The Medical School Admissions Guide: College Bookstore Availability

MDadmit and Dr. Suzanne M. Miller are proud to announce that
The Medical School Admissions Guide: A Harvard MD's Week-by-Week Admissions Handbook 
is now available at the following college bookstores:

Harvard COOP
Stanford University Bookstore
Vanderbilt University Bookstore
Georgetown University Bookstore
George Washington University Bookstore
Marymount University Bookstore
George Mason University Bookstore
Santa Clara University Bookstore
Simmons College Bookstore

Don't see your college or university listed?
Just ask!
The Medical School Admissions Guide is distributed both through Ingram/Barnes and Noble and Follett making it available to almost every college bookstore in the country.
Just ask your college bookstore manager and he/she can order it for you.

Medical School Choice (2010-2011 Cycle): Financial Aide

When deciding which school to attend, money will likely play a role. Beyond the obvious tuition and fee expenses, take a look at:

What are the living expenses (rent, food, gas, medical insurance)?

Does the school provide subsidized housing?

Do you need a car?

Can you take a 5^th year to do research or travel without paying extra tuition?

Are resident advisor positions available that provide free room and board on campus in return for some service to the school?

Does the curriculum allow any time to hold a part-time job?

What financial aide options are available?

Do you have interest in joining the military or public service corps and having the government pay?

You may not believe it, but Harvard Medical School was my cheapest option because:

1. I didn’t need a car
2. I lived and ate for free as a resident advisor for four years

Remember – the FAFSA (financial aide information) is due June 30. But it’s better to get the FAFSA forms in as early as possible so that you can know your financial aide options early.

Looking for tips on how to make medical school more affordable? Email info@MDadmit.com or call 415.939.5251 to set up a consulting session with a Harvard/Stanford MD and medical school admissions insider who paid for medical school herself!

Check out www.MDadmit.com for more information.

The Medical School Admissiosn Guide Book Event: Harvard Pre-Med Society

As part of The Medical School Admissions Guide: A Harvard MD's Week-by-Week Admissions Handbook book tour, I have been speaking to pre-med groups throughout the country. On April 18, 2011, I had the pleasure of meeting with the Harvard University Pre-Med Society. Thank you to Connie Zhong for making this event happen.

The Harvard Coop will now be selling The Medical School Admissions Guide. Of course, the book is always available through MDadmit, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble.

It was so lovely to be back in Harvard Yard. Speaking in Emerson 305 did send a chill up my spine and brought back memories of final exams. For some reason, my finals always seemed to be in Emerson! But the positive energy of the Harvard pre-meds overshadowed my memories of stressful tests. As usual, I was impressed by the breath of experience and academic curiosity of the Harvard pre-meds. We spent much of the time discussing the intricacies of applying through the Harvard house system as I formerly served as Co-Chair of the Eliot House Pre-Med Society during my Harvard Medical School days.

Would you like Dr. Miller to speak at your pre-med group meeting? If so, feel free to send an e-mail to info@MDadmit.com or call 415.939.5251.

Medical School Choice (2010-2011 Cycle): Curriculum

For the past few weeks, we have been discussing how to choose a medical school. Location and people top the list. The curriculum is another important criteria to think about.

How do you learn? Do you prefer formal lectures or small group learning? Do you learn better on your own or with study partners? Are you motivated by grades or prefer a “pass-fail” environment? Though the trend in medical school education is toward “problem-based learning” in small groups, some schools still focus on the more traditional lecture-style. Be honest with yourself about how you best learn (it’s ok if you like traditional lectures better than small-group learning) and ensure you choose a school whose curriculum fits that learning style.

Still grappling with which school to attend? We can help you decide. Email info@MDadmit.com or call 415.939.5251 to set up a consulting session with a Harvard/Stanford MD and medical school admissions insider.

Check out www.MDadmit.com for more information.

The Medical School Admissiosn Guide Book Event: Boston College Mendel Society

As part of The Medical School Admissions Guide: A Harvard MD's Week-by-Week Admissions Handbook book tour, I have been speaking to pre-med groups throughout the country. On April 14, 2011, I had the pleasure of meeting with the Boston College Mendel Society. Thank you to Meghan Grimes for making this event happen. I will be contacting the Boston College bookstore this week to carry The Medical School Admissions Guide. Of course, the book is always available through MDadmit, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble.

One question that came up in the Q&A that I would like to answer here for everyone. It has to do with whether or not you should submit the AMCAS application before receiving your MCAT score in order to move the process along. This is relevant for those of you taking the MCAT in late May or June and won't receive the scores until after the AMCAS opens (usually in early June). Many applicants worry that by turning in their AMCAS in late June or even July, they are putting themselves at a disadvantage for rolling admissions schools. It is certainly true that applying early to rolling admissions schools is important. But I always suggest waiting to submit the AMCAS application until you receive your MCAT score because your score may be low and, thus, you may decide to wait a year and apply the next cycle. By submitting the AMCAS (even without a MCAT score), you are considered to have applied even if you don't turn in one secondary. Therefore, you will be considered a "re-applicant" when you actually do apply the next cycle, and this is a huge disadvantage. So let me break it down again - the disadvantage of being considered a re-applicant because you withdrew your AMCAS after receiving a poor MCAT score drastically outweighs the advantage of turning in your AMCAS application the minute it opens in June.

Next stop of The Medical School Admissions Guide book tour: Harvard!

The Medical School Admissiosn Guide Book Event: Harvard Extension Pre-Health Society

As part of The Medical School Admissions Guide: A Harvard MD's Week-by-Week Admissions Handbook book tour, I have been speaking to pre-med groups throughout the country. On April 13, 2011, I had the pleasure of meeting with the Harvard Extension School Pre-Health Society (HEPS, hcs.harvard.edu/heps) at Tommy Doyle's in Cambridge, MA. Thank you to Joseph Dunbar for making this event happen.


This event reminded me of why I love working with non-traditional students. They come from such interesting backgrounds and invariably have an interesting story to tell. Even the mission statement of HEPS shows the maturity of its members: "It is the mission of HEPS to cultivate and enhance the pre-health experience for Harvard Extension School students through advising, events, and networking. It is the vision of HEPS to continually seek out new opportunities for pre-health students at the Harvard Extension School and encourage student ideas and involvement." The HEPS members had such insightful and interesting questions we stayed at Tommy Doyle's for five hours! That sets a new record for book tour events.


One particular HEPS member stood out. She had been told that, as an artist, she would never get into medical school. Whoever told her that is nothing by wrong. THERE IS NO ONE PATH TO MEDICAL SCHOOL! Remember that. In fact, unique paths often make more interesting and successful doctors. After the event, this member send a lovely e-mail that I'd like to share part of with you:


"With that being said, thank you so much for sharing such valuable insight and information with us!  Even though I am just beginning my journey and am about to complete only my first year of pre-medical studies, I have already encountered so much negativity and competitive commentary regarding the medical school application process.  Admittedly, I sometimes wonder if I am in over my head or whether my background is “good enough” to cut it, so to say.  I am a bit older (32), come from quite a diverse background, and do not have much in the way of clinical experience as of yet.  After hearing you speak, however, I felt so much more at ease and positive about my chances in the future.  I think we all need to be careful who we get our information from, and your clear and concise delivery of the true facts are just what I needed.  I am especially looking forward to getting a copy of your book and learning even more!"


Next stop Boston College!

Medical School Choice (2010-2011 Cycle): April 15 Deadline

If you are looking to attend a school whose first day of class is on or before July 30, you must make your final decision by April 15. This means that by April 15 you must have informed your top choice that you are accepting the acceptance and withdraw your application from all other schools. For schools whose first day of class is after July 30, the deadline is May 15 to make your final decision.

Want help picking which medical school to attend? Email info@MDadmit.com or call 415.939.5251 to set up a consulting session with a Harvard/Stanford MD and medical school admissions insider.

Check out www.MDadmit.com for more information.

Harvard PreMedical Society Talk

Dr. Miller is set to speak at Harvard College, Emerson 305, 4/18/11 at 6pm.

All welcome!

Click here for more details

Medical School Choice (2010-2011 Cycle): People

Still trying to decide which medical school to attend? After location, a top priority is the people.

Did you like the students, professors, and administrators you met one your visit? Did they seem happy, stressed, nerdy, delinquent, competitive, genuine, competitive, service-oriented, etc., etc.? Do you think you will fit in at this medical school? Would you enjoy doing a group project of a study group with the students you met? Medical school happiness is often based on the people who surround you. Be sure that you like them!

Unsure about the people at a certain school? Call up and ask the admissions office if there are students that you can talk to on the phone. Ask your medical school advisor if any alumni from your undergraduate institution went to this school so that you can contact them. Ask your family if they know anyone who went there. My point is – ask around. You will find a lot of information just talking with current and previous students about their experiences.

Looking for help picking which medical school to attend? Email info@MDadmit.com or call 415.939.5251 to set up a consulting session with a Harvard/Stanford MD and medical school admissions insider.

Check out www.MDadmit.com for more information.

Medical School Choice (2010-2011 Cycle): Location, Location, Location

April has arrived and many of you have received one or more acceptances to medical school. Congratulations! (For those of you still on the waitlist or waiting to hear from schools, check out the multiple waitlist posting or shoot us an e-mail for personalized help).

There are multiple factors that should guide choosing which medical school to attend. Location is paramount. You will be living in this place for at least the next four years. Do you like the city/town? Do you have family, friends, or other social supports there? How’s the weather? Is there anything to do outside of medicine? Does the location support your extracurricular and community service goals? Can you afford to live there?

As my father always says when we discuss real estate, “Location, location, location.” It’s just as important when deciding on a medical school. Choose wisely.

Want help picking which medical school to attend? Email info@MDadmit.com or call 415.939.5251 to set up a consulting session with a Harvard/Stanford MD and medical school admissions insider.

Check out www.MDadmit.com for more information.