GradMissions Office Hours

In our first-ever This or That episode, the GradMissions Office Hours team goes rapid-fire on the questions we hear every single day — and gives you the honest answers most applicants never get. We break down what actually matters (and what absolutely doesn’t) in med school and law school admissions, including: Big-name letters vs. people who truly know you Gap years: when they help, when they’re...

This special solo episode kicks off a new season of GradMissions Office Hours with a message for anyone in the thick of med school or law school applications—or preparing to be. Autumn speaks directly to applicants who are waiting, wondering, and second-guessing where they’ll land, reminding them to pause and take stock of how far they’ve already come. From reflecting on progress made over the pas...

It’s the most stressful time of year for med and law school applicants—and no, the silence in your inbox is not personal. In this episode of GradMissions Office Hours , Autumn, Lizanne, and Logan talk applicants off the ledge during peak admissions anxiety season. We break down why waiting is not a failure, what admissions offices are actually doing right now, and how record-breaking application n...

In this State of the Union episode of GradMissions Office Hours , Autumn and Lizanne break down exactly where applicants stand in the current med school and law school cycles—and what smart next moves look like at every stage. They walk through four key groups: current med school applicants, current law school applicants, future med applicants, and future law applicants. From interview timelines a...

In this episode of GradMissions Office Hours , Autumn, Lizanne, and Logan walk aspiring medical students through what really needs to happen long before you ever click “submit.” From GPA realities to BCPM strategy, research trajectories, MCAT timing, shadowing with intention, and the extracurriculars that actually make you stand out, this is a straight-talking guide for sophomores, juniors, and an...

Law school applications are up, WAY up, and getting ahead of the competition has never mattered more. In this episode, Autumn and Lizanne break down the latest LSAC data and explain why timing, strategy, and confidence can make or break your cycle. They introduce The Admissions Accelerator , GradMissions’ 30-day sprint that helps future law students map out their coursework, experiences, and LSAT...

In part two of this two-part series, Autumn, Lizanne, and Logan break down what comes after orientation, from law school’s cold calls and class ranks to med school’s white coats and specialty fairs. They share insider strategies on building your academic foundation, choosing the right experiences, and avoiding burnout. Whether you’re prepping for your first 1L exam or your first anatomy lab, this...

Season 2 kicks off with Autumn, Lizanne, and Logan tackling one of the biggest questions from anxious applicants: should you take a gap year? From med school hopefuls worried about patient experience to future lawyers overthinking legal internships, the team breaks down what really matters before you hit submit. They talk about why experience means something very different in medicine than in law,...

Grab your pumpkin spice latte and settle in for a hauntingly honest episode of GradMissions Office Hours. Autumn, Lizanne, and Logan share their spookiest law and med school admissions stories, from undisclosed dorm candle mishaps and misnamed personal statements to cadaver lab scares and the dreaded “urine in your welcome letter.” But don’t fear, the team also explains how to face these nightmare...

Is law school admissions really holistic, or is that just buzzword smoke and mirrors? In this episode, Autumn, Lizanne, and Logan pull back the curtain on what committees actually look for when deciding who gets in. From the truth about “optional” essays and letters of recommendation to why GPA and LSAT scores still dominate the process, we unpack the science and the art of admissions. We also div...

Is your GPA “stale” or lower than you’d like? In this episode, Autumn, Lizanne, and Logan break down what that really means for law and med school applicants. From proving academic growth to leveraging strong letters, they share how non-traditional students can turn experience into an advantage. The team also unpacks LSAT vs. GPA priorities, the truth about master’s programs, and why compelling es...

Law school admissions just got a lot more competitive. In this episode, Autumn, Lizanne, and Logan break down the record-breaking rise in LSAT test-takers and what it means for applicants this cycle. From why this isn’t the year to procrastinate on applications, to why even a 178 might not be enough if you apply late, they share the strategy you need to stand out. We also dive into: Why non-tradit...

Law school season is officially here, and if you're still planning to hit submit by Thanksgiving , we need to talk. In this lightning-round episode, Autumn, Lizanne, and Logan walk you through the 5 things every law school applicant should be doing right now to stay competitive: from application timelines and LORs to the November LSAT and the often-overlooked character & fitness disclosure...

Applying to med school or law school isn’t a solo act, it’s a family production. In this episode, Autumn, Lizanne, and Logan talk directly to the other MVPs in the admissions process: parents, partners, and supporters. From navigating FERPA and boundaries, to knowing when to step back (or lean in), to the surprising ways relationships grow stronger through this journey, they share real stories, ha...

In this episode of GradMissions Office Hours , we break down the med school secondary application stage: what it is, why it matters, and how to avoid the pitfalls that trip up even strong applicants. From prioritizing schools and reusing essays without sounding recycled, to managing the flood of prompts without losing your voice, this is your guide to turning secondaries from a time crunch into a...

What even is an Application Strategy Call, and do you need one? In this episode of GradMissions Office Hours , Autumn walks listeners through the exact structure of the call that kicks off every GradMissions partnership. From myth-busting around deadlines and school lists to helping clients decide if they’re ready to apply now or next year, this episode pulls back the curtain on how we build a tai...

Whether you're dreaming of med school or law school, building your school list shouldn't feel like throwing darts. In this episode, Autumn, Logan, and Lizanne unpack the behind-the-scenes strategy that goes into crafting a list that fits you, from regional filters and mission alignment to GPA realities and curriculum delivery. They share what most students forget to ask (like how often you...

In this high-energy (and occasionally hilarious) episode of GradMissions Office Hours, Autumn, Lizanne, and Logan dive deep into the heart of what makes a standout residency application—hint: it’s not just your CV. We talk about why storytelling is your secret weapon, how to reframe setbacks with maturity and authenticity, and the surprising power of showing what makes you light up (even if it’s t...

In this episode of GradMissions Office Hours , we're talking directly to the future lawyers in the room—or the parents, teachers, and mentors raising them. What makes a great law school applicant? It's not just a stacked résumé or the "right" major. It's curiosity that can’t be turned off, and resilience that doesn’t break under pressure. We dive into: Why law school really c...

In this special episode of GradMissions Office Hours , we welcome a new voice to the pod— Logan Lockhart , longtime medical education insider and residency strategist with a talent for seeing the long game. Together with Autumn and Lizanne, we dig into one of the most common questions we hear from parents and students alike: “How early is too early to start planning for med or law school?” Spoiler...

Everything pre-meds need to know about the MCAT, AMCAS, DO vs. MD, research, and interviews. In this episode of GradMissions Office Hours , we’re kicking off med school application season with an insider’s guide to the process. Whether you’re gearing up to submit your AMCAS or just trying to figure out if you should take biochem before the MCAT, this episode has you covered. What we cover: The dif...

How to turn your law school application concerns into strengths. In this episode of GradMissions Office Hours , we’re diving deep into the most common “red flags” we see on law school applications—and what to actually do about them. Spoiler: most of them aren’t dealbreakers. 💥 Low GPA? We’ve got GPA addendum tips. 📉 Bombed the LSAT? Retake strategy + timing. ⚠️ Character & fitness issues? He...

In Episode 6 of GradMissions Office Hours , we’re tackling one of the most misunderstood tools in the admissions and academic world: accommodations. Whether you’re prepping for the LSAT or MCAT—or looking ahead to law school exams, med school shelf exams, the MPRE, USMLE, or the bar—we’re here to break it down. 🎯 What accommodations really are (hint: not a shortcut) 📝 How to apply for them on th...

How to actually prepare for med or law school—and what to skip. You’ve been admitted. You paid your seat deposit. So… now what? In this episode of GradMissions Office Hours, we talk about what newly admitted law and med students should actually be doing this summer—and what they should absolutely avoid. With our hats on as former admissions deans, law and med insiders, and unofficial “admissions m...

In this episode of GradMissions Office Hours , we’re taking you behind the scenes of one of the most important parts of your med or law school application: building your school list. From application fees and student debt to geographic fit, specialty programs, and visit strategy—this is your 30,000-foot view of how to approach your list like a future admit . We break down: ✔️ Reach vs. Target vs....