In this episode of Admissions Straight Talk, Dr. Valerie Wherley welcomes Dr. Glenn Cummings, associate dean and director of health professions advising at Bryn Mawr, for an in-depth look at one of the nation’s oldest and most respected career-changer post-bac pathways. Dr. Cummings explains the distinctive mission and history of the Postbaccalaureate Premedical Program – founded in 1972 at Bryn Mawr College – and clarifies what truly defines a “career changer” in the post-bac world. He walks listeners through the program’s rigorous 12-month curriculum – including the accelerated summer chemistry sequence and the full-time fall and spring science load – while also outlining how Bryn Mawr supports students through intensive academic advising, structured MCAT preparation, and opportunities for clinical volunteering, research, and service.

Dr. Cummings also highlights the program’s unique advantages, such as its extensive network of medical school linkage partnerships, its individualized W.I.S.E. advising model, and its robust alumni mentoring system. In addition, he discusses what the admissions committee looks for in competitive applicants: strong academic performance, demonstrated motivation for medicine, a history of service, and the maturity to thrive in a tight-knit, collaborative cohort.

Whether you’re a true career changer, a recent graduate ready to pivot toward medicine, or simply exploring structured post-bac options, this episode offers valuable insights into how Bryn Mawr prepares students not only for the application process but also for success in medical school and beyond.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:35 History of the Bryn Mawr Postbac Premed Program

01:47 Defining a Career Changer vs. Academic Enhancer

02:08 Who the Program Is Designed For

05:05 Curriculum Overview and 12-Month Structure

07:19 Unique Features of the Bryn Mawr Postbac

07:25 Medical School Linkage Programs

09:45 W.I.S.E. Advising Model and Alumni Mentorship

12:17 Preparing Students for Med School Applications

14:10 Clinical Volunteering, Research, and Service

17:15 What Makes a Competitive Bryn Mawr Applicant

21:40 Letters of Recommendation and Applicant Evaluation

23:50 Final Advice

Related Resources

• Dr. Glenn Cummings contact information
• Bryn Mawr Postbac Program email: postbac@brynmawr.edu
• The Basics of Postbac Programs: What You Need to Know

Related Admissions Straight Talk Episodes

• How to Apply Successfully to Med School from Postbac Programs [Episode 526]
• The Fastest Way to Medical School Is Slowly: Avoiding Early Premed Mistakes [Episode 608]

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In this episode of Admissions Straight Talk, host Dr. Valerie Wherley sits down with Dr. Reynold Jaglal, program director of the Sacred Heart University Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPAS) program, for an in-depth look at Sacred Heart’s values-focused approach to physician assistant (PA) education. Dr. Jaglal breaks down the program’s 27-month curriculum, including its team-taught didactic model, hands-on clinical rotations, and distinctive international clinical opportunities in Ireland and Spain.

He also shares what makes Sacred Heart’s primary care–focused training unique, such as its required orthopedics rotation, and provides clear, practical advice for PA school applicants on demonstrating their fit with the school’s mission, communicating their personal values, and explaining their academic challenges. Whether you’re preparing to apply, exploring clinical programs, or curious about global PA education, this episode offers a thoughtful, insider perspective.

00:00 Welcome to the Admissions Straight Talk podcast
00:35 Welcome our guest, Dr. Reynold Jaglal
00:55 The PA program at Sacred Heart University
02:07 PA program curriculum and faculty
06:01 International training opportunities
09:15 Clinical phase
12:41 Dual degree: Bachelor's-MS in Physician Assistant Studies (BS-MSPAS)
15:42 Growing interest in the PA degree
17:35 How to create a competitive PA application

Related Resources:

• Dr. Reynold Jaglal contact information
• Sacred Heart University Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies
• Sacred Heart University Bachelor’s–MS in Physician Assistant Studies
• The Ultimate Guide to Becoming a Physician Assistant, a free Accepted guide

Related Admissions Straight Talk Episodes

• How to Get Accepted to Duke’s Physician Assistant Program [Episode 591]
• How to Get into Physician Assistant Programs [Episode 515]
• Inside the Emory PA Program: Admissions, Curriculum, and Keys to Success [Episode 603]

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www.accepted.com
support@accepted.com
+1 (310) 815-9553

In this episode of Admissions Straight Talk, host Dr. Valerie Wherley sits down with Accepted Admissions Consultant Alicia Nimonkar, an expert writing coach with a background in composition and rhetoric, to unpack one of the most important – and often most intimidating – parts of the medical school application: the personal statement. Alicia explains how applicants can use the AAMC’s premed competencies as a framework to craft authentic, focused narratives that highlight their strengths. From creating a timeline of formative experiences to developing an outline that connects recurring themes, she shares how to identify what makes your story uniquely yours – and how to make it resonate with admissions committees.

Alicia also offers practical insight into the writing process itself: how many drafts it really takes, when to stop editing, and how to avoid the “too many cooks in the kitchen” trap of excessive feedback. She and Dr. Wherley discuss the power of resilience, effort, and voice – exploring how applicants can address challenges without sounding apologetic and how to write from a place of strength and advocacy. Whether you’re starting your first draft or polishing your final version, this episode will help you approach your personal statement with clarity, confidence, and purpose.

Related Resources

• AAMC The Premed Competencies for Entering Medical Students
• Mindsets: A View From Two Eras
• The Obstacle Is the Way
• Alicia Nimonkar bio and contact information

Related Admissions Straight Talk Episodes

• The Fastest Way to Medical School Is Slowly: Avoiding Early Premed Mistakes [Episode 608]
• How to Overcome the Biggest Weaknesses in Med School Applications [Episode 605]
• Rejection and Reapplication: How to Respond [Episode 523]

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Contact Us
www.accepted.com
support@accepted.com
+1 (310) 815-9553