June Admissions News

By Brandie Erickson June 26, 2024 BS/MD Admissions Consulting Newsletter

 

June brings the end of finals and the school year, as well as the beginning of summer programs and internships. It’s also an essential month to get ahead of the game when it comes to college essays! The counselors at Moon Prep stress the importance of not postponing essays until the fall. Students have much more free time during the summer to focus on this crucial task. With the start of school in the fall, schedules become hectic, so it’s best to complete as much as possible when things are quieter.

Schedule a complimentary meeting to learn how a Moon Prep counselor can help with every step of the college application process. No matter who you choose from our team of experts, we are here every step of the way with essays, brainstorming an outline, guiding the content shaping to perfection, and multiple rounds of detailed editing. This is one area where it pays to enlist expert 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.

 

MCAT required or not?

In June, students wrap up their college lists and make final determinations before writing each school’s supplemental essays. BS/MD applicants have a unique dilemma: include the direct medical programs that require the MCAT or not? The latest episode of the White Coat Club: Choosing MCAT vs. No MCAT covers the pros and cons of the programs that require MCAT to help you make the best decision for your college list. 

The episode explores what the MCAT entails, the advantages of taking it versus opting for non-MCAT schools, and valuable insights on how to determine if it is the right path for you.

Research for Resumes

BS/MD hopefuls often search for the extra factor for their applications to give them an edge on applications. Research is one of the best ways to add a unique angle to your resume and showcase your aptitude for science. Many BS/MD programs specifically seek out students with extensive research experience. Our recent Forbes article  How Important Is Research For BS/MD Programs? explores the variety of pathways students can pursue to add valuable research to their resumes for college.  

Rising Researchers Camp – only 2 sessions remaining this summer!

The first research session is already underway, don’t miss out on final research opportunities for the summer! Students work in a small class cohort under the guidance of an experienced research mentor. Each live session is held virtually via Zoom. All camp options have clear deliverables: research publication, poster presentation, and certificate of completion.  

Session 2 – Medical Bioinformatics – Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) Research

  • 6/18 – 7/25 at 4:30pm EST (1:30pm PT)
  • 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 PT)

  • 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.  

Learn more and register here

Personal Statement Season

One of the best ways to get ahead on college applications is to start with an outstanding Personal Statement for all of the colleges to view. Our recent White Coat Club episode, Crafting A Standout Personal Statement, is the perfect place to start! The Moon Prep counselors share their essential Do’s and Don’ts, as well as effective brainstorming techniques to get students started in the right direction with their writing. 

Digital SAT Study Guide 

Many students plan to spend the summer studying for the SAT and ACT to increase their scores before the fall. With the arrival of the digital version of the test in March, students have been seeking ways to improve their study skills to match the adaptable test. Thankfully, the College Board has released a book to help students study for the Digital SAT. 

This summer is filled with exciting educational opportunities at Moon Prep. Mark your calendars and take advantage of these opportunities.

Application iQ – starts 7/18/24

BS/MD Summer Boot Camp – exclusively for Moon Prep Students.

 Are you registered? Moon Prep 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, targeted to rising seniors (applying in the admissions cycle 2024-25)
  • 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.


As students continue to build college lists over the summer, we want to share some important college updates. 

  • The University of Central Florida’s Burnett Medical Scholars program will no longer be considered a direct medical program.   
  • UC Merced‘s new Medical Education Building broke ground on May 15, intended to house the university’s ‘B.S. to M.D. Pathway’ program.

  • While the Upstate Accelerated Scholarship partnerships with SUNY Upstate Medical University have been canceled, a few of the partnered schools may still accept candidates for the UAS track based on specific institutional circumstances and capacity, through the discretion of the institutions’ Pre-Health advisors.


June financial advice: The waitlist acceptances after Decision Day showed us that many students were applying to schools they could not truly afford to see where they could get accepted. This is why it is so important to discuss tuition early! 

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

 

Joy Cappel Scholarship
2 awards due July 20, $2,500 each

This scholarship is the perfect platform to practice for your future Brown video essay, since this award is reserved specifically for applicants in any life science field and requires a short video response to the prompt: “What do you consider to be the most important scientific breakthrough?” Apply here.

 

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