I know people advised me not to take summer classes, but what if I took them at the next high school ever and never submitted my transcript? Wouldn’t that make the class easier? They’re also following state guidelines.
Just be aware of potential mine fields.
Yes, if you are taking summer classes “informally”, with the purpose of helping/preparing you academically as needed, it’s a different animal. You absolutely do not want to have to be dishonest by having/hoping to “hide” transcripts - that’s never a good start into adult life!
The same applies to courses at a Community College, or similar. Don’t overextend yourself and your time, hoping those might increase your admission chances later. It will be more important to have replenished your energy over the summer, so your High School transcripts and standardized test results are great - those will be the initial selection criteria at many colleges, before they start looking further.
So it’s okay to want to show commitment/interest by taking a summer program. But, it’s a fine balance, because this is not a sprint, it’s a 3 year marathon!
Most important for you is to find a pace that you can sustain mentally.
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I mean like not reporting it to my school.
A few other suggestions:
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Look into shadowing opportunities. As part of the application process for BS/MD programs, they’ll want to know that you’ve seen what a typical physician’s work day is like. This is to give an honest assessment of the long hours and years of training. You don’t need to go crazy with the shadowing hours but I’d say at least 100 hours between now and the time you apply.
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Any opportunities for research would be highly valued. Clinical research or basic science. This is difficult as high school student, I know. But keep your eyes peeled for opportunities.
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Look into the Mini-Med School programs. Both RWJMS and NJMS have them. I believe Rowan has something similar. They are basically a lecture series designed for HS/college students. It is a nice thing to put on your resume, as it shows you understand the basics of medicine. But its absolutely not necessary.
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As a URM you’ll have an advantage (as long as your GPA and MCAT scores are within range). Most medical schools have difficulty finding qualified URM students. Almost all med schools have Offices of Diversity & Inclusion. Suggest to contact these offices and see if they have any upcoming events. Attend the events if you have time and introduce yourself.
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How would I go about shadowing? My fathers not a doctor but a pharmacist, would that count or should I look into finding people in my church to shadow? Would it be preferable if they weren’t related to me?
Do I ask a college professor or would AP Capstone be good enough, or both?
They have a medacademy and a medmasters academy. I have to wait a year or two before I apply to them though.
Thanks.
Typically shadowing positions are via personal contact. As a pharmacist your father probably knows several MDs. Ask if he knows anyone who might help. Start there. If you have a pediatrician, also ask. The Office of Diversity/Inclusion at the local medical schools might also be able to help.
For research - preferably a college professor would be better. Most are inundated with students. But if you come up with a good idea that doesn’t involve a lot of their time, the might be willing to help.
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Thanks so much for the information regarding shadowing.
I still have questions about research if that’s okay.
First off, would I have to come up with the topic/solution or just a topic I’m interested in?
Or would I take a science fair topic and expand upon it? My school doesn’t do science fair, so I’m not really sure what to do if that’s the case.
Secondly, what is that normally like? Would this all be online going back and forth searching for data or would we actively be taking the subject matter and testing it?
My daughter want to get her DPT (start grad school this summer), so she started shadowing junior year in high school, at the place where she got PT and another office (a neighbor works there). She also worked as an aid at her university PT center and at another center here at home.
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What was her shadowing experience like?
Your intended course path is fine - just take the most rigorous classes available to you, that you can do well in, and then give it your best effort.
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Many of the college profs don’t have enough space for all the undergrads, let alone HS students to do research in their labs. So thats why I suggested trying to find a research proposal that can be done without requiring too much time from the prof. Take a look at some of the projects that did well at ISEF in recent years. Many of these solve problems using creativity. A medically related project would be better if you’re interested in med school. There are loads of datasets that can be used for AI/machine learning approaches to answer research questions. These don’t require a lab, but requires solid understanding of programming, statistics and biomedical science.
It sounds like you live in NJ. Even if your HS doesn’t have its own science fair, you should be able to enter into one of the regional fairs that feed into ISEF: DVSF, MSEF, Rowan, Coriell, Jersey Shore, etc. I believe the DVSF has a program where they can pair you with a mentor. The key is to find a topic that has an interesting and creative solution. Doesn’t necessarily need to have the most cutting edge science, but should be clever.
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It was great, she really liked it and based several essays on her experience, which was hands on. It helped to solidify her choice of career before college even started. She learned she loves working with people, learning about them, and could never have a desk job. She thought about med school, but she’s a little squeamish (did fine with the cadaver though).
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Okay, can I ask you a question? How many AP classes did you or your child do?
I know there’s no set number and everywhere’s different but I have a minor concern that depending on how much homework a class gives, I might have to sacrifice sleeping time, lunch in some years, and other capacities meant for me to spend time with my family. I’ll ask some upperclassmen, but I know my health’s one of the most important things, and I want to gauge what to expect (sorry how badly that was phrased).
Here is the ISEF database of abstracts from the last several years. You can use it to search for interesting projects and to get some ideas:
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Congratulations on your daughter
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@rosechild Like @DigitalDad, my college student is also an EMT. He works for a 100% volunteer agency where no one gets paid. It’s located right off campus and the station has become his second home. He started in April of 2020 with no experience at all, and being an EMT has absolutely nothing to do with his major. He was always a reserved, buttoned up person, but I can’t even begin to describe the amazing personality transformation his EMT experiences have directly contributed to. It’s not for everyone, but I’d recommend any student give it a try. It likely will change you for the better in several ways.
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Thank you, I’ll talk to my parents about it.
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I missed the instrument and exactly where you live but Julliard has a MAP program for under represented groups in music where the level does not need to be as high. It is a bridge to their precollege level and you have to show less advancement. If it is possible for you to get to NYC every Saturday next fall it may be worse a look.
https://www.juilliard.edu/school/preparatory-division/music-advancement-program
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If you are in 8th grade, have been playing since you were in kindergarten, and are in the 4th suzuki book on violin, then I think that it is a hobby that you enjoy, but is unlikely to serve to catapult you into a T20 school. If you enjoy it (which it sounds as if you do), definitely you should continue. If there is an intensive strings program at a nearby conservatory program, to encourage development of young strings players, and you have the time and the motivation, sure. Philadelphia Youth Orchestra has such a program. Prysm Strings - PYO Music Institute
I would say that you are at the point and stage where you should do what you enjoy doing. You love to write, want to write novels? Great! You want to challenge yourself with some AP classes, in subjects you like, known to have a good teacher? Go for it! But don’t focus on any particular college yet, let alone on extremely competitive, professionally-focused programs. It’s too early. Be broad in your approach. At your age, just do what you love doing, and see which interests, activities, and subjects appeal to you the most, as you move along through high school. Get the best grades you can, put your all into the activities you love doing, and good things are sure to follow.
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