January 2026 Preview –
What’s Coming This Month 

📅 Mark Your Calendars – Key January 2026 Dates

📚 Project IQ: Strong Resumes and Applications Take Time To Build – This Interactive Workshop Will Help You Kickstart The Journey!

🎓 Seniors: Understanding the College Deferral/Waitlist: Strategy, Timing, and Next Steps

📚 Underclassmen News: Summer Programs: A Key Step in Building a Competitive BS/MD and Premed Application

⚕️Med School Applicants: The 3-Year MD Degree: What College & Premed Parents Should Know

📊 University Updates: What You Need to Know

🎙 White Coat Club Podcast: Triple Feature: Essay Mini Series and Interviewing Tips

✏️SAT/ACT Prep: Ace Your Exams With Expert Test Prep

🩺Special Masters Program (SMP) Spotlight: Georgetown University Special Masters Program in Physiology and Biophysics

Mark Your Calendar!

✅ January 9, 2026: Regular deadline to register for the February 14, 2026, ACT test – avoid late fees and secure your test date early. We encourage all current juniors to have a final test score before the end of summer.

✅ January 28, 2026: First Day of Project IQ: Moon Prep students register here.

✅ January 31, 2026: INKAS® “Rising Star” Scholarship 2025

✅ February 27, 2026: March SAT Registration deadline. We encourage all current juniors to have a final test score before the end of summer.

Registration is Now Open for Our Project iQ

Learn from Moon Prep’s top mentors what a strong applicant profile looks like. Get innovative ideas as we profile real students. Build Your Student Profile. Demonstrate Community Impact. Kickstart a Passion Project.

Dates: January 28, 2026 – February 25, 2026
Schedule: Wednesdays, 8:00–9:15 PM ET / 5:00–6:15 PM PT
Investment: Free (live sessions) for registered Moon Prep families

Topics Covered:

• The elements of a truly notable student profile
• How to get started and keep up the momentum 
• A deep dive each week into real examples from successful Moon Prep students
• Meet members of the Moon Prep mentorship team and learn about their specializations 
• The week-by-week schedule can be found here.

This course is perfect for 8th-11th grade students. Parents are also encouraged to attend.

View the syllabus and secure your spot now. 

Learn more and sign up here.

Seniors: Understanding the College Deferral/Waitlist: Strategy, Timing, and Next Steps

Underclassmen News: Summer Programs: A Key Step in Building a Competitive BS/MD and Premed Application

In high schools across the country, students and parents are weighing how to stand out in the increasingly competitive path to BS/MD programs and premed tracks. Experts say one of the most impactful moves is to participate in meaningful summer programs that blend science, medicine, and hands-on experience.

Why summer programs matter

– Real-world science experience: Authentic lab work, research projects, and clinical exposure help students demonstrate the curiosity and persistence medical schools look for in applicants.

– Evidence of commitment beyond the classroom: A strong summer program shows motivation, time-management, and the ability to handle rigorous workloads, all of which are key indicators in admissions decisions.

– Networking and mentorship: Interacting with faculty, medical students, and professionals can offer guidance, letters of recommendation, and early insight into the medical field.

What to look for in a program

– Relevance to medicine and science: Programs should align with biology, chemistry, physics, or healthcare topics, and ideally offer hands-on or research components.

– Structured outcomes: Look for programs that provide a project, presentation, or capstone, as well as opportunities for mentorship and feedback.

– Competitive but accessible: Some programs are highly selective; consider a mix of prestigious experiences and opportunities that fit your family’s budget and schedule.

– Testimonials and outcomes: Check where past participants ended up, what projects they completed, and how it helped their college applications.

How to maximize impact

– Start with a plan: Identify your strongest interests (e.g., neuroscience, public health, biomedical research) and target programs that deepen those areas.

– Seek meaningful roles: Aim for programs that offer research assistantships, clinical shadowing, or design of a real-world study, rather than passive learning.

– Document your experience: Keep a concise portfolio of projects, skills learned, and reflections. This can enrich future essays and interviews later.

– Balance and well-being: Choose quality experiences that fit your schedule without causing burnout. Quality often matters more than quantity.

Connect with a Moon Prep counselor today to get your summer plans underway.

Med School Applicants: The 3-Year MD Degree: What College & Premed Parents Should Know

As medical education grows more expensive, some U.S. medical schools now offer a 3-year MD pathway – an accelerated option designed for a specific group of highly prepared students. For many applicants, the key question isn’t “Is it easier?” but rather “Is it appropriate for me?”

What Is a 3-Year MD Program?

A 3-year MD program allows students to earn the same MD degree in three years instead of four. Students complete the full medical curriculum and clinical training, but with:

• Shorter breaks

• A more intensive schedule

• Earlier entry into residency

Graduates are fully licensed physicians, eligible for residency and board certification just like traditional MD graduates.

Why Some Students Choose This Path

For the right student, the benefits can be significant:

• Lower total cost: One less year of tuition and living expenses

• Earlier earnings: Students begin residency and physician income sooner.

• Streamlined training: Many programs offer linked or guaranteed residency placements

This pathway is often attractive to students focused on reducing debt and ensuring a clear, efficient transition into medical practice.

Who Is the Best Fit?

Most programs are designed for students who:

• Have a strong academic record

• Are confident in their career and specialty interests

• Are comfortable with a fast-paced, high-intensity environment

Many 3-year programs limit flexibility. Changing specialties, adding research years, or pursuing dual degrees (like MD/PhD or MD/MPH) may be difficult or impossible.

Important Trade-Offs for Families to Consider

• Less exploration: Students must often commit early to a specialty, often in primary care only

• Higher intensity: Fewer breaks can increase stress

• Selective access: These programs are limited and competitive

For students who want more time to explore specialties, conduct research, or mature academically, a traditional 4-year MD may be the better option.

U.S. Medical Schools Offering 3-Year MD Tracks

Below are well-known institutions with established accelerated MD options (availability and eligibility vary by school):

• NYU Grossman School of Medicine – Accelerated 3-Year MD Pathway with early residency linkage

• Penn State College of Medicine – Accelerated MD Program (AMDP)

• Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine – Family medicine–focused accelerated tracks

• University of California, Davis School of Medicine – Accelerated Competency-Based Education in Primary Care (ACE-PC)

• Mercer University School of Medicine – Primary care–oriented accelerated options

• Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine – Accelerated pathways (note: DO degree, not MD)

Check out our latest article:
3 Key Factors to Consider Before Enrolling in a Special Masters Program (SMP)

Stay ahead in admissions: catch Moon Prep’s insights on Forbes.

Check out our latest articles: 
Pre-Med Guide To Answering Ethical Questions In The MMI
Plan Your College Applications: Full ED School List 2025-26

University Updates and Numbers You Need to

📊 Duke University admitted 847 students to the Class of 2030 in its first round, including 731 Early Decision and 116 QuestBridge admits, from 6,159 Early Decision applicants—an ED acceptance rate of about 13.8%. Of those admitted, 674 will enroll in Trinity College, 173 in Pratt Engineering, and the cohort spans 46 states and 30 countries, with more than half receiving financial aid.

📊 Emory University admitted 1,041 students through its Early Decision I process for the Class of 2030, drawn from 3,593 applicants, resulting in an ED1 acceptance rate of about 29 % — slightly lower than last year’s rate.

📊 Johns Hopkins University admitted 553 students in its Early Decision I round for the Class of 2030, representing applicants from 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and 10 countries. Of those admitted, 63% plan to enroll in the Krieger School of Arts & Sciences and 37% in the Whiting School of Engineering, with a notable share of first-generation and public high school students setting the stage for the next phase of Early Decision II and Regular Decision admissions.

📊 Yale College admitted 779 students to the Class of 2030 through its Single-Choice Early Action program, marking a 10.9 % acceptance rate out of 7,140 applicants — a rate roughly on par with last year’s early results.

📊 MIT received 11,883 Early Action applications for the Class of 2030 and has offered admission to 655 students so far, reflecting an early admit rate of about 5.5 % in an extremely competitive pool. The admissions office also deferred 7,738 applicants to be reconsidered in Regular Action.

📊 Early admissions results for the Class of 2030 are beginning to roll out, offering the first glimpse into this year’s competitive college admissions cycle. The early data highlights shifting trends and sets expectations for applicants heading into Regular Decision.

📊 For the first time ever, in the 2025–26 academic year, total enrollment in U.S. medical schools surpassed 100,000 students hitting 100,723 and marking an all-time high in medical education participation. This milestone was driven by a record 23,440 first-year students, while overall applications rose about 5.3 % from the previous year.

White Coat Club Episode: Essay Mini Series: How to Write the “Personality” Essay

In this episode of our Essay Mini Series, hosts Nicole and Amanda explore one of the most creative and revealing prompts students encounter: the “Personality” essay. They discuss how this prompt allows you to showcase who you are beyond grades and activities—and how to strike the right balance between authenticity, storytelling, and self-reflection.

Nicole and Amanda walk through how to highlight your unique traits, avoid clichés, and choose anecdotes that feel fresh and genuine. They also break down common pitfalls, like trying too hard to be quirky or focusing more on events than personality.

Whether you’re trying to figure out which aspects of yourself to spotlight or want to bring more voice and vibrancy into your writing, this episode will help you craft a memorable “Personality” essay that truly sounds like you.

Check out this episode to learn more!

White Coat Club Episode: 6 Red Flags to Avoid During Interview Season

Applying to a BS/MD program? Don’t let these common interview mistakes ruin your chances! In this video, we break down the top reasons applicants get rejected—and how YOU can avoid them.

📌 What we cover:

• Lack of genuine passion for medicine

• Not researching the program enough

• Weak communication skills

• Unprofessional behavior

• Ethical red flags

• Not asking the right questions

Learn how to showcase your motivation, professionalism, and readiness for a career in medicine. Whether you’re preparing for traditional interviews or MMIs, this video will help you walk in with confidence and clarity.

✨ Pro tip: The best candidates don’t just want to be doctors—they’ve taken real steps to explore and understand the journey. We’ll show you how to communicate that effectively.

🔔 Subscribe for more pre-med advice, application tips, and interview strategies!

White Coat Club Episode:

Essay Mini Series: How to Write the “Community” Essay

In this episode of our Essay Mini Series, hosts Nicole and Amanda dive deep into the “Community” essay and what these prompts are really asking admissions officers want to know. They break down the two core questions behind the essay: How has this community shaped who you are, and how will that relationship carry forward into your time at their university?

Nicole and Amanda discuss how broadly “community” can be defined—from teams, classes, neighborhoods, cultural identities, and online spaces to less obvious groups like being an only child or navigating overlapping identities. They emphasize the importance of choosing a community where you had real involvement and impact, rather than one you simply observed.

The episode also highlights common mistakes students make, such as focusing too much on accomplishments, over-describing the community, repeating content from other essays, or sharing details that don’t actually reveal anything meaningful about the writer. Nicole and Amanda explain how to keep the focus on personal growth, contribution, and reflection.

Finally, they address prompts that ask about future contributions—offering guidance on how to discuss values, specific experiences, and realistic ways students might engage on campus without falling into overused or vague claims.

Whether you’re struggling to define your community or trying to figure out how to show impact and growth, this episode will help you craft a thoughtful, intentional, and authentic “Community” essay.

SAT/ACT Prep

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Program Name: Georgetown University Special Masters Program in Physiology and Biophysics

Location: Washington, DC

Deadline: January 15 (Early Application- fees waived), March 15 (Priority Application with Merit Scholarship Consideration), July 1 (Final Application Deadline)

Test Scores Required: MCAT and/or GRE are optional. Preference for MCAT with practice test scores accepted. 

Program Length: 1 year

Program Offered: In Person Only

Formal Linkage with Georgetown University School of Medicine

Why Choose Georgetown University Special Masters Program in Physiology and Biophysics:

🩺 Integrated curriculum tailored for pre-med seekers: Georgetown’s program combines rigorous coursework in biology, physiology, and biophysics with early medical school preparation, helping you build a strong, interdisciplinary foundation before applying to MD programs.

🩺 Competitive advantage for medical school admissions: The specialized track emphasizes quantitative analysis, research competency, and clinical relevance, equipping you with standout experiences and strong letters of recommendation to strengthen your medical school application.

🩺 Access to Georgetown’s dynamic healthcare network: Benefit from opportunities to engage with world-class faculty, affiliated hospitals, and translational research projects, plus mentorship and advising designed to streamline the transition from master’s study to medical school.  

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