Schedule: Every Monday and Thursday (7/6/26 – 8/6/26) from  7:00p – 8:30p ET/ 4:00p – 5:30p PT

Learn more about Loren here!

Why You Will Love This Camp:

This camp introduces students to the social determinants of health, including socioeconomic status and environment, and their impact on cardiovascular disease. Students will review the anatomy and physiology of the heart and apply cardiology knowledge to real-world case study scenarios. They will explore common cardiology pathologies, learn to interpret clinical data and findings, and gain experience performing literature reviews. By combining medical knowledge with public health perspectives, students develop critical thinking skills and a deeper understanding of how social factors influence heart health.

 Schedule: Every Monday and Thursday (7/20/26 – 8/20/26) from 7:00p – 8:30p ET/ 4:00p – 5:30p PT

Why You Will Love This Camp:

Bioinformatics Research: Biology Meets No-Code AI and ML Programming introduces you to the fast-growing field where biology and artificial intelligence intersect. You’ll use intuitive, no-code tools to analyze biological data while learning how machine learning drives discoveries in healthcare, microbiology, and plant science. Choose a focus area in Medicine, Microbiology, or Plants for beginners to tailor the experience to your interests. By the end of the camp, you’ll understand how computational tools are transforming modern biology, and you’ll have hands-on experience applying them yourself.

View the syllabus

 Camp Investment: $3500 

The first session kicked off on June 4!
All sessions are recorded, so it’s not too late to join now!
Today’s college admissions landscape is more competitive than ever. Strong grades and test scores alone are no longer enough to stand out — students need purpose, strategy, and experiences that demonstrate initiative, impact, and leadership. That’s exactly why Moon Prep’s Application IQ Summer Camp was created.

Application IQ goes beyond the typical “resume-building” approach. Students are taught how admissions officers actually evaluate applicants and how to strategically develop meaningful experiences that tell a compelling story. Through mentorship, personalized guidance, and hands-on activities, students learn how to position research, leadership, extracurriculars, and summer opportunities in ways that strengthen future college, BS/MD, and scholarship applications.

The students who gain an edge in admissions are often the ones who start planning early, understand how to maximize opportunities, and communicate their impact authentically. Application IQ helps students build that foundation now — before application season arrives.

When students consider becoming physicians, they often focus on what comes after college: medical school, the MCAT, research, clinical experience, and residency training.

But before any of that happens, there is an increasingly important question that can shape your college admissions journey:

What major are you applying for?

Many students assume that college admissions is primarily about GPA, course rigor, test scores, extracurricular activities, and essays. While those factors remain critically important, colleges are increasingly evaluating applicants within the context of their intended academic field. In other words, two students with similar academic credentials may face very different admission odds depending on the major they select.

Recent admissions data from the University of California system highlights just how significant these differences can be.

At UC Berkeley, applicants to Arts and Humanities programs were admitted at approximately 25%, while Computer Science applicants were admitted at around 6%, Engineering applicants at around 7%, and Business applicants at around 5%.

At UCLA, Nursing admitted roughly 1% of applicants, making it one of the most competitive undergraduate programs in the country.

These trends extend far beyond California.

At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the overall admission rate is approximately 37%, yet Computer Science admits only about 7% of applicants. Engineering and Business are similarly more selective than the university overall.

The University of Minnesota admits roughly 74% of applicants overall, but only about 33% to Business and 30% to Nursing.

Across the country, colleges are increasingly managing enrollment at the program level rather than simply admitting students to the university as a whole.

For aspiring doctors, this trend creates both opportunities and challenges.

Contrary to popular belief, medical schools do not require a specific major. Students successfully enter medical school from majors in Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, Public Health, Psychology, English, History, Music, and many other disciplines.

However, many high school students interested in medicine automatically gravitate toward highly popular majors such as:

• Biology

• Biomedical Sciences

• Neuroscience

• Public Health

• Biochemistry

• Biomedical Engineering

As a result, applicants interested in healthcare often find themselves competing against a large pool of highly accomplished students pursuing similar academic paths.

This doesn’t mean students should avoid these majors. It simply means that selecting a major should be an intentional decision rather than an automatic one.

Admissions officers are not simply evaluating whether you say you want to become a physician.

They are asking:

What evidence have you provided that medicine is a genuine and sustained interest?

Students who stand out typically demonstrate this through:

• Clinical volunteering

• Research experiences

• Community service

• Health-related leadership

• Independent projects

• Healthcare advocacy

• Shadowing physicians

• Public health initiatives

Notice that none of these require a specific major.

What matters most is demonstrating authentic engagement with healthcare and scientific inquiry.

This is one reason summer can be such a powerful time for future healthcare professionals.

Students often assume that summer success means finding the most prestigious research lab or the most selective internship. While those opportunities can be valuable, admissions officers are ultimately looking for evidence of curiosity, initiative, and commitment.

Meaningful experiences might include:

• Conducting independent research

• Volunteering in a hospital or clinic

• Working as a camp counselor for children with disabilities

• Starting a health education initiative in your community

• Assisting with public health outreach

• Pursuing a medically related passion project

• Exploring healthcare disparities through service work

The strongest future physicians often begin developing their understanding of medicine long before they enter college.

One of the biggest misconceptions in college admissions is that there is a single formula for becoming a doctor.

There isn’t.

Medical schools seek future physicians who are academically capable, intellectually curious, compassionate, resilient, and able to connect with people from diverse backgrounds.

The students who ultimately succeed are often those who use high school and college not simply to check boxes, but to genuinely explore their interests and develop a deeper understanding of the communities they hope to serve.

As college admission cycles become increasingly competitive, your intended major may influence your admission chances more than ever before. But for future physicians, the goal should never be choosing a major solely because it seems easier—or harder—to gain admission.

Instead, focus on identifying the academic fields that genuinely excite you and then build meaningful experiences that demonstrate your commitment to healthcare.

Remember: colleges are not simply admitting future Biology majors.

They are admitting future researchers, advocates, innovators, leaders, and physicians.

The question is not whether you can say you want to become a doctor.

The question is: What have you done to show that medicine is already part of your story?

For the past several years, students have become accustomed to seeing the words “test-optional” on college admissions websites. Many assumed that SAT and ACT scores were becoming less important, or even irrelevant, in the admissions process.

That assumption is quickly changing.

Over the past year, a growing number of highly selective colleges and universities have reinstated standardized testing requirements, signaling a major shift in admissions strategy. Schools including Harvard, Dartmouth, Yale, Brown, MIT, Stanford, Princeton, and others have either returned to requiring test scores or publicly stated that testing provides valuable information when evaluating applicants.

For students preparing to apply in the Fall 2027 admissions cycle, understanding this trend is more important than ever.

One of the biggest misconceptions in college admissions is that “test-optional” means scores do not matter.

In reality, many colleges continue to consider test scores when they are submitted. While students are not required to provide scores, applicants with strong SAT or ACT results may still gain an advantage during the review process. Admissions officers often view standardized tests as an additional data point that can help validate academic achievement across different high schools, grading systems, and course offerings.

As a result, students frequently ask:

“Should I submit a 1450 SAT?”

The answer depends on the college. At some universities, a 1450 may be well above the average admitted student score and strengthen an application. At others, particularly the most selective institutions, it may fall below the median range. Rather than following blanket advice, students should compare their scores to the middle 50% range of admitted students at each school on their list.

Universities cite several reasons for reinstating testing requirements.

First, standardized tests can help identify academic readiness, particularly in subjects such as mathematics and critical reading. Second, admissions offices have reported that test scores can provide valuable context for students from schools with varying grading practices. Finally, some institutions have found that testing helps identify talented students from under-resourced schools whose academic potential may not be fully reflected by grades alone.

While opinions on standardized testing remain divided, the trend among many highly selective colleges is clear: testing is once again becoming an important part of the admissions landscape.

If you are applying to college this fall, consider the following steps:

Do not assume all schools follow the same approach. Some are test-required, some remain test-optional, and a few have adopted test-flexible policies that allow alternative exams.

Even if many of your colleges are technically test-optional, a strong score can provide another way to demonstrate academic readiness and distinguish yourself in a competitive applicant pool.

Standardized testing remains only one component of a holistic application. Colleges continue to evaluate coursework, grades, extracurricular involvement, leadership, essays, recommendations, and personal qualities. Strong scores can help, but they cannot replace a compelling overall application.

The return of testing requirements represents one of the most significant admissions developments in recent years. For students applying to college in the coming cycles, the safest approach is to prepare as though test scores will matter even at institutions that remain test-optional.

The admissions process continues to evolve, but one thing remains constant: students who plan early, understand college expectations, and build a balanced application strategy will place themselves in the strongest position for success.

At Moon Prep, we help students navigate this evolving landscape with confidence. From building a personalized testing plan to maximizing score potential, our expert tutors provide targeted support every step of the way. Moon Prep offers comprehensive tutoring for both the SAT and ACT, ensuring you’re prepared, competitive, and ready to stand out.

Contact your Moon Prep counselor today to get started!