<p>I went to Live Oak High. I don't live in the affluent neighborhood in which De Anza is located. Plus most people in De Anza are not from area, except international students. The people from the area are usually(I think but am not sure) Monta Vista high students. Which of whom ironically out performs everyone else.</p>
<p>"Medical schools are looking for unique individuals, not people who are looking to fall in with the norm."</p>
<p>@ norcalguy.While I did fall into the norm, I did change at some point. For instance, I went from basic math to college level calculus in just one year earning A's. Definitely not the norm. It was just that it was too late at that point. My argument for falling into the norm pertains to those that aren't mature enough to make informed decisions.</p>
<p>Btw, do you think my turn around would look impressive for admission officers?
It's different from your story because I wasn't motivated. But I did fall out of the norm eventually, and in a good way too.</p>
<p>According to online sources, Live Oak had an API of around 730. It's not Monta Vista but it's above average. I think it'd be a hard sell to blame your misfortunes on your HS.</p>
<p>It's certainly not too late to turn on the gas but you're running out of time. As someone has already said (and has been echoed a few times in this post), it's now or never. Maintain a 3.9-4.0 at DeAnza and shoot to maintain the same GPA at whatever UC you end up at. The key is to never settle or to get into the mindset that "I'm a CC transfer. I'm supposed to do worse at the 4-year college."</p>
<p>And, honestly, you need to be more involved outside of class. I know it's not easy to find stuff at a CC (which is why I've said that attending a CC is a disadvantage) but you need to show med schools that you can take some initiative. Contact some profs at Stanford or SJ State and see if you can get a research position. Get a job. Start your own club at De Anza. Volunteer at a local hospital. You're certainly not in Podunk, USA. Opportunities are available.</p>
<p>"According to online sources, Live Oak had an API of around 730. It's not Monta Vista but it's above average. I think it'd be a hard sell to blame your misfortunes on your HS."</p>
<p>Are you serious? Look, only 5 people made it to Cal from the senior class of 05.<br>
Thats ridiculously low. An above average API probably means more people are graduating instead of dropping out. The valedictorian took AP chem and got an A. Guess what he got on the AP test. An 2. Talk about de-standardization. I have many other anecdotes that show how bad this school is. </p>
<p>"Contact some profs at Stanford or SJ State and see if you can get a research position."</p>
<p>Do med-school prefer biological research that pertains to medicine? Or is anything fine? My major is math so I will most likely end up doing a math or engineering research.</p>
<p>The problem might be that you're overestimating American high schools in general.</p>
<p>What the heck is an API? Is it nationwide? I'll look it up for my kid's high school in Texas. LOL. If college results have anything to do with API it's probably not very high.</p>
<p>edit: nevermind. It seems to be cal only.</p>
<p>"Last year, 2005-06, our senior class of 105 students had over 50 students accepted by 4-year colleges and universities. This is double, almost triple, the state average."</p>
<p>This is from the school's website. It looks like 1/2 of your high school graduating class attended a 4-year college straight after graduation. There are HS schools where barely 1/2 even graduate muchless go to college. It's not comparable to a school like MV because MV is the best public high school in Northern California and Cupertino, in general, has one of the best school districts in the nation (another reason not to live in Cupertino; it distorts your view of the world). But, it honestly sounds like your high school is above average. </p>
<p>MV's API: 900+
Live Oak's API: 730+
State avg.: 600+</p>
<p>"another reason not to live in Cupertino; it distorts your view of the world"</p>
<p>that may be, but I much prefer Cupertino to to where I lived(Morgan Hill). I believe that living in a neighborhood where people are outstanding citizens can have a positive influence on one's life. Also, who would want to live in the "real world" where they face a lower probability of success? </p>
<p>I come from a so-so neighborhood, not really a ghetto. But it is surrounded by one. The conditions were less than ideal. There are mentally ill vagabonds. Many people were uneducated. I was even robbed one time. But enough about anecdotes. The truth is that the majority of successful people come from these very same "sheltered"(Cupertino, West San Jose etc..) environments that you seem to disapprove of. Look at the most elite schools(HYPS) and you'll find the vast majority of students to be from upper-middle class suburbia. These people are obviously going to maintain their affluence.</p>
<p>"But, it honestly sounds like your high school is above average. " </p>
<p>Above average? maybe. The average high school really sucks. Moreover, an above average high-school like Live Oak is only above average in getting people to graduate and into no-name schools. Its average because the analysis is taken relative all high-schools. Of course there many high- schools that can't even get their students to graduate.These schools shouldn't even count since they can even function properly and the government has given up all hope in salvaging them. So Live Oak being above average is certainly misleading. Certainly I would argue that my schools grading standards are below average. People get A's in AP classes and then they end up with 2s or 3s on AP tests. If the school was up to par, an A would imply an 5. My high school is not preparing students for college. The valedictorian of 05 received Cs(in the same classes that he already took in HS) in UCLA. I would argue that if he went to a better high-school, his GPA would be much higher. </p>
<p>Also, just what is average? Can the average person solve 5x+3=13 ? Probably not. If you take this into account. Then one could make the argument that even people who are twice as intelligent as the aforementioned person are still going to be mediocre.</p>
<p>
[quote]
These schools shouldn't even count
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Oh come on. In your desire to express yourself as some kind of oppressed, disadvantaged child, you've decided to ignore the fact that two-thirds of the state goes to a worse high school than you did.</p>
<p>"two-thirds of the state goes to a worse high school than you did"</p>
<p>Two thirds of the state goes to extremely bad high schools. A decent school is one that at least should have some modicum of work ethic. Top 33% is still very bad.</p>
<p>No med school adcom will care about your high school. </p>
<p>What they will care about is your college record. So far, it's been unimpressive, what with the two withdrawals from pre-med classes at a community college.</p>
<p>For the last time: stop whining about your horrible high school and start excelling. Otherwise, your goal of med school is going to be completely out of reach.</p>
<p>"So far, it's been unimpressive, what with the two withdrawals from pre-med classes at a community college."</p>
<p>Well, then what does my college look like? Should I just pretend to subtract 2 pts from my gpa because of the combined factors of 2Ws and community college attendance? If everyone says my record sucks, then what is GPA when adjustments are taken into account?</p>
<p>"start excelling"</p>
<p>Well, it not like my GPA is going to get any better. And I already have ECs( tutor, math club, engineering club, phi theta kappa) But like I said, they all suck. I can't get started on any real ECs until I transfer. Right now I plan to volunteer at a hospital and do some research at SJ state or Stanford. But thats about it. But if you got any other suggestions I'm all ears.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Right now I plan to volunteer at a hospital and do some research at SJ state or Stanford. But thats about it. But if you got any other suggestions I'm all ears.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Then do those, make A's, transfer as soon as you can, do more, make A's, kill the MCAT, and then apply to a wide range of schools where you will be competitive. That's it. That's all anybody does.</p>
<p>Why is this so mystifying to you? It's like you think there is some secret voodoo gris gris talisman shaman crap that everybody is hiding from you. There isn't.</p>