Should I get med school admissions coaching?

[shouldigethelp]

My parents told me they'd pay for me to get an admissions coach like this one. It would be for my personal statement, secondaries, AMCAS application, interviews.

But is it worth their money, or should I just go through the process on my own? I'm not the best writer, but I don't know if getting a coach is worth it.

Update (Tuesday, July 1st): As I posted below, I'd update if I went through with it. They did a decent job. I had my friends revise things before. People were also suggesting letting SDN members revise. My friends and SDNers have revised, but it would be very surface level, or they wouldn't get back to me for days (again, no offense, it's understandable). The coaching service went really indepth and I got 2 pages of analysis even though my PS is 1.5 pages. For me, a weak writer, it was a good move. I can tell my PS is a lot better than what it was before. Submitted my app, so wish me luck!

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[candbgirl]

You probably should have thought about this last semester. Or are you applying next cycle?

 

[lmn]

You definitely don't need to pay for the knowledge and resources to succeed, you can pretty much find all of the information you need here on SDN. That being said, it depends on your personality, I have no idea the legitimacy of that admissions coaching site (nor any others), but if you aren't going to be willing to do all the searching and reading necessary to find all the information yourself it may be worth it to pay someone who is very knowledgeable on the whole process. Personally there is no way I would ever pay for that or feel that it is necessary.

 

[Doudline]

Those services are generally super expensive, so I'd stay away from them (even if your parents are paying).
You've got everything you need on the Internet (more specifically here ^.^).

 

[shouldigethelp]

Yeah, I am applying a bit late in the cycle. My writing isn't the best, which is why I'm considering coaching.

I agree that if I did start much earlier, maybe I wouldn't need the help 🙁

 

[el_duderino]

By now you should be *submitting* your app. If you're just starting to work on your PS and app, it's too late unless your app is killer. What are your stats like?

 

[ThisCouldBeYou]

This is what they promise:
Once you've written your essays, we'll make them top-notch essays. So you start with your own writing.

 

[shouldigethelp]

This is what they promise:
Once you've written your essays, we'll make them top-notch essays. So you start with your own writing.

I have my version of the PS done, I just don't know how good it is since I'm a weak writer. And I would definitely prefer for it to be in my own writing/voice when it's improved.

I just don't know what to do, since I'm already so late in the cycle. FML. I'll decide by tonight.

 

[tantacles]

I have my version of the PS done, I just don't know how good it is since I'm a weak writer. And I would definitely prefer for it to be in my own writing/voice when it's improved.

I just don't know what to do, since I'm already so late in the cycle. FML. I'll decide by tonight.

Questions to consider: Who are these people? What are their credentials? Why are they uniquely qualified to tell you what you need to get into medical school?

Is there no one else who is willing to read your essay? What about the PS readers on SDN? Many of them have been accepted to medical school already and might have some insight.

Do you have that one friend who is always super critical but is always right? Have you considered letting that person read your essay? That person might be able to give better feedback if you're open to it.

 

[shouldigethelp]

Questions to consider: Who are these people? What are their credentials? Why are they uniquely qualified to tell you what you need to get into medical school?

Is there no one else who is willing to read your essay? What about the PS readers on SDN? Many of them have been accepted to medical school already and might have some insight.

Do you have that one friend who is always super critical but is always right? Have you considered letting that person read your essay? That person might be able to give better feedback if you're open to it.

Thanks for the insight tantacles!! These are questions I'll have to consider, and fast.

 

[Goro]

Please ignore your parents. You can get plenty of free, good advice here.

My parents told me they'd pay for me to get an admissions coach like this one. It would be for my personal statement, secondaries, AMCAS application, interviews.

But is it worth their money, or should I just go through the process on my own? I'm not the best writer, but I don't know if getting a coach is worth it.

 

[Comeonhavefun]

Agree, have a friend read it. Guarantee your parents could also proofread your essay. I am not sure how much help is really needed. Just I would submit it ASAP don't wait another week.

 

[candbgirl]

Why do your parents think you need a school admissions coach? Is it because you are dragging your feet this cycle and they think this will light a fire under you? What are your stats, ECs etc?

 

[Cyberdyne 101]

There's plenty of good advice on these boards. Yeah, sometimes you'll need to filter out riff-raff, but it is advantageous to hear multiple informed opinions about this process. And SDN provides this.

 

[Kalydeco]

If your writing is an issue, why not invest that generous $1,000+ gift in a writing course or two during a gap year? The skills you would learn would serve you in your application cycle and beyond.

 

[ThisCouldBeYou]

I have my version of the PS done, I just don't know how good it is since I'm a weak writer.

Everytime you write that about your writing skills, you further convince yourself you're a weak writer. Stop repeating this message because it doesn't help. In any case, if you want someone to read your essay, ask. sdn has readers who will do that, critique, and edit.

 

[Thespunger]

My parents told me they'd pay for me to get an admissions coach like this one. It would be for my personal statement, secondaries, AMCAS application, interviews.

But is it worth their money, or should I just go through the process on my own? I'm not the best writer, but I don't know if getting a coach is worth it.

I personally believe getting a coach because your not a good writer is a bad reason. They expect your statement to be written by you and you only. I don't like these services personally. Your application should be true to who you are. If your not a good writer, improve your writing.

 

[ts173]

Also check with your undergraduate school, the school I went to had a professional school adviser help us every step of the way and ensure that we had our applications together in a timely manner. And this was included in the cost of tuition, nothing extra.

 

[shouldigethelp]

I went through with it yesterday. I could have gotten someone else to revise, but I honestly don't think friends or SDN members (no offense) would provide as much in-depth analysis as this coaching service will provide. I need to make sure my PS is the best that it can be.

They're expediting the process for me, so I'll receive the revisions tonight and update everyone once I get it back.

 

[xffan624]

I personally believe getting a coach because your not a good writer is a bad reason. They expect your statement to be written by you and you only. I don't like these services personally. Your application should be true to who you are. If your not a good writer, improve your writing.

Irony of someone telling someone else to improve their writing when they write "your" instead of "you're", twice.

 

[AliciaAccepted]

Coaching can make the difference between an acceptance and a rejection. With the right support, you can be more strategic in the following areas:

1) School selection
2) Application essays
3) Letters of recommendation
4) Secondary essays
5) Mock interviews

Having support throughout the process can also significantly reduce the stress and anxiety of applying. I have the highest success rates with those students whom I help from the beginning of the process to the end. For a free consultation, please follow this link.

 

[el_duderino]

Coaching can make the difference between an acceptance and a rejection. With the right support, you can be more strategic in the following areas:

1) School selection
2) Application essays
3) Letters of recommendation
4) Secondary essays
5) Mock interviews

Having support throughout the process can also significantly reduce the stress and anxiety of applying. I have the highest success rates with those students whom I help from the beginning of the process to the end. For a free consultation, please follow this link.

Says the professional medical school admissions coach.

 

[shouldigethelp]

Sorry for getting back so late. I said I'd update everyone, so I updated my original post with my thoughts on the service.

 

[shouldigethelp]

If anyone has questions, send me a PM. I really would have benefited if someone else let me know about things like this before I did it. I will also update once I have my secondaries done.