🎥 Ask an Admissions Consultant: Full Event Replay & Top Q&A
We had such an incredible time last night at our Ask an Admissions Consultant event. A huge thank you to Maria Lofftus @mlofftus for joining us and sharing her "behind-the-curtain" perspective from her 20 years as a Dean of Admissions.
If you couldn't make it live, don't worry! I’ve got the full recording ready for you below!
Here are a few highlights!✨
Highlights from our Q&A with Maria:
Q: What is the biggest avoidable mistake you see in applications? Maria: "Telling instead of showing. Don't just give us a job description. If you worked as a barista, don't just say you 'took orders.' Tell us a story about your 'regulars' and how you made an impact on their day. We want to see your humanity and how you'll treat your future patients."
Q: How do I select the right schools beyond just GPA and MCAT scores? Maria: "Look for 'documented evidence.' Most students forget this. You need to research a school until you find three things that truly excite you, then show in your application that your values and interests align with theirs. That is what makes you a 'good fit' above and beyond your stats."
Q: Are gap years viewed negatively? Maria: "Actually, very positively! We love seeing a 'fully baked adult.' It shows maturity and that you are entering medicine with a clear, intentional purpose."
Q: My MCAT date is late. Should I wait to submit my primary? Maria: "Submit as soon as it opens for verification! You can select just one school to get your application validated. Once your scores come in, you can add the rest of your list immediately without waiting weeks for verification."
Next Steps:
- 💬 Keep the conversation going: If you have more questions, drop them in our community! Our experts and faculty are there to help.
- 🤝 Free 1-on-1 Help: We shared this during the session, and I want to make sure you saw it and had the chance to sign up for a free 30-minute session with an admissions consultant to talk about your specific journey.
One last thing: Check your DMs! I’ll be surprising a few of you who engaged with the event and here in the community with a special surprise from our team. 🎁
Can't wait for our next event! In the meantime, see you all in the community!