The Oath

EPISODE SUMMARY:

Today Jessica Freedman, M.D. and Allison Bartlett, M.D. discuss what is important with regards to premed clinical experience and shadowing. 

Getting accepted to medical school requires evidence for your interest in the form of meaningful clinical experience. In this episode, we break down how to build a competitive medical school application by focusing on the  experiences that actually matter to admissions committees.

We discuss why quality exposure beats quantity when it comes to clinical exposure, the value of longitudinal experiences, and how to balance shadowing, volunteering, and clinical research. We also debunk common myths surrounding paid versus unpaid clinical work, offer creative strategies for networking your way into healthcare settings, and explain how to use powerful storytelling to make your unique, patient-facing experiences stand out on your application.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• There is not defined number of "clinical hours" required to get accepted to medical school
• How you write about your experiences in your application and speak about them on med school interviews is as important as the experiences themselves.
• Meaningful clinical exposure can come in many forms: paid, volunteer, or via research.

CHAPTERS:

Chapters

00:00 Understanding Clinical Experience in Medical School Applications
03:11 The Value of Longitudinal Clinical Experiences
05:51 Physician Shadowing: Quality Over Quantity
09:06 International Clinical Experiences: When Are They Worthwhile?
11:53 The Importance of Patient-Facing Experiences
15:03 Debunking Myths: Paid vs. Volunteer Clinical Work
18:13 The Role of Clinical Research in Medical School Applications
20:47 Navigating Community Health Needs
24:03 The Interconnectedness of Clinical and Community Experiences
29:17 Navigating Clinical Experience Opportunities
39:15 Creating Unique Clinical Experiences
47:05 Understanding the Holistic Admissions Process
54:02 Key Takeaways for Aspiring Medical Students

GUEST:

Dr. Allison Bartlett

⭐️ FREE DOWNLOAD: Premed Clinical Experience Guide

⭐️ AMCAS Experience Guide

LINKS AND RESOURCES

❓Need Help? Sign up for FREE 15 Minute Consultation with a MedEdits physician advisor.

📘 Purchase the MedEdits Guide to Medical School Admissions on Amazon

👋 Find MedEdits on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

What if you could earn a medical school acceptance by the end of your sophomore year of college, without ever taking the MCAT? 

That is the promise of early assurance programs, and in this episode I sit down with MedEdits advisor Laurie Tansey, a former admissions committee member at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, to explain how they actually work. We focus on FlexMed, Mount Sinai's early assurance program, and walk through who these programs are built for, the academic and experiential bar you truly need to clear, and why so many exceptional applicants still do not get in. Laurie and I break down the full FlexMed application, including the experience write-ups, the accomplishment and disappointment essays, the why medicine and why FlexMed essay, the timeline, and what to expect in the interview. If you are a premed weighing whether to shoot your shot at an early assurance program, this conversation will help you decide with your eyes wide open.

What you'll learn in this episode:

• How an early assurance program differs from a BS/MD program, and why some BS/MD pathways are giving way to EAPs
• Why FlexMed is unusual among early assurance programs in accepting applicants from any undergraduate institution
• The academic bar that actually gets students interviewed, and why the published SAT and ACT minimums understate it
• The interdisciplinary big idea FlexMed expects at the intersection of your academic interests and medicine, and how to show real evidence behind it
• Why your profile has to trace back to high school, and how to build experiences organically instead of collecting hours
• A full breakdown of the application: up to 15 experience write-ups, the accomplishment and disappointment essays, the why medicine and why FlexMed essay, and the summer plans question
• The FlexMed timeline and why there is no advantage to submitting early
• What the two conversational interviews are really assessing, and how to prepare for them
• How to decide honestly whether FlexMed is right for you, and when your home institution's own EAP is the smarter bet

LINKS: 

Early Assurance Medical Programs

FlexMed at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

CHAPTERS:

0:00 - Why a FlexMed acceptance feels like winning the lottery
0:38 - Welcome, and the appeal of a med school acceptance with no MCAT
2:49 - What an early assurance program is, and how it differs from BS/MD
4:42 - Which colleges offer EAPs, and who these programs are built for
6:59 - Why a competitive profile by sophomore year is so hard to build
8:08 - FlexMed at Mount Sinai and its roots in the HuMed program
11:34 - Preparing students for long odds and the risk of a single-program strategy
14:55 - Who FlexMed is really looking for, including the question of New York fit
17:57 - The real score and GPA bar, and the big idea FlexMed wants to see
20:51 - Performative versus organic: the authenticity problem in application
23:49 - Stop collecting hours, and why meaningful research matters more
27:16 - Why FlexMed applicants are often stronger than traditional applicants
29:19 - Mission fit and the case for in-person interviews
32:45 - The FlexMed timeline: opening date, deadline, interviews, and decisions
34:34 - The FlexMed application, part one: up to 15 experience write-ups
36:04 - The essays begin: writing the accomplishment essay
39:11 - Tackling the FlexMed disappointment essay
41:42 - The why medicine, why FlexMed essay, plus the summer plans question
46:38 - Inside the FlexMed interview
51:03 - Who should apply, who should not, and the home institution advantage
55:35 - How to work with MedEdits

LINKS AND RESOURCES

❓Need Help? Sign up for FREE 15 Minute Consultation with a MedEdits physician advisor.

📘 Purchase the MedEdits Guide to Medical School Admissions on Amazon

👋 Find MedEdits on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

SHOW NOTES: 

In this episode of The Oath Podcast, Dr. Jessica Freedman interviews Reed, a Vanderbilt senior who earned admission to an Ivy League MD‑PhD program without taking a gap year despite multiple B‑ grades in his premed coursework. Reed shares how an early focus on social life, Greek life, and “just enough” studying led to a 3.38 freshman BCPM GPA and serious doubts about whether he belonged on the premed path. 

You’ll hear how he built 2,700+ hours of neuroscience research, embraced “being wrong” in the lab, chose a neuroscience and communication of science double major, and decided to apply MD‑PhD straight through. Reed’s story shows why perfection isn’t required for top programs—and how reflection, maturity, and smart time management can turn early missteps into a compelling narrative.

What you’ll learn:

• Why B/B‑ grades early in college don’t have to end your MD or MD‑PhD ambitions.
• How clinical exposure can reignite motivation and clarify fit for medicine.
  
  
• How to build meaningful, longitudinal research experiences and talk about “failed” hypotheses.
  
  
• How to think about gap years, committee letters, and applying MD‑PhD straight through from college.

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 – Why bumps, dips, and B‑ grades aren’t the end of your story.

02:20 – Vanderbilt freshman year: balancing fun, Greek life, and premed requirements… and earning B‑ in gen chem and intro bio.

04:45 – Shadowing neurology and wondering, “Is medicine even for me?”

07:00 – Freshman BCPM 3.38 and thinking about leaving premed.

09:20 – EMT course in an underserved Texas ER and rediscovering a love for hands‑on medicine.

11:40 – Shadowing a neurosurgeon and seeing immediate impact on patients and families.

13:55 – Dropping fraternity, joining two research labs, and using LifeFlight night shifts to master orgo.

18:30 – Building 1,800+ research hours sophomore–junior year and another 900 senior year.

20:50 – Neuro ICU care partner role, premed society, and early TA experience.

23:10 – “We were wrong”: the Mass General Alzheimer’s project that flipped its hypothesis.

27:40 – Turning rejection from a prestigious fellowship into a better‑fit research summer.

30:00 – Choosing neuroscience plus communication of science as a powerful double major.

32:20 – Deciding to apply MD‑PhD without a gap year and why average stats can be misleading.

39:20 – Reed’s unconventional MCAT strategy (paper flashcards, full‑lengths, and holiday study marathons).

If Reed’s story encouraged you, follow The Oath Podcast, leave a rating or review, and share this episode with a premed friend who’s worried about “imperfect” grades

LINKS AND RESOURCES

❓Need Help? Sign up for FREE 15 Minute Consultation with a MedEdits physician advisor.

📘 Purchase the MedEdits Guide to Medical School Admissions on Amazon

👋 Find MedEdits on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

The Oath Podcast with Dr. Jessica Freedman

SHOW NOTES

You had the grades. You had the MCAT score. So why didn't you get in? In this episode, Dr. Jessica Freedman, founder of MedEdits Medical Admissions, sits down with senior advisor and former Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai faculty member Laurie Tansey to break down the five hidden, and rarely discussed, reasons medical school applicants fail to get accepted, even with stellar stats. From going dark after submitting your application to mishandling the waitlist, they walk through real case studies, strategic frameworks, and actionable advice for every stage of the application cycle.

Whether you're preparing to apply, currently in a cycle, or considering reapplication, this episode will change how you think about the process.

In This Episode

• Why submitting your AMCAS is the start, not the finish line
• How disengagement during the cycle signals red flags to admissions committees
• The right way to handle a waitlist — and the mistakes that keep people stuck on it
• Why a 519 MCAT won't save a weak experience profile
• How to identify and address experience gaps during your application year

Timestamps

[0:00] — Welcome & introduction

[2:07] — The hidden reasons applicants don't get in beyond GPA and MCAT

[4:18] — Reason #1: Submitting your application is not the finish line

[4:45] — AMCAS timeline walkthrough: submission, secondaries, and interview season

[8:10] — Case Study A: The medical assistant who kept growing and got into 80% of schools where she interviewed

[13:50] — Case Study B: The 517 MCAT applicant who stopped and ended up waitlisted everywhere

[16:09] — What reapplication really looks like (and why it's not the end of the road)

[21:29] — Reason #2: Going ghost: what disengagement looks like and how schools notice

[23:31] — How admissions committees pick up on lack of engagement through portals and communications

[25:32] — Letters of interest vs. letters of intent: what the MSAR now tells you

[27:32] — The waitlist communication balance: enough to stand out, not enough to seem desperate

[30:10] — Reason #3: Not being assertive with waitlists

[31:00] — How waitlists actually work and what happens after May 1st commit-to-enroll

[33:51] — The letter of intent: when to send one, what to include, and why it matters

[35:31] — A full outline for writing an effective letter of intent

[37:52] — Reason #4: Getting distracted by high stats

[39:48] — What high GPA and MCAT actually signal — and what they don't

[43:00] — Case Study: 518 MCAT, 3.9 GPA, 30 hours of community service — and no acceptances

[44:05] — Why you need a well-stratified school list regardless of your numbers

[46:56] — Reason #5: Not addressing experience gaps during the cycle

[47:00] — The most common experience gaps: community service, patient-facing hours, long-term commitments

[49:07] — Do special master's programs actually fix academic gaps?

[50:55] — Final takeaway: always be in growth mode

[51:16] — A message of optimism for reapplicants

[51:43] — How MedEdits can help + where to find them

Resources Mentioned

• AMCAS Application — Primary application portal
• MSAR (Medical School Admissions Requirements) — Database of school-specific admissions info, including whether schools accept

LINKS AND RESOURCES

❓Need Help? Sign up for FREE 15 Minute Consultation with a MedEdits physician advisor.

📘 Purchase the MedEdits Guide to Medical School Admissions on Amazon

👋 Find MedEdits on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

Summary

In this episode of The Oath Podcast, Dr. Jessica Freedman interviews Cason Cox, a Texas A&M senior accepted to medical school, sharing his journey through pre-med, TMDSAS and AACOMAS application strategies, and insights into the med school application process. Discover practical advice, inspiring stories, and tips for aspiring medical students.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction

01:05 Meet Cason Cox: A Texas A&M Senior Accepted to Med School

02:01 Cason's Background and Motivation for Medicine

02:55 Applying as a Traditional Applicant at end of Junior Year

03:56 Cason's Community and Healthcare Experiences 

05:46 The Impact of Rural Healthcare Disparities

08:11 Cason's Academic Path and Pre-Med Planning

11:11 Extracurricular Activities and Leadership Roles

15:50 Research and Healthcare Shadowing Experiences

29:08 TMDSAS Application Components and Personal Statements

34:55 Writing a Compelling Personal Statement

38:03 TMDSAS Personal Characteristics and Unique Experiences

41:04 Applying to Texas and Osteopathic Schools

42:06 Interview Experiences and Tips

44:54 The Texas Match Process and Pre-Match System

47:57 Cason's Med Schol

50:56 Aligning Mission and Personal Values in Applications

53:12 Final Advice and Gratitude

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LINKS AND RESOURCES

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Summary

In this episode, Jessica Freedman and Laurie Tansey discuss the journey of a unique medical school applicant who submitted a late application but ultimately achieved remarkable success. They explore the importance of individual paths in the admissions process, the significance of research experience, and the impact of mentorship and feedback. The conversation highlights the applicant's meaningful experiences, the role of personal statements, and the intricacies of the interview process, culminating in the applicant's acceptance into prestigious medical schools.

Takeaways

• This applicant's journey is an outlier, showcasing unique circumstances.
• Late applications can still lead to success with the right strategies.
• Research experience is crucial for competitive medical school applications.
• Individual paths to medical school vary greatly and should be embraced.
• Mentorship and feedback play a significant role in applicant confidence.
• Meaningful experiences can be diverse and do not need to align perfectly with career goals.
• Personal statements should tell a cohesive and engaging story.
• Interview preparation is key to success in the admissions process.
• Patience is essential throughout the medical school application cycle.
• Engagement with the application process can lead to better outcomes.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Applicant's Journey

03:05 Understanding Late Applications and Strategies

05:50 The Importance of Research Experience

08:48 Exploring the Applicant's Unique Background

12:07 The Role of Mentorship and Feedback

15:12 Highlighting Meaningful Experiences

17:58 The Impact of Personal Statements

20:52 Navigating the Interview Process

24:11 Outcomes and Acceptance into Medical Schools

26:48 Final Thoughts and Key Takeaways

LINKS:

VIDEO: How to Get Into Harvard Medical School: Applicant Data and Results

LINKS AND RESOURCES

❓Need Help? Sign up for FREE 15 Minute Consultation with a MedEdits physician advisor.

📘 Purchase the MedEdits Guide to Medical School Admissions on Amazon

👋 Find MedEdits on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

SHOW NOTES

In this episode, Jessica Freedman and Laurie Tansey discuss a real applicant's journey to medical school, highlighting the challenges faced, the strategies employed, and the ultimate success achieved. The conversation emphasizes the importance of personal narratives, meaningful experiences, and the unique timelines of each applicant. Through a detailed case study, listeners gain insights into the medical school admissions process and the qualities that can lead to success, regardless of traditional pathways.

Whether you’re worried about a late MCAT, a 3.6-range BCPM GPA, choosing a humanities major, or taking multiple gap years, this case study will show you what’s still possible when your application is authentic, reflective, and strategically constructed.

TAKEAWAYS

• The medical school admissions process is highly individualized and personal.
• Overcoming hurdles is possible with the right support.
• A strong medical school personal statement can significantly impact an application.
• Humanities majors can excel in medical school admissions.
• Confidence in one's abilities is crucial during the application process.
• Engagement with mentors can enhance the application experience.
• Not all experiences need to be directly related to medicine.
• A med school application late application can still lead to success.
• Writing skills are essential for compelling applications.
• Maintaining motivation and engagement is key throughout the process.

CHAPTERS

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Case Study

02:46 Understanding the Applicant's Journey

07:01 Academic Background and Unique Challenges

12:42 Evaluating the Applicant's Experiences

16:20 Diving into Most Meaningful Experiences

21:10 Letters of Recommendation and Personal Statement

29:09 The Impact of Personal Narrative

34:31 Final Thoughts and Outcomes

LINKS AND RESOURCES

❓Need Help? Sign up for FREE 15 Minute Consultation with a MedEdits physician advisor.

📘 Purchase the MedEdits Guide to Medical School Admissions on Amazon

👋 Find MedEdits on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

SUMMARY

In this episode of The Oath podcast, Dr. Krystal Ripa and Dr. Jessica Freedman discuss the critical role of authenticity in the medical school admissions process. Dr. Ripa emphasizes the importance of intentionality in choosing experiences that align with personal values and aspirations, rather than simply checking boxes. The conversation explores various aspects of the pre-med journey, including clinical exposure, community service, and the significance of personal narratives in applications. Dr. Ripa shares insights on how students can differentiate themselves through genuine experiences and the impact of their backgrounds on their medical aspirations.

TAKEAWAYS

• Authenticity is crucial in the medical school admissions process.
• Students should focus on experiences that genuinely resonate with them.
• A checkbox approach can hinder a student's application success.
• Community service and advocacy are essential components of a strong candidacy.
• Clinical exposure should be meaningful and not just a requirement.
• Research experience is valuable but not the only path to success.
• Personal narratives can significantly influence admissions decisions.
• Students should explore diverse interests and how they relate to medicine.
• Engaging with local communities can enhance understanding and empathy.
• It's important to critically assess whether activities serve personal growth or just the application. 

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction to Authenticity in Medical Admissions
03:05 The Importance of Authenticity in the Premed Process
06:11 Examples of Authenticity in Student Applications
09:01 Navigating the Premed Journey
12:06 Exploring Clinical Exposure and Community Service
15:07 The Role of Research and Non-Traditional Experiences
18:07 Building a Unique Candidacy
20:51 The Impact of Personal Experiences on Medical Aspirations
23:51 The Importance of Community Engagement
27:04 Creative Approaches to Clinical Exposure
29:50 The Value of Diverse Experiences in Medicine
32:45 Final Thoughts on Authenticity and Medical School Admissions

LINKS AND RESOURCES

❓Need Help? Sign up for FREE 15 Minute Consultation with a MedEdits physician advisor.

📘 Purchase the MedEdits Guide to Medical School Admissions on Amazon

👋 Find MedEdits on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

SUMMARY: 

In this episode of the Oath Podcast, Dr. Jessica Friedman and Sydney Webster discuss the intricacies of the residency application process. They cover essential topics such as residency signaling, geographic preferences, crafting a compelling personal statement, and the new scholarly work section. The conversation emphasizes the importance of authenticity, mentorship, and strategic planning in becoming a competitive residency applicant.

TAKEAWAYS:

• Residency signaling is crucial for competitive specialties.
• Geographic preferences help demonstrate commitment to a program.
• The residency personal statement(s) should reflect authenticity and personal narrative.
• Activities should showcase depth and impact, not just breadth.
• The ERAS new scholarly work section emphasizes quality over quantity.
• Mentorship is vital for guidance and support in medical school.
• Students should be honest about their competitiveness when choosing specialties.
• Tailoring applications to specific programs can enhance chances of success.
• Every part of the application should tell a cohesive story.
• Planning early in medical school is essential for success.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction to the Residency Process
01:38 Understanding Residency Signaling
14:09 Geographic Preferences in Residency Applications
24:14 Crafting the Personal Statement
27:57 Crafting a Personal Statement
36:25 Navigating Experiences and Activities
41:48 Understanding the New Scholarly Work Section
50:51 Final Tips for Medical Students

LINKS AND RESOURCES

❓Need Help? Sign up for FREE 15 Minute Consultation with a MedEdits physician advisor.

📘 Purchase the MedEdits Guide to Medical School Admissions on Amazon

👋 Find MedEdits on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

SHOW NOTES

In this episode, Dr. Jessica Freedman and Sydney Webster discuss the intricacies of the residency match process, especially in light of the recent changes to the Step 1 exam. They cover essential strategies for medical students, including the importance of mentorship, letters of recommendation, and extracurricular activities. The conversation also delves into the significance of research and away rotations in building a competitive profile for residency applications. Overall, the episode provides valuable insights for medical students navigating their journey toward residency.

Takeaways

• The residency match favors applicants, providing them with a slight advantage.
• Starting day one in medical school, students should seek mentors and shadow professionals.
• Letters of recommendation are crucial for distinguishing candidates in a competitive match process.
• The MSPE (Medical Student Performance Evaluation) summarizes a student's performance and is vital for residency applications.
• Engaging in community service helps build a narrative that resonates with residency programs.
• Research involvement is important, but it doesn't have to be limited to a specific specialty.
• Away rotations can help students break into competitive regions and programs.
• Building relationships during medical school is key to a successful residency application.
• Extracurricular activities should demonstrate leadership and commitment to the medical community.
• Students should be proactive in seeking research opportunities and mentorship throughout their medical education.

PLAY BY PLAY

00:00 - Introduction to the Residency Match Process

04:47 - Understanding the Residency Match Algorithm

05:36 - Starting Medical School: Day One Considerations

10:45 - The Importance of Metrics in Residency Applications

14:47 - Exploring the MSPE: Medical Student Performance Evaluation

20:47 - Core Rotations and Grading in Medical School

23:40 - Setting Yourself Apart: Activities and Involvement

27:17 - The Importance of Community Engagement

29:44 - Hobbies and Personal Interests in Medicine

32:00 - Research and Scholarly Work

39:20 - Letters of Recommendation and Their Impact

44:46 - Navigating Away Electives

56:53 - Building a Competitive Medical Profile

RESOURCES:

VSLO: Everything You Need to Know

Residency Match Timeline

4 Residency Match Changes

NRMP Data and Reports

Program Director Survey

LINKS AND RESOURCES

❓Need Help? Sign up for FREE 15 Minute Consultation with a MedEdits physician advisor.

📘 Purchase the MedEdits Guide to Medical School Admissions on Amazon

👋 Find MedEdits on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.