GradMissions Office Hours

Finding Your Way to Med School

Do you have to know you want to be a doctor from the time you're five years old? In this episode of GradMissions Office Hours, we welcome the newest member of the GradMissions team, Kaitlin Lampson, who shares her unconventional path to medical school, from playing Division I softball at Harvard, to taking three intentional gap years, to beginning her medical education at Yale. Kaitlin opens up about discovering medicine later than many of her peers, navigating the uncertainty of choosing such a demanding career, and why she decided to pursue medicine one day at a time instead of forcing a rigid timeline. The conversation explores the power of authentic motivation, meaningful gap years, community involvement, perfectionism, and what studying for the MCAT taught her about resilience, adaptability, and becoming the kind of physician she hopes to be. Whether you're questioning if medicine is the right path, planning a gap year, or preparing for the MCAT, this episode is a refreshing reminder that there is no single "correct" journey to medical school. The strongest applications are built on genuine purpose, not checking boxes. Book your free strategy call: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.gradmissions.org/contact [https://www.gradmissions.org/contact]

You Need to Apply to Law School in September

When should you apply to law school if you want the best chance at admission and scholarship money? According to the GradMissions team, the answer is simple: earlier than you think. In this episode, Autumn, Morgan, and Lizanne break down the ideal law school application timeline and explain why waiting until October/November or later can dramatically impact your outcomes. They discuss how to navigate rolling admissions and what admissions committees are thinking when they review your file. Whether you're applying this cycle or planning ahead, this episode provides a practical roadmap for staying ahead of deadlines, maximizing scholarship opportunities, and presenting the strongest possible law school application. Check here for upcoming law school forums: https://www.lsac.org/lawschoolforums [https://www.lsac.org/lawschoolforums] Book your free strategy call: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.gradmissions.org/contact [https://www.gradmissions.org/contact]

Secondaries, Part 2: Prewrite, Prewrite, Prewrite

You submitted your primary application. Time to relax, right? Not quite. In this follow-up to our popular secondaries episode, Autumn and Logan break down the most common mistakes they see medical school applicants make when tackling secondary essays and how to avoid them before they cost you time, momentum, or interview invitations. Book your free strategy call: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.gradmissions.org/contact [https://www.gradmissions.org/contact]

What Future Doctors and Lawyers Should Actually Do in Undergrad

Everyone has advice for future doctors and lawyers. But not all advice is good advice. In this episode, the GradMissions team continues their conversation about how to strategically prepare for medical or law school long before application season arrives. From choosing a major you actually enjoy to building meaningful experiences outside the classroom, they break down what admissions committees really care about and what they don't. The team discusses why GPA should remain a top priority, how to evaluate the advice you're receiving, and why shadowing, networking, and exploring the realities of your future profession matter more than checking performative boxes. They also share insights from years of admissions committee experience on common misconceptions, including the myth that leadership titles or pre-law/pre-med club involvement can compensate for weak academics. Book your free strategy call: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.gradmissions.org/contact [https://www.gradmissions.org/contact]

What Every Future Doctor and Lawyer Should Know Before College

High school graduation is both the end of one chapter and the ideal time to start thinking about the chapter after college. In this episode, the GradMissions team shares practical advice for students who hope to become doctors or lawyers and the parents who want to support them. From developing strong academic habits to building relationships with professors, advocating for yourself, and seeking out meaningful experiences, the team discusses what really matters during the undergraduate years. Book your free strategy call: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.gradmissions.org/contact [https://www.gradmissions.org/contact]