My Future

[drorthoman]

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Hey guys,
I've been lurking around these boards for a while now and now that I have my future somewhat planned out, I would like your input.

Background
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I spent my freshman and sophomore year at a very small high school - around 5 to 6 high schoolers. The school was K-12, with about 40 kids in all, and the school is a"privately accredited school". It was a complete waste of two years, and I didn't learn much in the ways of science, English or anything else. However, I did learn somewhat myself through self-studying. I took the SAT as a sophomore (School rule says that in order to be able to dual enroll, you must take the SAT or ACT) and I received a 2030.

Present
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This year I'm going to be a junior. I'm going to take the SAT again (hoping or a 2300) in May and also take 3 SAT Subject tests (Math 2, Lit., and Chemistry). My sight is set on entering a BS/MD program (I know I'm going to get a lot of negative comments on my wanting to get into a BS/MD program, but IT'S WHAT I REALLY WANT TO DO). So my course load for my first semester consists of:

Freshman Comp 1
Intro to psychology
A math class (I need to take a placement test – most likely be going into Calculus or Pre-Calc)
Chemistry (at my high school)
I plan to join a couple of clubs at my cc, but nothing too major.
I currently only have 100 hours of volunteering at a hospital

So, my question is basically, what should I be doing right now? I'm studying for the SAT and the subject tests, but I don't feel like I'm doing enough. What should I be doing?

I'm feeling really frustrated seeing what some people's stats on forums like College Confidential – it seems like I will never be able to get into any BS/MD program. And, yes, I know not getting into a BS/MD program isn't the end of everything. It's just something I've wanted to do ever since I found out about it.

Other random questions:
1.Do I need to shadow physicians? If so, how do I ask them?
2.Am I considered a first-generation college student even if one of my parents finished college in their native country but they never finished college here (In other words, my mom finished college in her native country, but my dad didn't. Neither of them continued or finished college here)?

Thank for the help. Looking forward to some good answers, hopfeully 😀 I don't take anything too personally, so go ahead, fire away.

 

[AntiHouseMD]

No offense meant with my graphic. You have to understand that a lot of the people on CC are paranoid and slightly arrogant (no offense to anyone who uses it). CC does not represent the majority of college applicants. Don't use that to compare yourself to. Sadly, I can't help as much with the BS-MD thing since I have no experience with it. I'll leave that to others.

The only thing I can really offer is to not limit yourself to a BS-MD program. If you can get in, great. But, it is definitely not the end of the world if you don't. You have a 2030 SAT score. I got a 1960, and I received top scholarship (not to mention acceptance) at every school I applied to (Stonehill, UVM, Saint Mike's [my home for the next four years], UMass Amherst, and Saint Anselm). They look at much more than your SAT score, so don't be focused solely on that. You obviously have an idea of what you're doing (I hope so with your SAT), and you can really do well with undergraduate admissions. I'm not saying to forget about BS-MD, but if you have ANY doubt of whether you want to go into medicine, I would personally recommend at least considering undergrad. If you decide not to go medicine, you're kinda screwed with the whole BS-MD thing. Still, you know best as to what you want. If you decide to go with BS-MD, good luck with your apps! But, don't be devastated if you don't get into any program. You have very good chances of getting into a good and likely great undergrad school.

Also, if I may, I would suggest applying to a few undergraduate schools that aren't BS-MD. That way, you have some other options if anything in your life changes.

Now, onto your random questions:
1) Shadowing physicians would be a good experience to put on your applications for BS-MD. That shows that you are serious about medicine and aren't just focused on what you see on TV and such. Try looking at how to ask physicians for shadowing. Personally, I would suggest asking your primary care to see if he/she or anyone they know would let you shadow them. Can't lose anything.

2) Very good question. I have absolutely no idea. 🙂

Hope that helps. If you have any other questions (granted I can answer them), feel free to ask! Good luck!

 

[Cephal0pod]

Hey guys,
IMy sight is set on entering a BS/MD program (I know I'm going to get a lot of negative comments on my wanting to get into a BS/MD program, but IT'S WHAT I REALLY WANT TO DO).

Hey, if it's what you are absolutely certain you want to do, you'll get no hate from me. I've got three friends who applied and got into BS/MD programs, and none of them have died yet. I would recommend not limiting yourself to BS/MD programs when applying, however- other options are always a good thing to have.

So, my question is basically, what should I be doing right now? I'm studying for the SAT and the subject tests, but I don't feel like I'm doing enough. What should I be doing?

I'm feeling really frustrated seeing what some people's stats on forums like College Confidential – it seems like I will never be able to get into any BS/MD program. And, yes, I know not getting into a BS/MD program isn't the end of everything. It's just something I've wanted to do ever since I found out about it.

You should NOT be perusing College Confidential. Your stats are good and I have no doubt will get even better by the time you apply. Plus, pretty much everybody on CC are insecure, self-inflated, stat-inflating liars. Flee from it. Don't play the comparison game. Run after your goals, do the best that YOU can do. From what you've told us, that best is pretty dang good.

Other random questions:
1.Do I need to shadow physicians? If so, how do I ask them?
2.Am I considered a first-generation college student even if one of my parents finished college in their native country but they never finished college here (In other words, my mom finished college in her native country, but my dad didn't. Neither of them continued or finished college here)?

1). Yep. Call an office, explain that you are a high school student interested in pursuing a career in medicine, and ask whether they allow students to shadow. Shadowing policies will vary, so if they say no don't take it personally and just call somewhere else. Be brave! 🙂

2). Hmm.. I wouldn't think so, since you have at least one parent who has completed college somewhere.

Other pro-tips:
*Do well in your college courses. Work hard, dedicate more time to studying than you think is necessary, because they require a lot more independent studying than anything you have done in high school thus far.
*Don't forget to have fun. 🙂 Preparing for college is important, especially since you want to go the BS/MD route, but please please please don't let it consume your entire life. Get the heck off of CC, and go do something that makes you happy. 👍

 

[Cephal0pod]

👍

 

[AntiHouseMD]

I'll second the "Have Fun" bit. I didn't do much in high school because I was focused on my academics and work, and I now regret it. You only have one chance at enjoying high school, so don't blow it. No pressure. 👍

 

[I'm No Superman]

no offense meant with my graphic. You have to understand that a lot of the people on cc are paranoid and slightly arrogant.

🙂

 

[Cephal0pod]

no offense meant with my graphic. You have to understand that a lot of the people on cc are paranoid and slightly arrogant.

🙂

😛

 

[AntiHouseMD]

🙂

You're not on it, right?

 

[drorthoman]

I see your point about CC. I've been banned from there (I got into very very heated arguments with most of the kids there), and have officialy made this my new home.

BS/MD is definitely not my only choice. I'm also looking at any and every college to make sure I put myself in the best position I possibly can. With that said, what did you guys get on your SAT subject tests, if you took them of course?

This summer I have determined to keep studying and my free time balanced. I'm a huge fan of basketball and play almost every day at my local park. BTW, is there any way to put that on your college app? Like if you only play basketball recreationally and not in a league (I;m way too lazy to join a league)?

What is you idea of a "fun time"? Mine consists of playing basketball and playing NBA 2K12 on my PS3. Yes, I'm obsessed with basketball and studying...

 

[I'm No Superman]

You're not on it, right?

No, that's where I was told I had almost no chance of getting into Michigan.

 

[Cephal0pod]

I see your point about CC. I've been banned from there (I got into very very heated arguments with most of the kids there), and have officialy made this my new home.

Good choice. 👍

With that said, what did you guys get on your SAT subject tests, if you took them of course?

Didn't take any, I didn't plan on applying to any Ivies or the veterinary equivalent of BS/MD programs. Got a 32 on the ACT though.

This summer I have determined to keep studying and my free time balanced. I'm a huge fan of basketball and play almost every day at my local park. BTW, is there any way to put that on your college app? Like if you only play basketball recreationally and not in a league (I;m way too lazy to join a league)?

Oh yeah, there's some sort of section for extra-curricular activities. Colleges don't check to see if you're affiliated with an official organized team/group/what have you, so no worries there.

What is you idea of a "fun time"?

Horseback riding, reading books, going to zoos/aquariums, giggling about ridiculous things with my friends, etc. 🙂

 

[drorthoman]

"I've got three friends who applied and got into BS/MD programs, and none of them have died yet."

Do you know their stats? If so, could you post them? If not, could you ask them 😀 ?

 

[Cephal0pod]

I do not- I know they were all quite bright individuals, but I don't know their numbers. Again, though... stop worrying so much about where other people are at stats-wise! I fear CC has infected your brain 😛 In all seriousness though, if you keep constantly doing that it will drive you bonkers, trust me. Focus on you, and doing the best that you can. 👍