Contents
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Letter From The Author
The path to medicine has many different routes. Think of it as a trip from New York to California.
The typical traveler will fly coach on a large commercial airline. Small seats, not much legroom, and crammed in with the masses. Lets hope you dont get the middle seat. But, you will eventually make it from the east coast to sunny California. This traveler can be compared to the student who applies to medical school right out of college. She has a near-perfect GPA, high MCAT score, and plenty of medical-focused extracurricular activities to fill her resume.
A more appealing option would be to fly first class. Better food and the ability to stretch your legs out. Plus, there is no middle seat to worry about. This student is similar to the coach traveler; the same plane but different experience. Perhaps this student graduated from an Ivy League undergraduate program, while still having the same top grades, test scores, and experiences as the coach traveler.
Another option is to drive across the country. Driving from the east coast to the west coast will take a while. You could also get stuck in traffic, which might make the trip less enjoyable. This student took a few years off after college and now wants to apply to medical school. The problem is that he is missing some of his pre-med requirements, so he must first take those classes, plus the MCAT, before even starting on the grueling medical school applications.
Not all travelers can drive; some might have to hitchhike to make it to the sunny state. This is the student who did not graduate with a high GPA, has a mediocre MCAT score, and lacks medical-focused activities. Studying was not a priority in college, and medical school was not even a thought at the time. This student might consider going to medical school abroad, perhaps in the Caribbean. It will be much easier to get accepted compared to a U.S. medical school. This option might sound appealing, however, the problem with this strategy is that the residency match rates are much lower for students who graduate from foreign medical schools. Many of these students fail to secure a residency in the U.S. Without a U.S. residency, you cannot practice medicine in America.
The best way to get from New York to California is by private jet. Think of BS/MD as the private jet experience. Before you even graduate high school, you are accepted to medical school. You have the golden ticket. You can enjoy your undergraduate years without the stress of worrying if you will get accepted to a medical school, nonetheless, a competitive and highly desirable one. The reality is that acceptance into a U.S. medical school is the most competitive in the world and most students do not get in. Also, the medical school application process is a ton of work. It involves advance planning, countless hours, and is expensive.
With proper planning and due diligence, you can take a private jet. I believe all students have this potential. The problem is that all students do not have the motivation and drive to stick to the route. Many BS/MD programs have acceptance rates in the single digits, with some offering less than ten seats per year. I hope this book serves as your guide as you pursue your dream of having those two magical letters after your name: MD. Remember, a little progress each day and week will eventually add up to impressive results.
Kristen Moon
Founder & CEO, Moon Prep
www.moonprep.com
About Moon Prep
Direct medical programs arent easy to get into, even if you have perfect grades, impressive test scores, and a resume full of extracurricular activities. At Moon Prep, we dont help students get into BS/MD programs by simply proofreading essays we serve as your partner throughout the entire process.
Since our inception, direct medical and medical school applications have been our specialty. Each year, over 80% of our students are focused on gaining admission into a direct medical program.
The reason why our students turn to us is because we are the leading experts in BS/MD and medical school admissions. Our team has worked in admission offices, conducted interviews with key members of the BS/MD and medical field, and written countless articles that have been featured in Forbes, Inc, and more. Our team is constantly sought out as experts in the field and has been quoted in U.S. News & World Report, HuffPost, USA Weekly, Investopedia, and many more.
Over the years, Moon Prep has built a team of strong counselors to help serve as your partners. Lead by Kristen Moon, the CEO and founder of Moon Prep, the team consists of:
Lindsey C , who has more than seven years of experience as a writer and editor, including with personal statements and supplemental essays. She has interviewed multiple leading figures in the college and medical school admission process to gain deeper insights into the strategy leading to successful admissions. Lindsey also serves as an ACT and SAT tutor, helping students increase their scores.
Michaela S, who formerly served as an admissions counselor for the University of Nebraska and worked hand-in-hand with guidance counselors for an International Baccalaureate high school to develop college-readiness curriculum for Junior Achievement. Michaela is Moon Preps go-to resource for scholarships and is passionate about helping our students pay for college and minimize student loan debt.
Alix M , who holds permanent School Counseling certifications in both New York and Florida. She has her Masters of Science in Education, School Counseling from Hofstra University. Alix has more than eight years of experience as the IB Trained Director of College Counseling. She is active in the college counseling field and is a current member of many organizations, including the National Association for College Admissions Counseling and the Southern Association for College Admissions Counseling.
Moon Prep takes a team approach to admissions. When you work with a Moon Prep counselor, you are getting the expertise of the entire team. As a team, we regularly discuss each candidate and their strategy for admissions. Moon Preps team approach to admissions means that each counselor brings a unique perspective from past experiences. But we do all have one thing in common: We care deeply for our students and families, and we are driven to help them achieve their college dreams.
Resources
Here is a complete list of resources to help you on your direct medical journey:
Moon Prep website
