Writing a Hook for Your Personal Statement for Medical School
It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen. —George Orwell, 1984 (1949) You better not never tell nobody but God. —Alice Walker, The Color Purple (1982) It was a pleasure to burn. —Ray Bradbury, Fahrenheit 451 (1953) Some of the best...
What Do Medical Schools Look for in Their Applicants?
So, you are considering applying to medical school and wondering how to get in? Every year, U.S. medical schools evaluate tens of thousands of applications from some of the brightest and most talented college students and recent graduates in the country. The admissions process is highly secretive, yet we know...
Active Learning Study Tips for the MCAT
Preparing for the MCAT requires many hours of consistent studying and a well-defined schedule. Although sticking to a schedule and putting in the hours are necessary, they are not sufficient. So we've put together a list of active learning study tips for your MCAT! Your performance on exam day...
5 MCAT Mental Health and Prep Tips
The MCAT is an enormous exam, consisting of content from all your premedical undergraduate courses and lasting approximately 6-8 hours. It is also extremely important as one of the final steps before you can be considered for admission to medical school. However, it need not feel like an insurmountable obstacle...
When Should I Start Studying for the MCAT?
As the MCAT is one of the most important metrics of evaluation when applying to medical school, it is imperative to give yourself enough time for studying for the MCAT, taking the MCAT, and getting your score back before submitting your medical school applications. This timeline can look different for...
How to Do MCAT Content Review for Long-Term Score Improvement
Along with spaced repetition, practice questions, and full-length practice tests, MCAT content review is an essential element of preparing for your exam. Contrary to what you may think, there is a right way to do MCAT content review. What is the best way to approach working through so much difficult material? Let’s find out!
What to Do the Day Before the MCAT: A Practical 24-Hour Guide
You did it. You have studied for the MCAT for months, one of the biggest exams that you have ever had to prepare for. You have gone through all the Anki decks, read through all of the best MCAT resources, taken several practice exams, maybe even taken a lesson...
Choosing Your Target Score for MCAT
One of the major questions on the minds of pre-med students everywhere is “what score do I need to get on the MCAT to get into medical school?” This is a tricky question, as it doesn’t have just one answer.
6 Reasons to Take the MCAT During a Gap Year
This blog was originally written by Jay B. Lusk and updated in 2026 by Elite Medical Prep. A common question students ask is when to take the MCAT if taking a gap year, and the answer depends less on motivation and more on planning backward from your intended application window....
The Medical School Interview: What to Expect
You have received an interview invitation with your top-choice medical school! After the initial wave of excitement, you might start to ask yourself what your next steps are.