Sample MD Admissions Roadmap

In Session

• Cambridge Coaching resource overview
• Align around data: GPA, MCAT, core clinical and research experiences
• Discuss school preferences
• Draft initial list of recommenders
• Begin preliminary narrative brainstorm
  
  

Homework

• Complete Narrative Matrix

In Session

• Review narrative matrix
• Ensure experiences are granular
• Ensure experiences cover major competencies that admissions committees value, including empathy, leadership, and teamwork
  

Homework

• Continue "why medicine?" brainstorm exercise

In Session

• Start answering the question “why medicine?” using narrative matrix as jumping off point
• Create argument for admission based on prior experiences
• Articulate how you will contribute to the diversity of the class
  

Homework

• Begin drafting personal statement with writing coach

About the Huddle

In Session

• Review “why medicine?” discussion, referring to the narrative matrix
• Develop and workshop thesis statement, exploring different rhetorical devices that may best drive home the argument for admission

Homework

• Reflect on and tweak the thesis statement to determine which one most compellingly conveys its argument

In Session

• Revisit thesis statement, make final adjustments, and integrate into outline
• Workshop an anecdotal opening hook
• Determine how key experiences can be conjugated across paragraphs
• Craft topic sentences, as well as accompanying bulleted points that reinforce the narrative arc

Homework

• Thesis statement and outline review by strategy coach
• Pending green light, complete rough draft of the Introduction and body paragraphs 1 and 2

In Session

• Ensure that each component part established in Session 5 flows together
• Identify where redundancy could be avoided and more clarity is needed
• Ensure that body paragraphs 1 and 2 set the scene for your argument for admission

Homework

• Complete rough draft of body paragraph 3 and conclusion

In Session

• Review body paragraph 3 and conclusion
• Refine communication of core ideas in concluding stages of the narrative
• Carefully review conclusion; verify that it affirms why medicine is your calling

Homework

• Send complete first draft to strategy coach
• Receive written feedback from strategy coach, to be addressed remotely with writing coach

In Session

• Decide which extracurricular activities, research experiences, and professional experiences should appear on the list
• Designate 3 activities as “Most Meaningful”
• Ensure each entry is effective, bolstering the overall argument for admission
  
  

Homework

• Share Work & Activities list, including 3 “Most Meaningful” activities, with writing coach
• Start drafting entries

In Session

• Determine and set a timeline for ordering transcripts from relevant schools
• Select letters of recommendation
  

Homework

• Order transcripts
• Reach out to recommenders, as appropriate

In Session

• Review and discuss three most meaningful activities
• Complete bulleted outlines for the three statements
  

Homework

• Draft three most-meaningful activity statements

In Session

• Revisit each draft; ensure statements are precisely and powerfully communicated
• Polish prose
• Trim each statement
  

Homework

• Send first drafts to strategy coach
• Receive written feedback from strategy coach, address remotely with writing coach

In Session

• Revisit Work and Activities list
• Review examples of statements that effectively communicate your engagement 
• Reduce verbiage and “fluff” from prose
  

Homework

• Complete full drafts of all activities
• Send to strategy coach for feedback

In Session

• Review feedback on activities statements
• Address all outstanding comments from strategy coach’s feedback
  

Homework

• Review all written materials and send to writing coach for final proofreading
• Send to strategy coach for green light on prose content

In Session

• Determine most appropriate schools given geographic constraints, school size, dual degree programs and other preferences
• Strategy coach will work offline to create a school list based on preferences and strength of your materials (i.e. GPA, MCAT, activities, and argument for admission)

Homework

• N/A

In Session

• Discuss the first version of the school list with your coach, who will present the included schools, including chance of acceptance and particular school characteristics
• Together, decide on final school list
  

Homework

• N/A

In Session

• Strategy coach will complete a thorough read of the entire initial application
• Strategy coach will ensure that all transcripts and letters of recommendation have been appropriately requested, that the work and activities list is complete, and that the applicant’s background information has been entered correctly
• Strategy coach will proofread to ensure that there aren’t any typos or errors. Once this process is complete, you can hit SUBMIT!
  

Homework

• N/A

In Session

• Prepare for secondaries
• Map out the topic areas that are most likely to appear in your secondaries and prepare examples for these essays, drawing on the narrative matrix
  
  

Homework

• N/A

In Session

• Cover categorical topic areas that typically occur in each year’s secondary season
• Review example of a Nested Outline
• Workshop a Nested Outline, focusing on a clear thesis statement
• Interpret and respond to prompts in a precise and tailored way
  

Homework

• Complete nested outlines for half of the theme areas
• Compile initial “Why X School” data and justifications for half of school list.
• Send to writing coach for feedback

In Session

• Review remaining questions or feedback from first half of Nested Outlines
• Shift one Nested Outline into full prose
  

Homework

• Complete nested outlines for second half of the theme areas
• Compile initial “Why X School” data and justifications for second half of school list
• Send to writing coach for feedback

In Session

• Review the “prosified” versions of Nested Outlines on a school-by-school basis
• Carefully review “Why X School” essays
• Address any outlier essay prompts
  

Homework

• Correspond with writing coach to communicate which secondaries have arrived and which should be completed
• Shift Nested Outlines into prose
• Feedback and editing support from writing coach within two weeks of receiving the prompt, consulting strategy coach for key essays

In Session

• Review the “prosified” versions of Nested Outlines on a school-by-school basis
• Carefully review “Why X School” essays
• Address any outlier essay prompts
  

Homework

• Correspond with writing coach to communicate which secondaries have arrived and which should be completed
• Shift Nested Outlines into prose
• Feedback and editing support from writing coach within two weeks of receiving the prompt, consulting strategy coach for key essays

In Session

• Review the “prosified” versions of Nested Outlines on a school-by-school basis
• Carefully review “Why X School” essays
• Address any outlier essay prompts
  

Homework

• Correspond with writing coach to communicate which secondaries have arrived and which should be completed
• Shift Nested Outlines into prose
• Feedback and editing support from writing coach within two weeks of receiving the prompt, consulting strategy coach for key essays

In Session

• Review the “prosified” versions of Nested Outlines on a school-by-school basis
• Carefully review “Why X School” essays
• Address any outlier essay prompts
  

Homework

• Correspond with writing coach to communicate which secondaries have arrived and which should be completed
• Shift Nested Outlines into prose
• Feedback and editing support from writing coach within two weeks of receiving the prompt, consulting strategy coach for key essays

In Session

• Review the “prosified” versions of Nested Outlines on a school-by-school basis
• Carefully review “Why X School” essays
• Address any outlier essay prompts
  

Homework

• Correspond with writing coach to communicate which secondaries have arrived and which should be completed
• Shift Nested Outlines into prose
• Feedback and editing support from writing coach within two weeks of receiving the prompt, consulting strategy coach for key essays

In Session

• Review the “prosified” versions of Nested Outlines on a school-by-school basis
• Carefully review “Why X School” essays
• Address any outlier essay prompts
  

Homework

• Correspond with writing coach to communicate which secondaries have arrived and which should be completed
• Shift Nested Outlines into prose
• Feedback and editing support from writing coach within two weeks of receiving the prompt, consulting strategy coach for key essays

In Session

• Review the “prosified” versions of Nested Outlines on a school-by-school basis
• Carefully review “Why X School” essays
• Address any outlier essay prompts
  

Homework

• Correspond with writing coach to communicate which secondaries have arrived and which should be completed
• Shift Nested Outlines into prose
• Feedback and editing support from writing coach within two weeks of receiving the prompt, consulting strategy coach for key essays

In Session

• Take a deep breath: all written materials are complete!
• Review various interview formats, including traditional 1-on-1 interviews and the Multiple Mini Interview (MMI)
• Draft answers to key interview questions
• Conduct mock interviews and get feedback from your coach

Homework

• Any next steps from session

In Session

• Review various interview formats, including traditional 1-on-1 interviews and the Multiple Mini Interview (MMI)
• Draft answers to key interview questions
• Conduct mock interviews and get feedback from your coach

Homework

• Any next steps from session

In Session

• Review various interview formats, including traditional 1-on-1 interviews and the Multiple Mini Interview (MMI)
• Draft answers to key interview questions
• Conduct mock interviews and get feedback from your coach

Homework

• Any next steps from session

In Session

• Write thank you letters, if permitted by the school, to show interest
• Send update letters to schools with new achievements (e.g. a publication, a grade in an advanced science course, an award)
• Submit letter of intent if you are sure about attending a specific school after the interviews

Homework

• Any next steps from session