As students fill out their college and BS/MD applications, they work meticulously on them to do everything right and impress the admissions offices and committees. However, as prospective students are trying to make their applications perfect, they may overlook certain aspects of their profiles, admission journeys and applications which could lead to rejections.

In the hypercompetitive BS/MD Admissions universe, having perfect grades, high SAT/ACT scores, while doing research and shadowing may help, but it won’t necessarily increase your chances to have a spot at BS/MD programs. I receive calls and emails from parents who really believe and want to confirm that they have done the right things the right way and haven taken all the steps to ensure that their children have a shot at BS/MD programs. They are usually mistaken!

I discover that they have made bad assumptions and egregious mistakes when they call me later that their children were: (1) Rejected from all BS/MD programs as well as Ivy League and highly selective colleges and universities, (2) They were invited for BS/MD interviews but were later rejected. (3) They call us in the fall as their child is entering a super-safety school (because they were rejected from all, but that school).

Three examples (they were not my clients) last year: (1) A valedictorian who applied to 19 schools (Ivy and BS/MD programs) and 2 safety schools was accepted to only 2 schools – her safety schools and now attends a safety. Result: Parents have now hired us for college admissions transfer. (2) A student (I must say here from Texas area) whose parents thought that she was a shoo-in to BS/MD programs, was rejected from all BS/MD programs and all colleges and decided to take a gap year! (3) A student applying to BS/MD programs – parents assured us that he shadowed with top physicians and had published. However, upon review of “Why Doctor” essays AND interviews major errors were found. The student was rejected from all BS/MD programs! In addition, the student was also rejected from Ivy League and highly selective schools because there were major errors on his Common Application!

Here are 30 ways how high school students and BS/MD applicants (and their parents) cause their own rejections!

1. Follow what other students did the previous year.
2. Follow advice from online platforms.
3. Read books with obsolete advice.
4. Hire an educational consultant who has no experience in BS/MD admissions.
5. Assume that because you have great standardized test scores you have great shot.
6. Assume that your school college counselor understands the nuances of BS/MD programs and medical school admissions.
7. Hire multiple educational consultants in an attempt to get the lowest price.
8. Have your parents or relatives write your Common Application and BS/MD supplemental essays.
9. Your Common Application, essays, letters of recommendations and profile are disconnected.
10. Your high school college counselor and/or teachers were unsupportive or did not write a strong letter of recommendation.
11. Your applications are vague and generic.
12. Your supplemental essays are disjointed and don’t answer the questions.
13. Your application sounds just like ones on the internet (and therefore everyone else).
14. You assume that admissions officers will not find errors in your application and narrative.
15. You made mistakes during the undergraduate interview.
16. You made mistakes during the alumnus/a interview
17. You made mistakes during the medical school interview.
18. You assume that other students in your class are not applying to BS/MD programs.
19. You assume that the narrative you and/or your parents created will be believable by admissions officers.
20. Your “Why Doctor Essay” was filled with why you can’t be a doctor or should not be a doctor.
21. Your “connections” actually are the reasons why you will be rejected.
22. You assume that because your parent or parents are physicians that they understand BS/MD admissions.
23. You assume that you can game BS/MD admissions.
24. You assume that there is no bias in college admissions.
25. You assume that by talking with a student who is currently enrolled in a BS/MD program that you are in!
26. You make mistakes involving etiquette, manners and attitude.
27. You assume that winning multiple awards will get you in.
28. You lack meaningful extracurricular activities.
29. You underestimate consequences of the closings of BS/MD programs.
30. You decide not to hire an expert with years of experience, contacts and proven acceptance rates – A BS/MD Admissions Guru because you believe it’s not worth it!

Congratulations! After following all the steps, you (or your parents) will be instrumental in causing your rejection from BS/MD programs as well as Ivy League colleges and universities and colleges with excellent pre-med programs.

Many parents gamble on their children’s futures. They underestimate the risks that will lead to rejections and overestimate the chances of success using antiquated generic strategies.

After years of preparation, intense studying, taking all those AP courses, hours of shadowing, writing papers (possibly publishing), violin recitals, dance competitions, team sports, volunteering, traveling, visiting hundreds of “how-to websites” and your parents saying that you wanted to be a doctor since you were 5 years old – you use one or several or all the above steps and are outright rejected! My questions are always: Why would you? How could you? What were you thinking? The reason or answer to these questions: Students (and parents) actually believe that they know more than BS/MD Admissions Guru!

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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. As a result of his continuous clients’ acceptances into BS/MD programs, his clients have considered him: BS/MD Admissions Guru.

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 highly competitive and thus desire help from an admissions expert. They appreciate the value and investment in paying for expert advice consisting of 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. Parents who chose to use our services want to call their son or daughter – “Doctor” when they are seniors in high school.