Savvy PreMed

June 14, 2024

Weirdest Supplemental Essays and How to Survive Them

Dive into the world of the most bizarre supplemental essays! From indifference to astrology to the quirks of social media, discover how to tackle these oddball questions with wit and wisdom.

June 7, 2024

How to Crush the 5 Most Common Supplemental Essays

Ryan Kelly

Don’t let your supplemental essays blend into the crowd like forgotten Valentine’s cards. Discover how to make each essay a standout love letter to your dream schools with our strategic guide to the five most common prompts. From expressing your ‘why’ to sharing your diverse perspective, we’ve got you covered.

May 31, 2024

How to Write Effectively About Your Challenges

Ryan Kelly

Master the art of writing about personal challenges with our guide. Learn to craft narratives that resonate with admissions committees and showcase your growth.

May 24, 2024

Think Your Stories Aren't "Application Material?" Think Again.

Ryan Kelly

Unlock the secrets to standing out in college applications with Passport Admissions. Join Ryan Kelly as he reveals how embracing your unconventional path can make all the difference. From quirky hobbies to bizarre life experiences, learn why being unique is your secret weapon.

May 10, 2024

The Golden Rule of Applications: Stay True to Yourself

Ryan Kelly

In the quest for the perfect application, the golden rule is simple: be unapologetically you. Our latest Passport Admissions blog post delves into the power of authenticity and how it can transform your application from forgettable to front-and-center. Discover Ryan Kelly’s take on why impressing yourself is the first step to wowing admissions committees. Ready to shine in your true colors?

May 3, 2024

Tips for Amazing Experience Descriptions in Resumes/Applications

Ryan Kelly

Unlock the power of every character in your resume’s experience descriptions with our insightful guide. Dive into the do’s and don’ts, templates, and expert strategies that will transform your application from ordinary to extraordinary. Don’t let limited space limit your impact—learn how to make your experiences shine with Passport Admissions.

April 26, 2024

The Secret Ingredient to a Standout Application? Courage.

Ryan Kelly

Dare to be different in your college application with a dash of courage. Our latest Passport Admissions blog post reveals why courage is not just about being fearless, but about embracing the journey of personal growth. Find out how your brave choices can turn your application into a standout story that admissions officers will remember. Are you ready to step into the spotlight with courage?

April 19, 2024

How to Know If Your Personal Statement is Finished

Ryan Kelly

Is your personal statement a masterpiece in the making or ready for the grand reveal? Discover the Michelangelo approach to essay writing with Passport Admissions. We’ll guide you through the questions that determine whether to add another stroke or to drop the brush. Your opus awaits—find out if it’s time to take a bow.

April 12, 2024

Master the Art of Storytelling in Your Personal Statement

Rob Humbracht

Embark on a comedic journey of words with our latest Passport Admissions blog post, where we unravel the art of storytelling in personal statements. Like Jon Stewart’s masterful ‘long walk’ to a punchline, learn how to craft a narrative that captivates and convinces. Are you ready to make every word count and turn your personal statement into a standing ovation? Dive into our conversation with Janet Snoyer and discover how to leave your readers wanting an encore.

April 5, 2024

Dealing with Clichés in Your Personal Statement

Rob Humbracht

Clichés—those well-worn phrases—are like old friends. But in the world of college admissions, they’ve become invisible. So, how can you make your story stand out? Discover how to transform clichés into captivating narratives that resonate with admissions committees.

March 29, 2024

Personal Statement Mistakes That Will Destroy Your Chances

Ryan Kelly

Unlock the secrets to a standout personal statement! Discover the pitfalls to avoid when crafting your application. Dive into depth, connect childhood experiences, and reveal your unique journey. Don’t miss our expert tips—it’s not just what you say, but how you say it that matters.

March 22, 2024

Let’s Chat(GPT) About Admissions Committee Bots

Rob Humbracht

Explore the innovative intersection of AI and medical school admissions in our enlightening blog post. Admissions specialists Rob Humbracht and Janet Snoyer delve into how AI could transform the way candidates tailor their applications to match a program’s unique criteria. Learn about the potential for AI to act as a simulated admissions committee, providing personalized feedback on your application materials.

March 15, 2024

3 Hacks for Answering “Why ___ Career?”

Ryan Kelly and Rob Humbracht

Diving into graduate school applications and getting stuck on the "Why this career?" question in your personal statement? Fear not! We've got you covered with three ingenious hacks to tackle this daunting question head-on. Whether you're dreaming of becoming a doctor, a lawyer, or any professional in between, our latest post will guide you through crafting compelling, personalized answers that stand out. Say goodbye to clichés and hello to authenticity with our practical tips, designed to transform your application from forgettable to unforgettable. Dive in and discover how to express your passion and purpose with confidence and flair!

March 8, 2024

Can AI articulate your dreams?

Ryan Kelly

Explore the potential of AI in crafting personal statements in our latest piece, "Should You Use AI to Write Your Personal Statement, Pt. 3". We're experimenting with AI's capability to answer the crucial question, "Why choose your career path?" Through trials and insights, we uncover how AI might serve as a useful tool in articulating your ambitions, despite its flaws. Discover the practical takeaways from our exploration and see how AI could offer a structured starting point for your personal statement. A must-read for students seeking a creative edge.

March 1, 2024

How to See Yourself Like Admissions Officers Do

Rob Humbracht

Uncover how to see yourself as admissions officers do with our enlightening guide. Embark on a journey of self-discovery, blending quirky insights with actionable steps for genuine self-awareness. Perfect for aspiring students and seekers of personal growth, this piece promises to not just polish your application but also pave the path to true success. Dive in to transform your perception and your future.

February 23, 2024

Make your first application your last

Rob Humbracht

In this interview, Rob Humbracht, an admissions expert, and Janet Snoyer, a former admissions committee member and Principal Consultant at The Mentoring Alliance, share their insights and tips on how to apply to medical school only once and only when you are ready. They explain why applying multiple times can be detrimental, both emotionally and financially, and how being prepared and early can increase your chances of getting accepted. They also discuss some common mistakes and best practices for making your application stand out.

February 16, 2024

Personal Statement Hooks That Don’t Suck

Ryan Kelly and Rob Humbracht

To write a great personal statement hook, you need to be counterintuitive, contrarian, and morally ambiguous. These qualities will make your hook stand out and captivate the admissions committees. In this article, we’ll teach you how to use these strategies with examples from medical school applicants. We’ll also give you tips on how to avoid mistakes and find your own voice. Writing a killer hook is hard, but rewarding. Keep reading to learn how.

February 2, 2024

Tips for Expert Idea Generation in Your Personal Statement

Rob Humbracht and Ryan Kelly

Do you struggle with finding the perfect opening line for your Personal Statement? Do you want to know how to avoid the most common mistakes that make your hook boring or cliché? In this article, we will share with you some tips and examples on how to generate expert ideas for your hook that will grab the reader’s attention and showcase your personality. Whether you have an unusual background, a meaningful impact, a strong passion, or something else, we will help you find the best way to connect your story to your future goals. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how to write a hook that will make your Personal Statement stand out from the crowd!

January 12, 2024

Should You Use AI to Write Your Personal Statement? Pt. 2

Ryan Kelly

Writing a personal statement is a daunting task for many students, especially when it comes to crafting a catchy hook or introduction. In this article, Ryan Kelly explores how AI can assist students with this challenge, using ChatGPT as an example. The strengths and weaknesses of AI in generating hooks are evaluated, and tips and best practices are provided for using AI as a tool, not a replacement, for human creativity and editing. The article is part of a series that examines AI’s usefulness in different stages of the personal statement process. There’s even a ChatGPT prompt you can use for writing your own hook!

January 5, 2024

How to Become a Communication Chameleon

Rob Humbracht and Ryan Kelly

Do you want to learn how to network like a pro? In this article, you’ll discover how to use the chameleon as your inspiration for effective communication. You’ll learn how to adapt your style to match your audience, how to talk across generations, and how to craft a digital handshake that stands out. Whether you’re emailing a potential mentor, tweeting at a startup guru, or chatting with a baby boomer, these tips will help you make a lasting impression and grow your network in style and substance. Read on and become the most charismatic chameleon in the room.

December 29, 2023

Should You Use AI to Write Your Personal Statement? Part 1

Ryan Kelly

Writing a personal statement for medical school can be challenging, but can AI help? In this article series, Ryan Kelly, a professional admissions essay consultant, explores the potential of ChatGPT, an AI writing tool, to assist in the writing process. In Part 1, he reviews ChatGPT’s performance in organizing and generating ideas for a personal statement and provides some suggestions on how to make the most of AI.