Earning Another Degree or Certification Before Med School: Linkage Programs

As we’ve mentioned in this blog series, some post-bacc programs and SMPs offer linkage programs. These allow students to skip their “glide year” between their post-bacc program or SMP and medical school, and matriculate into an affiliated med school the fall after their current program ends. Linkage students’ applications to affiliated schools essentially go to the top of the pile. 

Here’s the rub, though: You can only apply to one of the affiliated schools, and if admitted, you’re expected not to apply to more schools within that year and commit to attending the school that accepted you. So, you really only want to do linkage if you are dead set on a certain medical school. 

If this still sounds good to you: Linkage programs can be sweet back door entrances into a university's medical school (or an affiliated university's medical school), provided you do well in them. Students who absolutely nail their linkage SMP or post-bacc courses might automatically be offered conditional acceptance to their medical school if they meet certain criteria. Notice the words “conditional” and “certain” here, they’re doing a lot of work. Schools don’t like to say the word “guaranteed,” even if you rocked the house. 

We know of a non-client who completed his linkage SMP with the required GPA and thus earned his interview at his school’s medical program…but he was then waitlisted. He ended up getting in, but for a minute there, there was a real possibility that he was going to have to apply the following year. That wouldn’t have been the end of the world, though. Schools like to point out that “most” SMP graduates do get into medical school if not during their program, soon afterwards.

If this has spiked your curiosity, find out if your top school has a linkage program, what affiliates it has, and what unique benefits it offers. Here is a little info on just a few linkage programs we like:

• Bryn Mawr’s post-baccalaureate premedical program connects to one dental school and 16 medical schools, including the Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Boston University’s School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University’s School of Medicine, and the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth. The school reports that the post-bacc program’s linkage option is quite popular—and successful. “Bryn Mawr has early acceptance arrangements with more medical schools than any other [post-bacc] program, and we have the longest-standing relationships with many of these consortial/linkage schools,” writes Glenn Cummings, Director of the Bryn Mawr Postbaccalaureate Premedical Program. As for the program overall, the school boasts that “over 98% [of students] are accepted to medical school.”

• University of Virginia's pre-med post-bacc graduates have a 95% acceptance rate to medical schools across the country. In addition to teaching the sciences, the program requires students to take a course on the U.S. healthcare system and facilitates volunteering and shadowing experiences. Their linkage program connects to George Washington University’s School of Medicine and Health Sciences and University of Pittsburgh’s School of Medicine.

• Columbia’s post-bacc premed program is housed in its School of General Studies and offers linkage to New York University’s Medical School, the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Weill Cornell’s Medical College, and eight other programs. If you want to find out more about their various linkage opportunities, Columbia regularly hosts online events.

• Tufts MBS program is a SMP that offers a MS in Biomedical Sciences—and linkage to Tufts School of Medicine’s MD Program. (That’s a lot of acronyms!) On average, 54 linkage applicants from the MBS program get an interview at Tufts each year. Thirty-seven of those students are typically accepted into the school of medicine. Says the school, “MBS students who apply to the School of Medicine's MD program get preferred consideration for interviews and will be carefully and holistically reviewed. This is regardless of if they meet the specific MBS Linkage criteria.” Linkage aside, according to Tufts, most of the MBS class can expect a leg up into medical school. They report an “80+% admit rate to medical school (vs. the 7% national average)” and a “60% interview rate at Tufts University’s School of Medicine for the MD program (vs. 10% from the general applicant pool).” MBS requires a thesis and “in lieu of a traditional thesis defense, MBS students must have their thesis formally approved by their mentor and identified readers,” according to the school. Students can complete the program in one year or two, if they want to extend their clinical work in the community or complete a lab-based thesis.

• Some DO programs offer linkage too. Barry University’s Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences is a non-thesis SMP meant to prepare students for medical or dental school or Biomedical Sciences PhD programs. You can earn acceptance into the program even if you don’t have all your premedical requirements yet. In the program, you might find yourself doing research work with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Institute of Health (NIH), or the Center for Disease Control (CDC). Successful completion guarantees an interview at Barry University’s School of Podiatric Medicine (POD) or an affiliate school, which are: the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM), the Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine (ICOM), and the Orlando College of Osteopathic Medicine (OCOM).

Earning Another Degree or Certification Before Med School: Special Master’s Programs

Like an undergraduate post-bacc program, Special Master’s Programs (SMPs) are one or two-year programs (typically one-year) designed to help you prepare for medical school. 

SMPs are for people who completed the pre-medical curriculum...but maybe could have done better. We also know of SMP applicants who had fine grades but were bad test takers and had low MCAT scores. Attending a SMP can show commitment to studying medicine and serve as proof that you’re a capable student. 

These programs are also great for folks who simply feel underprepared for the medical school environment because SMPs offer a med school-esque experience. You might even take courses alongside medical students and be able to pick their brains. 

There’s more than just science courses to SMPs too: Morehouse has a one- and two-year Master of Science in Medical Sciences (MSMS), which offers an MCAT prep course (not every SMP does), scribe training, and courses covering systemic racism to prepare underrepresented students for what they may encounter in med school and the medical field. The MSMS programs also provide matriculants with both a faculty and student advisor. Notes Morehouse: “As of the 2021 graduating class, the Post-Baccalaureate and MSMS degree programs have graduated 160 students with 88% of them entering health professional schools (134 to MD, three to DO, two to PA, one to DDS, and one to PhD programs).”

You might choose your SMP because it is under the same metaphorical or actual roof as your ideal medical school. You’ll have the chance to do some strong on-campus networking, always a plus when interviewing. And SMP students’ med school applications get special notice at the school they’re attending.

Georgetown has the oldest one-year Master of Physiology program built for aspiring medical students in the country; 50% of its students are accepted to medical school while still in the program. And 85% of its graduates are accepted to medical school within two years of completing their Master's degree. SMP students at Georgetown have an advantage when applying to Georgetown School of Medicine (GUSOM). “Many SMP students apply to [GUSOM] while in the program,” notes the school. “The SMPs are pulled out of the general applicant pool and are reviewed separately. GUSOM highly values students from the program and typically interviews half of the class. Of those interviewed, typically half are offered acceptance.”

The AAMC has a detailed list of 311 post-baccalaureate and SMP programs, and if they have linkage affiliations, it notes the schools they’re affiliated with. You can search by school, state, and public or private institution.

Earning Another Degree or Certification Before Med School: Master’s Programs

A Master's program, like one of Chemistry, Physiology, or Public Health, can bolster a weaker transcript. And because some Master’s programs involve research and a thesis, a strong performance shows your ability to thrive in an in-depth program. Of note, your Master's GPA counts separately from your undergraduate GPA. 

A client of ours pursued an MS in Human Nutrition. Her goal was to learn more about public health nutrition and use that experience to apply to medical school with not only a stronger transcript but deeper knowledge of an area of great interest to her.

If, like our client, you're eager to expand your knowledge of a specific area or better prepare for a competitive and collaborative environment, earning an advanced degree might be for you. A Master's program can also hook you up with a helpful mentor. 

As mentioned in the post-bacc blog, Princeton University offers a short list of post-bacc and master’s programs that highlights elite schools. 

This Year Create Resolutions Based in Love

By February, around 80 percent of people have left behind their New Year’s resolutions. The reason? It’s hard to stick to a program structured on “fixing” yourself. If January was a wash for you, this month, let’s explore a new paradigm for change, one based on celebrating what you love about yourself. 

Stanford psychology professor and author of The Willpower Instinct Kelly McGonigal told TedTalks that most resolutions go awry because we resolve to do something we think we should do, and in fact, we don’t actually want to follow through on the resolutions. 

“I did this New Year’s resolution makeover once with this woman who had made the same resolution year after year to become a better cook, because she thought that’s what good moms and good wives did,” she explained. “She was a terrible cook, and she didn’t want to learn how to cook. That’s a mistake people make, is they think they’re just going to fundamentally change who they are with a resolution. ‘I’m going to become a morning person.’ ‘I’m going to become a health nut.’ ‘I’m going to become organized.’ The best resolutions are ones that strengthen something you already are, but you may not have been fully investing in.”

Below we’ve rounded up some tips to help you do just that.

First, take stock. Our subconscious, McGonigal warns, tends to drive our resolution-setting, using the exact wrong questions: “What should I be doing that I’m not?” or “What do I need to change about myself?” Avoid this trap – consider your life both as it is and as it could be. 

“What is it that you want to offer the world?,” asks McGonigal. “Who do you want to be, what do you want more of in your life? And then [ask]: ‘How might I get there? What would create that as a consequence?’ When you start from that point of view…resolutions can be incredibly effective.”

To turn your attention to what matters most, Tim Ferriss, tech investor, author, and podcaster, offered a system via his blog that he uses called the Past Year Review. Ferriss recommends looking back at your calendar month-by-month and considering the people, commitments, and activities you engaged with; then, ask yourself: Which of these elicited strong positive or negative emotions for me at the time? Consider the patterns, what people, activities, and commitments most consistently brought positive (or negative) feelings? Use those findings to drive your future decision-making. Plan to spend more time doing what brought positivity and minimize what was negative. And show some urgency. “Get the positive things on the calendar ASAP, lest they get crowded out by the noise that will otherwise fill your days.” Ferriss wrote.

Don’t underestimate “friction.” Wendy Wood, a Psychologist at USC, refers to the “tiny barriers” you face daily to reach your goals as “friction” and she discussed its impact on habit-formation in a Q&A for Wharton professor Katy Milkman’s (excellent!) newsletter. Specifically, she wrote about our tendency to underestimate friction’s impact on our choices. 

In 2020, Wood conducted a study on voting behaviors during the Presidential election. She asked respondents about their intention to vote and the factors they believed would promote or prevent them from doing so. Most responses alluded to the respondent’s beliefs, values, and candidate preferences. Very few mentioned the factors we would call “friction,” which includes things like childcare, lines at the polls, time away from work, parking, weather, etc. Post-election, researchers found that in actuality, values and friction were equally likely to have impacted the person’s voting decision. 

Wood wrote, “All of this speaks to the fact that we tend to overvalue agency and underestimate the influence of difficulties in our environment, like barriers that can stop us from doing things.” The lesson here is to maintain your awareness of how friction can impede or, if proactively negated, aid you in following up on your resolution. 

Consider the logistics around what you want to do for the rest of 2026 and create a plan to promote your own success. Start by noticing what gets in the way of your goals and then create a workaround: sleep in your workout clothes, purchase only the healthy snacks for home, or block out time on your calendar to pursue a hobby.

Activate your learning mode. Eduardo Briceño, Author of The Performance Paradox, gave a TedTalk titled “How to Get Better at the Things You Care About.” In it, he shared his research, which showed that the most effective people across disciplines share a commonality: they regularly alternate between performance and learning modes. 

Performance mode is about execution. It is doing the thing and doing it as well as possible. Whatever it may be, playing tennis, giving a persuasive sales pitch, or performing a surgery. Learning mode, on the other hand, is about proactively dissecting your performance to identify areas for improvement. He cites Beyoncé as an example. She runs her concerts in performance mode, seeking the best experience for her audience. However, post-concert, she activates learning mode, watching tapes of the show and seeking ways to improve. She keeps notes for herself and shares feedback with the other performers and technicians. 

Briceño notes that after an initial couple of years in a role, most a person’s performance plateaus because of their sole focus on performance mode. For improvement, we must seek out time to learn and develop. It sounds simple, but it requires a willingness to make room for mistakes and subsequent growth, the vulnerability to ask for feedback, and ultimately the ability to let go of perfection. 

At the conclusion of his talk, he asked, “What if, instead of spending our lives doing, doing, doing, performing, performing, performing, we spent more time exploring, asking, listening, experimenting, reflecting, striving, and becoming? What if we each always had something we were working to improve?”

Be kind to yourself. As you embark upon any change or resolution-strategy, it behooves you to do so with self-compassion and openness to missteps. Which, in addition to sounding really nice, is a strategy backed by science. Research shows that self-kindness is more effective than shame. 

In The Willpower Instinct, McGonigal wrote, “If you think that the key to greater willpower is being harder on yourself, you are not alone. But you are wrong. Study after study shows that self-criticism is consistently associated with less motivation and worse self-control... In contrast, self-compassion—being supportive and kind to yourself, especially in the face of stress and failure—is associated with more motivation and better self-control. Consider, for example, a study at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada, that tracked the procrastination of students over an entire semester. Lots of students put off studying for the first exam, but not every student made it a habit. Students who were harder on themselves for procrastinating on their first exam were more likely to procrastinate on later exams than students who forgave themselves. The harder they were on themselves about procrastinating the first time, the longer they procrastinated for the next exam! Forgiveness – not guilt – helped them get back on track.”

As you continue into 2026, do so focused on what you want more of in your life. Pursue those things with an eye for “friction,” a dedication to learning and improvement, and self-compassion for the inevitable moments when you miss the mark. 

We’ll wrap things up with some inspiring words from Nike Running’s global head coach Chris Bennett: “Love is a much better fuel than hate.” We think that’s a perfect reason to use Valentine’s Day as the kick-off to your updated 2026 resolutions. 

Earning Another Degree or Certification Before Med School: Post-Baccalaureate Certification

Post-bacc programs are one- and two-year certification programs (you don’t earn a degree, but rather a certificate) and are ideal for folks who are making a career change or need to enhance their academic record. 

If you have not satisfied the course requirements for medical school, you must earn a post-bacc. (Or at least do a self-styled post-bacc experience, in which you take the courses missing from your undergrad transcript.) Career changers typically lack multiple med school course requirements; the clients who we’ve worked with who have attended post-bacc programs were all career changers. Post-bacc programs are also an option for those who tanked some classes early on in their college career or re-applicants who have some room for academic improvement. A post-bacc counts towards your undergraduate GPA like a fifth year of college. Some post-bacc programs offer MCAT prep too.

There are post-bacc programs that are full-time or part-time and/or offer night classes, making it easy to continue to gain clinical experiences between now and when you matriculate to med school (a must no matter what else you do). 

You can get briefed on the details of many-a-post-bacc-program by using the AAMC's Postbaccalaureate Premedical Programs database. Some post-bacc programs (and Special Master’s Programs) offer linkage programs—we’ll explain that further in a bit—and this database will tell you what schools those programs are affiliated with, if any. Princeton University offers a shorter list of strong post-bacc and master’s programs that is tremendously helpful.

Earning Another Degree or Certification Before Med School: An Overview

If you don’t think you’re ready to apply to medical school (or you’ve been rejected), you may be considering a post-baccalaureate certification, a Master’s program, or a Special Master’s Program (SMP). Maybe you’re even specifically looking for a post-bacc or SMP that offers a linkage program. Or you might not know why you’d pursue any of that! No matter the case, read on, because, in this blog series, we’ll explain the difference between these offerings and what you should think about before pursuing them. 

Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let us say this: If your undergrad GPA is strong, you have done enough science coursework, and you feel ready for medical school, you don't need to take on the added expense of another program before med school. They are cash- and time-consuming. 

Cost is just one of the reasons that these programs are known as “high risk, high reward.” They can give you an advantage in getting into medical school, especially at the one that houses the program. But not doing well in such a program is a devastating look. These programs are challenging, so if you’re not ready for med school, you might not be ready for them, either. 

The value of pursuing a post-bacc certification or an advanced degree before medical school is subjective. These programs offer a great way to mature and expand your knowledge—but they are definitely not a guarantee that you will get into a medical school.

Follow along with us over the next week as we review the various degree/certification options many pre-meds consider, along with the pros and cons of each.

You Received a Medical School Acceptance... Now What? Part 5

In this series, we’ll prompt you on how to consider your medical school offers and make a decision. (If you got into only one school and therefore are going there, still do this because it will prepare you for attending that school.) Check back daily for insights.

Remember: You're Admitted, You're Not "Done"

You must continue to get clinical and research experience even after you're admitted to a school. This stuff has never been about having a great resume line or two—it's what prepares you for your future.

Celebrate! Take a moment to relish in this moment. Feel proud of yourself. Celebrate! We're so happy for you!

You Received a Medical School Acceptance... Now What? Part 4

In this series, we’ll prompt you on how to consider your medical school offers and make a decision. (If you got into only one school and therefore are going there, still do this because it will prepare you for attending that school.) Check back daily for insights.

Don't Forget About the Money

You should also be thinking about financial aid right now if that applies to you. (And get used to thinking about it— you'll have to reapply every year.)

Each school's financial aid application process is different. Their financial aid office should direct you to resources and keep you apprised of their deadlines. If something in their materials is unclear, call them before your head spins backward. Don't feel uncomfortable or dumb for reaching out—even the most academically impressive mind can be baffled by financial aid. Plus, helping you, a beloved, accepted applicant, is their job. They want to do it.

As for where we'd say you should start with financial aid: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Next, we'd advise you to make an account with the AAMC and access their consumer and federal financial aid resources list. (You'll find a secondary link to that info and links to pages explaining potential cash sources, including the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Scholarship and Loan Repayment Programs, here.)

You Received a Medical School Acceptance... Now What? Part 3

In this series, we’ll prompt you on how to consider your medical school offers and make a decision. (If you got into only one school and therefore are going there, still do this because it will prepare you for attending that school.) Check back daily for insights.

Send More Thank You Notes

Your recommenders wrote you a letter, it's your turn to write them another one. (Ideally, you already sent them one right after they agreed to write you a recommendation letter.) Let them know that you were accepted into a program and that you appreciate the role that they played in getting you to this point. It's the classy thing to do, and it might foster longer-term relationships that will help you network.

You Received a Medical School Acceptance... Now What? Part 2

In this series, we’ll prompt you on how to consider your medical school offers and make a decision. (If you got into only one school and therefore are going there, still do this because it will prepare you for attending that school.) Check back daily for insights.

How to Withdraw

As mentioned yesterday, you can only hold three acceptances by April 15th and one by April 30th. You might even withdraw an application before you receive a rejection or acceptance, if you have already been accepted to your dream school. You can just send a "thanks but no thanks" email. Keep it short and formal. Here's an example:

“Dear Admissions Committee [Or Appropriate Dean],

I am withdrawing my application for Great-But-Not-For-Me School of Medicine. Thank you for your consideration.

Best regards,

Your Name”

OR

“Dear Admissions Committee [Or Appropriate Dean],

It means so much to me to have been accepted into your prestigious program. However, I am withdrawing my application for Great-But-Not-For-Me School of Medicine.

Best regards,

Your Name”

You Received a Medical School Acceptance... Now What?

Congratulations! This is a huge deal. You put in the work, and it worked out—the ideal end to the arduous application process and the years of hard work you did before it.

If you're holding acceptances for more than one school, that’s amazing—and you have a decision to make. The deadline for holding three schools is April 15th. The deadline for holding one is April 30th. (You can still accept any late waitlist offers before matriculation; you have five business days to respond to those acceptance offers.) So, who will you say yes to?

In this series, we’ll prompt you on how to do some more digging before you decide. (If you got into only one school and therefore are going there, still do this because it will prepare you for attending that school.) Check back daily for insights.

Before Accepting an Offer

Schools will have accepted student materials ready for you. Don't rely on their info alone. Delve deeper into available opportunities and affiliations, investigate campus life and the area surrounding the school, and talk to current students about the coursework, student-run clinics, and what they love and hate about the program. (Current students are more likely to talk to you now because you're basically one of the crew.) If you didn't connect with a current student during your interview season, etc., ask the admissions office if they can hook you up with someone.

After Your Med School Interview: FAQs on Follow-Up Strategy

Check out our earlier posts on writing Update Letters and Letters of Intent.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I send more than one Letter of Intent?

You can send a couple of quasi-Letters of Intent. You can tell up to two schools: "I will likely attend" or "X school is one of my top choices." But only send an "I will attend" letter to your top choice school.

What should I do when I get notified I’ve been put on the waitlist?

Send a Letter of Intent ASAP. If you want to turn your waitlist slot into an acceptance, sending a Letter of Intent to your top choice school is extremely important. We already highlighted what such a letter should generally entail, but waitlistees may also want to do a little more. When you update a school on a major accomplishment, a new Letter of Recommendation based on it by a professor or supervisor adds a little oomph. (Adding a random recommendation that isn't about something that has happened since your application is less likely to have an impact on a school's view of you.)

How do I decide where to send my Letter of Intent?

Be strategic about your note: You only get one, so shoot your letter of intent at a likely target, a safe bet. Of course, you should love the school, but choose a school you have a reasonable chance of getting into.

After Your Med School Interview: Send a Letter of Intent

If a school is a top contender for you, go a step beyond an Update Letter, and send a Letter of Intent. You’ll want to send a Letter of Intent one or two weeks after your interview or the instant you have been waitlisted. Your letter should include relevant updates since you submitted your application (what you'd put in an Update Letter). Plus, a reiteration of your interest in the program with shoutouts to favorite offerings. Be specific about why you are interested in the medical school and try to relate those interests to your background, accomplishments, and goals. Have you worked on a study that relates to something happening in one of their labs? Do you want to be a pediatric surgeon and they are affiliated with one of the best children's hospitals in the country? Tell ‘em.

And finally—and this is what makes a Letter of Intent different from an Update Letter—include the yield protection statement: "If admitted I will attend." Keep it tight. No more than one page. Three paragraphs, max.

Medical schools have several reasons for wanting to accept people whom they know will attend. First, they want enthusiastic students who will add to the morale of the student body. They also like to know, especially as the date of matriculation nears, that the applicant they accept will attend because no medical school wants an open seat on the first day of classes. Finally, medical schools like the percentage of accepted applicants who matriculate to be as high as possible since this reflects the desirability of the medical school. (That's their "yield percentage" stat.)

Check back tomorrow for our final post on how to follow-up after your Med School Interview.

After Your Med School Interview: Send an Update Letter

Naturally, you'll have the urge to be proactive as you wait for a school's decision. In the weeks after your interview—say, two to three weeks in—you should send a letter reiterating your interest to keep the admissions office thinking about you.

We're going to go ahead and say that you should send an update letter to every school where you’ve interviewed, unless you absolutely hated one or two and are confident that you'll get in elsewhere. You should also be writing to schools you’ve yet to hear from to remind them that you’re eager to connect. (A Letter of Intent will come later and should be for your one and only true love…but there's some flexibility there. More on that tomorrow.)

"Hey, remember me?”

How to Send an Update Letter

We know of one admissions director who an applicant emailed EVERY DAY after their interview to express their continued interest in the school. Yikes. She gets it. It was beyond too much; it seemed unhinged.

You want to send a maximum of two Update Letters over a six to 10-week period that reiterate your interest in each school with program-specific details. It should include that if admitted, you will likely attend. And only send letters that include a substantive accomplishment. If you don’t think you have one—you do! We like these examples of accomplishments that one might include in an Update Letter:

• "Since submitting my application, I have increased my overall GPA to 3.8, earning an A+ in Biochemistry."

• "As I mentioned during my interview, I began an internship doing clinical research at My Local Hospital in October. In the ensuing weeks, I have pre-screened 75 potential study subjects, gaining valuable research and patient-facing experience."

• "Since applying, I gave a poster presentation on a novel postpartum hemorrhage treatment at The Very Cool National Conference."

Check back tomorrow for our post on how to send your Letter of Intent.

The Tactics of Persuasion

Persuasion, according to Aristotle, is made up of three components: ethos (credibility), logos (logic or evidence), and pathos (emotion). Carmine Gallo, Harvard professor and author, affirmed the validity of this equation in a Knowledge@Wharton interview. “What’s fascinating, and the competitive advantage that I talk about, is that the ancient brain, the primitive brain, has not changed. The way we like to communicate, the way we process information through the vehicle of story, through emotions, through empathy—those things have not changed since the beginning of time. That’s why I call ‘mastering the ancient art of persuasion’ a competitive skill,” he said. 

While the art of persuasion has not changed significantly over time, there’s new research that sheds light on the science. Jonah Berger, a Wharton marketing professor and author of Magic Words, studies how language drives outcomes and how various communications tactics can lead to increased sales, satisfaction, and/or engagement. 

We’ve rounded up some of his findings below:

Default to the present tense, when possible. Using active voice makes you sound more confident and increases your influence.  “Let's talk about past tense for a second. If someone said, ‘That book had a great plot,’ ‘France was fun,’ or ‘This product won an award,’ it suggests that this particular person liked the book when they read it, or they enjoyed France when they visited,” Berger said on a Knowledge@Wharton podcast. “If you're willing to say not just that France was fun, but it is fun; not just that this book had a great plot, but it has a great plot…it suggests you're more confident or certain about what you're saying. As a result, people are more likely to follow up on your opinion and be persuaded.”

Don’t hedge (And, if you must, own it). You already know to avoid filler language (umms and ahhs), but Berger also recommends incorporating “certainty” language. In the Wall Street Journal, Berger wrote, “When people speak with certainty, we’re more likely to think they’re right.” However, most of us default to “hedging” language, such as “that might work” or “this could be a strong plan,” which makes others less likely to take our advice. If you must hedge, Berger’s research shows that adding a personal pronoun to the statement increases how confident you sound. Try: “I believe that this plan could work” or “Seems like a great idea to me.” This connects you more closely with the idea, which makes your statement more convincing.

Deploy concrete language intentionally. Berger’s findings show that concrete language is most effective in making someone feel heard and/or resolving an issue, keeping a reader engaged in a longer-form content piece, or improving audience comprehension. “A service representative answering a request to find a pair of shoes, for example, could say that they would go look for them, those shoes, or those lime green Nikes. Those lime green Nikes is more concrete. The words used are more specific, tangible, and real. These variations might seem like simple turns of phrase, but they had an important impact on how customers felt about the interaction,” Berger said.  

Make it about identity. On the surface, asking someone to vote versus asking someone to be a voter doesn’t seem all that different. And yet, a 2011 research study out of Stanford University found a 15 percent increase in voting among adults asked to be “voters” rather than to “vote” in an election. In an interview with Entrepreneur, Berger describes why appealing to identity is so persuasive. “Category labels often imply a degree of permanence and stability,” he said. “Rather than noting what someone did or does, feels or felt, category labels hint at a deeper essence: Who someone is.”

Choose your words wisely and take note of how they’re received. Berger’s research shows that some “magic words” create impact where others do not. In the Wall Street Journal, he wrote, “Sometimes it’s just one word that makes a difference. Research that my colleague and I published in 2017, for example, found that saying you “recommend” rather than ‘like’ something makes people 32 percent more likely to take your suggestion. Other words operate more like gateways: A study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that adding the word ‘because’ to a request, followed by the reason for it, increased compliance by 50 percent.” 

Finally, don’t forget to notice how your language impacts others and adjust accordingly. That’s what ultimately drives effectiveness.

Crafting Your Personal Statement: Lessons from Memoir Writing

A memoir requires more than a recounting of events from your life. Rather, you must show the reader that you’ve experienced transcendence. Marion Roach Smith calls it the “golden rule” of memoir. She writes, “Memoir is not about what you did. Memoir is about what you did with it.” The experience is not the focus or the reason for the writing, just the vessel for sharing a more universal learning with your audience. 

Smith expands this thought when she writes, “Specifically memoir is a promise from me that I experienced something, I’ve given some real thought to it and now know what it is, and now I am going to share what I now know with you. The promise is not that I am going to recreate the experience or make you relive it with me.” 

This approach also aligns with what admissions committees are seeking in your personal statement. From your past experiences, they want to learn more about your potential and character. Show them how a recent discovery helped you evolve, how you’ve refined your abilities in innovation and/or leadership, and/or teamwork. Prove to them that you are ready to pursue a graduate education and career path.

Below, we’ve compiled a few other takeaways from Marion Roach Smith’s approach to memoir that will help you craft a strong personal statement. Also, be sure to check out her memoir manifesto. 

1. Structure. Memoir is created out of three components. Prior to writing, sit down and consider the building blocks of your piece. 1) What is this about (think: universal, e.g., connecting with and empowering your team, trying and trying again to find the right approach to solve a complex problem)? 2) What is your argument (something that you learned based on your experience)? 3) What experiences from your life will you deploy to prove your argument? 

2. Think small. Memoir requires that you share your growth with the audience, which can be done effectively by incorporating small details. Smith notes the power of observation for showing the reader your journey to transcendence. She writes, “Never forget about the small stuff and how it reveals the big stuff of life.” Small details also create a relationship with your reader, drawing them into the experience. 

3. Don’t forget your audience. Your memoir should hit on universal themes that are relatable to the reader. When you’re writing, and more importantly editing and rewriting, keep in mind how your audience will take in what you’re saying. Did you provide enough detail of the experiences to show growth and to make your argument? Did you provide too much or extraneous detail? Were you vulnerable and honest in your writing? 

4. Keep it tight. Focus only on the experiences, sentences, and words that you absolutely need to support your argument and demonstrate your growth in the piece. You want to go deep, not broad. Adding in additional stories can distract the reader, and potentially lose them. Once you have demonstrated growth and made your argument, your personal statement is complete. Fight the urge to turn it into an autobiography or a resume.

What to Expect in Your Traditional Medical School Interview: Final Thoughts

When it comes to your medical school interview, preparation is the best antidote to anxiety, but there are better ways to prepare than just churning through sample questions. Over six days, this series has walked you through the question types you can expect to receive and provided response structures, sample answers, and practice questions. If you missed a post, be sure to go back and give it a read!

Throughout this series, we’ve reviewed the key question types that you should expect to answer in your medical school interview. Now, some final thoughts:

• Know who you are presenting. The “you” at your interview should align with the one you presented in your primary and secondary application materials. Some of your interview questions will be like ones you answered in your application, so review your application to stay on message. We even recommend that you take a copy with you on interview day so that you can review it as you wait.

• Everything is on the table. All of the information you included in your application is fair game. The interviewer can ask about a hardship, emotional experience, or disciplinary action. Be prepared to address it calmly. During a Q&A, one dean shared that a prospective student cried during his interview. However sympathetic an interviewer may be, this lack of emotional regulation is not a good look. If there's a topic that could throw you off your game or elicit an emotional response, practice talking about it. 

• Use stories to make your point. We know this has come up a lot, but it’s important. Every answer you give should include a story about one of your experiences or something you've learned, even if the question doesn't outwardly demand a story. (For example, "Why medicine?") 

• Be direct. Keep your answers to most questions between one-and-a half and three minutes. Practice responses to our sample questions aloud. You don't have to memorize your answers. Just acclimate yourself to the topics and time limit. We like using flashcards to prepare for interviews. Put the Q on one side, and bullet points of what you want to say on the other.

• Medical schools are looking for real people. You don’t have to be perfect. Just be you. And within appropriate limits, don’t be afraid to expose some vulnerability.

Related:

What to Expect in Your Traditional Medical School Interview: Lead with a Confident Introduction

What to Expect in Your Traditional Medical School Interview: Situation, Action, Result Responses

What to Expect in Your Traditional Medical School Interview: “Make a Claim and Back it Up” Responses

What to Expect in Your Traditional Medical School Interview: Why Our Medical School?

What to Expect in Your Traditional Medical School Interview: Questions on Current Events in Healthcare

What to Expect in Your Traditional Medical School Interview: Wildcard Questions

What to Expect in Your Traditional Medical School Interview: Wildcard Questions

When it comes to your medical school interview, preparation is the best antidote to anxiety, but there are better ways to prepare than just churning through sample questions. Over six days, this series will walk you through everything you need to know to prepare for the traditional medical school interview. Check back daily as we discuss the question types you can expect and provide response structures, sample answers, and practice questions.

Wildcard Questions

In any interview you should expect something… unexpected. It could be a fun question about what makes you special, or it could be a logistical question like: "How will you pay for medical school?" 

As with all interview responses, how you back up an answer matters more than the answer itself. So, even if the question is something like "What do you do for fun?" it should subtly hint at one or two of your finer qualities. You don't have to say, "I study extra hard for fun! All I love is studying because I am a serious person!" That's disingenuous. But if you say, "I take salsa classes," share why in a revealing way: "I take salsa classes. I love Latin music and I am nothing but present on the dance floor. Having a partner reminds me to be attuned to her. And having a place to be every Tuesday night makes me even more diligent at work. I've come in early a few times just so I know I can be out the door by 5 PM to make it to my 6 o'clock class." 

Questions you may be asked:

• Teach me something.

• If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

• How would your best friend describe you?

• Who is someone you admire? Why?

• What do you do for exercise?

• Do you think the MCAT is a good measurement of one’s readiness for medical school?

• How do you think you did during this interview?

• What will you do if you're not accepted to medical school? (Oof, right? Is your plan to gain more clinical or research experience and try again? Try a post-bacc or Master's program and try again?)

What to Expect in Your Traditional Medical School Interview: Questions on Current Events in Healthcare

When it comes to your medical school interview, preparation is the best antidote to anxiety, but there are better ways to prepare than just churning through sample questions. Over six days, this series will walk you through everything you need to know to prepare for the traditional medical school interview. Check back daily as we discuss the question types you can expect and provide response structures, sample answers, and practice questions.

General Healthcare News

You will not be asked medical questions during your interview. No one is going to need you to walk them through setting a bone. But you should be prepared to speak about the medical field and current events related to it. Your interviewers want to know that you're keeping up with the times and that you've deeply considered some of the big questions that come with this work.

Spend some time each day reviewing the news. The New York Times is great for current events related to health care, as are MedPage Today, MedScape, and Stat News. We also recommend that you set up Google alerts for key phrases related to healthcare and/or your research interests and desired specialty to ensure you’re up to date.

You may be asked:

• What have you been following in healthcare news lately that is of particular interest to you?

• What healthcare-related or academic publications do you read?

• Do you have an opinion on the current [X medical news] controversy?

• What would you say is a major problem in the healthcare system today?

• What do you think is the greatest medical development in history?

• What's the difference between Medicare and Medicaid?

• What can be done about rising healthcare costs?

What to Expect in Your Traditional Medical School Interview: Why Our Medical School?

When it comes to your medical school interview, preparation is the best antidote to anxiety, but there are better ways to prepare than just churning through sample questions. Over six days, this series will walk you through everything you need to know to prepare for the traditional medical school interview. Check back daily as we discuss the question types you can expect and provide response structures, sample answers, and practice questions.

Why Our School?

Or: "Tell me why you are interested in this program," etc. This interview prompt will appear, in some form. Obviously, your response should include school-specific details, like what labs or research opportunities you'll take advantage of, what technologies or unique resources they utilize that maybe aren't available at other schools, which professors you're eager to learn from, the student clinics or affiliated hospitals you'd like to work at, and maybe even what you like about the area. And don’t forget to bridge these details with your past experiences and future goals to reinforce your interest in these offerings. 

Whatever you do, don't say something ingratiating and general: "It's an esteemed program where I'll learn from esteemed physicians who lead their esteemed fields." We're teasing about this phrasing, but "esteemed" gets thrown around a lot in responses like this, and what it reads as is essentially: "If I praise you enough, will you let me in?" 

Just answer the question with a couple of salient details and you'll be golden.