This or That: The Admissions Questions Everyone Asks (Part One)
If you’re applying to law school or medical school, chances are your group chats, late-night Google searches, and advisor meetings all circle the same questions:
Does a big-name recommendation matter more than someone who knows me?
Should I take a gap year — or is that a red flag?
Do I need a post-bacc or master’s to “fix” my GPA?
Am I being unrealistic about MD vs. DO?
Did I pick the wrong major?
The hardest part isn’t a lack of information, it’s that much of what’s out there is incomplete, outdated, or quietly misleading.
Admissions decisions aren’t made the way most applicants imagine. And what schools emphasize publicly often leaves out the nuance that actually determines outcomes.
Below, we break down the questions we hear every single day from premed and prelaw students — and give the honest answers that help applicants stop spiraling, start prioritizing, and build applications that make sense on paper and in real life.
Big-Name Letters vs. People Who Actually Know You
A letter from a famous professor, judge, or physician looks impressive, until admissions committees start reading it.
What they’re really looking for?
Specific stories
Concrete observations
Evidence of growth, character, and readiness
A generic, glowing letter from a big name who barely knows you will always lose to a detailed, thoughtful letter from someone who can speak to how you think, work, and show up under pressure.
Admissions readers can tell the difference instantly. Choose depth over prestige.
Gap Years: Helpful, Unnecessary, or Inevitable?
Gap years are not inherently good or bad — they’recontextual.
They help when:
You need academic repair or skill-building
You lack meaningful experience or clarity
You need time to strengthen your narrative
They’re unnecessary when:
You’re academically strong
You know your “why”
Your application is already cohesive
And sometimes, they’re inevitable, because life happens, timelines shift, and readiness matters more than speed.
A gap year isn’t a failure. But taking one without a strategy won’t magically improve your application either.
Post-Baccs, Master’s Programs, and the GPA Myth
This is one of the biggest misconceptions we see.
Post-bacc and master’s programs do not erase your undergraduate GPA. Admissions committees will always see the full academic record.
These programs can help if:
They directly address an academic concern
They show sustained, high-level performance
They align clearly with your goals
But they are not a reset button. Without a clear reason and plan, they can add time, debt, and frustration without changing outcomes.
MD vs. DO: Being Realistic Without Selling Yourself Short
This is not about “backup plans.”
MD and DO pathways both produce excellent physicians, but they differ in philosophy, training emphasis, and competitiveness.
The key questions aren’t:
“Which one is easier?”
“Which one looks better?”
They’re:
Where does my profile alignright now?
What environments will help me thrive?
How can I apply strategically across pathways without undermining my confidence or narrative?
You can be ambitious and realistic at the same time.
Choosing a Major You Actually Like (Yes, Really)
Law schools don’t care what you majored in.
Med schools don’t either — as long as you complete the prerequisites.
What they do care about:
Academic performance
Intellectual engagement
Your ability to explain why your path makes sense
Choosing a major you enjoy often leads to a stronger GPA, deeper involvement, and a more authentic story — which matters far more than checking an imaginary box.
Personal Statements: Why One Moment Beats a Lifetime Résumé
This might be the hardest truth of all.
Your personal statement is not your résumé in paragraph form.
Admissions committees aren’t looking for:
Everything you’ve ever done
Every award you’ve earned
A complete autobiography
They’re looking for one moment (or a small set of connected moments) that reveals how you think, what you value, and why this path makes sense now.
Clarity beats coverage. Insight beats quantity. Always.
Want Help Applying This toYour Situation?
If reading this sparked clarityanda few new questions, that’s normal. Most students don’t struggle because they’re unqualified. They struggle because they don’t know what actually deserves their time and energy.
At GradMissions, we support students at two different levels, depending on what they need right now:
Admissions Accelerator
Best for students who want clarity and direction. This includes a 60–minute intensive strategy session where we assess your profile, answer your biggest “this or that” questions, and map out next steps, plus a month of follow-up email support so you’re not left guessing.
Curated Application Experience
Designed for students who want full, hands-on guidance. We work with you weekly, one-on-one, through every part of the process, from school selection and positioning to personal statements, secondaries, interviews, and even your transition into your first semester of law or medical school.
There’s no single right timeline, and no single right level of support. What matters is choosing the path that fitswhere you are now, not where you think you “should” be.
If you’re unsure which option makes sense, that’s exactly what we’re here for. Book a free 20-minute strategy call with us today (parents and partners are welcome, too). We can't wait to work with you!
