So my son is Native American (enrolled tribe) and grew up in a tribal elementary school.
Lots of ECs, research, and shadowing experiences, solid test scores (33 on ACT, retaking and hoping for 34-35). 4.5 weighted GPA. Will have Associates when graduates.
Will be applying to BSMD programs and many competitive schools.
Am I understanding it correctly when I say his being NA is a hook and can provide some type of advantage?
@mom2boys1999 you are correct; it can. How much and what type of an advantage would depend on the school and what they are looking for. Cast a wide net with schools and scholarships. With his stats he should be in a good position. Congratulations to him in his academic success so far! Good luck next year in the application process
I think that you son is doing very well and has a bright future. Being native American will help him. Having superb stats will help him also. The combination is very strong.
Does you son have some experience volunteering or working in medical environments (such as in a hospital)? This will matter for BSMD programs.
He does. He volunteers 4 hours a week at a hospital and 6 hours a week with a research study. He is also a member of the Medical Explorers program in our area. He is working so hard towards this goal, and I know that it is still such a small small possibility of happening.
Dartmouth has a mandate to take high scoring Native American students. Plus they have a medical school as well.
A web search for “Native American tuition waiver” and “American Indian tuition waiver” will list such things at several colleges.
Agree with 4. Dartmouth isnt for everyone, but if it’s a fit you will have a good hook. Some tremendous NA alums including Louise Erdrich
There’s another school that OPs son should look at. I would consider WashU. One of the top schools for premed with a Top-10 medical school and a high achieving Native American student would be an appealing candidate for admissions. It’s not the easiest school to get a high GPA for premed, but the right student will thrive there.
My son is a WashU junior premed and he knows a few Native American premeds there.
Being a Native American with excellent marks and test scores will be a BIG advantage in getting admitted to top schools(i.e. Ivy’s).
I agree with cast a wide net - D20 has a friend who is also an enrolled tribe Native American. Bright, heavy EC kid who really wanted to go to Yale and was deferred. His family was very surprised - but our school already had 2 kids accepted to Yale: one heavy legacy, one athlete.
I think your son has a ton going for him - good luck!