<p>I am a high school senior about to go to Vassar College to major in biochemistry and biology. My dream is to attend Hopkins Medical School, but I know how hard it is to get into that school, and I'm now worried I made a mistake by choosing to attend a liberal arts college. What would I have to do in order to make myself a worthy candidate for the med school of my dreams? I want to be a cardiac surgeon.</p>
<p>Going to a liberal arts college is fine. To get into a top medical school, you’ll need to maintain an excellent GPA (3.8 or above), have a good MCAT (35 or above), do the usual premed things (volunteering, research, clinical experience), get excellent recs (you need to aim for “this is the best student I have ever taught”-type comments), and have 1-2 activities that really set you apart from other people. If you have a talent now’s the time to show it off.</p>
<p>Thanks, I was starting to wonder if I had made a big mistake. My counselor kept on pushing a polytech, but being the stubborn being that I am, I chose Vassar. :)</p>
<p>My cousin thinks just like you. She attended Johns Hopkins University undergrad, then Johns Hopkins Medical School and is now at the top Cardiothoracic surgery residency program in the country (Cleveland Clinic). It is difficult, especially for a female.
Congratulations and good luck in you quest.</p>
<p>I know several people from very low ranked Med. Schools who got into amazing residencies after. Do not worry too much about getting to one particular school. Set up high goals for college GPA and MCAT score and apply to wide range of schools that match your criteria. You will be fine with this strategy.</p>
<p>I know that given the level of determination that I put in will ultimately be the deciding factor on how well my career plans go, but I can’t deny that Hopkins does not catch my eye. I know to apply to schools that are within my reach and keep in mind that Hopkins would most likely be a dream school. But hey, it doesn’t kill to dream. 
thank you all for the advice.</p>