5 Things to Do in May to Set Yourself Up for Med or Law School Application Success

If you're planning to apply to medical or law school in the upcoming cycle, May is more than just the end of the semester—it's a golden opportunity to get organized, start early, and reduce your stress later on.

At GradMissions, we know firsthand how overwhelming this process can feel, especially when you're juggling finals, jobs, and life. That's why we encourage our students to break the process into manageable pieces, starting with these five key actions you can take this month:

1. Line Up Your Letters of Recommendation

Reach out to professors, research advisors, or supervisors now, while your performance is fresh in their minds. Don’t wait until the summer when everyone’s checked out or hard to reach. Be clear, courteous, and give them ample time—along with any helpful materials like your résumé or a brief reminder of your work together. We help our clients figure out the best three letter writers (hint: the letter does not have to come from a "big name" to have a big impact).

2. Start Brainstorming Your Personal Statement

Your personal statement is one of the most important parts of your application—and it’s also the hardest to write under pressure. Use May to reflect on your story: Why do you want to pursue this field? What moments shaped your path? This is your chance to show depth, motivation, and authenticity. Drafting early gives you time to revise meaningfully, not frantically.

GradMissions is thrilled to offer a Personal Statement Workshop to help you go from feeling stuck (and second guessing every word) to having a clear, structured plan that makes your statement stand out...in just 30 minutes. You can learn more and register here. 

3. Think About Addenda

If there are aspects of your academic record or personal history that need additional context, such as a GPA dip, a leave of absence, or a test score discrepancy—an addendum is your opportunity to explain. May is a great time to jot down your thoughts and begin framing these statements with clarity and professionalism. 

4. Keep Studying for the MCAT or LSAT

If you’re taking a standardized test this summer, stay on track with your study schedule. Don’t let May’s chaos knock you off course. This is a key month to solidify core content and build endurance. Future you will thank you when test day rolls around. 

Many of our clients find the help of a tutor or a small study group helps raise their scores (and future scholarship money) tremendously. Let us know if you'd like us to email specific resources to you!

5. Get Support from GradMissions

You don’t have to do this alone. At GradMissions, we help students tackle the entire application process in manageable pieces—from timelines and test planning to personal statement coaching and interview prep. Our approach helps you stay grounded, confident, and in control of your narrative.

Ready to get started?

Book a free 20-minute strategy session with us. Whether you're a freshman thinking ahead or a senior gearing up to submit, we’ll meet you where you are and help you take the next right step. We can't wait to work with you!