November Admissions News

By Brandie • November 10, 2025 • BS/MD Admissions Consulting Newsletter

November 2025 Preview –
What’s Coming This Month 

📅 Mark Your Calendars – Key Upcoming Dates
🎓 Seniors – With Early Action and Early Decision Behind, What’s Next?
📚 Underclassmen News – It’s Time to Think Ahead!
⚕️Med School Applicants –Mid-Cycle Motivation: How to Thrive While You Wait
📷 In the News – Moon Prep Features in U.S. News and Forbes
📊 University Updates – What You Need to Know
🎙 White Coat Club Podcast – Double Feature!
✏️ SAT/ACT Prep – Ace Your Exams With Expert Test Prep
🔬 Rising Researchers – Make the Most of your Winter Break with our Astrophysics Camp
🪥 Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) Program Spotlight – Case Western Reserve University Pre-Professional Scholars – Dental Program
🩺 Special Masters Program (SMP) Spotlight – University of Kentucky Master of Science in Medical Science Program

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Mark Your Calendar!

✅ November 1-15, 2025: General window for most Early Action and Early Decision programs and initial BS/MD deadlines
✅ November 13, 2025: CASPER Test Date – Applying to a medical school that requires CASPER? Talk with your Moon Prep Counselor about preparing for this important online situation judgment exam used by many medical schools!
✅ December 6, 2025: SAT Test Date – Wishing the best of luck to everyone taking the exam. You’ve got this!✅ December 13, 2025: ACT Test Date – Wishing the best of luck to everyone taking the exam. You’ve got this!✅ December 21, 2025: Registration is now open! Make the most of your winter break with Rising Researchers’ Winter Break Camp – Exploring a New Stage of Astrophysics with a Focus on Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. Learn more.

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Seniors: Early Action and Early Decision Behind – What’s Next?

With the big early deadlines behind many of you (November 1 or November 15) and the first round of BS/MD applications submitted, it’s the perfect moment to pause, take stock, and map out what happens next. Whether you applied under  Early Decision (ED) or Early Action (EA), the timeline, responsibilities, and choices ahead differ. Let’s walk through what comes next and how to make the most of this phase.

What comes next – Timeline & Possibilities

• In many cases, decisions for early plans start to arrive in late December (some EA decisions can go into January).

• Once you get your decision, a few things can happen:

  • Accepted: Congratulations! But your next steps depend on ED vs EA.

  • Deferred: For some ED or EA applicants, the college may say, “We’re holding your application for the regular pool.” This means you’ll get a final decision later. Check your portal to see if a Letter of Continued Interest is requested, and notify your Moon Prep counselor to work on this in advance. You can also send updates of your GPA and test scores.

  • Rejected: You’ll need to shift your focus to other options and regular decision plans.

✅ If you applied ED and get accepted

• You’ve committed! Congratulations! 

• By applying for ED, you agreed that if you’re accepted, you will enroll. and you will withdraw all other applications.

• You may not be able to compare multiple financial aid offers, so it’s crucial that you and your family feel comfortable with the financial aspect before applying.

• You should officially accept the offer, submit your deposit, and notify the other schools you applied to that you’re withdrawing.

🎯 If you applied EA and get accepted

• You’re free for now. Since EA is non-binding, you’ve secured an early offer but still have until National College Decision Day (May 1) to make your final decision.

• Use this time to:

  • Compare financial aid packages from other schools.

  • Finalize your “fit” evaluation: campus visits, chats, and revisiting priorities.

  • You should continue application work on any other schools you’re still applying to under regular deadlines (if you are).

• You can keep applying (unless the school’s EA is “restrictive” or “single-choice”), giving you more option flexibility. 

🔍 Important to remember

• Being deferred doesn’t mean you’re accepted yet — you’ll roll into the regular decision pool.

• For ED applicants: Make sure the financial aid offer is something your family can live with. If not, you need to understand your options with the college.

• For all: Maintain your grades and behavior this senior year. Early acceptance is often conditional for maintaining academic performance; so keep working hard!

• Regardless of outcome now: Keep working on any remaining applications, financial aid tasks (FAFSA, CSS Profile), and start planning for spring visits, scholarship sources, and the deposit timeline.

🧭 Overall takeaway

The “early” part of early decision or Early Action puts you into a faster-moving part of the process—but it doesn’t end things. Whether you’re celebrating, regrouping, or still waiting, the next few months are about strategic follow-through.

• If you’re accepted ED: Enjoy the relief and start planning for matriculation.

• If you’re accepted EA: Use your headspace wisely: compare, decide, plan.

• If deferred or rejected: Shift gears early for regular decision and keep momentum. This is about controlling your narrative, fit, finances, and the path ahead.

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Mid-Cycle Motivation: How to Thrive While You Wait

🎉 First Round of Acceptances Begin

As of October 15, medical schools are officially allowed to release their first admission offers, an exciting milestone for the Class of 2026 applicants!

If you’ve received an acceptance, celebrate the achievement you’ve worked for years. You earned it. But remember: this is just the first chapter in a long process.

“Make sure your portal is complete, if not, complete it as soon as possible. No news often means you’re still being considered, as long as everything is submitted.”

Many applicants won’t hear until winter or early spring, and offers, rejections, and waitlists all roll out on different timelines. Stay patient; your application may still be under active review.

💬 Interview Season in Full Swing

From November through February, admission interviews dominate the calendar. This is your chance to bring your story to life.
✅ Tips to keep in mind:

• Practice articulating why medicine and why that school- researching will pay off!
• Send thank-you notes within 24 hours of every interview.
• Continue researching each program for follow-up questions and second-look opportunities.

“Momentum and professionalism now can make all the difference.”
 

✅ MoonPrep can help you prepare for your interviews: Don’t walk into an interview unprepared—even the strongest students benefit from practice. Our Moon Prep counselors offer personalized mock interviews to help you feel confident and perform your best. Contact us today to learn more about our interview prep packages.

✉️ Keep the Conversation Going

If you haven’t heard back, November is the perfect time to write updates or continued-interest letters. Mention new achievements: additional research, clinical experiences, or community service that highlight your ongoing growth. Admissions committees notice applicants who stay engaged and reflective.

🧠Mindset Matters: Emotional Health & Perspective

This process can feel like a marathon, and that’s because it is. The waiting and uncertainty are normal.
Take care of your well-being:

• Keep journaling or exercising to manage stress.
• Lean on mentors, advisors, and peers who’ve been there.
• Remember that your timeline is yours alone.

“Patience, persistence, and perspective are as vital as any interview answer.”

🔮Looking Ahead: December & January

The admissions cycle is far from over.

• Many schools release new interview invitations and acceptances after winter break.
• Keep checking your portals and inbox regularly.
• Stay interview-ready through February and even March.

🌟Final Takeaway

Whether you’re celebrating, waiting, or preparing, remember: you’re still in the running.
 Each phase of this journey builds the resilience and reflection that future physicians need most.

Stay focused. Stay grounded. Your “yes” could be closer than you think.

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Underclassmen: It’s Time to Think Ahead

As the weather cools down, it’s time to start thinking ahead to summer 2026, even if it feels a bit early. Many competitive summer programs in STEM, the humanities, leadership, and medicine are opening applications right now (and some close as early as December or January!).

Programs fill quickly and often require essays, teacher recommendations, and transcripts. These experiences can strengthen your college profile, help you explore new academic passions, and connect you with mentors who share your goals.

Now is the perfect time to schedule a meeting with your MoonPrep counselor to discuss which programs fit your interests and timeline. Your counselor can help you:

• Identify opportunities aligned with your goals.

• Plan recommendation requests early.

• Keep track of deadlines and application requirements.

Don’t wait until spring; many of the top programs will already be closed. A strong application starts with early planning and the right guidance.

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Check out our latest article:
Med School Multiple Mini Interview: What to Know.

 

 

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

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University Updates and Numbers You Need to Know

📊 University of South Carolina BS/MD: this program is now by invitation only. Students must have applied to the University and Honors College by November 15, 2025 to be eligible for consideration.

📊 University of Pittsburgh Guaranteed Admissions Program (BS/MD): UPitt now requires the MCAT prior to matriculation into their medical school. A minimum score of 517 must be earned within three attempts.

📊 Four Prominent Institutions Launch Free College Tuition Programs
📊 An Early-Decision Student Backed Out of Tulane. Tulane Punished the High School.

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

Why do colleges ask, “Why us?” and how do you make your answer stand out? In this episode, Moon Prep counselors break down one of the most important (and tricky) supplemental essays: the “Why School?” essay.

We’ll dive into real examples, from the short and simple (“Why Columbia?”) to the long and layered (“What’s your sense of Duke as a university and community?”). You’ll get practical tips for research – beyond just scrolling rankings – including how to use course catalogs, student clubs, social media, and even YouTube vlogs to discover what really excites you about a school.

Most importantly, we’ll talk about how to go beyond listing facts and instead connect them back to your passions, goals, and experiences.

If you’ve ever felt stuck on how to make your “Why School?” essay feel authentic instead of generic, this one’s for you.

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SAT/ACT Prep

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Registration is Now Open for Our Winter Break Camp

Take advantage of your winter break from school and add an impressive research experience to your resume! In just four short weeks, you’ll conduct hands-on research, get your manuscript published, and gain valuable research insights to boost your academic profile.

Winter Break Camp
📌 Topic: Exploring a New Stage of Astrophysics (the JWST Era) with a Focus on Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
 📅 Dates: Sundays and Tuesdays | December 21, 2025 – January 13, 2026
 ⏰ Time: 7:00–8:30 PM ET / 4:00–5:30 PM PT
 👩‍🏫 Instructor: Dr. Ryan
 💰 Cost: $3,300 (Early Bird Discount: Register by October 3, 2025, to save $200)

🔍 What You’ll Achieve:

• Build real research skills that will serve you in college and beyond
  Publish your own research paper – a major boost for your resume and applications
• Work closely with like-minded peers and get personalized support from a passionate instructor
• No experience? No problem. This camp is designed with beginners in mind – you’ll learn everything you need, step by step!

Sign Up Here

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Have Questions on Rising Researchers?

Join a live Rising Researchers Q&A session to learn more, ask questions, and figure out if this program is the best fit.

📍 Available Q&A Dates:
November 11, 2025
November 13, 2025
November 16, 2025

Register Here

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DMD Program Spotlight

Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) Program: Case Western Reserve University Pre-Professional Scholars Program

Location: Cleveland, OH
Deadline: December 1
Program Length: 6 year program guaranteed admission to dental school, 7 year Articulation Agreement program with select undergraduate school (College of Wooster, Gannon University, Hiram University, University of Toledo, 7 and 8 year to Pre-Professional Scholars Program
Honors Required: No
Undergraduate Major Requirement: None

Why Choose Case Western Dentistry:

🪥 Master’s in Clinical Research Option: CWRU lets DMD students earn a Master’s in Clinical Research between years 2 and 3, conducting oral health disparity research, completing a thesis, and presenting nationally—a rare chance to merge dentistry with impactful, data-driven research.

🪥 The REAL Curriculum: CWRU’s Relevant Experiential Active Learning (REAL) Curriculum is centered around four themes: Health and Well-Being, Disease Processes, Restoration of Health, and Maintenance, and is one of few programs nationwide to maintain two parallel professional threads in Inquiry and Leadership.

🪥 State of the Art Technology and Facilities: Beginning in the first year, students are placed in the Simulation Center with state-of-the-art dental technology, equipment, and instruments including A-dec dental patient simulators with programmable touchpads, operating lights, and stools that match how student dentists will perform patient care in real-world clinical settings. This affords the opportunity to develop the most realistic clinical skills in restorative dentistry, prosthodontics, endodontics, periodontics, pediatric dentistry and implant dentistry.

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SMP Program Spotlight

Program Name: University of Kentucky – Master of Medical Science

 

Location: Lexington, KY
Deadline: December 12 (Spring Start), July 24 (Fall Start)
Test Scores Required: None
Program Length: 1 or 2 years
Program Offered: In Person Only

Why Choose UK – MS in Medical Science Program:

🩺 Broad Interdisciplinary Curriculum: The program is housed in the UK College of Medicine and draws on departments including Behavioral Sciences; Pharmacology & Nutritional Sciences; Toxicology & Cancer Biology; Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics; Molecular & Cellular Biochemistry; Neuroscience; and Physiology. This means you’ll have access to a wide array of scientific domains, which is ideal if you’re still refining your research focus and/or preparing for a career in medicine.

🩺 Flexible Degree Options:  Students entering the MS in Medical Sciences program can choose either a thesis option (Plan A), requiring 30 hours of graduate level coursework, including  six hours of research, or a non-thesis option (Plan B), also requiring 30 hours of graduate level coursework, including three hours of research. Plan A requires a defense of the master’s thesis while Plan B requires a final master’s exam. Most students enrolling in the MS in Medical Sciences as a stand-alone degree utilize the Plan B pathway.

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