TikTok, Reddit, Instagram, and other social media platforms are filled with college admissions advice—and some of it is genuinely helpful. But some of it is misleading, outdated, or missing a whole lot of context.

In this episode, we’re tackling some of the biggest college admissions myths we hear from students and parents online and separating what’s actually true from what just sounds convincing on the internet.

We’ll explore:

• “This is the essay that got me into [insert college]!” Why one essay rarely tells the whole admissions story. We’ll talk about holistic admissions, how essays fit into the larger application, and why an essay that worked for one student may not work for another. We’ll also discuss whether students should read sample essays—and how to use them for inspiration without turning them into a roadmap.
• “I saw on Reddit that…” Are interview invitations already gone out? Is a program already full? Does a particular college hate when students talk about a certain topic? We’ll discuss what Reddit and other online communities can be useful for—and why students should always check the date and year when reading admissions information online.
• “My college only lets four students from my high school get in.” Is there really a secret limit on how many students a college will admit from one high school? We’ll explain how colleges evaluate applicants from the same school, the reality behind geographic considerations and quotas, and why having strong students from your high school admitted in previous years may actually be a positive.
• “Colleges want well-rounded students with tons of extracurriculars.” We’ll talk about how the definition of a strong extracurricular profile has evolved, why depth and passion can be more meaningful than collecting activities, and why you don't need to be president of seven clubs to stand out. We’ll also talk about passion projects and how students can demonstrate genuine interests in ways that go beyond a traditional activity list.
• “I earned $1 million in college scholarships!” We’ll break down what those impressive scholarship numbers you see online actually mean—and why students need to look beyond the headline number when evaluating scholarship offers.

Throughout the episode, we’ll come back to one important question:

Do you know that this advice is actually true—or did you just see it on social media?

Because when it comes to college admissions, context matters. What worked for one student, at one school, in one admissions cycle may have nothing to do with what will work for you.

Our biggest advice? Use social media to gather ideas and perspectives—but don't let TikTok or Reddit become your college admissions counselor. Always look for current, reliable information from the college itself, especially when deadlines, policies, and application requirements can change from year to year.

Letters of recommendation can feel like one of the most confusing parts of the college application process. Who should you ask? When should you ask? What should you give your recommender? And once the letter is written, how do you actually get it to each college?

In this episode, we’re breaking down everything students need to know about letters of recommendation, from choosing the right recommenders to making sure their letters successfully reach colleges.

We’ll cover:

• Who to ask and what makes a strong recommender
• When and how to ask for a letter
• What information and materials you should provide your recommender
• Teacher vs. counselor vs. outside recommenders
• How many letters different colleges and programs require
• Where to find each college’s recommendation requirements
• How to add and manage recommenders in the Common App
• How the process differs for Coalition, UC, ApplyTexas, school-specific applications, and application portals
• Whether you can choose which letters are sent to each college
• What recommenders see and how they know when their letter is needed
• What happens when your school uses a third-party letter service
• Whether BS/MD programs have different recommendation requirements
• How to make the process as easy and convenient as possible for your recommender
• How to confirm that your letters have been received
• What to do when a college allows or requests letters outside the application platform
• And, of course, how many letters is too many?

We’ll also answer the questions we’re hearing most often from students—and share practical tips to help you avoid common mistakes.

Bottom line: Your letters of recommendation should be one less thing to stress about during senior year. We’ll show you how to approach the process thoughtfully, strategically, and respectfully—from “Will you write me a letter?” all the way to “Your letter has been received.”

Research is one of the most valuable experiences for students interested in medicine, BS/MD programs, and other healthcare careers—but finding opportunities can feel overwhelming, especially for high school students who don't know where to start.

In this episode, Nicole and Muskan break down the different types of research available to students, how to find opportunities, and what it takes to become a valuable member of a research team. They discuss everything from summer research programs and independent projects to reaching out to professors and physicians for mentorship opportunities.

They also share practical advice on preparing for your first day in a lab or research setting, building professional relationships, taking initiative, and turning a research experience into meaningful growth.

Whether you're hoping to strengthen your college applications, explore a future in medicine, or simply learn more about scientific discovery, this episode will help you navigate the world of research with confidence.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why research is valuable for future healthcare professionals
• Different types of research experiences available to students
• Summer programs that offer research opportunities
• How to contact professors and potential mentors
• What to do before your first day in a lab or research setting
• How to stand out as a student researcher
• Ways to reflect on and maximize your experience