December Admissions News

By Brandie Erickson December 13, 2024 BS/MD Admissions Consulting Newsletter

 

Having met the UC application deadline and multiple direct medical supplemental applications, the seniors at Moon Prep are looking ahead to Regular Decision deadlines. While the finish line may seem close, our BS/MD candidates still have a rigorous interview process in the months ahead. But don’t worry—your experienced Moon Prep counselor is here to help! 

This is your last chance to refine your application and essays with expert guidance before Regular Decision deadlines. If the November and December deadlines caused you stress, this is the time to make possible changes to your application and essays before the January deadlines to have the best chance at success. Sign up for a prospective call today to let the Moon Prep essay experts help the rest of the upcoming deadlines go smoothly.


Rising Researchers – 3 NEW Winter Sessions

As winter break approaches, make the most of your time by getting involved in research. Rising Researchers offers the perfect opportunity for students to get exposed to scientific literature and complete the course with a publication and poster presentation. Gain valuable research experience in only 4 weeks over winter break, while working alongside peers in a small class cohort, under the guidance of a research mentor.

Two Research Topics: 

  • Biology Meets No-Code AI and ML Programming: Bioinformatics Research in Medicine or Microbiology for Beginners (2 dates to select from)
  • Exploring Topics in Neuroscience + Research Methodologies

View the syllabus and learn more about these research experiences online, in addition to a promotional video about the program. 

 

Admission Videos

If a school on your list has an admissions video requirement, Moon Prep counselors are ready to guide you through brainstorming, scripting, and managing all technical aspects of video creation and editing. But don’t wait—December 15 is the last day to sign up, after which we’ll move to a waitlist.

One prominent BS/MD program requiring a video is Brown PLME. Officially, Brown states the video is “suggested,” but with PLME’s low acceptance rate, consider every element essential to stand out.

For more advice on creating your video essay, check out our video editing services. 

Our latest Forbes article – Tips For Creating A Strong Brown Admissions Video – is also packed with helpful strategies. 

And if you have Brown PLME on your short list and don’t want to chance it, book a complimentary consultation today. 

Put your best foot forward and give your application 100%—Moon Prep is here to help!

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.

 

BS/MD News

– If Brooklyn City College is on your list, you might find their application process a bit tricky to understand from their website. If you missed the Honors deadline, you can still apply to the direct medical program. Simply use the traditional application on their website, select Brooklyn as your primary campus, and then complete the BS/MD application. 

– If you haven’t completed The College of New Jersey’s Quest To Know You essays in their portal, don’t worry—they were officially due on December 1, but you can still upload them after the deadline.

 

Early Decision II

If your essays were rushed right before the first Early Decision deadlines, you might be looking to revise your strategy for the next major deadline. Thankfully, Early Decision II is an option at some of the colleges on your list, and we have a podcast dedicated to helping you put your best foot forward on this second binding decision application round. In this episode, Prep for ED2, we break down how to choose a school for this admissions round, how to use EDII as a strategy in your admissions plan, and how applying EDII to a school will affect the admissions rates at your chosen school. 

 

Underclassmen Timeline: Summer Plans

December is the perfect time to schedule meetings with underclassmen and juniors to discuss summer plans. Some of the most prestigious summer research programs have deadlines in December, January, and February. Our Early High School Checklist lists the importance of valuable summer plans, as well as keeping on track with other timeline items. Our expert medical mentors are ready to make a plan with you to discover the right program that matches your resume theme and maximize your resume opportunities during the summer. 

In our recent podcast episode, Adding Research To Your Resume, the Moon Prep counselors share how they search for research programs for their students, and what factors qualify a “good” program. They also do a deep dive into the role of research on a college resume and how research is viewed by the direct medical programs. For summer research programs, starting early is key to ensure that your future application has the qualities to stand out among the crowd. Schedule a call today to get our summer planning advice.

Casper Exam

Are you gearing up for the Casper exam? You should be if these schools are on your list:

  • Hofstra University
  • Drexel University (but only if the student receives an interview)
  • Texas Tech University

This crucial situational judgment test is a key part of the admissions process for many medical schools and BS/MD programs, assessing your ability to handle ethical situations. While some may say you can’t study for it, the pros at Moon Prep know better—preparation is everything.

Our expert counselors specialize in the Casper, providing personalized guidance to help you confidently navigate ethical dilemmas. Learn expert strategies to pass your assessment and understand what the test scorers seek in compelling answers. Many students answer too narrowly, but with Moon Prep, you’ll learn to view scenarios from multiple perspectives.

Moon Prep can assist in preparation for a variety of situational judgment tests and assessments. Schedule a complimentary call to learn more!


As students continue to build college lists into the fall semester, we want to share some important college updates. 

  • The FAFSA for this year’s seniors is now open! The free financial aid application opened 10 days before its estimated December 1 opening date.
  • Harvard University will be delaying the release of the statistics for their incoming class until October/November.
  • PSAT results were released two weeks ago in three batches- October 24, November 7, and November 14.

December advice for scholarships: With your first college acceptance letters also come sticker shock at the tuition price to attend that dream school. Scholarships (especially external ones) can bridge that financial gap! Sign up for our free Scholarships and Financial Aid Crash Course to learn more about international scholarships and every other type of scholarship.

Want more tips like this? Sign up for our free Scholarships and Financial Aid Crash Course.

Cards Against Humanity Science Ambassador Scholarship
5 awards, due December 16
$20,000

This scholarship was created to recognize the academic contributions of women and non-binary students in STEM. The application requires a video essay, a three-minute educational video on a STEM topic of personal interest in a mini-lecture style. Apply here.

 

Stay Connected  
 

Want the latest college admissions and BS/MD news?
 

Text @moonprep to 81010 for updates on news, events, and specials!