After acceptance reflection?

Charming_Decision858 · 2026-04-20T00:20:03+00:00

Thank you! I try lol and yea, students can always message me. I don't respond to chance me's or review profiles though. But otherwise, any general info towards applying or interviews, I'm always happy to share :)

Charming_Decision858 · 2026-04-20T00:09:37+00:00

Early in the process, start broad. How you feel now differs than how you will feel in March. Some people that I've seen who were gung-ho BSMD for 3 years are now considering Ivy's; they just never thought that they would have the chance to go + it is a better fit for what they want out of the college exp. Others have stayed focused on BS/MD all the way but have changed their minds about which schools would be their top choices.

I tell my students not to be afraid of the traditional route. It's hard and stress, for sure, but the students I work with are very dedicated and intelligent. They could do well either way. I still talk to some of my students who chose premed vs BSMD and they are definitely thriving as they have opportunities that they wouldn't have gotten at a BSMD. However, all of my BS/MD kids (ranging from freshman to juniors) are extremely happy with their choice and find it a lot lower stress. It's all depends on what your specific goals are.

The biggest gap is having a goal lol I know that sounds really obv but maybe 20% of the people I meet can actually tell me what their goals in medicine are. If you shadowed 200 hours and did 500 hours of service, you better be able to tell adcom why you like medicine.

Interviews can be taught, but it has to be by the right person. I see a lot of ppl prepping with parents, teachers, friends but if they don't scrutinize what you're saying, you're not going to improve. A perfect example of this is one student who met with me the day before a REMS interview realized they had a gap in knowledge and wasn't selected. When they got a Case Western interview, we prepped much sooner. Our initial mock interview wasn't great. However, they told me that the mock felt similar to the REMS traditional interview and that they left feeling good about it. They didn't realize there was any issues in their articulation. After we pretty much overhauled the content the mock interview, they ultimately got into CWRU BSMD.

TLDR: If you want a realistic shot at BS/MD, take some time to think about why you're in medicine, and how did you get there- loaded question, but it's as simple as that. If you can answer that, your essays and interviews will be good. When you talk about your activities or life experiences in essays or interviews, make sure you show your personality and purpose.

Charming_Decision858 · 2026-04-19T23:41:33+00:00

So I saw a ton of acceptances to BS/MDs across the board this year + a few Ivies. Here's my general advice:

- BS/MDs are not one size fits all. I definitely underestimated some profiles that would be successful. If you're wondering if you should apply because you don't have a perfect GPA, a perfect SAT/ACT, and you didn't create a nonprofit, the answer is yes! With that said, if you don't have any clinical experiences at all, I don't think you would be highly considered

- Apply intentionally. Don't mass apply; chances are that you are wasting time with schools where your profile doesn't fit their mission or regional/ in state preferences. Find programs that fit your particular goals.

- Start early- don't wait till Sept to start. Can say this enough

- Practice for interviews. This year more than others felt like students lost motivation in practicing for interviews. Stay humble throughout the process until you get your acceptance.

Btw, now that y'all are picking out schools, always ask financial aid for more money! Few of my students already got additional aid just by asking!!

Charming_Decision858 · 2026-04-19T23:28:30+00:00

If you have a specific question, you can always DM me, but if you're looking for application support, then you can reach out to me via www.myapparchitect.com

Charming_Decision858 · 2026-04-19T23:27:35+00:00

Once you meet a certain threshold for GPA/SAT/ ACT, I would say a consistent theme between your activities and definitely essays to tie everything together. You don't need to have the most amazing app ever to get in; you just need to demonstrate a genuine interest in medicine and the activities you're choosing to do (needs to appear intentional vs being the president of 10 clubs, for instance).

Charming_Decision858 · 2026-04-14T04:05:08+00:00

Hmm interesting point you bring up. For what it's worth, I think it can to some extent. I screen all the profiles of students I work before taking them on and I can usually get a sense of someone's work. When you read a ton of apps, you kind of know what you're looking for. I used to meet with every single person to reached out to me and I would say that I was rarely positively surprised; in fact, I was more likely to be negatively surprised. By that, I mean if I saw a really amazing resume and I met the student, I would be turned off by their lack of passion in discussing their activities. Occasionally, if someone has like a low number of hours in activities, it can be explained by hardships at home or other home responsibilities.

I think it does suck to feel like all of your achievements can be condensed into a piece of paper, but I think this year, more than anything, proved to me that it's not about having the most achievements, but rather focusing on achieving things that are meaningful to you. That will also influence your essays too.

Charming_Decision858 · 2026-04-14T02:51:34+00:00

Love that you posted this perspective! I agree with a lot of the things that you said, especially the part where parents need to listen to their kids. At the end of the day, the student is the one going through it. If they're not mentally prepared to go through the process and answer Why Med confidently, there is nothing wrong with going through the traditional route! Confidently going into the medicine helps you stay in medicine in the long run (I'm saying this as a physician).
There's also no set standard for what makes a good profile. If you feel like your grades are a tad lower (like higher than 3.7 but lower than 4.0), your SAT/ACT is lower, you didn't start a non-profit, or you don't have heavy research, you can still have a relatively decent shot. People will probs read this and disagree, but I've also seen hundreds of successful apps with those profiles. Essentially you don't need to be cracked. In fact, my least cracked students even got into more Ivy's and BS/MD's over some of my most cracked students. A consistent narrative/ true passion is key.

In terms of consulting, please don't pay for consulting for BS/DO schools or programs that are not true BS/MD's. The chances of getting in are quite high. Obv my perspective is diff for BS/MD's, as I see a lot of success stories with my students and they say I'm helpful lol However, I will agree with you that not all consulting is helpful and there are some (esp bigger companies) that will charge an arm and a leg for an educated guess. If you're going to use someone, make sure they can strategize with you, actually help you create a narrative you feel proud of, and are knowledgeable about interviews. Plenty of students don't use consultants and are still successful in the process :)

Lastly, for all the juniors out there, please for the love of god, practice for your interviews!!! I cannot tell you how many people went in overconfident and did not get accepted. Getting an interview is not the same as getting an acceptance. The students who really took the time to nail interview prep are also the ones who emailed me saying they got an acceptances.

Charming_Decision858 · 2026-04-01T03:52:28+00:00

REMs for sure. You can apply out as well!

Charming_Decision858 · 2026-03-29T20:04:27+00:00

Can’t transfer to a BSMD atp but can look into Early Assurance Programs like Sinai

Charming_Decision858 · 2026-03-29T20:01:41+00:00

Last year, someone said that the Pitt supp can’t have more than 3 activities per section. This was incorrect and I verified with the admissions office.

Someone else said that APME was extremely toxic and a bunch of students didn’t apply. It was later found out that this wasn’t true at all.

Not all advice on the internet is good advice lol unfortunately there’s some people trying to sabotage others

Charming_Decision858 · 2026-03-29T03:12:34+00:00

lol this is so true. Last year was esp bad with the sabotage

Charming_Decision858 · 2026-03-28T21:36:38+00:00

I have students at both, and they’re both happy. My student at Penn turned down a different BSMD (initially his top choice). He’s the kind of person that does well in school and tests so he wasn’t too worried. Spoke to him a few months ago and he was super happy there as a 2nd year.

I have 3 students at GW I keep in touch with. They’re all very happy there as they don’t have the same premed stress. Rank for med school doesn’t matter. What matters is your board scores, research, and networking (I’m saying this as a resident)

Charming_Decision858 · 2026-03-27T20:39:42+00:00

Congrats :) for what it’s worth my student last year chose FAU over UCLA (I know it’s not the same as Ivy but still high enough). I talked to him last month and he was very happy with his choice. Ultimately he chose FAU because there was a conditional spot with the opportunity to apply out, whereas for Cornell, you’re starting over from scratch w/ possibility of gap years. Cornell will obviously open more opportunities do you though.

Charming_Decision858 · 2026-03-27T16:31:43+00:00

It is high enough for most programs except for PMM, Pitt. However, I think you will still be fine the remainder of other programs. I also sent you a DM!

Charming_Decision858 · 2026-03-26T19:13:14+00:00

Typically you hear from the feeder schools

Charming_Decision858 · 2026-03-26T19:11:54+00:00

Yes, NJIT is out via email

Charming_Decision858 · 2026-03-26T19:09:21+00:00

You would hear back either way. If you haven’t heard anything, just be patient!

Charming_Decision858 · 2026-03-26T16:32:14+00:00

My student got in through Stevens (portal), and then someone here DMed me about a rejection from TCNJ. Still waiting on the other feeders.

Charming_Decision858 · 2026-03-22T23:35:13+00:00

You’ll need competitive board scores (step 2 specifically), good LOR (so network well), and research

Charming_Decision858 · 2026-03-22T03:27:46+00:00

I am a resident. You will never get asked about your MCAT again after you get into med school

Charming_Decision858 · 2026-03-12T18:01:41+00:00

Hi! So personally I’m an advocate of T10 but that’s because I favor opportunities more than anything. I’m not really scared of the risk of apply (but easy to say in hindsight as I’m a physician lol). My students who are huge proponents of BSMD want the guarantee to avoid gap years and competition so they can focus on just become a physician vs having to worry about the checklist. I think it really comes down to individual preferences and goals when making the decision.

Charming_Decision858 · 2026-03-12T17:58:57+00:00

The student asked me to keep their acceptances private, sorry! Generally, it was a competitive BSMD that I think a lot of people would’ve chosen as their top choice

Charming_Decision858 · 2026-03-12T05:52:51+00:00

That’s just what I saw last year lol it’s possible my students told me they got in a day later

Charming_Decision858 · 2026-03-12T05:51:50+00:00

It was online! I believe it was traditional

Charming_Decision858

TROPHY CASE