Hey guys (and girls),
I am a new member on these forums and I am still in high school, I am a junior right now but I am 100% sure I want to be a doctor, a surgeon to be specific, and I have done a lot of research on what path to take and what to do but I want real-world anecdotes and advice from people that have been through the process.
I know grades are a big deal so here they are as of now:
Freshman year - 2 B's and I took 1 AP class, the rest honors
Sophomore year - All A's and I took 2 AP classes, the rest honors
First semester of Junior year - All A's with 5 AP classes (this semester just ended btw). I plan to get another set of straight A's in the upcoming semester as well.
As a student I am extremely determined and rather competitive. I am number 1 in my class and will definitely be graduating valedictorian.
Now that my background is out of the way, I would like for some direction. I have looked at BS/MD programs and traditional programs but I am at a loss as to what to choose. I like the idea of BS/MD because one does not have to take the MCAT which I hear is extremely hard. I do not plan on getting lazy when I go to college but the stress that is eliminated when the MCAT is taken out of the equation seems like it is well worth it. I am almost certain I want to be a surgeon and thus if I do choose the BS/MD route, which medical school would be best for a career in surgery?
I would also like to add that I live in Florida and in Florida alone there are 3 BS/MD programs that I know of: University of South Florida, University of Florida, and University of Miami. By going to school in Florida I would save money but if the education is better elsewhere, I do not mind taking out loans because I am passionate about pursuing a medical career.
Furthermore, I know BS/MD programs take volunteering into consideration and I will have over 125 volunteer hours by the end of this year but I would like to know where to volunteer for health-specific hours that will look good in the eyes of medical schools. Should I volunteer at the hospital closest to me over the summer? This volunteering would not just be for the hours, I really want to get experience and spend time in a medical environment.
I would also like to mention that I would be the first doctor in my family, this is why I need guidance from people that actually have first-hand experience.
I would like to thank you in advance for even reading this rather long post and for any help you can provide.
-Travis
I am a new member on these forums and I am still in high school, I am a junior right now but I am 100% sure I want to be a doctor, a surgeon to be specific, and I have done a lot of research on what path to take and what to do but I want real-world anecdotes and advice from people that have been through the process.
I know grades are a big deal so here they are as of now:
Freshman year - 2 B's and I took 1 AP class, the rest honors
Sophomore year - All A's and I took 2 AP classes, the rest honors
First semester of Junior year - All A's with 5 AP classes (this semester just ended btw). I plan to get another set of straight A's in the upcoming semester as well.
As a student I am extremely determined and rather competitive. I am number 1 in my class and will definitely be graduating valedictorian.
Now that my background is out of the way, I would like for some direction. I have looked at BS/MD programs and traditional programs but I am at a loss as to what to choose. I like the idea of BS/MD because one does not have to take the MCAT which I hear is extremely hard. I do not plan on getting lazy when I go to college but the stress that is eliminated when the MCAT is taken out of the equation seems like it is well worth it. I am almost certain I want to be a surgeon and thus if I do choose the BS/MD route, which medical school would be best for a career in surgery?
I would also like to add that I live in Florida and in Florida alone there are 3 BS/MD programs that I know of: University of South Florida, University of Florida, and University of Miami. By going to school in Florida I would save money but if the education is better elsewhere, I do not mind taking out loans because I am passionate about pursuing a medical career.
Furthermore, I know BS/MD programs take volunteering into consideration and I will have over 125 volunteer hours by the end of this year but I would like to know where to volunteer for health-specific hours that will look good in the eyes of medical schools. Should I volunteer at the hospital closest to me over the summer? This volunteering would not just be for the hours, I really want to get experience and spend time in a medical environment.
I would also like to mention that I would be the first doctor in my family, this is why I need guidance from people that actually have first-hand experience.
I would like to thank you in advance for even reading this rather long post and for any help you can provide.
-Travis
