Getting Started - Your Path to Medical School
This package is designed for aspiring physicians who want to build a strong foundation for their medical school applications—with expert support at every step. Whether you're just starting your journey or looking to sharpen your approach, this flexible option helps you focus on what matters most right now, without jumping into a full-cycle engagement. We will partner together to strategically prioritize your time, identify your key differentiators, and gain the clarity and confidence to move forward. I will guide you through early-stage decisions and materials that can make or break your candidacy—so you’re not just checking boxes, but building a compelling story. Common coaching activities in this package include, but are not limited to: - Initial Kickoff & Planning Session: Align on your goals, timeline, and unique path to medicine to build a personalized game plan. - Profile Evaluation: Understand how your academic background, clinical experiences, and extracurriculars stack up—and where you can improve. This package is ideal for applicants who want high-leverage support early in the process. It’s your launchpad to a confident, well-positioned medical school application.
What's included
1-1 live virtual sessions tailored to your needs and goals. Begins with an initial 1.5 hr intake session followed by four 1 hour sessions.
- A strategic application roadmap tailored to your med school goals and timeline
- Clear insight into your strengths, gaps, and how to position your candidacy effectively
- A more intentional and well-organized application process—so you can apply with clarity and confidence
Meet your expert
Melinda P.
Medical School Admissions Expert | Columbia Grad | 20+ yrs experience
With more than 20 years of experience in higher education, I have guided hundreds of students through academic decision-making, personal challenges, and complex pathways toward graduate and professional school. My career began in student affairs at UCLA Medical School, followed by graduate work in Educational Psychology at Columbia University, where I also worked during that time at their medical school. Soon after graduating from Columbia, I began working at New York University and took a pivotal leadership role directing NYU’s career changer Postbaccalaureate Premedical Program, where I discovered my passion for supporting aspiring healthcare professionals and mentoring students at critical moments in their academic journeys. Fifteen years later, I've worked with hundreds of college students across all fields of study, helping them navigate the full arc of their undergraduate experience - course selection and academic planning to overcoming setbacks, building strong faculty relationships, and developing the skills needed to thrive independently. As a program director, I have led the redesign and expansion of multiple prehealth programs at institutions including Barnard College and Sarah Lawrence College. I extend this depth of institutional and advising expertise into personalized, one-on-one support for students and applicants. My approach reflects a deep understanding of the challenges students face during college and a commitment to helping them make thoughtful decisions that position them for long-term success academically, professionally, and personally.
