Admissions Straight Talk

The Bryn Mawr Postbac Premed Program [Episode 614]

In this episode of Admissions Straight Talk, Dr. Valerie Wherley welcomes Dr. Glenn Cummings, associate dean and director of health professions advising at Bryn Mawr, for an in-depth look at one of the nation’s oldest and most respected career-changer post-bac pathways. Dr. Cummings explains the distinctive mission and history of the Postbaccalaureate Premedical Program – founded in 1972 at Bryn Mawr College – and clarifies what truly defines a “career changer” in the post-bac world. He walks listeners through the program’s rigorous 12-month curriculum – including the accelerated summer chemistry sequence and the full-time fall and spring science load – while also outlining how Bryn Mawr supports students through intensive academic advising, structured MCAT preparation, and opportunities for clinical volunteering, research, and service. Dr. Cummings also highlights the program’s unique advantages, such as its extensive network of medical school linkage partnerships, its individualized W.I.S.E. advising model, and its robust alumni mentoring system. In addition, he discusses what the admissions committee looks for in competitive applicants: strong academic performance, demonstrated motivation for medicine, a history of service, and the maturity to thrive in a tight-knit, collaborative cohort. Whether you’re a true career changer, a recent graduate ready to pivot toward medicine, or simply exploring structured post-bac options, this episode offers valuable insights into how Bryn Mawr prepares students not only for the application process but also for success in medical school and beyond. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome00:35 History of the Bryn Mawr Postbac Premed Program01:47 Defining a Career Changer vs. Academic Enhancer02:08 Who the Program Is Designed For05:05 Curriculum Overview and 12-Month Structure07:19 Unique Features of the Bryn Mawr Postbac07:25 Medical School Linkage Programs09:45 W.I.S.E. Advising Model and Alumni Mentorship12:17 Preparing Students for Med School Applications14:10 Clinical Volunteering, Research, and Service17:15 What Makes a Competitive Bryn Mawr Applicant21:40 Letters of Recommendation and Applicant Evaluation23:50 Final Advice Related ResourcesDr. Glenn Cummings contact information Bryn Mawr Postbac Program email: postbac@brynmawr.eduThe Basics of Postbac Programs: What You Need to KnowRelated Admissions Straight Talk EpisodesHow to Apply Successfully to Med School from Postbac Programs [Episode 526]The Fastest Way to Medical School Is Slowly: Avoiding Early Premed Mistakes [Episode 608] Follow UsYouTubeFacebookLinkedInContact Uswww.accepted.comsupport@accepted.com+1 (310) 815-9553

Becoming a PA at Sacred Heart: International Opportunities, Orthopedic Training, and Admissions Advice [Episode 613]

In this episode of Admissions Straight Talk, host Dr. Valerie Wherley sits down with Dr. Reynold Jaglal, program director of the Sacred Heart University Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPAS) program, for an in-depth look at Sacred Heart’s values-focused approach to physician assistant (PA) education. Dr. Jaglal breaks down the program’s 27-month curriculum, including its team-taught didactic model, hands-on clinical rotations, and distinctive international clinical opportunities in Ireland and Spain.He also shares what makes Sacred Heart’s primary care–focused training unique, such as its required orthopedics rotation, and provides clear, practical advice for PA school applicants on demonstrating their fit with the school’s mission, communicating their personal values, and explaining their academic challenges. Whether you’re preparing to apply, exploring clinical programs, or curious about global PA education, this episode offers a thoughtful, insider perspective.00:00 Welcome to the Admissions Straight Talk podcast00:35 Welcome our guest, Dr. Reynold Jaglal00:55 The PA program at Sacred Heart University02:07 PA program curriculum and faculty06:01 International training opportunities09:15 Clinical phase12:41 Dual degree: Bachelor's-MS in Physician Assistant Studies (BS-MSPAS)15:42 Growing interest in the PA degree17:35 How to create a competitive PA applicationRelated Resources:Dr. Reynold Jaglal contact informationSacred Heart University Master of Science in Physician Assistant StudiesSacred Heart University Bachelor’s–MS in Physician Assistant StudiesThe Ultimate Guide to Becoming a Physician Assistant, a free Accepted guide Related Admissions Straight Talk EpisodesHow to Get Accepted to Duke’s Physician Assistant Program [Episode 591]How to Get into Physician Assistant Programs [Episode 515]Inside the Emory PA Program: Admissions, Curriculum, and Keys to Success [Episode 603] Follow UsYouTubeFacebookLinkedInContact Uswww.accepted.comsupport@accepted.com+1 (310) 815-9553

Is There Such a Thing as Too Many Drafts? Writing a Standout Med School Personal Statement [Episode 612]

In this episode of Admissions Straight Talk, host Dr. Valerie Wherley sits down with Accepted Admissions Consultant Alicia Nimonkar, an expert writing coach with a background in composition and rhetoric, to unpack one of the most important – and often most intimidating – parts of the medical school application: the personal statement. Alicia explains how applicants can use the AAMC’s premed competencies as a framework to craft authentic, focused narratives that highlight their strengths. From creating a timeline of formative experiences to developing an outline that connects recurring themes, she shares how to identify what makes your story uniquely yours – and how to make it resonate with admissions committees.Alicia also offers practical insight into the writing process itself: how many drafts it really takes, when to stop editing, and how to avoid the “too many cooks in the kitchen” trap of excessive feedback. She and Dr. Wherley discuss the power of resilience, effort, and voice – exploring how applicants can address challenges without sounding apologetic and how to write from a place of strength and advocacy. Whether you’re starting your first draft or polishing your final version, this episode will help you approach your personal statement with clarity, confidence, and purpose.Related ResourcesAAMC The Premed Competencies for Entering Medical StudentsMindsets: A View From Two ErasThe Obstacle Is the WayAlicia Nimonkar bio and contact informationRelated Admissions Straight Talk EpisodesThe Fastest Way to Medical School Is Slowly: Avoiding Early Premed Mistakes [Episode 608]How to Overcome the Biggest Weaknesses in Med School Applications [Episode 605]Rejection and Reapplication: How to Respond [Episode 523] Follow UsYouTubeFacebookLinkedInContact Uswww.accepted.comsupport@accepted.com+1 (310) 815-9553

Inside UMass Chan: How Wellness, Community, and Leadership Shape Future Physicians [Episode 611]

In this inspiring episode of Admissions Straight Talk, host Dr. Valerie Wherley sits down with Dr. Tracy Kedian, professor of family medicine and associate dean of admissions at UMass Chan Medical School. Together, they explore how UMass Chan fosters not only academic excellence but also personal growth, leadership, and wellness among its medical students.Dr. Kedian discusses how programs such as WIN (“what I need”) Week and the Vista Curriculum create a supportive environment where students learn to lead with compassion and resilience. She also highlights the school’s emphasis on community engagement—from the Worcester campus to the Population-based Urban and Rural Community Health (PURCH) track in Springfield—and the critical importance of understanding the diverse communities physicians serve.Listeners will gain insight into how UMass Chan’s holistic approach prepares future doctors to thrive in medicine while maintaining their well-being and purpose. Whether you’re an aspiring physician or advising premed students, this episode offers an authentic look at a medical school that truly “walks the talk” of student support and community-driven medicine.Related ResourcesUMass Chan Medical SchoolVista CurriculumPURCH track LEAD@Lahey trackMorningside UniversityRelated Admissions Straight Talk EpisodesThe Fastest Way to Medical School Is Slowly: Avoiding Early Premed Mistakes [Episode 608]How to Overcome the Biggest Weaknesses in Med School Applications [Episode 605]How Many Med Schools Should You Apply To? [Episode 607] Tuft’s MS in Biomedical Sciences: Your Pathway to Med School? [Episode 535]Follow UsYouTubeFacebookLinkedInContact Uswww.accepted.comsupport@accepted.com+1 (310) 815-9553

Stanford's MCiM Degree: Where Healthcare Meets Technology [Episode 610]

What happens when you combine medicine, business, and technology? The cross-disciplinary Master of Science in Clinical Informatics Management degree at Stanford University combines all three of these disciplines. Over the course of just 12 months, students gain the skills to implement cutting-edge technologies, strengthen core business and leadership capabilities, and apply innovative solutions to mee the needs of diverse populations. In this episode of the Admissions Straight Talk podcast, Accepted medical school expert Dr. Valerie Wherley is joined by Dr. Kevin Schulman, Professor of Medicine at Stanford University and program director, to discuss the Stanford MCIM program. Dr. Wherley and Dr. Schulman they talk about tackling big problems in healthcare, why the MCiM degree was created, who the program is right for, and the options MCIM students have for their capstone project. Learn more about the Master of Science in Clinical Informatics Management program here: https://med.stanford.edu/content/sm/master-clinical-informatics-management.html/00:00 Welcome to the Admissions Straight Talk podcast00:49 How (and why) the MCIM degree was created 02:05 Cross-disciplinary approach04:01 Who is the MCiM program right for?06:04 ROI and marketable skills08:50 Capstone project options12:56 The Stanford design process14:32 MCiM application timeline and scholarship options15:39 The importance of letters of recommendation16:20 What makes an MCiM applicant stand out Related ResourcesDr. Kevin Schulman biographyStanford MCiM program informationStanford University Knight-Hennessy Scholars programFive Tips for Applying for Stanford’s Knight-Hennessy ScholarshipRelated EpisodesTransitioning from the Military to an MBA at Stanford GSB [Episode 471]What These Seasoned Startup Founders Have Done Since Earning Their Stanford MBAs [Episode 382]Stanford MBA Grows His Amazing Tech Startup [Episode 369]Follow UsYouTubeFacebookLinkedInContact Uswww.accepted.comsupport@accepted.com+1 (310) 815-9553