medical Bioinformatics – Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) Research
- 6/18 – 7/25 at 4:30pm EST (1:30pm PST)
- Join Dr. Jedy as she leads students through studying medical diseases in humans using artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms. Students will gain exposure to bioinformatics databases used by scientists.
Session 3 – Social Determinants Of Health In Cardiovascular Disease
- 6/26 – 7/27 at 5:00pm EST (2:00pm PST)
- Join Loren as she explains the role of social determinants in public health and how they can impact heart health. Students will be led through key background readings and walked through writing each part of a scientific article.
Early Bird discounts + Moon Prep student discounts are available. Learn more and register here.
College Application Number Updates:
Yale University has announced their return to requiring scores of all applicants. In their new test-flexible admissions model, they will expand the list of tests that fulfill the requirement to include AP and IB exams in addition to the ACT and SAT.
Duke University received almost 48,000 Regular Decision applications, an increase of nearly 10 percent over last year, with a total applicant pool of around 54,200 with Early Decision numbers. There was a 12.9% Early Decision admit rate and an anticipated 4.5% Regular Decision admit rate.
Boston College reviewed 1,500 Early Decision II applications, anticipating enrolling approximately 415 students. For their Regular Decision round, they received 31,000 applications.
Florida Atlantic University experienced a 30% increase in freshman applications and has implemented a wait list for the first time to keep up with the application numbers.
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