Insights & Strategy

The Admissions Blog

Expert insights on UC admissions, BS/MD programs, UCAS medicine, engineering, business, speech & debate, and more.

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UC Admissions

How to Write UC Personal Insight Questions That Stand Out

The UC PIQs are unlike any other college essays. Learn the strategic framework for selecting the right four prompts and writing responses that admissions readers remember.

8 min readNovember 2024
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BS/MD Programs

The Complete Guide to BS/MD Programs: Requirements, Timeline, and Strategy

Direct-entry medical programs are among the most selective pathways in American higher education. This guide covers what you need to know — and when to start preparing.

12 min readOctober 2024
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UCAS Medicine 10 min readOctober 2024

Applying to UK Medicine as an American Student: UCAS, UCAT, and Beyond

More American students are discovering the UK medical school pathway. Here's a comprehensive breakdown of the application process, key differences from US medicine, and how to prepare.

AP vs IB 7 min readSeptember 2024

AP or IB? How Top Universities Actually View Each Curriculum

The AP vs IB question is one parents and students ask constantly. We break down how selective universities actually evaluate each curriculum — and which might be better for your goals.

Engineering Admissions 9 min readSeptember 2024

Getting Into MIT Engineering: What the Admissions Office Actually Looks For

MIT engineering admissions is not just about perfect grades and test scores. We analyze what makes applications stand out — and what most applicants get wrong.

Speech & Debate 6 min readAugust 2024

Why Speech & Debate Makes You a Better College Applicant

The evidence is clear: competitive debate students consistently produce stronger college essays, perform better in interviews, and are more compelling applicants. Here's why — and how to get started.

Essay Writing 8 min readAugust 2024

The "Why This School" Essay: How to Write One That Actually Works

Most supplemental essays are forgettable. The "Why Us" essay is the one admissions readers look forward to — and where most applicants make the same mistake. Here's how to do it right.

Academic Planning 7 min readJuly 2024

Building a 4-Year High School Plan That Opens Every Door

The students who have the most options at the end of high school are the ones who planned strategically from the beginning. A practical guide to academic planning from Grade 9.