New Cohort Starts January 20th, 2025!
Application academy
Master your application with access to the best medical school admissions experts and a supportive community of premeds at a fraction of the cost of traditional 1-on-1 advising!
Affordable, Long-Term Group Coaching to Perfect Your Med School Application
Get real-time feedback on your personal statement, activities, and interview prep, and tell your story in a way that makes your application stand out.
With 15+ hours of office hours weekly, recorded sessions, and resources from MSHQ Advisors, you’ll gain the tools to secure your spot at your dream med school.
Access Expert Guidance & Community Support at an Affordable Price
Join Application Academy and master how to tell your unique story. Our expert-led coaching will help you:
- Craft a personal statement that shows exactly why you’re meant to be a physician.
- Highlight the real impact of your activities—stand out with substance, not fluff.
- Rise above the competition by showcasing your authentic self.
- Build connections with interviewers that leave a lasting impression.
- Secure your spot at your dream med school!
Check out our Academy Preview Recordings to see if Academy is for you!
What you’ll learn in the academy
Along with the pre-recorded modules, you’ll have about 5 hours of office hours each week to attend and have essays (or parts of them) reviewed, interview prep, Q&A, and so much more.
The personal statement
Your personal statement can make or break your application. In this module, you’ll learn:
- How to find your seed
- How to pick experiences to support your story
- How to reflect on your experiences to show “why”
Combined with our office hours specifically for the personal statement, you’ll be able to show each reader why you want to be a physician.
Activities / extracurriculars
Actions speak louder than words. Showing each medical school what you’ve been doing with your time is key to your story. In this module, you’ll learn:
- The activities that are important for the application.
- How to pick your most meaningful activities
- How to write impactful descriptions to show YOU
You’ll finish this module with the confidence that you’re showing the Admissions Committees who you are, and not just that you’re checking boxes. Have the chance to have your activities reviewed during office hours!
Secondary applications
- The different types of secondary applications
- How to start pre-writing essays to get ahead of the tsunami and the best way to answer prompts
- Guidance for Casper, Snapshot, Duet, and the AAMC PREview
Interviews
Getting an interview is GREAT NEWS! Let’s make sure you’re prepared. In this module, you’ll learn:
- The different types of interview formats
- Common questions and scenarios you may approach
- The best way to approach questions
After this module, you’ll understand that the most significant mission for your interview is to be yourself. Don’t forget that you’ll get tons of practice during office hours!
Building your school list
Your school list is like your Hinge profile, if you’re looking for the wrong attributes, you may not find a match. In this module, you’ll learn:
- Why using stats to pick schools is bad
- How to find the school of your dreams
- Understand the nuances of private v. public and in-state v. out-of-state.
With a well-crafted school list, you’ll not only save money but increase your chances of acceptance!
TMDSAS application nuances & essays
Everything is bigger in Texas—including the number of essays you have to write. In this module, you’ll learn:
- What the two main extra essays are and what they are for
- Why the optional essay really isn’t optional
- Nuances of the timeline and acceptance process
The application is all about who you are and TMDSAS gives you some more opportunities. You’ll be confident you’re submitting the best application essays.
MD / PhD application nuances & essays
If you’re applying to MD/PhD programs, you’ll have a couple of extra essays to write. In this module, you’ll learn:
- What the two extra PhD essays are and how you should think about them
- The best way to write your research essay
- How to strengthen your “why research” story
With the right story, you’ll help MD/PhD programs understand your motivations and want to talk to you!
$499
Full Cycle (January-October)
What You Get
- Expert Guidance from All of the MSHQ Advisors, including Dr. Gray!
- TA Office Hours from Those Who Have Been Successful!
- Community of Peers Helping Each Other
- 1 year Access to Mappd Pro
- Print Books of The Premed Playbook Application Series
* See FAQ’s for information on refunds and delaying access if you decide to
delay your application.
Cohort One schedule
MON JAN 20th 5 – 6:30pm Am I Ready? Mappd Account Review | Dr. Gray
TUE JAN 21st 8 – 9pm TA Office Hours with Loren
WED JAN 22nd 7 – 8:30pm Am I Ready? Mappd Account Review | Dr. Gray & Dr. Wright
WED JAN 22nd 9 – 10pm TA Office Hours with Lauren
THU JAN 23rd 9 – 10pm TA Office Hours with Gaby
SUN JAN 26th 10 – 11pm TA Office Hours with Briana
MON JAN 27th 12 – 1:30pm Am I Ready? Mappd Account Review | Dr. Crispen & Dr. Gray
TUE JAN 28th 8 – 9pm TA Office Hours with Loren
WED JAN 29th 5 – 6:30pm Am I Ready? Mappd Account Review | Carlos & Courtney
WED JAN 29th 9 – 10pm TA Office Hours with Lauren
THU JAN 30th 9 – 10pm TA Office Hours with Gaby
FRI JAN 31st – LAST DAY TO SIGN UP FOR THE COHORT ONE!
SUN FEB 2nd 10 – 11pm TA Office Hours with Briana
MON FEB 3rd 3 – 4:30pm Primary Review | Deana & Dr. Wright
TUE FEB 4th 8 – 9pm TA Office Hours with Loren
WED FEB 5th 12 – 1:30pm Primary Review | Dr. Crispen & Courtney
WED FEB 5th 9 – 10pm TA Office Hours with Lauren
THU FEB 6th 9 – 10pm TA Office Hours with Gaby
SUN FEB 9th 10 – 11pm TA Office Hours with Briana
MON FEB 10th 7 – 8:30pm Primary Review | Carlos & Dr. Crispen
TUE FEB 11th 8 – 9pm TA Office Hours with Loren
WED FEB 12th 3 – 4:30pm Am I Ready? Mappd Account Review | Carlos & Dr. Wright
* All Times ET
About Medical School HQ
Dr. Ryan Gray founded Medical School HQ after going through the ups and downs of the premed journey with little guidance. He was determined to make the application process easier for aspiring students.
Over the past decade, he has empowered hundreds of thousands of students through his podcasts, YouTube channels, and the Mappd software platform.
Realizing he couldn’t personally support every student who sought his help, Dr. Gray brought together a team of top-tier medical school admissions experts, including former Directors of Admissions and Admissions Officers.
Today, our dedicated advising team offers personalized, 1-on-1 guidance on every aspect of the premed process, including the whole application cycle if that’s what you need.
What our Students are saying
Hear from students just like you who achieved their med school dreams with our guidance.
I just received my admission to XXXXX! This is unreal and almost feels like I am dreaming. I want to thank you for all of your help with my application. I cannot overstate how influential your guidance and insight have been with this result and I am eternally grateful for your support!
IM SO HAPPY!!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL YOUR HELP, IM INDEBTED TO YOU! Truly, thank you so much for all your help. Thank you doesnt do enough.
I want to take a few moments and thank you for all of your very instructive, kind and consistent feedback and support through my applications and it is your wishes, feedback, and most importantly your blessings that have landed me the acceptance!
I got into XXXXX this morning!!!! It still has not hit me that I will be a doctor now!! Thank you for all your help, your words and motivation have brought me to this point.
I wanted to once again express my heartfelt gratitude for your help in providing feedback during my secondary applications. Your guidance has been instrumental in my journey.
Just wanted to share my wonderful news! I received my first medical school acceptance! Thank you for all that you do for us Application Academy!!!
I am excited to tell you that I just got my third interview invite from XXXXX today! I can’t believe it. I didn’t even know if I was good enough to get one, let alone three – by mid-September. Thank you so much for all of your help and support up to this point; I would not be in this position without it!!
I wanted to thank you for helping me prepare for my XXXXX interview. Even in a 30-minute advising session, I learned so much from you. Thank you for believing in me, and here’s to another potential success story from one of your advisees!
I just received an acceptance with XXXXX! This is so exciting and such a huge relief and so nice to have one of our top choice schools! I also received an interview with XXXXX which brings the total up to 20 interviews! Thank so much, none of this would have been possible without you!
Get advice directly from dr. ryan gray
I’m Dr. Ryan Gray, founder of Medical School Headquarters. Like many of you, my med school journey wasn’t smooth—I only got accepted on my second attempt. But that setback pushed me to figure out exactly what it takes to succeed in this competitive process.
In 2012, I launched Medical School Headquarters to help aspiring physicians like you navigate medical school applications with clarity. Fast forward to 2021, we introduced Application Academy—an affordable solution for students to access expert guidance from our top admission advisors.
Since then, hundreds of premeds have transformed their applications and gotten accepted to their dream schools, with thousands more finding success through MSHQ. Now, it’s your turn!
Clear Up Your Application Academy Doubts
What is Covered Each Session?
We have broken down the application cycle into 3 main buckets:
- Primary Application
- Secondary Application
- Interviews
The sessions will follow the normal application timeline with good overlap so students don’t fall behind!
During primary and secondary sessions, we are reviewing essays (or parts of them) submitted by students. The essays are anonymous!
During interview sessions, students will volunteer to practice an interview question of their choosing or have the advisor pick one based on an interview style.
When Does Academy Start?
Application Academy for 2025 starts January 20th! The first cohort will close on January 31st, 2025.
If you’re taking the MCAT in March or April, and don’t want to start Academy yet, we have a second cohort starting in March! Stay tuned for those details.
Who Are the MSHQ Advisors?
You get to learn from amazing experts!
Our advisors are currently:
- Ryan Gray, MD, founder of MSHQ and Mappd and former Air Force Flight Surgeon
- Dr. Scott Wright, former Director of Admissions at UT Southwestern and retired Executive Director at TMDSAS
- Courtney Lewis, former Director of Admissions at Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Deana Golini, former Senior MD Admissions Officer at Stanford
- Carlos Tapia, former Director of Admissions at TCU and former Director of Students Affairs at Ichan School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Dr. Christine Crispen, former Director of Admissions at UC Irvine and Director of Curriculum and ADCOM Member at Keck Med at USC
Do You Offer an FAP Discount?
Yes! If you qualify for FAP through AMCAS/AAMC or AACOMAS/AACOM you’ll need to submit that documentation here.
The FAP discount is 50% off of our full-price tuition. It currently would bring the cost of tuition down to $300 once or split over 4 (four) monthly payments.
How Long Do I Have Access?
Academy enrollment gives you access for that cohort. The 2025 cohort goes through October 26th.
What if I Decided to Postpone my Application?
If you decide to postpone your application, you’ll be allowed to pause your Application Academy membership one time for free. No additional pauses will be allowed. Please email academy@medicalschoolhq.net.
What is the Refund Policy?
If you decide you want a refund, here is our policy:
- 0-15 days: 100% refund minus a $25 processing fee*
- 16-30 days: 75% refund minus a $25 processing fee*
- 31-60 days: 50% refund minus a $25 processing fee*
- 61+ days: no refund
*processing fee is only if we’ve mailed you books
How Many Students Are There in Each Class?
I'm in the Current Cycle. What if I Get in?
We have had many students start Application Academy while still in the previous application cycle (meaning they signed up for the 2030 cycle, while still in the 2029 cycle). If you sign up for Application Academy and get in, send us verification of that acceptance to academy@medicalschoolhq.net and we’ll refund your tuition in full!
How Much 1-on-1 Time Do I Get?
All Application Academy Office Hours are group sessions. There is no guarantee of individual time with instructors or 1-on-1 essay review in the Academy. Check out 1-on-1 advising options, which you can purchase in addition to the Academy program. Academy members get 15% off 1-on-1 services!