Admissions Straight Talk
Education & Explainer
About
Advice from experts on the MBA, medical school, law school, and graduate school admissions process.
Episodes
- How to Get the Most Out of Premed Shadowing [Episode 620]
Send Harold your questions! What does it take to maximize your premed shadowing opportunity, and why does this experience matter so much in your application? In this episode of Admissions Straight Talk , Dr. Valerie Wherley speaks with Dr.…
- How to Get into Touro University California College of Osteopathic Medicine [Episode 619]
Send Harold your questions! What does it take to stand out and become a competitive applicant to Touro University California College of Osteopathic Medicine (TUCOM), and what makes this program unique among osteopathic medical schools? In…
- Baylor College of Medicine: Admissions, Curriculum, and What Makes a Strong Applicant [Episode 618]
Send Harold your questions! What does Baylor College of Medicine look for in applicants, and how is its program evolving to meet the needs of today’s medical students? In this episode of Admissions Straight Talk, host Dr. Valerie Wherley s…
- Inside the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell [Episode 617]
Send Harold your questions! In this episode of Admissions Straight Talk , host Dr. Valerie Wherley welcomes Dr. Rona Woldenberg, associate dean for admissions and interim associate dean of student affairs at the Zucker School of Medicine a…
- How GW Law Reviews Applications: Timing, Waitlists, LSAT Optional, and Scholarships [Episode 616]
Send Harold your questions! Applying to law school and wondering how admissions decisions really get made? In this episode of Admissions Straight Talk , Accepted Law Consultant Brigitte talks with Sophia Sim, associate dean for admissions…
- Inside the University of Miami’s Three-Year M.D. Accelerated Pathway [Episode 615]
Send Harold your questions! Can you earn an MD in three years without sacrificing training quality? In this episode of Admissions Straight Talk , Dr. Valerie Wherley sits down with Dr. Jonathan Tolentino to explore the University of Miami’…
- The Bryn Mawr Postbac Premed Program [Episode 614]
Send Harold your questions! 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…
- Becoming a PA at Sacred Heart: International Opportunities, Orthopedic Training, and Admissions Advice [Episode 613]
Send Harold your questions! 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)…
- Is There Such a Thing as Too Many Drafts? Writing a Standout Med School Personal Statement [Episode 612]
Send Harold your questions! 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 un…
- Inside UMass Chan: How Wellness, Community, and Leadership Shape Future Physicians [Episode 611]
Send Harold your questions! 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. Toge…
- Stanford's MCiM Degree: Where Healthcare Meets Technology [Episode 610]
Send Harold your questions! 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…
- From Med School Reapplicant to Current M1 Student [Episode 609]
Send Harold your questions! If you are a medical school reapplicant, tune in for today's episode of the Admissions Straight Talk podcast! Accepted medical school expert Dr. Valerie Wherley is joined by Mory Gould, current M1 medical studen…
- The Fastest Way to Medical School Is Slowly: Avoiding Early Premed Mistakes [Episode 608]
Send Harold your questions! In this episode of the Admissions Straight Talk podcast, Dr. Valerie Wherley is joined by Accepted medical school consultant Dr. Barry Rothman. Valerie and Barry discuss some of the common mistakes that pre-med…
- How Many Medical Schools Should You Apply To? [Episode 607]
Send Harold your questions! The Admissions Straight Talk podcast is back with a fresh look, and new host! After retiring this summer, Accepted founder Linda Abraham turned the podcast reigns over to Accepted admissions expert Dr. Valerie W…
- From Founder to Farewell: Lessons from 30+ Years in Admissions [Episode 606]
Send Harold your questions! In her final episode as host of Admissions Straight Talk , Accepted founder Linda Abraham shares reflections and lessons from over 30 years in the admissions world. As she prepares for retirement, Linda offers a…
- How to Overcome the Biggest Weaknesses in Med School Applications [Episode 605]
Send Harold your questions! In the 605th episode of Admissions Straight Talk , Dr. Barry Rothman, current Accepted consultant and former Health Professions Advisor and Director of San Francisco State University’s Pre-Health Professions Cer…
- What You Need to Know about Duke’s Master of Engineering Management Program [Episode 604]
Send Harold your questions! In this episode of Admission Straight Talk, Linda Abraham interviews Dr. Christy Bozic, the Executive Director of Duke University's Masters of Engineering Management (MEM) program. They discuss the unique aspect…
- Inside the Emory PA Program: Admissions, Curriculum, and Keys to Success
Send Harold your questions! In this episode of Admissions Straight Talk, the Assistant Professor and Director of Admissions at the Emory University Physician Assistant Program, Allan Platt, offers an insightful look into the Emory Universi…
- Inside Pitt Med School: Innovations in Medical Education [Episode 602]
Send Harold your questions! In this episode of Admissions Straight Talk , Dr. Beth Piraino, Associate Dean of Admissions at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine (UPSOM), explores the school’s innovative Three Rivers Curriculum ,…
- Navigating Admissions at the University of Washington School of Medicine [Episode 601]
Send Harold your questions! In this episode of Admissions Straight Talk, host Linda Abraham interviews Dr. LeeAnna Muzquiz, Associate Dean for Admissions at the University of Washington School of Medicine (UWSOM). Dr. Muzquiz, a graduate o…
- Inside Geisinger Med School Admissions with Dr. Michelle Schmude [Episode 600]
Send Harold your questions! Welcome to the 600th episode of Admissions Straight Talk ! In this milestone episode, host Linda Abraham sits down with Dr. Michelle Schmude, Vice Provost for Enrollment Management and Professor of Medical Educa…
- Accepted: Your Guide to CU School of Medicine [Episode 599]
Send Harold your questions! In this episode of Admissions Straight Talk, host Linda Abraham interviews Dr. Jeffrey SooHoo, Assistant Dean for Admissions at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. They discuss the unique aspects of t…
- How to Get Into Yale SOM 2025 [Episode 598]
Send Harold your questions! In this episode, Bruce DelMonico, Assistant Dean of Admissions at Yale School of Management, shares an overview of the Yale School of Management. The program offers a distinctive two-year, full-time MBA program…
- Get Into NYU Stern’s MSBAi aka Masters of Business Analytics and AI [Episode 597]
Send Harold your questions! The NYU Stern Masters of Business Analytics and AI (MSBAAI) program is a one-year specialized degree program that trains students to make data-driven decisions. Dr. Anindya Ghose, Heinz Riehl Chair Professor of…
- Mastering MIT Sloan MBA Admissions: Insights and Tips [Episode 596]
Send Harold your questions! Dawna Levenson, Assistant Dean of MIT Sloan School of Management, provides a thorough examination into the MIT Sloan School of Management's full-time MBA program, which is mission-driven, focused on identifying…
- Get Accepted to the Washington University School of Medicine [Episode 595]
Send Harold your questions! In this episode, Dr. Valerie Ratts, the Associate Dean for Admissions at The Washington University School of Medicine, offers an overview of the unique program. She describes the "Gateway Curriculum" which provi…
- The Write Stuff: How to Create Successful MBA Applications [Episode 594]
Send Harold your questions! In this episode of Admissions Straight Talk , host Linda Abraham shares a strategic framework for a successful MBA application, with tips that can benefit applicants to any program. She discusses how to choose t…
- Deep Dive into Duke Medical: An Interview with Dr. Linton Yee, Associate Dean of Admissions [Episode 593]
Send Harold your questions! Dr. Linton Yee, Associate Dean for Admissions at Duke University School of Medicine joins us to discuss how applicants can earn a spot in this highly competitive program. Dr. Yee walks listeners through the uniq…
- How to Get Accepted to UCLA Anderson [Episode 592]
Send Harold your questions! Alex Lawrence, Assistant Dean of MBA Admissions and Financial Aid at UCLA Anderson School of Management, describes the program’s offerings. Students are offered a customizable curriculum with a wide range of ele…
- How To Get Accepted To Duke’s Physician Assistant Program [Episode 591]
Send Harold your questions! Dr. April Stouder, Associate Program Director and Director of Admissions at the Duke Physician Assistant Program, discusses what it takes to gain a spot in the competitive program. She discusses Duke PA program’…
- Get Accepted to Cornell School of Law [Episode 590]
Send Harold your questions! This week, Linda Abraham welcomes Dean Shane Cooper, Senior Associate Dean for Admissions, Financial Aid and Student Services at Cornell School of Law. Dean Cooper shares insights into the admissions process at…
- How to Get a U.S. Student Visa – Even When There Are Complications [Episode 589]
Send Harold your questions! This week, we hear from Marla Schechter, a US immigration lawyer with 20+ years of experience. Marla shares her expertise on various topics related to obtaining a visa for studying in the United States. She cove…
- How to Prepare for the Shorter GRE and GMAT Focus [Episode 588]
Send Harold your questions! Bara Sapir joins Admissions Straight Talk to discuss the benefits and challenges of the GRE and GMAT exams. She delves into the structure and length of the exams and also discusses the challenges unique to each…
- How To Get Into UVA Darden’s MBA Program [Episode 587]
Send Harold your questions! Dawna Clarke, Senior Assistant Dean of Admissions at UVA Darden, returns to Admissions Straight Talk to discuss various aspects of the Darden MBA program, including experiential learning opportunities, global st…
- How to Get Accepted to Cornell Johnson MBA [Episode 586]
Send Harold your questions! In this episode, Eddie Asbie, Executive Director of Admissions and Scholarship at Cornell Johnson Graduate School of Management, shares an overview of the admissions process. He provides insights into the applic…
- How to Respond to the New Harvard MBA Essay Questions [Episode 585]
Send Harold your questions! In this episode, Linda Abraham invites Accepted consultants Esmeralda Cardenal and Kelly Wilson to discuss the updates to the Harvard Business School application and provide insights into how applicants can appr…
- How to Get Into George Washington School of Law [Episode 584]
Send Harold your questions! In this episode, Linda Abraham interviews Dean Sophia Sim of George Washington School of Law. They discuss various aspects of the law school admissions process, including what makes a standout personal statement…
- Ace the New Michigan Ross MBA Essay Questions [Bonus Episode]
Send Harold your questions! Andrea McHale, the Director of the Michigan Ross Full-time MBA and Global MBA Admissions, returns to Admissions Straight Talk to discuss the newly released essay prompts for the Michigan Ross MBA program. Andrea…
- Getting Into Med School Isn’t Easy…But This Applicant Did It! [Episode 583]
Send Harold your questions! In this episode of Admissions Straight Talk , host Linda Abraham interviews Yael Bruk, a recent graduate from Binghamton University who was accepted to multiple medical schools. Yael shares her advice for pre-me…
- MS in Finance, MS in Business Analytics, and MS in Management: Admissions in Three Flavors [Episode 582]
Send Harold your questions! Kelly Wilson, an Accepted consultant and former admissions director takes a deep dive into master's degrees in graduate management education. Kelly provides insights into the differences between various master's…
- Do You Have the Spike for Toronto Rotman MBA? [Episode 581]
Send Harold your questions! Mohammad Salhia, Managing Director of Recruitment, Admissions, and Business Development at the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto, discusses the distinctive features of the Rotman MBA progr…
- Get Accepted to Loyola Stritch Medical School [Episode 580]
Send Harold your questions! Show Summary In this episode, Linda Abraham interviews Darrell Nabers, Assistant Dean for Admissions and Recruitment at Loyola University of Chicago, Stritch School of Medicine. They discuss the distinctive elem…
- How to Get into Washington University in St. Louis School of Law [Episode 579]
Send Harold your questions! Show Summary Katherine Scannell, Vice Dean for Institutional Success at Washington University in St. Louis School of Law, discusses the distinctive elements of WashU’s JD program. She highlights the individualiz…
- Submit Successful Secondaries for Medical School [Episode 578]
Send Harold your questions! Show Summary In this episode, Linda Abraham discusses successful secondary applications for medical school. She highlights the key differences between primary and secondary applications and provides 6 tips for s…
- How to Get Accepted to UC Berkeley Haas Full-time MBA Program
Send Harold your questions! While the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley, has made it very clear that applicants need outstanding academics to get in, the program will not compromise its values to maintain it…
- Ross MBA Admissions: All You Need to Know for Acceptance [Episode 576]
Send Harold your questions! Show Summary In this episode of Admissions Straight Talk , Linda Abraham interviews Andrea McHale, the Director of Admissions for the Michigan Ross MBA program. They discuss the unique elements of the Ross MBA p…
- “Is Grad School for Me?” Authors Reveal Secrets of Successful Applications [Episode 575]
Send Harold your questions! Show Summary In this episode, Dr. Miroslava Chavez-Garcia and Dr. Yvette Martínez-Vu discuss the challenges faced by underrepresented groups in graduate school and provide advice for all grad school applicants.…
- Oxford Lecturer Joins Accepted: Welcome, Dr. Sundas Ali [Episode 574]
Send Harold your questions! Show Summary Dr. Sundas Ali , a former Lecturer at the University of Oxford and now an admissions consultant at Accepted, discusses the differences between graduate school admissions in the UK and the US. She ex…
- How to Get into USC Gould School of Law [Episode 573]
Send Harold your questions! Show Summary In this episode of Admissions Straight Talk , Linda Abraham interviews David Kirschner, the Associate Dean of Admissions, Financial Aid, and Innovation at USC Gould School of Law. They discuss the d…
- So You Want to Do an MBA Outside the U.S. [Episode 572]
Send Harold your questions! Show Summary In this episode of Admissions Straight Talk , Linda Abraham interviews admissions directors from MBA programs outside the United States to find out if there are any common threads among them. The gu…