Dr. Paul Lowe Discusses Fairfax County Public High Schools-Virginia and BS/MD Admissions (2024)

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February 28, 2024 ~ drpaulloweadmissionsexpert

Fairfax County Public High Schools (Virginia) comprise 28 high schools. Over the past 5 years, MANY parents of high school students have contacted us regarding our college and BS/MD admissions advisory services. Dr. Paul Lowe and his team have worked with students from:

Chantilly High School
Langley High School
Madison High School
Marshall High School
Oakton High School
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
West Springfield High School
W.T. Woodson High School

Despite the fact that they are all excellent high schools, MANY parents contact Dr. Lowe because they mentioned that because of the size of the school, school counselors are either unable to provide continuous weekly or biweekly individualized college and/or BS/MD admissions services to each student. The senior class size for some of these high schools exceed 600 students.

Unlike other educational consulting firms, where clients are assigned to different employees or consultants, Dr. Lowe, as lead consultant/admissions advisor, personally works with each of his clients so that they directly benefit from his expertise, experience, contacts and the collective knowledge of his educational team.

Dr. Lowe’s exclusivity allows him to provide individualized attention, commitment and principal availability to each client. Track record – 28 years of client acceptances to BS/MD programs and Ivy League colleges/universities.

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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.

Congratulations to Our Clients -Albany Medical College Applications Notifications

December 10, 2023 ~ drpaulloweadmissionsexpert

Congratulations to our clients who have received secondary applications from Albany Medical College!

What does this mean regarding the Application Process: Rensselaer reviewed their Common Applications (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute/Albany Medical College – Accelerated Physician-Scientist Combined BS/MD Program) and now has referred them, as qualified students, to Albany Medical College (AMC), which will then review the secondary applications and reach out to certain students for an interview (in January, February, or March).

From that pool of students, AMC will make offers of admission to the program. The application process is lengthy and notification begins in early April.

For our clients in this highly selective process, it’s one step closer to being accepted into a top direct combined BS/MD program and the goal of becoming a medical doctor!

Supreme Court Ruling’s Effect on Ivy League and BS/MD Admissions

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August 1, 2023August 4, 2023 ~ drpaulloweadmissionsexpert

For almost 27 years, I have been writing about the changes and nuances in college admissions.

The Supreme Court’s ruling against Harvard University and University of North Carolina could lead to an admissions system that is even more subjective and mysterious, as colleges try to follow the law but also admit a diverse class of students. The Ivy League colleges and universities and BS/MD programs are aware that a diverse class leads the enhanced learning for alumni and future medical doctors.

Officials at some selective institutions have predicted that there would be less emphasis on standardized metrics like test scores and class rank, and more emphasis on personal qualities, told through recommendations and the application essay — the opposite of what many opponents of affirmative action had hoped for.

It would be nearly impossible, however, to eliminate any mention or suggestion of race in the admissions process — starting with applicants’ names. What is certain is that admissions committees can surmise in many cases based on years of reviewing applications and technology, an applicant’s race, cultural background and socio-economic caste.

Additionally, “Landscape”, developed by the College Board, is a tool meant to help admissions offices go beyond test scores and GPAs and considers what applicant have achieved in the context of where they’ve learned and lived.

Another factor (caused indirectly by SCOTUS) that will affect admissions – review of legacy admissions. Applicants whose siblings were admitted will now face admissions committees that will not factor in the legacy component.

What do the above changes mean for the college admissions environment for high school classes: 2024, 2025 and 2026?

My firm, in predicting the outcome, has already developed strategies and an admissions network and contacts to further increase our clients’ chances of admissions!…If you believe that your child’s chances will not be affected by the SCOTUS decision, think again! We have had meetings with BS/MD program and Ivy League admissions officers and understand how the decision will affect student applications!

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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. Ivy League Admissions Advisors specializes in admissions to Ivy League and highly selective colleges. BS/MD Admissions Advisors specializes in admissions to top BS/MD programs – Brown PLME, UPitts, RPI/AMC, Rochester – REMS, etc. 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.

National Association for College Admissions Counseling -School Counselors Caseloads

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July 25, 2023July 25, 2023 ~ drpaulloweadmissionsexpert

NEW National Association for College Admission Counseling – State of College Admission 2023 Data Release – School Counseling: Caseloads and Responsibilities indicate the following:

(1) During the 2021-22 academic year, each public school counselor was responsible for overseeing 405 students, on average, which exceeds the 250-to-1 maximum ratio recommended by the American School Counselor Association.

(2) School counselors at public schools spend 26% (at private schools: 51%) of their time on post-secondary (college admissions) counseling.

Over the past 27 years, my team and I have complemented the college admissions tasks of school counselors and, at times, worked collaboratively with them to help our clients gain admissions into Ivy League and highly selective colleges and universities and BS/MD programs!

It’s a WIN-WIN for students (our clients – international and U.S.) and their school counselors!

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It’s Possible to Get Accepted Into BS/MD Programs If You Don’t Have Perfect Grades or SAT Scores

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November 9, 2022November 9, 2022 ~ drpaulloweadmissionsexpert

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Each year, Dr. Paul Lowe, BS/MD Admissions Guru works with four or five clients that don’t have perfect transcripts. They may have a couple B’s and even C’s. Last year, Dr. Lowe worked with five clients whose GPA weighted were below 3.5 and their SATs were below 1500 and they were accepted to BS/MD programs. Here are stats on one client: Female. South Asian descent (Indian American). Texas. GPA: 3.5 weighted. SAT scores: 1420. Result: She was admitted to two BS/MD programs.

So, what happened? How was she selected over other students who had nearly perfect SAT’s, high GPAs and shadowed multiple doctors and lots of community service? In her high school, the valedictorian, salutatorian and top 5 other students were rejected from all BS/MD programs and Ivies and several highly selective universities.

BS/MD programs are not seeking just extraordinary students or superstars. They are seeking students who are going to be great doctors. They are not seeking students who sound like everyone else! They value individuals with desirable characteristics in addition to your goals and achievements.

BS/MD program admissions officers evaluate applications with a fine-tooth comb which means that your entire student profile (freshman year to senior year) is reviewed. They seek to know your originality, cultural competence, deviations from the perceived norm/traditions, self-definition, honesty, attitude and other character attributes. In short, they seek to know who YOU are.

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Getting into BS/MD programs, however, is not just about who you are (or what your parents perceive that you should be) but about how you effectively tell your story (conveying your character and narrative). What it all comes down to is how you demonstrate your personal qualities, leadership, and commitment to your community through the application. This takes the form of the collective expression of honest and meaningful personal statements and essays, involved extracurricular activities, and descriptive recommendation letters that help the admissions officers determine whether to accept or reject you. High-achieving students (and their parents) tend to mistakenly believe that their scores and grades are enough to win admissions to their desired schools.

While it’s rare for someone with a 3.5 weighted GPA to get into a BS/MD program, it’s not impossible. Dr. Lowe spends weekly Skype sessions in helping his clients develop and demonstrate their personal trademark to admissions officers. While the odds are against you with a weak academic profile, over the years. Dr. Lowe has helped many students with poor GPA’s/grades and low SAT scores get into BS/MD programs.

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By having continuous Weekly Skype/Zoom sessions directly with Dr. Paul Lowe, brainstorming ideas, developing admissions strategies, essay review, and mock interview sessions to develop amazing student profiles, our clients stand out and are accepted into Ivy League and highly selective colleges/universities and BS/MD programs

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Brown University Family Weekend 2022

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October 24, 2022 ~ drpaulloweadmissionsexpert

This past weekend, I was invited by several of my Brown and Brown PLME clients to Brown University Family Weekend! What a great experience to see my clients and their parents enjoying the Brown campus and Thayer Street together!

After two months on the campus, students were happily sharing their lives with their parents, siblings and aunts and uncles! I enjoyed attending the many academic forums, sporting events and the Brown-sponsored evening WaterFire with them.

After all our hard work together, it’s so great to see my clients and their families enjoying my alma mater!

Here are our 2022 Brown PLME results: 12 clients applied. Of the 12, 8 were accepted to PLME. The remaining 4: One accepted to Brown undergrad, 1 accepted to Harvard (also accepted to RPI/AMC), 1 accepted to Yale, and one accepted to Dartmouth (also accepted to GW and NJIT BSMD programs).

Dr. Lowe and his team collectively bring a wealth of admissions experience, along with diverse cultural perspectives that are INVALUABLE to their BS/MD clients! They are skilled in the language and rhythm of college admissions!

Independent Educational Consultants/Admissions Advisors: Dr. Paul Lowe Is Everywhere

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October 22, 2022December 8, 2022 ~ drpaulloweadmissionsexpert

Over the past 23 years, Dr. Lowe and his team of admissions advisors have worked with U.S. and international clients gain admissions to Ivy League and highly selective colleges and universities as well as top BS/MD programs. Our clients’ proven success speaks to our unmatched admissions advisory services! Parents who hire us know that they want RESULTS, not just help! Parents understand that they need INDEPENDENT professional help (private educational consultants/admissions advisors) to navigate the uncertainties and unexpected challenges of the constantly changing admissions landscape): College Admissions Advisors Complement/Augment High School Counselors | High School Guidance Counselors/College Admissions: Big Caseloads and Little Time | The Need for a BS/MD Admissions Advisor Even When You Have a High School Counselor.

Our clients hail from public and private U.S. high schools as well as international schools and homeschools. Obviously, we won’t tell you the names of our clients, but we can tell you which high schools they attend or from which they graduated.

U.S. Private/Boarding Schools (partial list)

American Heritage Schools (FL)
Avenues The World School (NY)
Brookfield Academy (WI)
Brunswick School (CT)
Buckingham Browne & Nichols School (MA)
Cate School (CA)
Cheshire Academy (CT)
Choate Rosemary Hall (CT)
Collegiate School (NY)
Dana Hall School (MA)
Deerfield Academy (MA)
Durham Academy (NC)
Dwight School (NY)
Dwight-Englewood School (NJ)
Garrison Forest School (MD)
Georgetown Day School (DC)
Germantown Friends School (PA)
Greenwich Academy (CT)
Hackley School (NY)
Hamden Hall Country Day School (CT)
Harvard-Westlake School (CA)
Hawai’i Preparatory Academy (HI)
Hopkins School (CT)
Horace Mann School (NY)
Hotchkiss School (CT)
Iolani School (HI)
Lake Forest Academy (IL)
Lawrenceville School (NJ)
Middlesex School (MA)
Noble and Greenough School (MA)
Northfield Mount Hermon (MA)
Pingry School (NJ)
Phillips Andover (MA)
Phillips Exeter (NH)
Ransome Everglades School (FL)
Rye Country Day School (NY)
Sidwell Friends School (DC)
St. Marks School of Texas (TX)
St. Paul’s School (NH)
Taft School (CT)
TASIS Dorado (PR)
Trevor Day School (NY)
The Awty International School (TX)
The Brearley School (NY)
The Chapin School (NY)
The Dalton School (NY)
The Ethel Walker School (CT)
The Frederick Gunn School (CT)
The Hewitt School (NY)
The Hill School (PA)
The Hockaday School (TX)
The Masters School (NY)
The Madeira School (VA)
The Overlake School (WA)
The Shipley School (PA)
The Spence School (NY)
The Thacher School (CA)
The University of Chicago Laboratory Schools (IL)
The Westminster Schools (GA)
Trinity School (NY)
University School of Milwaukee (WI)
Westminster School (CT)
Wichita Collegiate School (KS)
Wilmington Friends School (DE)

U.S. Public High Schools (partial list)

Acton-Boxborough Regional High School (MA)
Advanced Math & Science Academy Charter School (MA)
Amity Regional High School (CT)
Bronx High School of Science (NY)
Bronxville High School (NY)
Chantilly High School (VA)
Darien High School (CT)
Dougherty Valley High School (CA)
Fairfax High School (VA)
Grassfield High School-Governor’s STEM Academy (VA)
Great Neck South High School (NY)
Great Valley High School (PA)
Greenwich High School (CT)
Guilford High School (CT)
Horace Greeley High School (NY)
Interlake High School (WA)
Jericho High School (NY)
Joel Barlow High School (CT)
Lawrence E. Elkins High School (TX)
Lexington High School (MA)
Longmeadow High School (MA)
Lovejoy High School (TX)
Mamaroneck High School (NY)
Manhasset Secondary School (NY)
New Canaan High School (CT)
Newport High School (WA)
New Providence High School (NJ)
New Rochelle High School (NY)
North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (NC)
Northside College Preparatory High School (IL)
Obra D. Tompkins High School (TX)
Plano East Senior High School (TX)
Princeton High School (NJ)
Rye High School (NY)
Roslyn High School (NY)
Scarsdale High School (NY)
School of Science and Engineering Magnet School (TX)
Seven Lakes High School (TX)
Shelton High School (CT)
Signature School (IN)
Staples High School (CT)
Syossett Senior High School (NY)
The Charter School of Wilmington (DE)
Thousand Oaks High School (CA)
Trumbull High School (CT)
Walter Johnson High School (MD)
Walter Payton College Preparatory High School (IL)
Walt Whitman High School (MD)
Westfield High School (NJ)
Westhampton Beach High School (NY)
Weston High School (CT)
Weston High School (MA)
West Windsor-Plainsboro High School North (NJ)
West Windsor-Plainsboro High School South (NJ)
Wilton High School (CT)
Union County Magnet High School (NJ)
University High School of Indiana (IN)

International High Schools (partial list)

Aiglon College (CH) – Switzerland
Akosombo International School (GH)
Ashbury College (ON) – Canada
Collège Alpin International Beau Soleil (CH) – Switzerland
Collège du Léman International School (CH) – Switzerland
Escola Graduada de Sao Paulo (BR)
École Jeannine Manuel (FR)
École Jeannine Manuel (UK)
Eton College (UK)
Ghana International School (GH)
Institut Auf Dem Rosenberg (CH) – Switzerland
Institut Le Rosey (CH) – Switzerland
Lincoln Community School (GH)
Notre-Dame International High School (FR)
Opoku Ware Senior High School (GH)
Ridley College (ON) Canada
St. George’s International School (CH) – Switzerland
St. Paul’s Girls’ School (UK)
TASIS England (UK)
TASIS The American School Switzerland (CH)
The Latymer School (UK)
Westminster School (UK)
Wilson’s School, Sutton (UK)
Wolmers Girls’ School (JM)
Wycombe Abbey School (UK)

Homeschool (Throughout the U.S.)

Consider Dr. Paul Lowe an additional team member, as other parents do, in your child’s journey for successful admissions to an Ivy League and highly selective college or university or BS/MD program!

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Being Different Helps Our Clients Succeed!

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September 28, 2022 ~ drpaulloweadmissionsexpert

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At Pinnacle Educational Center/Admissions Advisors Group, we are UNRIVALED, UNMATCHED and UNPARALLED because we are DIFFERENT!

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We add rhythm and color to our client-student profiles, so they have a competitive admissions advantage and stand out! Ultimately, our clients are accepted into top-choice colleges/universities, BS/MD programs and private/boarding schools! It’s great to be DIFFERENT!

Ivy League Admissions Advisors | Boarding School Admissions Consultants | BS/MD Admissions Advisors | Private School Admissions Advisors

Navigating BS/MD Admissions: A New Playbook

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August 11, 2022 ~ drpaulloweadmissionsexpert

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Parents are facing the challenge of currently navigating the BS/MD admissions landscape. Incorrect decisions as to when, where and how to turn now results in shipwrecks: immediate rejection of their children after their years of planning. One incorrect extracurricular activity, one negative letter of recommendation, one incorrect sentence in an essay, one incorrect answer in an interview and one incorrect non-verbal cue and or perception will result in a REJECTION! It’s that competitive.

There are continuous fundamental shifts and uncertainty in BS/MD admissions. BS/MD programs are not just about high GPA and test scores, 3-5 page resumes, research and hours of shadowing. It’s now about the interrelated narrative of why you wish to be a doctor and how the student profile stands out, as well how it fits your narrative.

From what I have observed, parents are attempting to game the admissions landscape by using antiquated strategies from outdated books or visiting online communities which provide generic information. Even taking advice from last year’s accepted students can result in rejections!

The COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. economy, healthcare inequity, and student demographics and the number of BS/MD programs have changed the admissions landscape and even enrollment/admissions policies and goals at many schools. The recent closing of BS/MD programs is a testament to the changing landscape and will affect BS/MD admissions policies and goals.

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Query: What’s the new playbook?
Query: With factors such as VOLATILITY, UNCERTAINTY, the UNFORESEEN and the UNEXPECTED what are parents to do?
Query: What are parents to do, after spending considerable years of time and money in attempting to secure a future for their child, when they now face sudden changes in the educational and admissions environment years?

ANSWER: Hire a BS/MD admissions advisor who is an expert! We are the NEW PLAYBOOK

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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 gain admissions to BS/MD programs:| BS/MD Admissions Guru | BS/MD Admissions Advisors.

Boston University Seven-Year Liberal Arts/Medical Education (SMED) Program Closes

July 22, 2022July 22, 2022 ~ drpaulloweadmissionsexpert

Effective immediately, Boston University’s Seven-Year Liberal Arts/Medical Education (SMED) Program will no longer accept applications to SMED for fall 2022. The BS/MD program will be formally dissolved by the end of 2022.

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Since the SMED Program will not be accepting applications in 2022, the competition to gain admissions into BS/MD programs will now increase because there will be fewer programs. Direct BS/MD Programs have become increasingly competitive as more and more students are applying!

Now it has become even more competitive as major BS/MD programs have closed and the number slots are dwindling! Over the last 5 years, these programs have also closed:

University of Cincinnati: Connection Dual Admissions Program
Northwestern University: Honors Program in Medical Education (HPME)
Washington University in St. Louis: University Scholars Program in Medicine (USPM)

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. Many of Dr. Lowe’s BS/MD Admissions clients are international students who want to attend medical school from high school and then enter U.S. medical residency sub-specialties.