Month: December 2020

Brown PLME: Early Decision Results

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~ drpaulloweadmissionsexpert

This year, we have had an increased number of clients applying to direct BS/MD programs. Few of our clients, by their choice, decided to apply to Brown Program in Liberal Medical Education (PLME) because they felt that ED may be too restrictive. We respect our clients’ choices!

Program in Liberal Medical Education (PLME) reported: From a pool of 2,530 ED applicants, 88 students were admitted to PLME.

We are happy to report Dr. Lowe and his team’s results. Here are the results of our 8 clients who applied to Brown PLME Early Decision:

  • 5 were admitted to the College and PLME
  • 1 was rejected from PLME, but admitted to the College
  • 1 deferred from PLME to regular decision
  • 1 rejected from PLME (College and PLME), but was accepted Early Action to MIT

Brown University: “PLME applicants are strongly encouraged to submit a video portfolio as part of the application process. The video portfolio provides a wonderful opportunity for us to learn more about you.” 

This year, Dr. Lowe and his admissions team partnered with the affiliate website: College Admissions Video Productions and successfully advised their clients in developing amazing video portfolios!

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High school juniors who are considering BS/MD programs, please read my blog – High School Juniors: Time to Get Serious About BS/MD Plans.

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“Valuable and expert advice is never free or cheap” – Dr. Paul Lowe
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Dr. Paul Reginald Lowe, founder and managing director of Pinnacle Educational Center Admissions Advisors Group, provides comprehensive counseling advice, exclusively for admissions to top private schools; Ivy League and highly-selective colleges/universities; BS/MD programs; graduate and medical schools and top visual and performing arts programs.   The admissions affiliate: Ivy League Admissions Advisors specializes in admissions to Ivy League and highly selective colleges,  Dr. Lowe also specializes in helping students who have been wait-listed, deferred or rejected gain admission into their top-choice schools: College Application Rejected and student who wish to transfer to another college:  College Transfer Admissions Advisors.  For colleges and universities that recommend or require videos: College Admissions Video Productions.

The Value of Expert Admissions Advice: Post-Application Submission

~ drpaulloweadmissionsexpert

Since the increased number of applicants to Ivy League colleges was reported last week and the subsequent, inevitable increase in rejections (and deferments), my team and I have been receiving a deluge of calls from anxious-ridden and sometimes even angry parents wanting to know what can they do about upcoming regular decisions or even early decision II.

With several parents, their children were rejected not only from the Ivies but also from early action schools that they had perceived to be safety schools.

One parent, whose son was deferred from Harvard, wanted to immediately know: “what is your price?” Another parent, whose son was rejected from Yale and rejected early action from a perceived safety also wanted to know immediately: “how much do you charge?” And another parent, whose daughter was deferred from her perceived safety school, rejected from Columbia, had already submitted applications to Dartmouth and UPenn and was in the midst of applying to Princeton and MIT, wanted to know: “what’s your price?”

It’s obvious from these types of questions that these callers are shopping for the cheapest price and/or attempting to negotiate. This is counterintuitive to obtaining the best service for a process that requires specialized skills.

The reality is that this is not about a price or haggling….it’s about your child’s educational future! This is not like purchasing a new luxury SUV, legacy furniture, a second home, a club membership fee or a kitchen renovation – It’s an investment in your child’s future.

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We all know the true VALUE of Harvard, Yale and Brown (and BS/MD programs) degrees…….PRICELESS.

Our firm provides “Post-Application Submission Deferred Strategies”. What’s that worth?

Even with 4 months left in this admissions cycle there is still lots to be done to enable a student to stand out and not cause subsequent rejections or worse “perpetual waitlist limbo”! We provide “Post-Application Submission Strategies”. What’s that worth?

What’s your child’s future worth?  According to the US Department of Agriculture, the cost of raising a child for a middle-income family born in 2001-2003 through the age of 18, not including college costs is $224,000 to $227,000 for middle income families and $327,000 to $330,000 for higher incomes.  This does not include private school tuition, summer athletic or music camps, or specialized college summer camps.

Wouldn’t it be wise to invest in valuable advice whereby your next $250,000 investment (college education) is towards an Ivy League and highly selective college or university or a BS/MD program?

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  • Indian_parents_graduate_Dr_Paul_Lowe_Independent_Educational_Consultant_Admissions_Advisor
What’s the value? HAPPY FAMILIES!
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“Parents hire us because they choose to pay an admissions expert who will help them avoid making mistakes.” – Dr. Paul Lowe

Dr. Paul Reginald Lowe, founder and managing director of Pinnacle Educational Center Admissions Advisors Group, provides comprehensive counseling advice, exclusively for admissions to top private schools; Ivy League and highly-selective colleges/universities; BS/MD programs; graduate and medical schools and top visual and performing arts programs.   The admissions affiliate: Ivy League Admissions Advisors specializes in admissions to Ivy League and highly selective colleges,  Dr. Lowe also specializes in helping students who have been wait-listed, deferred or rejected gain admission into their top-choice schools: College Application Rejected. and student who wish to transfer to another college:  College Transfer Admissions Advisors.  For colleges and universities that recommend or require videos: College Admissions Video Productions.

Ivy League Early Applications Increase

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~ drpaulloweadmissionsexpert

This week seniors received their application decisions! What was discovered is that the the number of early applications had soared as compared to last year.

I recall at one of my webinars that several parents surmised that the numbers would decrease as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the expected decrease in international applicants. I disagreed! Based on our analysis, we know that the Ivies’ brands soar in tough times.

Let’s take colleges that just released their early admissions results. Harvard had 10,086 application and accepted 747; last year 6,424 applicants and admitted 895. Brown University‘s early application rose by 22%, 23% at UPenn, 29% at Dartmouth and 49% at Columbia. From, time to time I have heard parents, high school counselors and even fellow educational consultants state that “it doesn’t really matter where you attend college as long as it’s a good fit“. Really! These numbers or increase percentages speak otherwise!

Now what, may you ask accounts for the soar in early applications? Here’s a blog that I wrote: Why Your Child Should Apply to an Ivy League College or University. and another blog: Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education U.S. College Rankings 2021.

What does this mean for students who were deferred? They are now in the regular application pool and it’s going to be even more competitive! Since you are in the larger pool, you will need to continue to attempt to standout and distinguish yourself from other applicants who were deferred and regular decision applicants. Our firm we provides “Post-Application Submission Deferred Strategies”.

“Admissions is a competitive sport!  Why gamble with uncertainty?” – Dr. Paul Lowe

Dr. Paul Reginald Lowe, founder and managing director of Pinnacle Educational Center Admissions Advisors Group, provides comprehensive counseling advice, exclusively for admissions to top private schools; Ivy League and highly-selective colleges/universities; BS/MD programs; graduate and medical schools and top visual and performing arts programs.   The admissions affiliate: Ivy League Admissions Advisors specializes in admissions to Ivy League and highly selective colleges,  Dr. Lowe also specializes in helping students who have been wait-listed, deferred or rejected gain admission into their top-choice schools: College Application Rejected and student who wish to transfer to another college:  College Transfer Admissions Advisors.  For colleges and universities that recommend or require videos: College Admissions Video Productions.

College Application Decisions/Outcomes

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~ drpaulloweadmissionsexpert

It’s that important time of the year for high school seniors as many students are beginning to receive their application decisions. Let’s describe each.

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ACCEPTED/ADMITTED: You’re in! You did it! You have been offered a spot in the incoming freshman class of one or more of the schools on your list. If it’s one of your top-choice schools and you have been accepted EA or RD it’s great! In terms of ED, the admissions process is technically over! “Technically”, because although you are accepted, schools can rescind your acceptance based on numerous reasons. Don’t forget the Common Application Affirmation Statement. According to the Common Application: “These affirmations are intended to make sure the applicant certifies the authenticity of the application, agrees to provide updated information to the college, and will commit only to one college once accepted”.

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DEFERRED: This means that the college is not prepared to either accept or deny you at this juncture, so they defer making a decision on your candidacy until they can consider you in the larger pool of regular decision applicants. Since you are the larger pool, you will need to continue to attempt to standout and distinguish yourself from other applicants who were deferred and regular decision applicants. Our firm provides “Post-Application Submission Deferred Strategies”.

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WAITLISTED: Being placed on the waitlist at a school means that you are not currently being offered a spot in their incoming class, but that you might be if enough spots open up as admitted students select other schools. How likely this is to occur (and it does happen) and in what volume, varies from school to school and even year to year. Our firm provides “Post-Application Submission Off-Waitlist Strategies”.

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DENIED/REJECTED: Unfortunately, this outcome requires no explanation. However, what you may choose to do is to transfer to schools that initially denied you a spot after the freshman year of the school you eventually end up. We provide transfer services through: College Transfer Admissions Advisors. We have successfully helped students transfer to schools that had initially denied them admissions.

“Being different and understanding differences allow me to help our clients stand out and be accepted!” – Dr. Paul Lowe

“Admissions is a competitive sport!  Why gamble with uncertainty?” – Dr. Paul Lowe

“Parents hire us because they choose to pay an admissions expert who will help them avoid making mistakes.” – Dr. Paul Lowe

Dr. Paul Reginald Lowe, founder and managing director of Pinnacle Educational Center Admissions Advisors Group, provides comprehensive counseling advice, exclusively for admissions to top private schools; Ivy League and highly-selective colleges/universities; BS/MD programs; graduate and medical schools and top visual and performing arts programs.   The admissions affiliate: Ivy League Admissions Advisors specializes in admissions to Ivy League and highly selective colleges,  Dr. Lowe also specializes in helping students who have been wait-listed, deferred or rejected gain admission into their top-choice schools: College Application Rejected. and student who wish to transfer to another college:  College Transfer Admissions Advisors.  For colleges and universities that recommend or require videos: College Admissions Video Productions.

Fauci Effect on BS/MD Applications

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~ drpaulloweadmissionsexpert

As college and university enrollment overall has dropped this fall because of the COVID-19 pandemic, research and reports have demonstrated that there is a record number of applicants to medical schools.

The number of applicants to medical schools has increased by 18% this year over last year, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC); and this is driven by the example of medical workers and public health figures such as Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

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Increase in BS/MD Applications translates to HYPERCOMPETITION –
It’s going to HARDER to get in!

Our research and knowledge of the BS/MD programs has seen an increase in interest in BS/MD programs. More parents are encouraging their children to become doctors because of the uncertainty in the future of non-healthcare careers and the fact that there is a shortage of U.S. doctors. AAMC reports that United States will be short 54,000 to 139,000 physicians  by 2033, the AAMC estimates and that more than two out of every five doctors now practicing will reach retirement age over the next 10 years.

In our practice, we are seeing more parents calling us seeking BS/MD admissions help. In fact, we are seeing a trend in high school students switching to BS/MD program admissions from traditional college admissions who are currently juniors. More international high school students and H-4 visas students are also requesting BS/MD assistance.

What does this mean for BS/MD programs? More high school students will be applying and there will be even more HYPERCOMPETITION!

Our BS/MD Admissions practice is specialized: Dr. Lowe and his team only work with parents who understand that the BS/MD admissions process is competitive, who desire help from an admissions expert and who see the value and investment in paying for expert advice through a detailed and ongoing comprehensive admissions advisory service for their child’s dream of becoming a doctor.  He also specializes in helping international students in the BS/MD process. BS/MD Admissions Advisors – 2020 Acceptances.  Parents who chose to use our services want to call their son or daughter – “Doctor” when they are seniors in high school.

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After all that hard work, don’t you want want your child to be a BS/MD student?

Dr. Paul Reginald Lowe is the managing director of Pinnacle Educational Center Admissions Advisors Group network.  He and his team of admissions advisors, through the admissions affiliate, BS/MD Admissions Advisors, help high school students get accepted to BS/MD programs.

Dr. Paul Lowe at The Alpert Medical School of Brown University
Dr. Paul Lowe, Admissions Expert

Early Action and Early Decision Dates for 2020-2021 College Applicants

~ drpaulloweadmissionsexpert

It’s the 2020-2021 Early Decision and Early Action season!  We are in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Applicants have already submitted their applications!  Some applicants are having their alumni interviews and some have submitted their college videos!  Competition to Ivy League and highly selective college remain high as these schools maintain their global educational brand.  Therefore, expect many applicants with high SAT/ACT scores, high grades and seemly perfect applications, personal statements and the perfect story to be rejected or deferred to the regular decision pool!

Here are some early decision and early action notification dates for Ivy League and highly selective colleges and universities:

  • Barnard College:  December 14
  • Boston College:  December 3 (ED I)
  • Boston University:  December 15
  • Brown University:  Mid-December
  • Cal Tech:  Mid-December
  • Carnegie Mellon University:  December 12
  • Columbia University:  December 15
  • Cornell University:  December 17
  • Dartmouth College:  Mid-December
  • Duke University:  Mid-December
  • Georgetown University:  December 15
  • Hamilton College:  December 15
  • Harvard University:  Mid-December
  • Johns Hopkins University:  December 11
  • MIT:  Mid-December
  • New York University:  December 15
  • Northwestern University:  December 15
  • Princeton University:  April 1 2021
  • Stanford University:  December 11
  • Swarthmore College:  Mid-December
  • Tufts University:  Mid-December
  • University of Chicago: Mid-December
  • University of Michigan:  January 2021 TBD
  • University of Notre Dame: December 16
  • University of Pennsylvania:  Mid-December
  • Villanova University: December 15
  • Yale University:  December 16

“Being different and understanding differences allow me to help our clients stand out and be accepted!” – Dr. Paul Lowe

“Admissions is a competitive sport!  Why gamble with uncertainty?” – Dr. Paul Lowe

“Parents hire us because they choose to pay an admissions expert who will help them avoid making mistakes.” – Dr. Paul Lowe

Dr. Paul Reginald Lowe, founder and managing director of Pinnacle Educational Center Admissions Advisors Group, provides comprehensive counseling advice, exclusively for admissions to top private schools; Ivy League and highly-selective colleges/universities; BS/MD programs; graduate and medical schools and top visual and performing arts programs.   The admissions affiliate: Ivy League Admissions Advisors specializes in admissions to Ivy League and highly selective colleges,  Dr. Lowe also specializes in helping students who have been wait-listed, deferred or rejected gain admission into their top-choice schools: College Application Rejected. and student who wish to transfer to another college:  College Transfer Admissions Advisors.  For colleges and universities that recommend or require videos: College Admissions Video Productions.

College Admissions: What Do Admissions Officers Look For?

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~ drpaulloweadmissionsexpert

Parents always ask me: What do admissions officers look for?

We tend to think that college admissions officer/committees focus primarily on the tangible factors that are measurable and quantifiable: grades, standardized test scores, (SAT and ACT) and subject tests (AP and IB) and extracurricular activities: “saving the world”, tutoring and volunteering to help the underprivileged.

The reality is that their emotions, feelings (and biases) and value judgement play a significant role in admissions decision.

Based on my professional experience and continually visiting colleges, and discussions with directors of admissions, there are other factors (and their interrelationships) which we have identified and understand that are just as important to help our clients gain admissions to Ivy League and highly selective colleges and universities and direct BS/MD programs:

  • College application presentation
  • Personal Statement
  • Supplemental essays
  • Collective interrelationship of all essays
  • WOW Factor
  • Attitude
  • Likability
  • Etiquette
  • Character
  • Grit/Challenge
  • Confidence
  • Charisma
  • Sense of self
  • Sense of others
  • Sense of surroundings
  • Interactions
  • Engagement
  • Unsaid
  • Conversational Intelligence
  • Cadence
  • Transparency
  • Civic Engagement
  • Cultural Intelligence
  • Cultural Agility
  • Emotional Intelligence
  • Originality
  • Uniqueness
  • Diversity/Inclusion
  • Family background
  • Comparative Student Profile Analysis

Year after year, I hear the horror stories from parents whose kids got in nowhere because they thought the college admissions race was just about grades, SAT scores, their perceived  ‘unique’ applications, generic essays and perfect connections.” 

Ivy League and highly selective colleges use a holistic approach and review process and a committee review approach process when evaluating applicants for admission.  That means admission to these colleges is not based on a simple formula of grades and test scores and what may parents may believe.  Instead, admissions officers/committees (with diverse backgrounds, cultures, ethnicities and perceptions) consider a variety of factors: the student’s academic record, extracurricular interests, intellectual achievements and personal background  and what I call “PERSONAL VIBE” to decide who will be rejected or accepted.

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“Being different and understanding differences allow me to help our clients stand out and be accepted!” – Dr. Paul Lowe

“Admissions is a competitive sport!  Why gamble with uncertainty?” – Dr. Paul Lowe

“Parents hire us because they chose to pay an admissions expert who will help them avoid making mistakes.” – Dr. Paul Lowe

“We provide our clients access to our specialized knowledge!” – Dr. Paul Lowe

Dr. Paul Reginald Lowe, founder and managing director of Pinnacle Educational Center Admissions Advisors Group, provides comprehensive counseling advice, exclusively for admissions to top private schools; Ivy League and highly-selective colleges/universities; BS/MD programs; graduate and medical schools and top visual and performing arts programs.   The admissions affiliate: Ivy League Admissions Advisors specializes in admissions to Ivy League and highly selective colleges,  Dr. Lowe also specializes in helping students who have been wait-listed, deferred or rejected gain admission into their top-choice schools: College Application Rejected. and student who wish to transfer to another college:  College Transfer Admissions Advisors.