College Plan

[DiscipulusBonus]

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I'm planning to apply to the following schools in 2014 as an undergraduate:

1. WUSTL
2. MIT
3. UChicago
4. Columbia
5. Brown University
6. Rice
7. Cornell
8. Carnegie Mellon MCS
9. NYU
10. University of Michigan Ann Arbor
11. University of Washington/University of Michigan Twin Cities (I will choose one of these two)
12. University of Colorado at Boulder

Right now, I'm thinking I'll apply to WUSTL ED, which will give me a slight admissions boost as well. However, I'm not sure if it's worth it to go to a harder university when I could get a higher GPA at a lower school. Any thoughts on this?

Also, what are your opinions about major choices? Personally, I'd love to major in any of the following fields: biology, mathematics, biomedical engineering, economics (especially at UChicago), psychology. Biology/biomedical engineering are probably my two favorites, but I've heard that Biology majors are "a dime a dozen" and biomedical engineering is only for people with a death-wish for their GPA. Any thoughts?

I know it's a bit early to be thinking about this (and a bit high-aiming as well), but my absolute dream is to attend Mayo Medical School. Does anyone know if they care about school prestige?

Finally, can anyone give me their opinions on pre-medical life at the other schools on my list? Also, are there any other universities that I did not include that I should have? (BTW, I visited Duke and didn't really care for it, and Vanderbilt is a little too close to home, which is really annoying since I'm legacy there.)

 

[bandgeek0295]

As far as schools goes, I'd really just say shoot for a decent state school. If you want to go someplace like Cornell or Columbia, more power to you. Save yourself a whole lot of money and you get to be the big fish in a small pond. As far as your major goes, engineering is definitely a GPA killer for most people. If somethings tickles your fancy, like English or Religious Studies, go for it. Me personally, I'm just going with Biology. I can't speak on any of those schools personally, but I wish you the best of luck.👍

 

[Bernoulli]

I'm planning to apply to the following schools in 2014 as an undergraduate:

1. WUSTL
2. MIT
3. UChicago
4. Columbia
5. Brown University
6. Rice
7. Cornell
8. Carnegie Mellon MCS
9. NYU
10. University of Michigan Ann Arbor
11. University of Washington/University of Michigan Twin Cities (I will choose one of these two)
12. University of Colorado at Boulder

Right now, I'm thinking I'll apply to WUSTL ED, which will give me a slight admissions boost as well. However, I'm not sure if it's worth it to go to a harder university when I could get a higher GPA at a lower school. Any thoughts on this?

Also, what are your opinions about major choices? Personally, I'd love to major in any of the following fields: biology, mathematics, biomedical engineering, economics (especially at UChicago), psychology. Biology/biomedical engineering are probably my two favorites, but I've heard that Biology majors are "a dime a dozen" and biomedical engineering is only for people with a death-wish for their GPA. Any thoughts?

I know it's a bit early to be thinking about this (and a bit high-aiming as well), but my absolute dream is to attend Mayo Medical School. Does anyone know if they care about school prestige?

Finally, can anyone give me their opinions on pre-medical life at the other schools on my list? Also, are there any other universities that I did not include that I should have? (BTW, I visited Duke and didn't really care for it, and Vanderbilt is a little too close to home, which is really annoying since I'm legacy there.)

Avoid engineering unless you absolutely have to do it. I'm not saying you can't do it, but you will be making pre-med even more difficult than it already is if you do. It is great to have a good back-up plan like engineering, but unfortunately engineering typically becomes the plan due to the inability to keep a high GPA in it.

EDIT: Here's some of the best advice I've ever seen on this website. I saved it because I was in the same dilemma as the OP and it really helped me out:

"Major in the subject you enjoy AND have the best chance at a high GPA. If that is Art History, major in Art History. If you would enjoy engineering but worry it will tank your GPA, well either decide now to be an engineer instead of a doctor or don't major in engineering. Maybe you will pull through without a problem, but if you were that confident that you will, you wouldn't be posting this thread.

It would be much better to have to return to get a second degree in engineering as a backup after not ultimately going to med school than it would be to HAVE to accept your backup career because your GPA destroyed your chances at your first choice career...."

 

[YankeesMD]

http://gothamist.com/2010/03/17/cornell_reclaims_suicide_school_repuation_from_nyu.php

Just something to think about...

Anyways, your list seems way too top-heavy. I don't know your stats but schools 9-12 are the only ones that can really be safe bets and possibly not mich if you're out of state. I also don't know your family situation, but I noticed you listed all top-tier private and out of state public schools (I'm assuming you live near Tennessee since you said you're close to Vandy), which would be the most expensive route. It might not be a bad a idea to look for some lower-ranking private schools where you qualify for merit awards and honors programs. Some of them have really nice benefits that help when being pre-med.


Also, 90% of the people on here will yell at you for even thinking about majoring in engineering. I personally don't think it's a bad idea if you can handle the math.

 

[survivordo]

I say go to your state school on the cheap and rock it. Your monster GPA will outweigh any "loss of prestige" you may encounter.

Survivor DO

 

[Bernoulli]

http://gothamist.com/2010/03/17/cornell_reclaims_suicide_school_repuation_from_nyu.php

Just something to think about...

Anyways, your list seems way too top-heavy. I don't know your stats but schools 9-12 are the only ones that can really be safe bets and possibly not mich if you're out of state. I also don't know your family situation, but I noticed you listed all top-tier private and out of state public schools (I'm assuming you live near Tennessee since you said you're close to Vandy), which would be the most expensive route. It might not be a bad a idea to look for some lower-ranking private schools where you qualify for merit awards and honors programs. Some of them have really nice benefits that help when being pre-med.


Also, 90% of the people on here will yell at you for even thinking about majoring in engineering. I personally don't think it's a bad idea if you can handle the math.

The math isn't the problem; it is the workload. I was in Electrical Engineering for two years. First year is math heavy and weeds most out, but after that it is just problem set after problem set. The math isn't hard, the problems are just extremely time consuming. It isn't uncommon for one problem set to take several days (and sometimes help from other people) to complete. With the workload, the difficulty, and test averages in the 50-60 range, it is hard to keep a high GPA.

 

[YankeesMD]

The math isn't the problem; it is the workload. I was in Electrical Engineering for two years. First year is math heavy and weeds most out, but after that it is just problem set after problem set. The math isn't hard, the problems are just extremely time consuming. It isn't uncommon for one problem set to take several days (and sometimes help from other people) to complete. With the workload, the difficulty, and test averages in the 50-60 range, it is hard to keep a high GPA.

With electrical that's understandable, especially since there's very little overlap with the pre-med pre-reqs. But with biomedical there's a lot more overlap with the pre-med track and it does help with the workload. But like you said, I've heard after you get past classes like Calc II and lower level engineering classes it gets easier from there as you get more used to thinking like an engineer. Personally I like my chances of getting a higher GPA in something that's more difficult but that I enjoy learning more than something like just normal Biology that I feel I would find boring. But I start college this upcoming fall semester so we'll see.

 

[DiscipulusBonus]

Thanks for all your responses! This is my first day on SDN, but it seems like a really helpful site! 😀

Some responses...

I really don't care that much about undergraduate tuition. My parents will pay for it, and they have the resources to do so.

Also, I really, really, really don't want to go to a school here. My state school has subpar academics, and it's just close enough for neurotic parents and relatives to visit whenever they feel like it. I might be OK with something like UW, UMN, or UMich, but I'm not a big fan of UNC Chapel Hill.

Do you know of any good colleges that are in-between my 1-8 and 9-12? I had thought about Reed College, but I don't know much about it. Can you think of any other good choices?


It's a shame to hear all of the discouraging advice about BME...it really sounds interesting. Mathematically, I think I could handle the work, since I've always been advanced in math (I'll be taking Multivariable calculus/Linear Algebra next year as a junior.). I don't know if it's relevant, but it also seems that BME majors have higher MCAT scores.

Can anyone who's been to WUSTL describe how hard it is to maintain a 4.0 GPA? In high school (even though I'm home-schooled, I have taken various classes at tutorials and online), I've had some teachers who hand out A's in AP subjects even if you miss a few things, but I've also had teachers who give a C if the assignment is complete, and only give a B to students who went above and beyond the assignment, and only gave an A to the student who went above and beyond that. Fortunately, I've managed to maintain a 4.0 UW, but how inflated/deflated is WUSTL?

 

[YankeesMD]

Do you know of any good colleges that are in-between my 1-8 and 9-12? I had thought about Reed College, but I don't know much about it. Can you think of any other good choices?

Really depends on what you want in a school and your stats. (Size, location, rural vs. urban, small LAC vs. large research type school, good school spirit, etc.) All you've told us so far is that you (based on your opinion) have the stats for top 20 schools and don't want to stay near NC, so it's hard to give suggestions on schools.

It's a shame to hear all of the discouraging advice about BME...it really sounds interesting. Mathematically, I think I could handle the work, since I've always been advanced in math (I'll be taking Multivariable calculus/Linear Algebra next year as a junior.). I don't know if it's relevant, but it also seems that BME majors have higher MCAT scores.

Like I said, people on here will steer you away from engineering based on the stigma that it has for having lower GPAs. I'm personally going to at least try it and based on your success in math I recommend that you at least try it also.

Studying what you like > Studying for a GPA, but with that said you have to be smart about it. If you have <3.0 in engineering chances are you won't be very successful when applying to med school.

I don't know if it's relevant, but it also seems that BME majors have higher MCAT scores.

As a prospective engineering major, I'm curious to see the data on that.

 

[DiscipulusBonus]

Well, here's the data I saw on MCAT scores:

http://medschoolodyssey.wordpress.c...ics-on-the-mcat-and-your-undergraduate-major/

Kinda sad that bio/pre-med majors, the people who have been aiming for this all along, have the lowest scores.

As for stats, I don't really have a lot to give as a rising junior, but, from practice tests and such, I'm aiming for a 35 on the ACT (I know, it sounds high, but given my 7th grade score, which was 29, I think it's plausible). My GPA so far is a 4.0 UW. I'll probably end up taking 5 pre-application process APs, and 6 in my senior year. I'll also take a few SATIIs, and I figure I can get 800s on Math 2 and Bio M, and a 7?0 on literature. As for ECs, I have several science/math related things (PROMYS, AIME, USABO, research), and I'll apply for RSI/Clark Scholars/HSHSP and a few other research programs next year with high hopes of doing well in the Siemen's Competition or Intel. I've also got a lot of chess-related ECs, including state champion title (not scholastic), teaching at local elementary schools (my team got 4th at state), and 300+ volunteer hours at local chess camps.

In general, I really prefer northeastern colleges, but WUSTL is still at the top of my list simply because everything else about it seems amazing.

 

[YankeesMD]

Well, here's the data I saw on MCAT scores:

http://medschoolodyssey.wordpress.c...ics-on-the-mcat-and-your-undergraduate-major/

Kinda sad that bio/pre-med majors, the people who have been aiming for this all along, have the lowest scores.

Definitely some confounding variables there but still interesting nonetheless, will have to read the article in full later.

In general, I really prefer northeastern colleges

Based on your stats, some good matches:
Swarthmore (one of the few LACs with engineering)
Tufts
Boston College
NYU

Safeties:
Lehigh
Villanova (not sure if they have BME, they have eng but very limited)
University of Rochester
Brandeis (not sure about BME)
Northeastern

 

[YankeesMD]

Also thought this was a great quote from the article for people who want to defend going with an engineering major for pre-med:

Personally, I suspect that the primary reason for the discrepancy between the biology and physics/engineering types is that the MCAT is designed to test problem-solving rather than rote-memorization. It really shouldn't surprise anyone that students that spent four years learning to solve problems out-perform students that spent four years memorizing their lecture notes.

 

[futureshrink]

St. Louis is a great town, and Wash U is a great school. They also give out great financial aid packages (scholarship heavy), at least to some people.

Will your parents be paying for medical school also? If not, perhaps at least apply to your state schools and set a limit for how much you're willing to spend/have your parents pay; then have your parents put the rest aside for med school so you can keep your debt for that to a minimum. Also, research scholarships and apply for a ton - each one you get is something you can add to your CV/resume when applying for other scholarships, research opportunities, etc.

You can get a good education almost anywhere. And if you do go to med school, the name of the med school will impress much more than the name of wherever you went for undergrad.

 

[Bernoulli]

With electrical that's understandable, especially since there's very little overlap with the pre-med pre-reqs. But with biomedical there's a lot more overlap with the pre-med track and it does help with the workload. But like you said, I've heard after you get past classes like Calc II and lower level engineering classes it gets easier from there as you get more used to thinking like an engineer. Personally I like my chances of getting a higher GPA in something that's more difficult but that I enjoy learning more than something like just normal Biology that I feel I would find boring. But I start college this upcoming fall semester so we'll see.

Biomedical overlaps somewhat, but it doesn't eliminate the mechanical and electrical courses that you need for that degree. The Biomedical programs I looked into as a senior in high school were all more difficult than just a standard EE/ME program. You are essentially taking EE/ME (depending on the BME route you decide) and adding Bio and Chem to it.

Like I said, people on here will steer you away from engineering based on the stigma that it has for having lower GPAs. I'm personally going to at least try it and based on your success in math I recommend that you at least try it also.

Studying what you like > Studying for a GPA, but with that said you have to be smart about it. If you have <3.0 in engineering chances are you won't be very successful when applying to med school.

My math skills weren't exactly sub-par (35 Math ACT, 780 SATII Math, 4.0 math GPA in HS) If you can get past the weed out courses first year, math is no longer a problem. It is the amount of work that you have to put in to do well in an engineering program + pre-med. I consider myself a very smart person and I would've done well in EE, but 50-60 exam averages just don't cut it for medical school. I guess you could always extend the program to 5 years to lower the amount of work on yourself. I know that I personally couldn't handle 16-18 credits of EE + 3-4 credit pre-med prereq with lab. If you do engineering, I highly recommend doing pre-med as a post-bacc or extending the program.


EDIT: I guess what it really comes down to is how much do you really want to be a doctor. Becoming a physician has been my primary goal since I first shadowed a surgeon. I can't see myself doing anything else. Why would I put myself through an engineering program that could potentially ruin my primary goal when I can major in something else that I like and have a better chance of acceptance? It just seems unnecessary to kill myself for an engineering degree when I don't plan on using it. Back-up plans are great, but not when they risk ruining the primary goal. That's just my opinion on the matter.

 

[DiscipulusBonus]

Swarthmore (one of the few LACs with engineering) - It's a possibility, but I've never really been crazy about LACs. They just don't appeal to me that much.
Tufts - This is actually still in consideration.
Boston College - Not really looking for religiously affiliated colleges.
NYU - Love the integration into the city and research/intern opportunities (the reasons it was on my list in the beginning), but I've heard the pre-meds there can be really cutthroat.
Lehigh - Never heard much about this...might look into it, though.
Villanova (not sure if they have BME, they have eng but very limited) - Again, not looking for religious affiliation.
University of Rochester - Nothing really appealing to me here...honestly, I think I'd prefer U Michigan Ann Arbor.
Brandeis (not sure about BME) - Again, it's an LAC, but I might consider it.
Northeastern - This is also a definite maybe...

Another safety I considered was UIC, but I don't know much about it. I just love the location 😀.

We'll probably "work something out" for medical school, from what I can gather. I'm guessing they'll pay some, and then I can take a loan from them and pay them back interest free in the future.

As nice as it would be to simply go to an easier college and get a 4.0, I'm still considering WUSTL right now for the following reasons:
-Amazing advising for pre-meds
-Should help me get a much better MCAT score
-Tons of research/shadowing/clinical experience opportunity
-Prestige

Though it seems like only a few top medical schools consider prestige as even a small factor, it's something that I will carry around forever. I'm not sure I would be happy with a diploma in my office from a state school. I know this sounds petty, but it would just make me unhappy.

Yay for neurotic perfectionism!

EDIT: Thanks for all the info about BME! I think I'm going to avoid it for now and start looking at either molecular/computational biology or economics (not just because they have awesome MCAT scores 😉).

 

[Tolbert]

EDIT: Here's some of the best advice I've ever seen on this website. I saved it because I was in the same dilemma as the OP and it really helped me out:

"Major in the subject you enjoy AND have the best chance at a high GPA. If that is Art History, major in Art History. If you would enjoy engineering but worry it will tank your GPA, well either decide now to be an engineer instead of a doctor or don't major in engineering. Maybe you will pull through without a problem, but if you were that confident that you will, you wouldn't be posting this thread.

👍👍 Also, simply put, (and it may have been said because I just scimmed the thread) my opinion is to pick the best school at the least cost (as long as you can fit there). Yeah it gets more complicated when you get that situation, but i think this is a basic starting point.

 

[Arijos0222]

As nice as it would be to simply go to an easier college(there are "easy" colleges?) and get a 4.0, I'm still considering WUSTL right now for the following reasons:
-Amazing advising for pre-meds
-Should help me get a much better MCAT score- How?
-Tons of research/shadowing/clinical experience opportunity-Every public/state school has this? I don't comprehend.
-Prestige- u wot m8?

Though it seems like only a few top medical schools consider prestige as even a small factor, it's something that I will carry around forever. I'm not sure I would be happy with a diploma in my office from a state school. I know this sounds petty, but it would just make me unhappy.

The degree doesn't make you, you make yourself. Focus on making yourself better in every possible way, instead of depending on the institution to grant you "magic academic powers" (on an ill-concieved notion) of which would seemingly make you succeed or get an edge on your state school counterparts.

I'm not going into detail, but I have had friends who are pretty bright, they went to sub-100 ranked public universities (or even universities not even in the national rankings)

Actually, one of my closer friends just graduated from Rowan University due to a near full ride scholarship (he was accepted at UIUC, Northwestern and Duke previously btw)http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rowan-university-2609 Studying Biomedical Engineering, he graduated with a 3.4 on the premed track and took the MCAT because his father insisted to see what he would score.

He got a 34 on the MCAT with a near perfect on the physics section. However he had so much research done from the school and nearby laboratories (including a 3 month stint at the Stevens Institute of Technology's nano-laboratory) that he decided to enroll in a Ph.D program at Georgia Tech (which is ranked #2 in Biomedical Engineering for Graduate School) Instead of matriculating to one of the five M.D. that he had been accepted for attendance (Washington University in St. Louis being one of them)

That being said, yes, top programs are coveted and although are known to produce graduates that excel, let me emphasis this:

They are successful, not because of the top schools, but because of the type of individuals they are. If WUSTL has 17 acceptance rate, that is because they are picking dedicate and talented students. These students would have done great even if they had chose a poorly ranked school or state institution.

Maybe if you said "I want to attend a top ranked school because I want a high caliber of students to acquaint with" rather than "it's something that I will carry around forever. I'm not sure I would be happy with a diploma in my office from a state school. I know this sounds petty, but it would just make me unhappy." Maybe you should look at things a little differently and reassess yourself as well as your goals. You are going to apply to a Medical School, not a Ph.D program at Princeton.

By the way i'm not downplaying "prestige" of programs and the quality, heck, i'm going to Brown for summer school this summer to obtain credits, but honestly your reasons aren't enough validation. The colleges on your list are almost ALL different. Lehigh, Swarthmore, Northeastern, Cornell... totally different feel and everything among these campuses and classes... I don't see a concise pattern. I just see schools that are all probably really expensive, and (most) of them are within the top 40 according to US News

My Plan:

I'm also applying to SUNY-Binghamton and i'm hopefully going major in Physics there. The combined plan program allows me to get a Physics degree from SUNY, as well as obtain a degree in any engineering discipline I choose at the Columbia University School of Engineering, which will be completed in a total of 5 years. I want to stay in the Tri-State area, Columbia is viewed as the best school next to Cornell and Princeton in that regard. And since I have a strong physics interest, I get the best of both worlds in pure Physics and Engineering, and I will be able to use these advanced Physics skills and really put them into play in the real world and apply them adequately.

Now, none of the schools stated can give you a specific reward such as the one i'm trying to obtain. I have the sense that you are throwing out names of these schools that honestly will mostly benefit Graduate students.

Here:

http://undergrad.admissions.columbi.../pre-combined_plan_curriculum_guide_12-13.pdf

See if any of these schools are on your list. Biomedical Engineering is the 2nd discipline listed. 👍

I honestly wish you best of luck in your endeavors. I can tell you are decently bright as you have some good schools ranked as "Safety" schools, however don't let the "prestige" factor get to you. You'll still be the 30% of american adults that have a college degree either way, and I bet you will be a fantastic physician... I can see you care about your goals a lot.

****EDIT: Also, about your comment with your parents having the resources to pay... Are you REALLY going to let your poor parents who raised you for 17-18 years, accumulate your undergraduate debt when they could be using that money to enjoy their lives, travel, and fund their retirement and investment accounts?

My parents can easily pay for everything in cash, however he is only paying half of everything because I insisted, & i'm a firm believer that my parents did the best they could raising me. And in doing so, they shouldn't have to suffer with a waste of an investment that they aren't even going to benefit from.

Oh and by the way, you'll be happy when you see your parents in undergrad because when you're in medical school and residency, you have very little time to spend with them. 😉 I can't wait to be in my "subpar" state school and come home to my mother's cooking on weekends!

 

[V3NOM]

Thanks for all your responses! This is my first day on SDN, but it seems like a really helpful site! 😀

Some responses...

I really don't care that much about undergraduate tuition. My parents will pay for it, and they have the resources to do so.

Also, I really, really, really don't want to go to a school here. My state school has subpar academics, and it's just close enough for neurotic parents and relatives to visit whenever they feel like it. I might be OK with something like UW, UMN, or UMich, but I'm not a big fan of UNC Chapel Hill.

Do you know of any good colleges that are in-between my 1-8 and 9-12? I had thought about Reed College, but I don't know much about it. Can you think of any other good choices?

Good for you. Now, don't let them spend insane amount of money for a undergrad.

Back to topic, make a major in whatever you want as long as you complete the pre-req for medical schools. Enjoy college and be thankful to your parents for their help during college, not many of us were that fortunate.

 

[DiscipulusBonus]

Ok, maybe the diploma was the wrong example. In a way, it was meant to be symbolic of a superior college education, rather than a set of classes I would take simply with the goal of pursuing medical school (I feel this would be me in a state school). If I were to graduate from a top school, I would see it as an accomplishment in and of itself, and I would be able to see that I faced that challenge and succeeded. If I graduated from a lesser school, I think I would feel regretful for never having given myself a chance to experience a superior university. Basically, I'm just trying to say that I don't simply want prestige for external reasons. Unfortunately, I don't think this explanation really makes much sense.

Of course, if I get rejected from my 1-8, that's another matter entirely.

Amazingly, even though no one has particularly encouraged it, this thread has led my to the decision that WUSTL ED is the right choice for me. Maybe it was just voicing my opinions, or maybe it was the combination of all your advice, but I've realized it's the one school that I can really see myself thriving in as a pre-medical student, and I will do anything to be accepted there.

After looking at their track for biomedical engineering, I've decided to avoid that major for the time being. I might major in biology, but I might instead choose mathematics, computer science, psychology, or economics. Thanks for all your help!

Now that I've made my first-choice college clear, can anyone give me some advice on how to get accepted (especially as a home-schooled student)?

 

[Tolbert]

It's cool no matter what you do, as long as you end up satisfied with your decision then this was a success 😀

As for advice, for most schools I'd say just get some really good teachers that you enjoy (and they enjoy you) to write you a killer recommendation. Additionally, I'd say you should put a good amount of time in your personal statement because I actually believe that can make a big difference sometimes. I think you might get more help if you list your stats as well though. Good luck with applying 🙂

 

[Arijos0222]

Ok, maybe the diploma was the wrong example. In a way, it was meant to be symbolic of a superior college education, rather than a set of classes I would take simply with the goal of pursuing medical school (I feel this would be me in a state school). If I were to graduate from a top school, I would see it as an accomplishment in and of itself, and I would be able to see that I faced that challenge and succeeded. If I graduated from a lesser school, I think I would feel regretful for never having given myself a chance to experience a superior university. Basically, I'm just trying to say that I don't simply want prestige for external reasons. Unfortunately, I don't think this explanation really makes much sense.

Of course, if I get rejected from my 1-8, that's another matter entirely.

Amazingly, even though no one has particularly encouraged it, this thread has led my to the decision that WUSTL ED is the right choice for me. Maybe it was just voicing my opinions, or maybe it was the combination of all your advice, but I've realized it's the one school that I can really see myself thriving in as a pre-medical student, and I will do anything to be accepted there.

After looking at their track for biomedical engineering, I've decided to avoid that major for the time being. I might major in biology, but I might instead choose mathematics, computer science, psychology, or economics. Thanks for all your help!

Now that I've made my first-choice college clear, can anyone give me some advice on how to get accepted (especially as a home-schooled student)?

Ever been to St. Louis? Just curious honestly.

I hate the city. School is great, but the city honestly blows. So crime ridden...

and I have no particular advice for home schooled students. Sorry bub.

 

[Solomon]

I say go to your state school on the cheap and rock it. Your monster GPA will outweigh any "loss of prestige" you may encounter.

Survivor DO

Possibly the best advice ever given! 👍

 

[DiscipulusBonus]

Something tells me that if I go to my state school I won't be well-prepared for the MCAT or have the clinical/research/shadowing experience I would at WUSTL. All I would get would be a good GPA.

 

[JPodel]

Something tells me that if I go to my state school I won't be well-prepared for the MCAT or have the clinical/research/shadowing experience I would at WUSTL. All I would get would be a good GPA.

Eh, don't agree with that. Depending on your state school, they usually have a lot of research opportunities, and the MCAT preparedness, don't let the institution carry all the weight, you should be carrying that weight. Pretty sure people at state schools get pretty nice scores... What does that mean? It solely depends on how much effort YOU put into studying for the MCAT and not depending on the institution doing all the work. My 2 cents.

 

[Arijos0222]

Something tells me that if I go to my state school I won't be well-prepared for the MCAT or have the clinical/research/shadowing experience I would at WUSTL. All I would get would be a good GPA.

What are you going by?

I mean, the world isn't exactly "in order" and things won't magically happen I mean you can go to your state school and contact WUSTL or any other program to see if they have summer internships and activities available.

They aren't just available to students of the school, you know. I live in New Jersey and many times, students from the state schools here get to do research and study with professors from Princeton or UMDNJ which is soon to be Rutgers Med. I even got some research at a biomed lab at the medical school earlier this year and i'm still in high school.

 

[V3NOM]

Ok, maybe the diploma was the wrong example. In a way, it was meant to be symbolic of a superior college education, rather than a set of classes I would take simply with the goal of pursuing medical school (I feel this would be me in a state school). If I were to graduate from a top school, I would see it as an accomplishment in and of itself, and I would be able to see that I faced that challenge and succeeded. If I graduated from a lesser school, I think I would feel regretful for never having given myself a chance to experience a superior university. Basically, I'm just trying to say that I don't simply want prestige for external reasons. Unfortunately, I don't think this explanation really makes much sense.

Of course, if I get rejected from my 1-8, that's another matter entirely.

Amazingly, even though no one has particularly encouraged it, this thread has led my to the decision that WUSTL ED is the right choice for me. Maybe it was just voicing my opinions, or maybe it was the combination of all your advice, but I've realized it's the one school that I can really see myself thriving in as a pre-medical student, and I will do anything to be accepted there.

After looking at their track for biomedical engineering, I've decided to avoid that major for the time being. I might major in biology, but I might instead choose mathematics, computer science, psychology, or economics. Thanks for all your help!

Now that I've made my first-choice college clear, can anyone give me some advice on how to get accepted (especially as a home-schooled student)?

Go there, and make they best out of there then. Pretty sure you're gonna see what we were telling you in a future.

 

[Tolbert]

Pretty sure you're gonna see what we were telling you in a future.

👍👍