October Medical Newsletter

By Brandie Erickson • October 27, 2023 • BS/MD Admissions Consulting Newsletter

October can be a spooky month for medical school applicants as some are still writing secondary essays, while others are receiving interview invitations, and the lucky few receive acceptance letters. One of the scariest parts about applying to medical school is the lengthy process and the long waiting time. Students who have already completed all their secondary essays can best use their time by preparing for interviews. Brush up on MMI skills and your traditional interview answers by taking a look at these quick guides. If you need more confidence in the strength of your answers or want to better prepare by simulating a real interview, schedule a free informational call with Moon Prep today to see how our counselors can support your interviewing skills. As interview season goes on, our counselors’ availability fills up quickly, so schedule in advance to secure your spot.

Podcast – White Coat Club

Whether your goal is to apply to a BS/MD program or medical school, you will want to stay up to date on the best application and admissions advice by listening to Moon Prep’s podcast, White Coat Club. From the role of research in an application to interview skills and more, White Coat Club has got you covered. 

The latest episode is “All About Applications – Common App, Coalition, Etc.” Lead Moon Prep counselors Lindsey, Alix, and Nicole discuss everything you need to know about the college application platforms and processes. Current BS/MD applicants should listen in to make sure they are following the best practices and avoiding common pitfalls. Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, or Spotify.

Rising Researchers – NEW Winter Session

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, while working alongside peers in a small class cohort, under the guidance of a research mentor.

Schedule: 4 weeks long – meeting twice a week

Dates: Every Tues/Fri (12/19-1/12), 7:00p – 8:30p ET/4:00p – 5:30p PT

Research Topic: Social determinants of health in cardiovascular disease. An intersection between how public health impacts medicine.

Cost: $3200

Register online or schedule a call to learn more.

Tarek has a wonderfully varied background, including being a tutor, high school educator, and mentor in medical school. Having taken a non-traditional route to medicine, Tarek is aware that diverse experiences are extremely valuable in medicine and in the application process, regardless of the applicant’s age. Tarek is passionate about writing and believes that the essay portion of applications is foundational to expressing how student’s life experiences, values, and goals make them a unique asset to institutions. He believes in holding students to a high standard of excellence while guiding them with clear expectations through the entire writing process while giving them room to express themselves and find their own voice.

As a fourth-year medical student, Tarek has been longitudinally involved in the mentorship of medical students, undergraduate students, and high school students in the Reno area. He is the leader of a student organization called Mentors in Medicine, which is dedicated to long-term mentorship of high school students interested in careers in healthcare. This program begins in freshman year of high school and consists of direct mentorship, education about different healthcare careers, and guidance on what students should pursue as they progress to senior year and college to best prepare them for applications. He also was hired by UNR Med to tutor students in the first and second-year curricula.

Tarek was previously a mathematics and computer science high school teacher for three years after graduating from ASU. Since  college, Tarek has tutored in a range of subjects, including mathematics, sciences, MCAT, and medicine. After teaching, he gained experience as a medical scribe before being accepted to medical school.

The University of Minnesota Medical School and CentraCare recently gained approval to build a new regional campus in St. Cloud, the school’s first expansion in over 50 years. While the organizations can begin the accreditation process, the St. Cloud campus aims to welcome its first class of 24 students in the fall of 2025. 

Current students at New Mexico State University interested in a medical career now have the opportunity to apply to the NMSU Osteopathic Medicine Pathway Program. Designed for students with a strong commitment to expanding healthcare access to the underserved in the southwest region of the US, first-year NMSU students can apply for an early acceptance to Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine. 

The University of North Carolina is doing its part to combat physician shortages across rural NC through an accelerated medical program. The Fully Integrated Readiness for Service Training (FIRST) program accepts medical students who want to commit to practicing primary care in rural settings and accelerates their timeline by condensing medical school into three years and providing a conditional residency acceptance. 

The National Institute of Mental Health awarded researchers at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital with $17 million to start a Center for Suicide Research and Prevention. As the leading cause of death among ages 15-34, suicide prevention is key to saving lives across the country, and the brightest minds will be working at this center to understand, predict, and prevent suicide.

Don’t miss our most recent podcasts episodes! Listen on Apple, Spotify or Amazon today!

Moon Prep is proud to announce a newly-designed research opportunity with Rising Researchers! Students have the opportunity to work one-on-one on a customizable research project with our expert research mentors. Students work virtually while still performing cutting-edge research under the guidance of a research mentor. Our research mentors are experienced in the direct medical and traditional medical admissions process and will guide students on how to showcase this unique research experience. The goal is to give these ambitious students an edge by adding advanced research, data analysis, and a publication to their resumes.

Here’s what you need to know:

How long is the program? 10 sessions, completed over a 4 month period.

When does it start? Projects can begin at any time, even during the school year. Students can register in advance to secure their spot with a research mentor of their choice. 

Who is this program for? Our students are rising 9th graders through college students.

What is the end result? Students work with their research mentor to complete a research paper and poster, ultimately resulting in publication in the Rising Researchers Journal.

What is the curriculum? The project is fully tailored and customizable to each student, but we do have a syllabus of course objectives. 

No other research experience available offers the level of close mentorship and project guidance as our research mentors. Schedule your complimentary session today to learn more about the details of adding a Rising Researchers research project to your child’s college resume.