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As a high school student with medical school aspirations, you've likely been encouraged to take Advanced Placement (AP) courses to demonstrate your academic prowess and prepare for the rigors of college. While high school AP classes are undoubtedly valuable, pre-med students should carefully consider whether to use their AP credits when entering college. Here's why:
NO PEEKING!
Every year toward the end of the summer, the New York Times publishes sample college essays. I assume that they are looking to inspire rising seniors to begin writing their college essays if they haven’t already started; maybe reading others’ work provides a nudge to get going. Other colleges, like Tufts University, Johns Hopkins, and Connecticut College, post essays on their websites from prior application cycles that they have found especially compelling. Honestly, if you were to google “sample college essays,” you would probably find an endless supply of personal stories at your fingertips. Why not take a look for inspiration?
What we have discovered is the very act of reading other essays for inspiration often inhibits a student’s creativity. They consciously or subconsciously replicate what they have seen. It isn’t that they are necessarily copying an idea or plagiarizing text, but they tend to fit their idea into a structure, format, or theme that they have already read. After all, we are often patternmakers. Once we see something, we cannot unsee it. In the admissions process, the last thing you want to be is a carbon copy of anyone else. So, I encourage you to trust your own creativity and turn a blind eye to the “essay that worked.”
Surprises can happen — so it may be a good idea to have a plan!
Q: The college that my child is attending is offering the option of buying tuition insurance. Is it worth it?
A: Initially, we get quizzical looks from parents when we recommend that they consider purchasing tuition insurance for their first-year college student. “They’ve worked so hard so far, they’re not going to fail out!”
It isn’t that we’ve lost faith in the student’s ability to succeed in college. It is that we have witnessed times when tuition insurance alleviated a significant financial burden because of unforeseen circumstances.
Molly was in her second semester when her mother was diagnosed with cancer. She wanted to take a leave of absence to spend some time at home.
Bryce was a sophomore when he realized that he wanted to change his major, pretty drastically. He was already registered for classes for the spring that would not do him any good in making academic progress toward his ultimate goal and wanted to wait a semester to start again.
Jordan had a bad fall skiing over winter break — several broken bones and a severe concussion — and was advised not to return to college until their health was back to 100%.
Julia had always struggled with some anxiety but had everything under control until she had a particularly bad break-up. She needed to take some time to restore her mental health.
Austin was a recruited athlete. He couldn’t wait to start college until he was cut from the team in pre-season. He couldn't imagine not being a student-athlete and wanted to take a gap year and apply to transfer. But the tuition was already paid.
Abigail learned in August, just before she started packing the car for her freshman year, that she had come off the waitlist at her dream college.
We realize that not all policies would cover each of the situations listed above, so it is good to read the fine print before making a decision. But regardless, we recommend that it is worth taking a look!
The Colleges of the Fenway is a consortium of five distinct institutions in Boston that collaborate to provide resources, experiences, academic opportunities, and more to students across all campuses. The Colleges of the Fenway include Emmanuel College, Simmons University, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS), Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt), and Wentworth Institution of Technology. Students who attend any of these five institutions are able to take classes, participate in extracurricular activities, and make use of facilities at any other institution within the consortium.
Emmanuel College is a small, Catholic, liberal arts college located a 10-minute walk from Fenway Stadium. It provides an intimate academic experience, with all classes taught by professors and capped at 35 students. Emmanuel offers programs in business, humanities, education, health sciences, and nursing. All students participate in an internship during their time at Emmanuel, which can help them build a resume, networking skills, and connections in their field that can support them in their career search upon graduation.
Simmons University is a women-focused liberal arts school that prioritizes marginalized genders and boasts an extremely inclusive community. Simmons has excellent support programs for LGBTQIA+ students, students struggling with mental health, and students with learning differences. Students at Simmons are very driven and career-focused, with the goal of college being to graduate and enter the workforce.
MCPHS is a healthcare-focused university that offers a wide range of articulation programs that allow students access to accelerated tracks to advanced degrees, including their most popular 6-year Pharm-D program. MCPHS’s location in Boston provides students with unmatched access to the vast number of hospitals and biotech companies in the area. Academics at MCPHS are focused on experiential learning, offering students hands-on experience throughout their collegiate career.
MassArt is the country’s only public art university. It offers a wide variety of BFA programs that center on studio work rather than traditional classes. Students engage in a first-year Studio Foundation program that allows them to explore mediums before declaring a specialty. Throughout their BFA program, students are able to take classes in other mediums of interest as well. MassArt is very committed to student success, and its career services extend to alumni as well as current students.
Wentworth is a STEM-focused institution that prioritizes hands-on, project-based learning. All students participate in at least 2 semesters of paid co-op programs, where they are able to work in the field, gain experience, and network with professionals. While Wentworth has a large majority of male students, it is actively recruiting women and supports them on campus through several women-focused programs and organizations.
College Matters CEO Betsy Morgan joined WFSB to talk about FAFSA delays and how they are impacting college choices.
As you go through the medical school application process, it's important to be aware of the "traffic rules" governing how you handle acceptances from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) and American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM). These rules ensure fairness for all applicants.
For AAMC schools:
February 22, 2024: The Choose Your Medical School Tool opens, allowing you to indicate your current preference, though this is non-binding.
April 15, 2024: Narrow your acceptances down to 3 schools max, withdrawing from any others. You can remain on waitlists.
April 30, 2024: Select one remaining school, indicating either:
"Plan to Enroll" if you want to stay on other waitlists
"Commit to Enroll" if this is your final choice - withdrawing you from all other schools
Key dates may vary slightly year-to-year, and individual schools can set earlier deadlines, so stay informed.
After initially receiving an acceptance, you can hold multiple acceptances until the April deadlines, continuing to interview and remaining on waitlists. However, you must narrow down promptly and withdraw from schools you won't attend to allow others a fair chance.
The AACOM traffic rules differ slightly, so review both sets of guidance. Managing acceptances properly demonstrates ethics and professionalism essential for future physicians. Follow the traffic rules closely as you finalize your medical school decision.
Top 10 Theater Program
Drew’s top-ranked theatre program includes majors in Theatre Arts and Arts Administration, as well as several minor options. Drew has two on-campus theaters, two lab spaces for smaller performances, and a concert hall. Drew also offers a Scholarship in the Arts that grants $1,500 a year for qualified students.
RISE Program
Drew’s Research Institute for Scientists Emeriti give students the opportunity to work one-on-one with scientists and researchers in the field. Students are able to build a network of professional scientists and industry leaders that can help them as they pursue internships and careers.
Commitment to Sustainability
Sustainability is one of Drew’s core values, and can be seen on campus in the number of organizations dedicated to environmental education, research, and action. The Drew Environmental Action League promotes engagement through events like Fern Fest, a reforestation initiative on campus. Drew’s dining hall even uses homegrown ingredients!
Diversity
Just walking around campus at Drew you can feel how inclusive the community is. The student body is diverse and largely artistic/creative. Posters all over campus encourage students to engage in clubs centered on feminism, LGBTQIA+ rights, etc. This campus community is welcoming to everyone regardless of background, religious affiliation, identity, etc. Drew has Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Programming dedicated to helping students learn how to tackle these types of issues in the real world as well as on campus.
Access to the Outdoors
Drew’s campus is full of green spaces for students to enjoy between classes. There are so many quads and study spaces full of adirondack chairs for students to gather with friends. Drew also has a brand-new Outdoor Club for students who are looking to be a little more adventurous and get off campus to participate in activities like backpacking, camping, rock climbing, etc.!
1. Collaborative Workspaces
All across campus you will find students working in one of the many collaborative workspaces. These are found everywhere from academic buildings, to residence halls, dining facilities, and even outside. To add to the appeal of these common spaces, in many you will find fireplaces (or outdoor fire pits). Talk about a cozy study environment!
2. Green Space and Access to the Outdoors
Quinnipiac prides itself in the beauty of its campus. This is evident in the immaculate buildings, and perfectly maintained green spaces all around campus. If you take a stroll through Mt. Carmel, you will find several ponds, fountains, quads, and fire pits. Right across the street from the Admissions building, you will find Sleeping Giant State Park - a popular hiking spot with views of the surrounding area from a “castle” at the summit!
3. M&T Bank Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Quinnipiac has its very own Shark-Tank-like program in its M&T Bank Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship! Students are encouraged to bring forward entrepreneurial ideas and present them to faculty, who can choose to back a student’s project, and help them see it through to fruition. They even have a Pitch Competition, where students put their projects up to a panel of judges, and can win funding to pursue their endeavors.
4. Career Development Services
Career preparation is a big focus at QU! There is a career development office within every School. The Career and Experiential Learning Lab helps students write resumes, practice interviews, and find a best-fit career path. Quinnipiac is partnered with Handshake, which is a networking program specifically for college students, where businesses can recruit students for internships and full-time jobs.
5. Three Campuses
Quinnipiac is composed of 3 campuses: Mt. Carmel, York Hill, and North Haven.
The main campus, Mt. Carmel, is specifically for underclassman students. Upperclassmen find their housing at York Hill, which is just a 5 minute drive from Mt. Carmel. Graduate programs are housed at the North Haven campus.
There are shuttles from Mt. Carmel to York Hill about every 5 minutes, and from Mt. Carmel to North Haven every hour. Students are also able to shuttle into North Haven on the weekends for all of their shopping needs.
1. Brand New University Center
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.The brand new University Center opened in 2023 and is the student hub on campus. Within the University Center you can find multiple dining options including Starbucks and Jersey Mikes. There are multiple lounge areas for studying or spending time with friends. Student organizations are housed here. Many social events such as concerts and plays take place here as well.
2. ESports Team
Seton Hall’s varsity esports team competes in the Big East division and has multiple championships in League of Legends and Rocket League. Seton Hall has a dedicated Gaming Lab for the team to practice, but it is also available for students who want to play casually as well!
3. First 56 Days
During the first 56 days of the fall semester, the officers and organizations on campus host events every day and night to engage students and help foster a sense of community on campus. These events may include things like workshops, games, and trips to explore South Orange and nearby NYC.
4. Student Success Team
Every student at Seton Hall is matched with three advisors:
-Student Success Advisor: supports students with logistical situations such as course selection and registration
-Academic Advisor: assigned from the college in which the student is enrolled and helps in developing an academic plan
-Career Advisor: supports career planning and helps students participate in internship and work experiences while completing their undergrad coursework.
Freshmen are also matched with a peer mentor who is their “first friend on campus” who can help guide them through the transition to college.
5. Partnerships
Seton Hall has unique partnerships with organizations including Hackensack Meridian Health, Stevens Institute of Technology, and the United Nations. Students in related academic fields will have the opportunity to take classes and apply for internships with these institutions, giving them excellent real-world experience that will help them as they are applying for jobs and entering the career field.
