One of our Application Architect students reflects on their high school journey, the process of writing BS/MD essays and practicing for interviews, and their experiences throughout the BS/MD admissions cycle. This student has gained multiple admissions to competitive programs, but has asked to remain anonymous to maintain their privacy. If you want to work with us on BS/MD or medical school applications, click the link here to get started.
Intro
Hi everyone! This past cycle, I was accepted into 7+ BS/MD programs, multiple top 10 universities, and received substantial scholarships. Below are some tips I have that helped me succeed:
Resume Building For BS/MD
As an underclassman, I found that having a clear, central focus was the most impactful strategy in my application process. My entire application was centered around emergency medicine (EM) and by a quick glance at my resume, it was clear what my passions and goals were in medicine. Additionally, I pursued unique extracurriculars that helped me stand out in a competitive pool of applicants. Rather than following a traditional path of just volunteering and shadowing, I engaged in activities that genuinely interested me, such as journalism, and I believe this authenticity stood out to the admissions committees.
Tackling BS/MD Essays
As a whole, the BS/MD essay process was incredibly time-consuming. I applied to around 15+ BS/MD programs and was writing essays up until February of my senior year. What surprised me most was the sheer number of essays required. While many schools asked the standard ‘Why Medicine?’ question, each had its own variation, resulting in me writing over 100 different essays throughout the process. Despite the heavy essay load, I’m glad I applied to that many programs. Since the BS/MD process can be unpredictable, casting a wide net gave me a sense of control and ultimately led me to committing to my dream program.
The essay process can be exhausting— I wrote at least 15 drafts of my personal statement. I often struggled for hours, only to get inspiration late at night and start writing on the spot. That said, after drafting the first 10 or so essays, the rest became easier and more concise, as themes started to repeat. It’s important to be patient with the process and accept the early frustration. Also, talk to people who know you well; brainstorming with my parents helped me uncover and remember meaningful insights and stories.
Practicing for BS/MD Interviews
I was accepted into every BS/MD program where I received an interview. That being said, the interview process was extremely positive for me. I am someone that enjoys public speaking so the interviews were my time to shine!
For traditional BS/MD interviews, review your essays beforehand and take time to reconnect with your experiences. The goal is to be authentic—don’t try to present a version of yourself you think they want to see. Be confident, but stay humble. They want to understand who you are beyond your accomplishments.
As for BS/MD MMI, it’s crucial to carefully read and fully understand what each question is asking. If you skim too quickly, you might miss the core of the scenario. BS/MD MMI are designed to assess your ethical reasoning and how you think under pressure. I highly recommend reviewing ethical questions from previous years and, for each one, outlining three main bullet points you’d want to address in your answer. These points should clearly support your overall stance. This approach not only helps organize your thoughts, but also makes it easier to recall your response during the actual interview. Additionally, avoid taking a neutral position, as that’s not typically realistic in medical decision-making.
In my preparation fro BS/MD interviews, I practiced questions with Darlene, took notes on feedback, and spent time rehearsing alone. Ultimately, remember that interviews are about showing the person behind your resume.
Final Words
Lastly, I know how strenuous and exhausting this process can be. While your peers applying through the traditional route may be finished early, you’ll still be writing essays and prepping for interviews well into second semester. There will be moments when you feel like giving up, and that’s completely valid. After all, you’re 17 or 18 years old applying to medical school—that’s no small feat. But my biggest advice is: keep going.
Surround yourself with a solid support system—people you can turn to for encouragement or even just a mental break. Don’t forget to take care of yourself, too. Make time to hang out with others, get outside, and stay active. In the end, I promise it’s all worth it.
Receiving my first medical school acceptance was one of the most unforgettable moments of my life. That single moment made all the long hours, stress, and sacrifices throughout high school feel incredibly meaningful.
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