Every application cycle, applicants request expert reviews on the Student Doctor Network to help them assess “What Are My Chances” (WAMC) at getting accepted to their desired health professional programs. While GPA and test metrics ... Read more
Emil Chuck, PhD
Updated July 27, 2023 by Emil Chuck, PhD
Pre-health conferences offer invaluable opportunities to comprehensively understand the healthcare field and become a competitive applicant. What are Pre-Health Conferences? First, let’s start with a basic definition of pre-health conferences and what they consist of. ... Read more
Hafsa Awan and Kamal Padda
Updated July 27, 2023 by Hafsa Awan and Kamal Padda
Kevin Perez, a rising OMS-III at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine in Harlem, took some time out from his studies to share his journey. When did you decide to pursue becoming a physician? Kevin Perez: ... Read more
Barbara Franklin
Updated July 27, 2023 by Barbara Franklin
Amanda Griswold (she/her/hers) is the Director of Admissions for the DO program at the Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine. Tell us about your position at your institution and your role in the admissions process. Amanda ... Read more
Emil Chuck, PhD
Updated October 18, 2023 by Emil Chuck, PhD
Beginning with the 2024 cycle, the AAMC allowed AMCAS and ERAS applicants an opportunity to describe Other Impactful Experiences (OIE) that have helped define their perspective on life. Replacing the “Disadvantaged” essay, the Other Impactful ... Read more
Emil Chuck, PhD
Updated June 18, 2023 by Emil Chuck, PhD
Although undergraduate research experience is challenging to obtain for many students, it has arguably become a soft requirement for both health professional schools and research-based graduate programs. Even more challenging, however, is maximizing your experience ... Read more
Vineeth Amba, Shahriar Zamani, Dr. Ulrike Klenke
Updated June 7, 2023 by Vineeth Amba, Shahriar Zamani, Dr. Ulrike Klenke
The below interview with Dr. Neil Saley, author of Medical School: Experience the Journey has been lightly edited for clarity. Emil Chuck, PhD: My name is Emil Chuck. I’m the Director of Advising Services (for ... Read more
Emil Chuck, PhD
Updated May 23, 2023 by Emil Chuck, PhD
What changes are proposed to non-competes, how changes might affect physicians and other professionals, and what rules apply now In recent years, policymakers have shown increasing interest in limiting or eliminating non-competition/restrictive covenant clauses (known ... Read more
Greg Care
Updated May 2, 2023 by Greg Care
Starting physical therapy (PT) school can be a daunting experience. It’s a lot of change that occurs over a short period of time. New place, new people, new classes, and a new schedule…it can be ... Read more
Priya Patel
Updated April 19, 2023 by Priya Patel
Dr. Michael Casteel, DPM, is a podiatry specialist in The Villages, FL. He currently practices at The Villages Health Care Center and is affiliated with UF Health The Villages Hospital. Dr. Casteel is board certified ... Read more
Chivas Owle
Updated April 19, 2023 by Chivas Owle
Most advice to applicants focuses on the personal statement and description of work or activities required to complete the initial centralized application service (CAS) application. In contrast, I urge you to write your school-specific “secondary” ... Read more
Emil Chuck, PhD
Updated April 19, 2023 by Emil Chuck, PhD
Luckson Omoaregba (he/his) serves as the inaugural director of pathway programs at the Warren Alpert Medical School (AMS) at Brown University. About Luckson Omoaregba Tell us about your position at your institution and your role ... Read more
Emil Chuck, PhD
Updated March 1, 2023 by Emil Chuck, PhD
What are “strong ties,” and what do they mean for health professional admissions? A “strong tie” is usually associated with the amount of time the applicant has spent within the community or state where the ... Read more
Emil Chuck, PhD
Updated March 1, 2023 by Emil Chuck, PhD
Once when I was director of admissions, incoming students viewed and discussed a “common orientation movie” called Coded Bias. Released in 2020 before the pandemic, this documentary (available on PBS for a while) presented the disparate impact ... Read more
Emil Chuck, PhD
Updated February 15, 2023 by Emil Chuck, PhD
Heidi Fuchs is the Assistant Dean for Admissions and Enrollment Management at Touro College of Pharmacy (NY). Her passion for working with students and being a catalyst on their professional journey started with her first ... Read more
Emil Chuck, PhD
Updated February 15, 2023 by Emil Chuck, PhD
Your success in any application cycle depends on how well you match a school’s metrics profile and the schools where you send your application – your school list. While applicants to non-medical or dental programs ... Read more
Emil Chuck, PhD
Updated February 9, 2023 by Emil Chuck, PhD
Barbra Roller, Ph.D. (she/her), is the Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs at the Florida International University (FIU) Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine (HWCOM). She also serves as the Administrative Director of the Graduate Certificate in ... Read more
Emil Chuck, PhD
Updated January 25, 2023 by Emil Chuck, PhD
Happy new year, and for many of you, happy new semester! This article is for community college or university students starting a new set of classes this month, especially nontraditional postbac students that need GPA ... Read more
Emil Chuck, PhD
Updated September 25, 2023 by Emil Chuck, PhD
Abstract: This article guides pre-health students through the fee assistance programs available for health professions application services. It explains how adjusted gross income from federal tax returns determines eligibility for most programs, details the documentation ... Read more
Emil Chuck, PhD
Updated December 22, 2025 by Emil Chuck, PhD