GradMissions Office Hours

Season 2 kicks off with Autumn, Lizanne, and Logan tackling one of the biggest questions from anxious applicants: should you take a gap year? From med school hopefuls worried about patient experience to future lawyers overthinking legal internships, the team breaks down what really matters before you hit submit. They talk about why experience means something very different in medicine than in law, how to use it to strengthen your story, and why your LSAT or MCAT still carry the most weight.

Stay tuned for part two next week, when they’ll dive into what activities and experiences actually move the needle once you’re in med or law school.

Grab your pumpkin spice latte and settle in for a hauntingly honest episode of GradMissions Office Hours. Autumn, Lizanne, and Logan share their spookiest law and med school admissions stories, from undisclosed dorm candle mishaps and misnamed personal statements to cadaver lab scares and the dreaded “urine in your welcome letter.” But don’t fear, the team also explains how to face these nightmares head-on and turn panic into peace of mind.

By the end, you’ll have your admissions monster spray in hand and the confidence to handle any “boo-boos” on your path to becoming a future doctor or lawyer.

Is law school admissions really holistic, or is that just buzzword smoke and mirrors? In this episode, Autumn, Lizanne, and Logan pull back the curtain on what committees actually look for when deciding who gets in. From the truth about “optional” essays and letters of recommendation to why GPA and LSAT scores still dominate the process, we unpack the science and the art of admissions.

We also dive into the US News and World Report rankings game, why it shapes admissions more than applicants realize, and what you can do to stand out when thousands of files are competing for a seat. Whether you are starting your application or rethinking strategy, this episode is a must-listen for anyone serious about law school.

Follow us on socials @gradmissions for more insider advice.

Is your GPA “stale” or lower than you’d like? In this episode, Autumn, Lizanne, and Logan break down what that really means for law and med school applicants. From proving academic growth to leveraging strong letters, they share how non-traditional students can turn experience into an advantage. The team also unpacks LSAT vs. GPA priorities, the truth about master’s programs, and why compelling essays matter most for scholarships. If you’re worried your numbers hold you back, this conversation will change how you see your application.

Law school admissions just got a lot more competitive. In this episode, Autumn, Lizanne, and Logan break down the record-breaking rise in LSAT test-takers and what it means for applicants this cycle. From why this isn’t the year to procrastinate on applications, to why even a 178 might not be enough if you apply late, they share the strategy you need to stand out.

We also dive into:

• Why non-traditional and career-change applicants are flooding the JD pipeline

• How to use school visits strategically (and what not to do... yes, showing up unannounced on a Friday is a disaster)

• The role of professionalism and persistence when schools are drowning in applications

• University of Miami’s groundbreaking AI supplemental essay prompt, and why it’s actually brilliant

If you’re a future law student wondering how to get ahead in the most competitive cycle we’ve ever seen, this episode is your roadmap.

Law school season is officially here, and if you're still planning to hit submit by Thanksgiving , we need to talk. In this lightning-round episode, Autumn, Lizanne, and Logan walk you through the 5 things every law school applicant should be doing right now to stay competitive: from application timelines and LORs to the November LSAT and the often-overlooked character & fitness disclosures. This episode is your deadline-driven checklist to avoid last-minute chaos and protect those scholarship dollars. It’s short, it’s sharp, and it might just save your cycle.

Applying to med school or law school isn’t a solo act, it’s a family production. In this episode, Autumn, Lizanne, and Logan talk directly to the other MVPs in the admissions process: parents, partners, and supporters. From navigating FERPA and boundaries, to knowing when to step back (or lean in), to the surprising ways relationships grow stronger through this journey, they share real stories, hard truths, and practical resources.

You’ll hear everything from cupcake-wielding parents trying to sway admissions offices, to what happens when students “ghost” their own process, to how couples and families can find joy (and humor) in the grind of med and law school. We also introduce GradMissions’ new Parents & Partners Resource Hub, complete with competency guides, course lists, and our favorite acronym decoder to keep you fluent in the alphabet soup of admissions.

Whether you’re the parent of a future doctor, the spouse of a law student, or just someone cheering from the sidelines, this one’s for you.

In this episode of GradMissions Office Hours, we break down the med school secondary application stage: what it is, why it matters, and how to avoid the pitfalls that trip up even strong applicants. From prioritizing schools and reusing essays without sounding recycled, to managing the flood of prompts without losing your voice, this is your guide to turning secondaries from a time crunch into a strategic advantage.

What even is an Application Strategy Call, and do you need one?

In this episode of GradMissions Office Hours, Autumn walks listeners through the exact structure of the call that kicks off every GradMissions partnership. From myth-busting around deadlines and school lists to helping clients decide if they’re ready to apply now or next year, this episode pulls back the curtain on how we build a tailored, honest, and empowering game plan before a single essay is written.

If you’re feeling behind, overwhelmed, or unsure what comes next, this episode is your reset button and invitation to ease your burdens.

Whether you're dreaming of med school or law school, building your school list shouldn't feel like throwing darts. In this episode, Autumn, Logan, and Lizanne unpack the behind-the-scenes strategy that goes into crafting a list that fits you, from regional filters and mission alignment to GPA realities and curriculum delivery. They share what most students forget to ask (like how often you’ll actually be expected to show up), why the holistic view isn’t a get-out-of-medians-free card, and why applying in October might already be too late. No doom, just real talk you won't want to mis