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I often tell parents to not focus so much on acceptance rates because they do not separate out the admit rates for more selective majors. However, in a world where colleges are receiving so many applications, its yield, and how it's evolved the past few cycles, that truly explains why to look past those acceptance rate numbers.

From Jeff Selingo, Author of Dream School:

Families often obsess over acceptance rates when judging a college’s popularity or quality.

But inside admissions offices, another number matters even more: yield, or the share of admitted students who actually enroll.

Yield rates have steadily declined at most colleges over the past two decades as students apply to more schools.

That creates a ripple effect. When yield drops, colleges have to admit more students the following year to fill the same class. That means acceptance rates rise.

But here’s where families get tripped up: If we treat selectivity as a proxy for quality, we assume a higher acceptance rate means a school is getting worse. In reality, it often just means students have more choices.

The result is a widening divide in admissions: a small group of colleges with rising yield rates that can count on most admitted students showing up, and everyone else trying to predict a much more uncertain market.

Bottom line: Acceptance rates don’t tell you nearly as much about a college as you think they do.

Pre-med admissions experts recommend high-impact activities that don't necessarily demand a high price

Hospital Volunteering: Seek out a patient-facing volunteer role. Real-world clinical exposure is one of the best ways to show commitment to medicine.  Everyone agrees that this experience (and self-driven research with a mentor) is the most valuable for student applications.

Basic Science Research: Students could talk to their school's science research coordinator or science leaders at your school. Engaging in research is a major "differentiator" for pre-med applicants, and it could lead to entering prestigious competitions like the Regeneron Science Talent Search. Research companies like Polygence, Pioneer, and Lumiere offer mentored opportunities at varying costs.

Leadership as a Camp Counselor/Daycare Assistant: These jobs are actually an outstanding pre-med credential. It proves a student can work in teams and be responsible for the health and well-being of others and react well to emergencies, crucial skills for doctors, and (if interested in pediatrics) shows  passion and patience with children.

 Specific Program Recommendations at Universities

• The Duke Neural Integration and Sensory Pathways program was recommended for neurology.  There are other courses listed under "psychology and Neuroscience" to examine too; "Medicine" as well.  

• Harvard Medical School Online offers courses that provide college credit, which is a very tangible outcome for applications.  Depending on a student's perspective, it's a pro or a con to be able to stay home and do this work; it could allow them to stay local and complete other activities simultaneously. Check out Wake Forest’s online program too. https://wfuonline.precollegeprograms.org/med-programs

• The "Mini-Med" programs at Georgetown, Johns Hopkins, (Harvard) HMS MEDscience,  University of Rochester, and Tufts come highly recommended for their immersive environments. However, spending more will not guarantee a higher return.

• If anyone wants opportunities abroad, the following was shared: there are destinations in Nepal, Spain, Peru and Tanzania for the summer through this site and Spain has some incredible med schools as well. 

Healthy Expectations

Dear Seniors and Families,

As notifications begin and continue to roll out in the coming weeks, I’d like to share a couple of thoughts with you.

Remember that you have worked so hard not only throughout the college application season but throughout your entire high school experience.

You may receive a decision you’re not happy with…a deferral or a denial. If that happens, I will share in your disappointment. I’ll help you deal with deferrals. If you were denied, I urge you to not over analyze the situation to try to figure out why you were not admitted. The odds are that it had very little to do with you personally. 

There is no magic formula for how colleges come to their admissions decisions. Each one is trying to create an incoming class that fits their institutional priorities and needs. At very selective colleges, there are so many qualified applicants that colleges must make the very difficult decision of whom to admit. Remind yourself that you’ve submitted your best application and that the decisions are not within your control. 

While that decision will hurt, you will get through it. That certainly isn’t meant to minimize any disappointment. Rather, it is to try to help you keep it all in perspective. I am here for you if you’d like to talk through it.

On the other hand, you may receive the decision you’ve been dreaming about. If that happens, I will share in your excitement! Be proud of your accomplishment. Please also be humble. Some of your classmates may not have received the same exciting news that you did. Keep that in perspective as well.

I am proud of each of you. You have committed many, many hours to this process, and it is an honor to be on this journey with you. We are just getting started! I wish you all the best as you will await these decisions, and I look forward to hearing your news.