Med School, Postbac & Residency Application FAQ 

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Do application packages have a time limit or hourly cap?

We're committed to giving your application the time and attention it deserves, so when you purchase a Primary, Primary + Secondary, or 2 Primary + Secondary package, we'll work with you as many hours as it takes to get it right! The only time limit we enforce is that each package is only valid for one admissions cycle.

What's the difference between a Primary, Primary + Secondary, and 2 Primary + Secondary Package?

A Primary Application Package provides you with comprehensive application guidance from conceptualization to final review for one primary application (AMCAS, AACOMAS, AADSAS or other primary healthcare application). 

A Primary + Secondary Application Package includes everything in a Primary Application Package, as well as secondary essays for up to eight applications, one mock interview and decision counseling in the event of multiple acceptances.

A 2 Primary + Secondary Package includes both AMCAS and AACOMAS Primary application guidance from conceptualization to final review, secondary essay help for up to 20 applications, 3 mock interviews, and waitlist advice.

Learn more about our application packages here.

 
I'm applying to TMDSAS. Can you help with that?

We're glad you asked! You can view our TMDSAS Application Packages here.

What’s the process if I order a Flat Rate Personal Statement Package?

With Accepted’s Flat Rate Personal Statement Package, your consultant will ask you about your clinical experience, research, personal background, extracurricular activities, hobbies and interests, community service, goals, and reasons for pursing a medical career…basically anything that could be used in a medical school or postbac personal statement or a residency or fellowship match essay. Together you and your consultant will decide which experiences best present a multi-dimensional, compelling portrait of YOU.

Here's how it works:

First, your consultant will get to know you during a phone/Skype call (this can take 1-2 hours). Then, after you and your consultant discuss a theme for your essay, your consultant will send you an outline of the essay.

Consisting of bullet points, the outline will help you focus on your most powerful experiences and the most relevant and compelling elements of your story, and it will provide you with the structure and direction you need to create the first draft of your essay. It will help you put that story down on paper with minimal blank-screen-itis and maximal impact.

After you write your personal statement, you will send it to your consultant who will edit it for grammar, spelling, style, and word usage – the nitty-gritty details of writing. She will return the edited copy to you within two business days of receiving it.

Typically clients request 2-4 reviews of an essay before they are ready to submit their awesome essays.

How detailed are your outlines?

First, it's important to know that the outline is not a euphemism for an essay or an essay draft.

The outline consists of bullet points and sentence fragments. Its job: provide you with the structure and direction necessary for you to start writing. It provides guidance, but is not a straightjacket. The essay is at all times your essay.

Will you write the essays for me?

No.

How can I use Accepted’s services if I do not live near one of your consultants?

We have clients throughout the world, and thanks to email, Skype/video conferencing, and phone, we can communicate with you efficiently and effectively.

If you live outside the U.S., we try to minimize your telephone expense by using Skype, other communications software, or by asking for background information via email. (International telephone expenses are the responsibility of the client.)

We have found that the time differences pose minor problems, and we have worked with people literally from around the world – from Kazakhstan to Cameroon, Argentina to India.

How long does one Flat Rate Personal Statement Package take?

It typically takes one to two weeks. Please keep in mind that quick completion heavily depends on your promptly returning drafts to your consultant.

If I want to use essay packages for more than one school, will I have to purchase the Flat Rate Personal Statement Package for each essay?

No. Once you purchase one Flat Rate Initial Essay Package, all essay packages that you purchase at a later date will be Additional Essay Packages (which are less expensive than the flat rate packages).

What’s the process if I order an Hourly Personal Statement Plan?

With an Hourly Personal Statement Plan, you will submit your personal statement draft to your consultant, who will critique it on a content level. Although we don’t interview you, we do request a recent resume or CV.

When reviewing your personal statement, your consultant will ask the following questions: 

  • Do you have a clear theme, a logical structure, an engaging opening, and a conclusion that nicely wraps up the essay?
  • Did you answer the essay question, if there is one?
  • Have you revealed something distinctive and interesting about yourself?
  • Have you made effective use of specifics to distinguish yourself from your competition, support your main points, and add interest to your essay?

If you submit multiple essays for one program, your consultant will also check that the essays complement each other. After reviewing your essay, your consultant will then provide you with feedback and suggestions for improvement, and you will revise the essay.

After you revise your essay, you again send it to your consultant who focuses now on grammar, spelling, style, and word usage – the nit-picky details of writing. Your consultant returns the edited copy to you within two business days of receiving it. Typically clients request 2-4 reviews of an essay before they are satisfied with it.

Our Hourly Plan can be used for personal statements from your med school, postbac, residency/fellowship, or any other healthcare degree application.

What’s your turnaround time?

Two business days for each round of editing. If you require faster turnaround, we offer Rush Services with a one-business-day turnaround at an approximate 30% up-charge. 

When do you recommend a Flat Rate Essay Package and when do you recommend an Hourly Personal Statement Plan?

If you really aren’t sure how to approach the essays, lack confidence in your ability to write well, or want to save time more than money, I recommend a Flat Rate Package.

If you know what you want to write, have confidence in your writing ability, and want to save money more than time, I recommend an Hourly Plan.

I am a medical school applicant. Can I use a Flat Rate Personal Statement Package for some essays and an Hourly Personal Statement Plan for others?

Yes. You can mix and match, or you can use the Flat Rate Personal Statement Package for the AMCAS essay or a non-AMCAS personal statement and an Hourly Personal Statement Plan for all subsequent schools. You can also use the Flat Rate Personal Statement Package for your AMCAS, Additional Personal Statement Packages for lengthier secondary essays, and an Hourly Personal Statement Plan for shorter secondary essays.

You should also consider more comprehensive packages, that include assistance for your personal statement, CV, interview, and more:

I am a residency applicant. Can I use a Flat Rate Package for my first essay and an Hourly Personal Statement Plan for others?

Yes. You can mix and match. You can use a Flat Rate Personal Statement Package for your first essay to a particular specialty, and then you can use either Additional Packages or an Hourly Personal Statement Plan for your essays to another specialty, whichever best fits your needs.

Do you only work with applicants to allopathic medical schools or do you work with applicants to other healthcare programs?

We work with applicants applying to all healthcare specialties: dentistry, osteopathy, chiropractics, optometry, etc., as well as med students applying to residency or fellowship programs (including many former clients who are applying after completing medical school). If you are applying to a postbac program, we can help you with your essays too! 

Some secondary essays are so short, how would you work on them?

I recommend our Hourly Personal Statement Plan for short secondary essays.

Aren’t you expensive?

Not at all. The fees you pay to Accepted could be one of the best investments you’ll ever make! Consider the possibility of increased earnings if you attend a more highly ranked school as opposed to the cost of Accepted’s one-on-one assistance.

"But," you say, "you don’t know if I would be accepted without your help." True. And we cannot guarantee your acceptance. But a brief look at our feedback page will tell you that many of our clients are convinced they would not be in medical school without Accepted’s editorial and strategic help. They repeatedly and emphatically state that we are worth the money. 

 
Do you use a template? Don’t all Accepted client essays sound the same?

We don’t use a template at all, nor do we recommend one. We are dedicated to bringing out the individuality and distinctiveness of our clients and strive to make our clients stand out from the crowd by emphasizing distinguishing experiences, distinctive perspectives, and details. We are convinced that portraying your uniqueness is the primary task of the essays.

I have a limited budget and have already written a draft. Could you review my draft and advise whether I need the Flat Rate Personal Statement Package or if can I do with an Hourly Personal Statement Plan?

Yes, we are happy to review your drafts. Your consultant will then tell you whether your draft is a good foundation for continuing with an Hourly Plan or whether you would benefit from the one of our comprehensive packages.

Typically, how many drafts does a consultant review with the Flat Rate Personal Statement Package?

Two to four.

What’s the process for a Letter of Recommendation?

With a Letter of Recommendation Package, your consultant will interview your chosen recommender. Then your consultant will send your recommender a draft of the letter for the recommender to review. After receiving feedback from your recommender, the consultant will edit and finalize the letter and your recommender can submit it.

If I want the Letter of Recommendation Packages, do the packages include editing?

Yes.

What’s the process for a Waitlist Letter Package?

If you are a new client and you purchase a Waitlist Letter Package, your consultant reads your application essays and interviews you briefly about your activities since you submitted your application. The consultant also reviews with you your reasons for wanting to attend the school that waitlisted you. He then sends you an outline for a waitlist letter.

If you are an existing client, your consultant will interview you about your activities since you submitted your application and any changes in your reasons for wanting to attend the school that waitlisted you. He then sends you an outline for a waitlist letter.

After you write the letter, you send it to your consultant for editing. He corrects it for grammar, spelling, style, word usage, etc., and returns it to you.

How do I get started? How is payment handled?

It’s easy. Go to our catalog and choose the services you need. Click on the “Add To Cart” button next to the services you need and fill out the order form. You will receive an email asking for academic information. Your order will be processed within one business day. Your credit card will be billed immediately.

What is considered "billable time"?

Billable time includes time spent reviewing materials, editing, and consulting with you via any medium including but not limited to telephone, Skype, and email. Yes, it includes time spent composing the emails. 

Essentially, we bill for all time spent working with you except when we are advising on which Accepted service to use or responding to billing questions. Your consultant will do his or her best to keep you informed of time used throughout the engagement.

If you are concerned about us racking up the billable hours, please request an estimate up front.

What is your Rush Service? I need faster turnaround! Can you help me?

Our Rush Service is for clients who need faster than two-business-day turnaround. Before commencing work, we will determine if we have availability to meet your deadline and set up a schedule with you. If you purchase Rush Services and we don't have consultant available who can work within your timeframe, we will notify you before we start work. If at that time you no longer want Accepted's assistance, we will refund your payment. 

Can you charge me rush prices without my approval?

No. Rush prices require the approval of the client, the consultant, and Accepted management.

What if I am not happy with the service?

We want you to be happy! If you aren’t satisfied with your consultant, you can ask to switch to a new consultant. If you want a refund, please refer to our refund policy.

What if I want to try you out now and purchase a single service, and then purchase more of your services later?

No problem. When you are ready to purchase additional services, you can either purchase additional services online, or send an email to your consultant, who will send you a link so that you can purchase additional time. 

Why should I hire Accepted?

Here is how you will benefit from using Accepted for your applications:

  1. Your consultant will serve as a sounding board and mentor as you go through the process of applying. You need someone experienced saying that the optional essay does not really add value to your application. You will benefit from someone saying that you need to clarify the connection between your internship and your goals. You will have an advantage if someone knowledgeable tells you that you are focusing too much on a negative and not enough on your achievements, or perhaps suggests that Experience A is more impressive than Experience B, or reveals how you can weave both into the application. To see what our clients say about our services, please read our feedback page.
  2. You will have a professional, seasoned consultant making sure that you present yourself articulately and correctly. One of Accepted’s strengths is the professionalism and experience of its staff. You certainly do not want writing errors. To judge our consultants’ qualifications, please read more about our team.
  3. Using Accepted can save you time. Applicants frequently go through multiple drafts, a lot of nail-biting, tearing up of the multiple drafts, rewriting, hearing contradictory advice, and rewriting again. You will greatly reduce the amount of time you spend on your essays by choosing Accepted.
Contact us if you have additional questions. View our complete catalog of med school, postbac and residency services here