All Access: Med School Admissions

In this episode, we dive into a topic that admissions officers and student affairs deans across the country are talking about behind closed doors: executive functioning. Incredibly talented, high-achieving pre-meds and accepted students are sometimes dropping the ball on important administrative details, missing deadlines, ignoring instructions, and struggling with personal management and it can get in the way of success!
To help us make sense of this, I'm joined by Dr. Tori Cordiano, a licensed clinical psychologist, speaker, and writer specializing in executive functioning, anxiety, ADHD, and youth development. Recommended directly by her colleague Dr. Lisa Damour, Dr. Cordiano breaks down what executive functioning actually is, why smart students struggle with it, and how you can build robust self-management systems before stepping foot into medical school.
Resources Mentioned:
Dr. Tori Cordiano's Website & Newsletter: https://www.drtoricordiano.com/ 

Dr. Cordiano's Parent Course on Executive Functioning: https://www.drtoricordiano.com/virtual-courses 

Dr. Lisa Damour's Podcast (Ask Lisa): Check out the Season Kickoff episode 288 featuring Dr. Tori Cordiano on executive functioning in teens: https://drlisadamour.com/resource/series/ask-lisa-podcast/ 

Executive Functioning Resources:
Versteeg, M., et al. (2021). What Were You Thinking? Medical Students' Metacognition and Perceptions of Self-Regulated Learning. Teaching and Learning in Medicine, 33(5), 473–482.
Jain, A., Prakash, K., & Malhotra, A. S. (2025). Transitioning to medical school: The intersection of mental health and time management. Journal of Neurosciences in Rural Practice, 16(4), 557-564.
Hong, W. H., et al. (2015). Thinking about thinking: changes in first-year medical students' metacognition and its relation to performance. Medical education online, 20(1).

Baars, M. A., Nije Bijvank, M., Tonnaer, G. H., & Jolles, J. (2015). Self-report measures of executive functioning are a determinant of academic performance in first-year students at a university of applied sciences. Frontiers in psychology, 6, 1131.

The Smart but Scattered Guide to Success (Dawson & Guare)

In this episode, host, Christian Essman, welcomes Dr. Brian Steele, the inaugural Associate Dean for Admissions at the University of Georgia (UGA) School of Medicine. Together, they explore the birth of Georgia's newest medical school - the 159th MD-accredited institution in the U.S., a fitting tribute to the 159 counties it was built to serve.
Dr. Steele discusses the school's mission-driven approach to addressing Georgia's healthcare crisis, particularly in rural and underserved areas. You'll get an exclusive look at their innovative "Georgia Road Trip" orientation, where students travel across the state to experience the diverse communities they will one day serve before they ever step foot in a classroom.
If you find this podcast to be a helpful resource, RATE, REVIEW, FOLLOW, & SUBSCRIBE please! It helps others find it! Also, please share this with your friends!
Send me your recommendations for future medical schools that you'd like to hear featured! Send it to: allaccess@case.edu 
Visit our website for more information on this episode and others. https://linktr.ee/allaccessmedschool
This podcast is hosted, edited, and produced by: Christian Essman
UPCOMING INFO SESSIONS:
CWRU SOM Application Tips & Insights - May 20, 2026: Register Here
AAMC Virtual Fair - June 3 & 4, 2026: https://virtualfairs.aamc.org/Fair/UpcomingFairs
RESOURCES: 
UGA School of Medicine: https://medicine.uga.edu/
Admissions: https://medicine.uga.edu/future-students/admissions/
Contact: medadmissions@uga.edu

In this episode, host Christian Essman sits down with Dr. Wendy Jackson, Associate Dean for Admissions at the University of Kentucky (UK) College of Medicine. Together, we dive into the unique "Kentucky Integrated Curriculum" that blends foundational science with clinical training from day one, and explore the school's innovative multi-campus system that spans the Commonwealth.
Dr. Jackson shares her own inspiring journey as a first-generation student and UKCOM alumna, talking candidly about her path from rural Ohio to leading admissions at the institution that shaped her career. You'll get the inside scoop on the distinct cultures of the four UK campuses: Lexington, Morehead, Bowling Green, and Northern Kentucky - and how the school's unique house system is organized into groups named after breeds of horses which fosters a collaborative, supportive environment across all four years.
If you're a prospective applicant, you'll hear valuable advice on the admissions process, including how to navigate campus selection on the secondary application, the importance of demonstrating a genuine "Kentucky tie," and what the committee looks for in high-quality clinical and shadowing experiences. Dr. Jackson also provides a behind-the-scenes look at their in-person interview day and how they review applications to find students committed to bridging healthcare gaps in rural and underserved populations.
Tune in for an insightful conversation about the "hidden gem" of Kentucky, rethinking the medical school playbook, and what it means to train physicians who are as personable and resilient as they are clinically skilled.
Perfect for aspiring med students, first-generation applicants, or anyone curious about how a top-tier state institution balances elite medical training with a deep-rooted mission to serve its community!
If you find this podcast to be a helpful resource, RATE, REVIEW, FOLLOW, & SUBSCRIBE please! It helps others find it! Also, please share this with your friends!
Send me your recommendations for future medical schools that you'd like to hear featured! Send it to: allaccess@case.edu 
Visit our website for more information on this episode and others. https://linktr.ee/allaccessmedschool
This podcast is hosted, edited, and produced by: Christian Essman
RESOURCES: 
UK College of Medicine: https://medicine.uky.edu/ 
Tour Sign-ups: https://medicine.uky.edu/sites/meded/tours
New Health Education Building: https://provost.uky.edu/michael-d-rankin-md-health-education-building 
Admissions: https://medicine.uky.edu/sites/meded/admissions
Contact: kymedap@uky.edu

For many pre-meds, the USMLE Step exams are a distant, high-stakes mystery. We know they can be the "gatekeeper" to residency, but who actually decides what's on the test - and why is it designed the way it is? In this episode, we're pulling back the curtain on how the "USMLE sausage" gets made. Joining us are Dr. Amanda Clauser (VP of Psychometrics and Data Analysis) and Dr. Dan Jurich (AVP for the USMLE program) from National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME). We dive into the rigorous science of exam design, how the experts ensure fairness and equity, and what it actually takes to build a licensing exam that protects public health while supporting the next generation of doctors.
If you find this podcast to be a helpful resource, RATE, REVIEW, FOLLOW, & SUBSCRIBE please! It helps others find it! Also, please share this with your friends!
Send me your recommendations for future medical schools that you'd like to hear featured! Send it to: allaccess@case.edu
Visit our website for more information on this episode and others. https://linktr.ee/allaccessmedschool
This podcast is hosted, edited, and produced by: Christian Essman
RESOURCES: 
USMLE 
NBME

In this episode, host Christian Essman sits down with Dan Kallenberger, Assistant Dean for Recruitment, Admissions, and Whole Health Initiation at the brand new Alice L. Walton School of Medicine (AWSOM) in Bentonville, Arkansas. Together, they dive into what makes AWSOM stand out—from its innovative, art- and humanities-integrated curriculum and unique whole health approach, to the striking, state-of-the-art building that literally features a rooftop park and garden.
Dan shares his journey in setting up another new medical school and talks candidly about making the move to Northwest Arkansas, revealing the hidden perks of the area, from the lively food and arts scene to abundant outdoor activities. You'll get the inside scoop on AWSOM's mission to serve rural and underserved communities, their hands-on curriculum focused on collaboration over competition, and robust student support services.
If you're a prospective applicant, you'll hear valuable advice on the admissions process—including what makes an applicant stand out, tips for interviews, choosing effective letter writers for recommendations, insight into MCAT and prerequisite expectations, and what holistic review really means at this innovative institution.
Tune in for an "awesome" conversation about building a medical school from the ground up, rethinking medical education, and what it means to create a compassionate, community-centered culture for future physicians.
Perfect for aspiring med students, pre-health advisors, or anyone curious about what it takes to launch a new medical school and apply with purpose!
If you find this podcast to be a helpful resource, RATE, REVIEW, FOLLOW, & SUBSCRIBE please! It helps others find it! Also, please share this with your friends!
Send me your recommendations for future medical schools that you'd like to hear featured! Send it to: allaccess@case.edu
Visit our website for more information on this episode and others. https://linktr.ee/allaccessmedschool
This podcast is hosted, edited, and produced by: Christian Essman
RESOURCES: 
AAMC Virtual Fair - October 29 & 30, 2025 Registration 
https://www.alwmedschool.org/
 
YouTube
 
ARCHES Curriculum
CONTACT: 
admissions@alwmed.org 
TIMESTAMPS: 
00:00 Medical School Recruitment Leader Dan
10:18 "Choosing Warmer Opportunities"
15:06 "Arches Curriculum Overview"
16:53 Engaged, Interactive Learning Approach
26:51 Community Engagement and Service Initiative
29:08 New Med School Growth Journey
38:38 Aligning Applicants with School Values
39:36 Holistic Medical School Admissions Criteria
48:33 Unexpected Benefit of Seeking Help
55:09 Reapplicants: Focus on Self-Reflection and Progress
57:47 Reflective Reapplication: Lessons Learned
01:03:23 Interview Day: Mutual Evaluation Focus
01:08:23 Preparing for Interview Day
01:16:50 Subscribe, Review, Share: Podcast Growth