September Medical Newsletter

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

During September, medical school applicants, who submitted their primary applications in early June and returned secondaries within the recommended two-week time frame, can now be on the lookout for interview invitations. However, it is important to keep in mind that the later you submit your materials, the later you will hear back from schools in the cycle. While interview invites can sometimes mistakenly go to the spam or junk folder, it’s imperative that applicants should check them daily. 

Although all written materials should ideally be in by now, med school hopefuls should continue to participate in enriching activities to speak about during their interviews. Not sure how to present yourself to an interview committee? Sign up for an initial call to learn more about how to work with one of our Moon Prep counselors to review the most commonly asked interview questions and get feedback on your performance.

While medical student applicants gear up for interview season, BS/MD applicants should be preparing for the Casper exam. The list of BS/MD schools is revised each year, so be sure to check the requirements for the schools on your list. Available Casper exam dates for fall 2024 admission include September 7th, October 26th, November 14th, December 7th, and January 16th.

While high school seniors typically take Casper after November 1st, the time to start reviewing the test material is now. While limited space with our counselors is available, you can sign up for a four-session package to review the format of the Casper exam, go over the four pillars of ethics, walk through practice scenarios, and receive feedback on a sample exam. Review the syllabus for the Casper Situational Judgement Test package and sign up while counselor availability lasts.

  

If you’re wondering if a low SAT or ACT score will bar you from getting into a BS/MD program, this podcast episode, “Low SAT/ACT, can I still get into BS/MD?” is for you. With direct medical programs only becoming more competitive, it’s important to know where you stand. Join Moon Prep counselors Lindsey, Michaela, and Nicole as they discuss what your test scores mean for your chances of admission at your dream program on Spotify, Apple, or Amazon.

Are you considering applying to BS/MD programs but not sure how to make your resume standout? Moon Prep’s experts talk about how important research is for the BS/MD application in a new episode of our podcast, “White Coat Club.” Listen to “How Important is Research for BS/MD” now on Spotify, Apple, or Amazon for insider tips on getting started on your own research projects. 

While summer is a common time for high school students to get involved in research programs, Rising Researchers has rolling admissions and can be done anytime during the school year, leaving the summer available for other activities and interests. By the end of the 10 sessions, students will complete and publish a manuscript as well as present a poster of their findings. To learn more, schedule an informational call with Rising Researchers today.

Once your resume has been polished and you’ve applied to medical school or BS/MD programs, it’s time to start thinking about interview preparation. Students who practice commonly asked questions and get comfortable being put on the spot do much better than students who go into interview season blind. Make sure to avoid these top ten medical school interview mistakes outlined by our Moon Prep experts. Have an MMI interview coming up? Watch our top tips to nail your MMI. If you’re in need of more personalized support, check out Moon Prep’s interview prep services and view the package syllabus.

Shvetali is a first-year medical school student at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. As a member of Case Western Reserve University’s Pre-Professional Scholars Program in Medicine, Shvetali understands the competitive nature of BS/MD and BS/DO programs, and she is committed to helping her students craft a strong, intentional, and compelling application for these programs. With her skills in essay editing, she is eager to help students write personal statements and supplemental essays, whether for a BS/MD or BS/DO program, medical school, or an undergraduate university.

Prior to starting medical school, Shvetali worked across numerous fields, from interning at a medtech startup to working in the nonprofit sector, the biotech industry, and academia. She has years of experience in communications, advocacy, and research in the healthcare field, and she completed her honors thesis on Behavioral Phenotypes in Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome in Adolescents at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute. Her articles and podcasts have been published on top social media platforms, including KevinMD, The Health Care Blog, the Chicago Tribune, and the BORGEN magazine. With her significant and expansive experiences in various healthcare sectors, Shvetali also welcomes the opportunity to mentor students looking to break into healthcare-related research, communications, and nonprofit work. She is open to providing guidance for seeking internship and research opportunities, as well as assisting with resume-building and interview preparation.

 

Baptist Health University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine released exciting news as they received pre-accreditation to accept their first class of osteopathic medical students for fall 2024. The inaugural class of 75 students will gradually grow to 150 over the first three years, and recruitment will focus mostly on students from the Mid-South region. 

Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis celebrates this month as they received the highest level of accreditation, officially verifying the quality of the program for the next eight years– the longest possible term. The new Gateway Curriculum emphasizes early clinical exposure and teaches students the value of health equity and community health. WashU also boasts an impressive 59% of students with full tuition coverage for the entering class of 2023 and 85% receiving any type of merit or need-based aid. 

The incoming class of 2027 will receive a curriculum reboot at Florida International University. The StepUp Curriculum intends to integrate early clinical exposure and encourage continued self-directed learning. That includes launching a 3D printing lab alongside an anatomy lab where students will engage in hands-on dissections at the forefront of technological innovation. The school intends the curriculum change to prioritize students’ wellbeing and ultimately improve patient care as well.

A new study was released by BMC Medical Education on integrating stigma resistance to patients with mental illness training into medical school curricula. The objective of the study was to learn about current students’ perspectives on how med school training can prevent the formation of negative attitudes towards patients with mental health concerns. While the curriculum supported by this study is still preliminary and not implemented in any medical schools yet, it is a sign that we may see curricula evolve over time to become more inclusive and prepare more well-rounded physicians.

 

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.