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hi! I'm a junior in h.s. I would like to take a b.s./m.d. but don't know if I can get in. I have a 3.6 GPA (goofed off in 9th and got 3.37 ; got 3.8 in 10th) and am considering to volunteer. I have taken the ACT and got a 25 (will retake). What classes should a take in 12? Do I have a chance to be accepted into one. (My father works at YSU and can get me a b.s. at ysu but first I have to meet the req. of NEOUCOM) If I have a chance, which programs can I be addmitted in into?

Thanks

By Maud (Maud) on Wednesday, September 01, 2004 - 06:42 pm: Edit

Hi! Do you think I will be able to get an interview with these stats?

ACT: 34
SAT: 1460, after 2x 720 M 740 V
SAT IIs:
800 Writing
750 Math IIC
750 Bio M

APs:
5 Bio
5 AP Lang
Calc BC 4
Calc AB 5

Ecs:
Managing Editor, EIC this year, of newspaper
Mock Trial co-captain and founder
Lit mag editor
school science academy vp
other minor stuff...

I have a half day schedule this year because of internship:
I am taking AP Chem, Multi-variable calc, and AP Lit this year, along with NIH internship for the full year

i interned at NIH over the summer, presented my independent research, and will probably enter Seimens or Intel ISEF;
I am working at NCI every day after school; I will get a reccomendation from my supervisor who graduated from Brown Med

I'm thinking about Brown, probably ED, and then UMiami, Penn State, RPI, and GW

what do you guys think?

thanks!

By Nyugrad (Nyugrad) on Wednesday, September 01, 2004 - 08:21 pm: Edit

Maud,if it were up to me-go for it!

By Prfzer (Prfzer) on Wednesday, September 01, 2004 - 08:57 pm: Edit

Hey Maud,

I'm a junior and I am very interested in research. This summer I was looking at doing research at NIH and other universities. Can you elaborate on your research experience(s) and how you got them.

THANKS!!!

By Maud (Maud) on Wednesday, September 01, 2004 - 09:36 pm: Edit

Thanks Nyugrad. I'm definately going to give it my best shot...we'll see what happens..

Prfzer- Sure. Check out this site: http://www.training.nih.gov/
You can apply online for their program and the deadline is early March ever year. Usually, if you are in contact with a scientist at NIH you have a better shot at getting accepted into the program. I knew a few scientists there and I checked out what research they were doing, then contacted them. You can also apply for research grants if you already know what you want to do and can find a place to work outside of the NIH campus.

My research was on proteomics and its application in developing clinical research protocols. Over the school year I am going to switch over to NCI and work on a different project. I was able to continue over the school year b.c of a program I applied to from my county, so you might want to check if your county has any such opportunities.

Hope that helped!

If anyone else could comment on my chances, it would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

By Mail4nrs (Mail4nrs) on Friday, September 03, 2004 - 11:28 am: Edit

Maud,

My son worked at NCI/NIH over summer. Are you from Washington DC area?

By Maud (Maud) on Friday, September 03, 2004 - 02:44 pm: Edit

yes I am. Actually, I worked at the Clinical Center over the summer, and will be working at NCI starting next week. What research did your son do?

By Papucutta (Papucutta) on Sunday, September 05, 2004 - 05:21 pm: Edit

Hey maud u mentioned ur taking multi-variable calc. i assume u took ap calc last year... is this math course through a local university? are u going to the college during the day or is it some online thing? how did u arrange it? i'm sort of in the same boat (took bc calc as a junior--no math course senior yr) and i want to do something about it besides just sit on my bum. thanks.

By Maud (Maud) on Tuesday, September 07, 2004 - 01:08 pm: Edit

Hey Papacutta-
yeah, I am taking MV Calc this year, but actually my school decided to offer it this year. It is the first time they are offering it, and we are following a local community college's curriculum. There are only 8 of us in the class, so our teacher decided to have it before school starts...so we actually arrive at school about an hour earlier so we can have class. It kind of sucks but its absolutely worth it. Also, I would definately recommend studying it on your own, which is almost what we (the other students and I) are doing. basically we read and do work in class, and the teacher helps us if we have any questions.
if you want to study on your own, you can find out if your local community college offers the class, then use their curriculum and take their final, which is what we are doing. this way you can still get college credit but you dont have to enroll in the class.
hope that helped.

could anyone else please comment on my chances? (listed a few posts above)

Thanks!

By Qwerty55 (Qwerty55) on Wednesday, September 08, 2004 - 04:31 pm: Edit

Anyone know any good 3rd tier BS/MD programs such as Neoucom?...

where a 4.0 and 30 ACT or 1300 SAT would be competitive?

Dr. Sedrish, are these programs ok? Yes!
They are never in the "rankings."

After graduating from them, do students have a chance of getting into the most competitive residencies? Yes, but not as good a shot as a grad from Hopkins, for example.
Thanks

By Papucutta (Papucutta) on Thursday, September 09, 2004 - 04:39 pm: Edit

maud, first of all thanks for ur advice--definately will take it. secondly, i remember ur stats (u posted them before), and u can definately expect interviews at quality programs. if i remember ur stats correctly, u were the desi girl who did some indian classical dance or something??? yea, that will definately help. lol. good luck! where all are u applying?

general question for everyone who's applying ba/md: there are so many programs....are u guys using common app? would any current programmers recommend using it?

By Mistaippa (Mistaippa) on Friday, September 10, 2004 - 01:17 am: Edit

Hi, I was wondering how many people are accepted into the Case Western PPSP medical program, and how many apply?

Also, would most consider the Northwestern HPME program the harder one?

I am debating whether to apply to either/or the HPME or PPSP, or do both

Thanks!

By Vijeth (Vijeth) on Saturday, September 11, 2004 - 06:19 pm: Edit

are their any essays required for the UMKC application, more specifically the 6 year med program. In addition, i have a 1300 SAT Score

By Iqbu7 (Iqbu7) on Sunday, September 12, 2004 - 03:29 pm: Edit

Hi, I was wondering if any of you think I have a shot at any programs, and which ones?

SAT 1500 - 800 Math 680 Verbal
SAT II's
Math IIC - 800
Writing- 630 (yeh i know...ouch)
Bio-M - 700

Rank 7/845

3.73 unweighted

AP's taken sophomore year: Euro, Chem

AP's taken junior year: Biology, Physics B, US History, Calc AB, Computer Science, English Language

Current classes in senior year: Govnt/Economics, Calc BC , English Lit, Human Geography, World History, Two internship periods (6th and 7th)

EC's--
-volunteered at a local hospital
-tutor at boys and girls club miami
-President of Math Honor Society
--A couple Awards from math competitions
-Vice President of the Chess Club
--awards from Chess comps
-Member of Science Honor Society, Math Honor Society, National Honor Society, English Honor Society, Social Studies Honor Society, National Forensic Honor Society, Model UN, and SECME
-- Plays the guitar and clarinet.
-- On the a fencing team
-- Plays tennis (though not really team worthy...but they dont need to know that)
-- captain of my youth group basketball team.

Honors/Awards-
-- placed in top 10 science students when I was a freshman (usually the award goes to juniors)
-- Received the Bausch and Lomb science award
-- Won regional competitions for algebra 2 and calculus.
--High School Honor Roll for all of H.S.

Research Experience
-I spent one summer researching the effect of maltose accumulation on the freeze tolerance of Arabidopsis thaliana. (wrote a paper)
-Interned last summer at a consulting engineering firm (I couldn't decide between engineering or medicine, so I had to try them both)
-Currently researching the manipulation of mucus Cells in order to reduce their secretion.

thanks for your help.

By Qwerty55 (Qwerty55) on Sunday, September 12, 2004 - 03:57 pm: Edit

Bharath2007...

By Bharath2007 (Bharath2007) on Sunday, September 12, 2004 - 06:22 pm: Edit

It depends what state you are a resident of, but Michigan State University's program is possible as well as many others. Usually programs that prefer instate residence are more lenient with standardized testing.

By Qwerty55 (Qwerty55) on Monday, September 13, 2004 - 03:56 pm: Edit

Bharath2007: From same HS as you (I think), MI
don't write out name,
Wolves Rock!!!
Any recommendations on apps?

By Papucutta (Papucutta) on Monday, September 13, 2004 - 06:22 pm: Edit

hey would any of you program ppl recommend or are any of you prog-hopefuls using the common app?????

By Bharath2007 (Bharath2007) on Monday, September 13, 2004 - 07:58 pm: Edit

Oh cool, do you know Amit? IM me at bharath1234

By Jpunjabi (Jpunjabi) on Monday, September 13, 2004 - 08:59 pm: Edit

Does anybody know anything about the MD/Ph D program? I am going to look online and see what I can find but I just wanted to see if you guys knew anything. Also which of the BS/MD programs are 6 year ones? Thnx

By Mail4nrs (Mail4nrs) on Tuesday, September 14, 2004 - 02:37 pm: Edit

Does any one knows what is the minimum MCAT requirement for Penn state program. The website says satisfactory MCAT score is required but what is satisfacoty for them?

Is anyone in Pennstate program?

By Indianguy18 (Indianguy18) on Tuesday, September 14, 2004 - 07:14 pm: Edit

I have a 3.788-3.85(might change senior year) UC GPA and 3.722 unweighted
about top 7-9% ranking in school
above avg school but not great
school ranking API 789

SAT I 710 math 600 Eng
SATII Chem 750
MATH IIC 680
Wrting 650

300 hrs of volunteering at Kaiser Permenante ER room
160 hrs work at Kaiser Internship
Varsity Swimming (9,11,12)
Founder Chem club (11-12)
Interact club (9,11,12)
Academic block 9,10,11,12
other miscellanous awards

APs Chem 4, STats 4, US history 3, Cal AB 3, Goverment 3, Biology 4

toughest schedule school could offer

screwed up my 10 grade due to personal problems got a 3.5 both sems. C+ Algebra 2, B in Honors World history, B in Spanish

2B's second semster in Geometry and Spanish 9th grade

11 grade B in Honors English

All A's in science courses
A in Trig/ Precal in 11 grade

I really want to go to Med school some day

can you tell me my chances at any straight med prmgs.or other schools for Biological science or Genetics major.
Honest replies please

Thank you

By Jpunjabi (Jpunjabi) on Wednesday, September 15, 2004 - 03:25 pm: Edit

I have another question (my previous one is a couple of posts up^)Because I have to babysit my younger sister after school almost everyday, I really can't join extra curriculars My question is could I still be considered for these programs (with really good SAT scores and rigorus class schedule and all the other good stuff ) if I told them about why i wasn't invovled in school? Thnx

By Jpunjabi (Jpunjabi) on Wednesday, September 15, 2004 - 06:55 pm: Edit

Any adivce is helpful ppl. PS- I'm a sophmore if that helps :-)

By Nobel (Nobel) on Friday, September 17, 2004 - 12:38 am: Edit

Jpunjabi:

focus on the following things...these will get you interviews in many BS/MD programs

1) grades-aim for 95% +
2) 1550+ SAT
3) 750+ SAT II's
4) VOLUNTEERING...Personally, I like volunteered during the summer! But, get in touch with local hospitals and ask them if you can volunteer and when you can volunteer. Some have age restrictions. But, once you get in, you can move yourself up the ladder.

You will have to present yourself in such a way that they will want you in their program. EC's do not matter that much as your desire to practice medicine. If you can show that you want to be a doctor (not just because your parents want you to be one), then you are set. Volunteering helps here, ofcourse.

But, it is good to be involved in a few EC's...especially Research for Top Tier Med. Program. So, if time permits, get in touch with professors at your local university and what they are doing and get involved.

If you have any more questions, I will be happy to answer.

By Nobel (Nobel) on Friday, September 17, 2004 - 12:40 am: Edit

Indianguy18:

It will be harder for you to sell yourself to the BS/MD programs.

By Rishug (Rishug) on Friday, September 17, 2004 - 01:34 pm: Edit

hey, how effective is northwesten hpme legacy from a sibling, thank you! Also, I have gotten 3 B's, one in freshman spanish, one in sophomore ap spanish, and one in ap englihs 2nd semester in 11th gade. I am still rank 10th out of like 845 in the top public school in san diego. How do you think I fair for schools such as Northwestern HPME, USC and Casewestern. Btw, i got a 1520 and volunteer and reseach experience. My 3 core SAT II's are above 700 / 750. Thanks for the help

By Anxiousant1 (Anxiousant1) on Friday, September 17, 2004 - 08:52 pm: Edit

Hi, im just starting out this senior year looking for some colleges
Here are my stats/ec¡¦s and i was wondering if i have a chance at RPI, REMS, PLME, or any other BS/MD...man i would love that
SATs 740v 710m (studying and retaking)
SATIIs 710writing, 680 bio, will soon take math IIc (im going to retake the bio M this coming November)
Ranked 3?/350 students; will know exactly in October
APs: Language 5, US. Hist 5, Physics B 3
GPA- 4.0 uw
Sr. Yr: taking APs: chem., macroeconomics, government, literature, and calc bc
Im also taking Spanish honors-basically a full schedule
ECs
Spent 10-12th in research science class: I got to enter intel, siemens (this year ļ), and a lot of local competitions. I never placed, but I did get an honorable mention in a few local science competitions
I interned with a neuroscientist during my 10th grade summer (interned there for about 23 hrs/wk for 5 weeks) and last summer I went to a biotech camp (4wks of 8hrs/day; 5 days/wk)
i¡¦m also part of science Olympiad, mathletes (Nassau county), Spanish H.S., and Ambassadors club (a club that promotes diversity-this year im the liason for the club)
any help would be awesome..thanks

By Iqbu7 (Iqbu7) on Friday, September 17, 2004 - 10:04 pm: Edit

Nobel you saidrResearch is important for top-tier med programs? How much would you weigh research as opposed to other ECs?

By Nobel (Nobel) on Saturday, September 18, 2004 - 06:18 pm: Edit

Any good school wants to see commitment in their applicants. Research is an adeventure which requires commitment, patience and ,most of all, the ability to think. The admissions committee know this. And when they are given a choice between a student who has Research Experience and Varsity soccer, swimming...., PLME, HPME & RPI programs will choose the student who does research.

By doing research, you will know how things come to existance.I have done research on proteins involved in cancer. And when I see a new drug out there, I would not just think, "Oh, a new drug!." Rather, I would think of it as a succesful byproduct of sleepless nights, mindbreaking thinking and a group of researchers "child". I know I am making this a romantic parady. But that is what it is. By doing research, you will come to appreciate the simple every day things. And this adds another level of understanding, a whole dimension, to yourself. The admissions committe knows Research and its importance, and they respect it.

By Luda (Luda) on Saturday, September 18, 2004 - 10:29 pm: Edit

Nobel is right. The very best programs like RPI, REMS, PLME, HPME look for technical skill in addition to the volunteering/grades/scores that everyone who applies for places in these programs. Research is usually not easy to do in high school and it shows dedication and a level of scientific understanding. Obviously it's not required, but it's def. a plus to do it. RPI for example if you choose to can be very research oriented so having some sort of background in the lab is beneficial.

By Anxiousant1 (Anxiousant1) on Saturday, September 18, 2004 - 11:51 pm: Edit

so would my lacking in EC leadership/varsity sports be made up by my two summers/three years of research and three research projects?

By Rubens (Rubens) on Sunday, September 19, 2004 - 09:16 am: Edit

Hey everyone..
I actually should be starting working in a lab in two or three weeks; I am currently reading articles on the topic.. so how do I put that to colleges?..
Should I just say research or should I specify that I have just begun?..

By Papucutta (Papucutta) on Sunday, September 19, 2004 - 11:31 am: Edit

hey quick question: is this national merit finalist stuff a big deal??? does it look good?--that sounds dumb. i mean "good" as in 4.0/1600 good or is it just something everyone applying to programs gets.......

By Papucutta (Papucutta) on Sunday, September 19, 2004 - 11:37 am: Edit

nobel: so a summer/two summers/three summers of research at a place where one of your parents is faculty is more valuable than being state tennis champs as a result of 8 years of dedication? and plus, anxiousant1 was asking whether research can compensate for lack of leadership skills within your school...........umm...."say what?" i'm not saying research is a bad thing (LOL-definately not), but i really don't think ec leadership and athletic "prowess" should be downplayed like this...

By Psedrish_Md (Psedrish_Md) on Sunday, September 19, 2004 - 12:15 pm: Edit

Research is good, no matter how you got the job. Being a National Merit finalist is also great (and it makes no difference whether you were awarded the funds). But....

it is important for everyone to realize that there is no single formula that is best for admission to any program. All candidates will be evaluated as individuals. No school wants a class full of clones, so some students will be necessarily be stronger in one area, others in another. I think what helps all apps is for the adcom to see passion in whatever you've done.
Do your best at what you're good at and what you enjoy and the rest will take care of itself.

By Nobel (Nobel) on Sunday, September 19, 2004 - 12:36 pm: Edit

As I have said

" Any good school wants to see commitment in their applicants."

Research , in my opinion, is one of the best ways to do this. There are also other ways, such as being a "state tennis champs as a result of 8 years of dedication". Research adds another layer of maturity and understanding to the applicant. Refer to my previous post for why. And I will say again, "The admissions committe knows Research and its importance, and they respect it."

By Rubens (Rubens) on Sunday, September 19, 2004 - 02:10 pm: Edit

so.. do I specify that I just started?.. lol
thanks again

congrats to those who were Merit Finalists.. It was 218 in NY.. and I had a 204.. :/

By Anxiousant1 (Anxiousant1) on Sunday, September 19, 2004 - 02:28 pm: Edit

oh wow...wat i asked sounds kinda dumb. i keep trying to figure out that "formula," but thanks for pulling me back to reality..i guess the college has to accept me..thanks

By Papucutta (Papucutta) on Sunday, September 19, 2004 - 08:49 pm: Edit

ahhhh......reality's back. lol. nobel: good point.

By Anxiousant1 (Anxiousant1) on Monday, September 20, 2004 - 03:02 pm: Edit

papucutta sounds kinda malayalee..weird huh..
are you in any of this stuff papucutta? Bs/MD or college or something?

By Papucutta (Papucutta) on Tuesday, September 21, 2004 - 07:04 pm: Edit

haha hey hey anxious, my friend, u guessed correctly--i am malu. i'm a hs senior applying to ba-bs/md progs...definately....as are most other indians...lol....

By Nobel (Nobel) on Tuesday, September 21, 2004 - 08:21 pm: Edit

man...this thread is filled with indians

myself: Andhra pradesh
Papacutta: Kerala
Anxisousant1: ?
Bharath: ?

anyone else?

By Psedrish_Md (Psedrish_Md) on Tuesday, September 21, 2004 - 10:24 pm: Edit

Nobel: This board is filled with Indians because medicine is filled with Indians!!
Of my generation, they are mostly educated in India. I trained with people from all over the subcontinent.
Nowadays, it seems only my Indian colleagues have a decent percentage of their kids interested in pursuing a career in medicine.
Our 2 kids are in college, fixed on careers in law. So it goes.

By Papucutta (Papucutta) on Wednesday, September 22, 2004 - 04:49 pm: Edit

haha nobel don't get so excited......indians are craaaazy when it comes to admissions man.....haha....i'm a little scared here..lol jk.

By Jpunjabi (Jpunjabi) on Wednesday, September 22, 2004 - 05:23 pm: Edit

lol Hey I'm Indian--Punjabi (that's if you couldn't tell by the name)hehe Anyhoo I wanted to ask some more questions Which programs are the 6 year programs? and this may sound like a stupid question but am I able to do these kind of programs if I want to be a psychiatrist? I was just wondering because I only saw like biology majors and nothing to do really with psychiatry. Thnx for any help in advance

PS- Thnx for the advice earlier Nobel

By Nobel (Nobel) on Wednesday, September 22, 2004 - 05:51 pm: Edit

You maybe right, Psedrish. When there are so many areas flourishing in America, it is hard to choose a career...especially Medicine, which requires a lot of years in School.


haha...papucutta...join the club. I am very volatile in terms of admissions too. One day I want to go there, and the next day, I want to go here. It is crazy, man....Looking at all this, I am starting to like India, where the "path" is already laid out for you

Jpunjabi:
From what I know, Penn State and Miami are two 6 year BS/MD programs.

By Anxiousant1 (Anxiousant1) on Wednesday, September 22, 2004 - 08:08 pm: Edit

oh you are papucutta...i guess ur in the same boat as me.
are you stressed out or am i just doing that to myself
btw...from kerala myself..

By Papucutta (Papucutta) on Thursday, September 23, 2004 - 04:12 pm: Edit

haha yep definately stressing out about all this ba/md admissions stuff....it's just that the entire applicant pool is so competitive. lol. another 6 year is rpi, i believe.

so where's everyone applying? and is anyone using the common application for programs?

By Luda (Luda) on Thursday, September 23, 2004 - 04:53 pm: Edit

RPI is 7-years. Yeah, competition is increasing. The incoming bs/md students at rpi turned down schools like MIT and Yale. There must be something good coming out of these programs.

By Nobel (Nobel) on Thursday, September 23, 2004 - 07:25 pm: Edit

Luda:

Are you at RPI?

By Mail4nrs (Mail4nrs) on Friday, September 24, 2004 - 02:30 pm: Edit

Luda:
can you tell me what is your stats.

By Luda (Luda) on Saturday, September 25, 2004 - 01:36 pm: Edit

Yeah, I'm at RPI and Indian as well and so are more than half of the incoming 20 or so every year. Competition is increasing in both the size of the applicant pool and the grades/scores of the applicants. I have pretty average scores I would assume for bs/md programs. 800M, 700V, above 750 on 3 SAT II's, ranked in the top 10% of a competitive high school, awards in math/science, lots of extracurriculars in terms of club leadership, did the volunteering deal, research senior year of hs in biomedical eng...those are the basics. RPI is a very tight-knit program in that there is always communication between you, your advisor and the medical school. There is a huge alumni network and many of them are in top positions both in academics and in public health. The focus of the program is research and all this means is that you are required to do a summer of research, but besides that, you can choose if you want to do more or not. Just like the other programs (PSU for ex), there are tons of indians in the program and tons apply so it's highly competitive. Feel free to ask further questions.

By Luda (Luda) on Saturday, September 25, 2004 - 01:40 pm: Edit

Btw, there is NO MCAT requirement, and there is a min. GPA of 3.4 math/science and overall every semester to stay in the program. This is pretty good in comparison to the attrition rate at alot of the other programs. Most people are able to handle that so if you work hard, you won't get kicked out. Overall, the school is a lot of fun.

By Nobel (Nobel) on Saturday, September 25, 2004 - 02:00 pm: Edit

Thanks, Luda.

I visited RPI during the summer and really loved it.

By Rishug (Rishug) on Saturday, September 25, 2004 - 07:43 pm: Edit

ya, I am Indian too, I had 2 brothers one who went to the Northwestern HPME and the other to the RPI (then 6-year) program. Do you guys think my brother going to the HPME program will help some? I have a 1520 and hope I can at least get an interview with that and hopefully try to impress them there. Also, how do I compare to programs like USC and cAseWestern. Only problme is i got 3 B's, 2 in spanish one in 11th grade English. Ranked top 10 out of 815 in the top public school in San diego. Thanks for all your help, my bros are out of the country to give any =)

By Nike1800 (Nike1800) on Monday, September 27, 2004 - 12:28 am: Edit

I have checked the archives before asking this question. In Brown's PLME program, the ED option, does it mean that you cannot apply to any other programs in this time period (nov. 1 to approx. dec. 15)? Are there any other BS/MD programs with this option?

By Mail4nrs (Mail4nrs) on Monday, September 27, 2004 - 09:13 am: Edit

Hi Luda,
My son is in RPI/AMC program. He is a junior at RPI.

By Luda (Luda) on Monday, September 27, 2004 - 10:11 pm: Edit

Thats great Mail4nrs, I know alot of the bs/md students juniors. Rishug, what do your two brothers do now after having graduated from medical school?

By Rishug (Rishug) on Monday, September 27, 2004 - 10:36 pm: Edit

the one from NWU is doing internal medicine residency in San Diego (where my parents live) and plants to go into G.I. or Cardiology for next year, and my brother from RPI is diong Anesthesia residency in USC.

By Luda (Luda) on Monday, September 27, 2004 - 11:06 pm: Edit

Thats great Rishug. What is their opinion on the bs/md programs? Thanks.

By Mail4nrs (Mail4nrs) on Tuesday, September 28, 2004 - 09:40 am: Edit

Hi Luda,
My son's name is Samit.

By Curiosity (Curiosity) on Thursday, September 30, 2004 - 01:37 am: Edit

Luda-- actually you are required to do 2 summers of research at RPI with the 7 year program, not one, along with part time research your second semester your 3rd year at RPI-- They also require you to submit a proposal for the completion of an MD with distinction in research, you are not required to complete it if you decide it's not for you. I hear it's still a great program with alot of guidance from the upperclassmen.

By Tannery2700 (Tannery2700) on Thursday, September 30, 2004 - 06:13 pm: Edit

Hi ! I'm a junior
I was in IB last year, and my IB coordinator suggest me to exit the program, because my enlish is not very inflent. Then, i exit the program. Now, I have English honor, American history Honor and Precal, and AP Biology, and i am afraid that this will not look good for my college.
AND I'M THINKING ABOUT GET INTO MED-SCHOOL, SO WHAT CLASS SHOULD I TAKE ON MY SENIOR YEAR????
What do you guys think???
and what should i do now???
thank you very much

By Luda (Luda) on Friday, October 01, 2004 - 12:21 am: Edit

Curiosity you're right. My bad. You start the third year spring semester, continue for 10 weeks during the summer (so you still get a month and a half of break), and after your first year, you do research. There is definitely lots of guidance.

By Mail4nrs (Mail4nrs) on Friday, October 01, 2004 - 11:10 am: Edit

Can someone please clarify abour TCNJ/NJMS program. It says that you are not bound to go to NJ medical school and there are students who applied to other medical schools in their junior year at TCNJ. Are there medical schools who will take 3 year undergraduate students.

This is what I found on TCNJ website:

Q. IF I AM ACCEPTED TO THE PROGRAM AND ATTEND TCNJ, MUST I ATTEND NJMS (AT NEWARK )?

A. You are free to withdraw from the 7-year program at any time during your first three years. The medical school, of course, will then withdraw its guarantee. During your fourth year at TCNJ, you may apply to any medical school you wish. Your medical school acceptance will be based on the regular criteria: cumulative GPA, MCAT scores, medical school interview and composite letter of recommendation.

Our Medical Careers Advisory Committee consists of seven science faculty members (Biology, Chemistry, and Psychology) who offer personalized advisement on all aspects of pre-medical preparation. In addition, we have an in-house MCAT prep course and a Medical Careers Society, both of which are valuable resources for the pre-medical student. The latter is a student club, which sponsors presentations by health career students and practitioners, charity fund-raisers, tours of area health professional schools, and offers peer and faculty advisement on all phases of pre-medical preparation.

Note: Students in the 7-year program with good MCAT scores and grades have successfully applied to other medical schools during their junior year (i.e. Temple , UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson, University of Texas-San Antonio , SUNY Syracuse and Duke University ). You must officially declare your intention to matriculate at NJMS or withdraw from the 7-year program before December of your junior year.

By Jenskate1 (Jenskate1) on Friday, October 01, 2004 - 03:59 pm: Edit

tannery - a class that would help you to improve your english skills seems like it would be appropriate. I don't know what would be the best fit for you, a regular english course, or maybe an English as a Second Language program. You should probably discuss this with your guidance counselor or another teacher who knows you well. But your current schedule looks pretty strong, so I wouldn't worry about that.

By Iqbu7 (Iqbu7) on Saturday, October 02, 2004 - 12:52 pm: Edit

Hey guys,

I think I've had my fair amount of research (spent summer of 10th grade researching at UF and currently researching at UM), but I've never really won anything as far as competitions (STS etc...). Are my chances slashed, or does the research component by itself still hold a lot of weight? My sister did a lot of research and won a lot of awards for it and got into a lot of programs (northwestern, brown, UM, case, rochester)... so this is worrying me a bit.

-btw...I'm indian too (in reference to the previous posts on indians)

By Jenskate1 (Jenskate1) on Saturday, October 02, 2004 - 06:30 pm: Edit

You are a senior now, right? If so, you couldn't have won anything for STS yet. What are you planning on entering this year? Siemens, STS, ISEF, etc? I think research on its own is very very good, and winning something is just the icing on the cake. Hope that helped!

Good luck!

By Iqbu7 (Iqbu7) on Saturday, October 02, 2004 - 07:39 pm: Edit

i'm a senior right now, and my current research is really great and I'm making real progress, but it's not finished and I wont have anything by the time STS rolls around (which is soon). My past project was inconclusive and I have an aversion towards presenting inconclusive material. I guess my cake will not have icing.

By Tannery2700 (Tannery2700) on Sunday, October 03, 2004 - 01:34 pm: Edit

Iqbu7-
Do you live you Florida, because I saw you said Uf-Univery of Florida.
Also, i live in florida too, and i have some question about UF to ask you if you live in florida too.

By Iqbu7 (Iqbu7) on Sunday, October 03, 2004 - 09:36 pm: Edit

Yes, I live in Miami.

By Anxiousant1 (Anxiousant1) on Monday, October 04, 2004 - 06:36 pm: Edit

hey papucutta: im plannin on using the common app for some of the ba/md (REMS, RPI, Case) is that bad or something?

By Papucutta (Papucutta) on Monday, October 04, 2004 - 07:23 pm: Edit

haha finally someone answers! and it's the other malu!! hahahahaha we gotta look out for each other, monay/molay. i'm planning on using the commonapp for some progs as well (those u mentioned and some others). i don't know much about the commonapp-that's why i was asking. lol. so yea, i guess i'll end up going with that then. lol, again, thanks for replying to that one.

By Papucutta (Papucutta) on Monday, October 04, 2004 - 07:26 pm: Edit

general question: what kind of back-up plan would work if you're planning on doing a ba/md program but for some reason or another drop below the gpa requirement. then are u thrown out?? dropped to normal undergrad. status at the university?? do you continue your major in the liberal arts?? and are you "done for life?" so to speak.

By Anxiousant1 (Anxiousant1) on Tuesday, October 05, 2004 - 06:18 pm: Edit

monay (though we're probably the same age)
i was wondering about that too, what if something does happen to your gpa..what then?

By Luda (Luda) on Wednesday, October 06, 2004 - 12:21 am: Edit

If you do get kicked out (at some programs, you hvae to be really lazy to do this), at most programs, you can continue as an undergrad in that major but then have to apply to medical school the traditional way. At RPI, the min gpa is 3.4 science and overall every semester. This is very dooable (A,B,C,D,F grading scheme btw), but if you do get kicked out after two warnings for academic probation, then you can continue at RPI as a biology major. MCAT's not required for this program so that has no bearing. At programs like Pitt where the attrition rate is ridiculously high (in my opinion not a good program at all), if you get below the required 3.7 GPA or don't make the MCAT cut off, you can continue at Pitt and this is what happens to over 90% of the medical program.

By Papucutta (Papucutta) on Wednesday, October 06, 2004 - 04:55 pm: Edit

why is it that some programs (such as pitt) have such horrible attrition rates??? i mean i can understand a couple of people dropping out of the prog, but 90% is just outrageous. is pitt a bad atmosphere or something??? i assume it's a really easy program to get into (relatively speaking, of course....lol)?

By Mistaippa (Mistaippa) on Wednesday, October 06, 2004 - 08:46 pm: Edit

can anyone clarify the process to apply to Penn States accelerated med program

I have applied to PSU

then by Nov 30, we send ANOTHER application with sat scores, GPA, one teacher rec, one page resumé? but how do we know where to send this, and can anyone just do this or what?

this is what i'm confused on

and for the accelerated program, one of my friends told me they dont' even look at your PSU app, they just want to see if u can just get into the PSU college, then they look at the separate app you send by nov 30?

thanks,
Andrew

By Mail4nrs (Mail4nrs) on Thursday, October 07, 2004 - 07:25 am: Edit

Mistaippa,

My son is applying to PSU. This is what I understood is you have to apply by Nov. 30th. You have to send them PSU application. The Teacher Recoomendation will be sent directly by your teacher to PSU. For your SAT score , you have to contact college board and request them to send your SAT score to PSU and the official transcript will be sent by your school directly to PSU. You have to provide them the address. I am using following address:

Undergraduate Admissions Office
The Pennsylvania State University
201 Shields Building
Box 3000
University Park PA 16802-3000

Please contact PSU Undergraduate office if you have any questions.
I hope this will help.

By Iqbu7 (Iqbu7) on Saturday, October 09, 2004 - 06:56 pm: Edit

Mistaippa and Mail4nrs, I was wondering what the applicant pool for the PSU program was like, could you tell me your stats and your sons stats (respectively). It would be much appreciated.

By Mail4nrs (Mail4nrs) on Monday, October 11, 2004 - 08:45 am: Edit

Iqbu7:

Hi,
These are my son's scores.

SAT 1 -1460(660-v, 800-M)
sat II - chem(730), Math IIC 740 (taking it again). Taking writing in oct.
Ap calcBC -5, AP phy C -5, AP chem-5. Taking AP stats, AP bio,AP economics this year

Volunteer at hopsital
Summer Research intership at NIH
Varsity Track
Peer leader
RPI Medal Scholar
NJ chemistry Olympia gold Medalist
memeber of various club
Natinal Honors Soc., Math Honors soc. , spanish Honors Soc.

By Iqbu7 (Iqbu7) on Monday, October 11, 2004 - 10:02 am: Edit

Mail4nrs:

Wow, you're son has impressive stats! good for him, I'm sure he'll get in where ever he wants to go.

By Mistaippa (Mistaippa) on Monday, October 11, 2004 - 02:42 pm: Edit

Iqbu7:
GPA - 4.0, first in class
SAT 1 - 1500 (740 V, 760 M)
SAT 2 - 800 Math2c, 760 chem, ??? writing (hoping for above 700)

AP calc ab, bc, AP chem, AP US history - 5
Taking AP Bio, Physics B, ENglish this year

Volunteer at 2 hospitals
Taking Allied Health program - learning clinical skills than doing clinical rotations throughout year at a hospital first 2 hrs of every school day
Some examples of rotations - ER, operating room, Radiology, Nursing, all sorts of health departments
Attended Governor's School for Healthcare
Captain of Ultimate Frisbee team - went to nationals last year, 5th ranked in nation
Layout Editor for Newspaper and Yearbook
Officer for FBLA and Interact
some other common science stuff like PJAS , olympiad competition, but nothign impressive


i got a late start on volunteering at hospitals, etc., as i didn't know i wanted to be a doc till junior year.. so that may hurt me a lil

By Papucutta (Papucutta) on Monday, October 11, 2004 - 07:40 pm: Edit

mistaippa--haha i am soooo jealous that you have this "allied health program" at your school!!! definately gives you insights into the med profession!

general question: out of the people applying to programs at the moment, who all have done research? (haha just wondering)