I wanted to take the AMC 10, and want to become a doctor, but the problems seem too hard for me. Will it help me in becoming a doctor, or not so much?
Your chances of becoming a doctor are contingent on your college grades, which need to be high, and the MCAT.
It will not help you become a doctor. We all have different talents and skills, and colleges know that. Some people are very good at math, and others have a very good bedside manner. Which do you think is more important to your future profession?
I wanted to get accepted into a bs/md program, specifically Northwestern’s. Do they care if an applicant won a math competition or not? Would they select you because of the win?
No
what do they specifically look for in an applicant?
High GPA and High Test scores are very important. Also, for most BS/MD programs, you have to write a personal statement, get recommendations, and do an interview. Additionally, you’ll be evaluated on your extracurricular activities. These programs want to see that you’ve demonstrated leadership and achievement; furthermore, they like to see involvement in extracurriculars related to health and medicine.
Basically, getting into a BS/MD program is on par with getting admitted to the most selective colleges in the country.
If you signed up the competition, you should go and do your best. It will be part of your EC and be part of the consideration for your BS/MD application. Whether it will have more weight or not, it is hard to say. If all your other apps are good, plus you have the medical EC is desirable to the school, you will be selected for interview. About 75% of the selected interviewee by NW will not be successful, so the chances are slim for anyone. A win in an important math competition at national level may become a part of discussion in an interview and maybe of help. But anything less than that won’t be of much consequences, as Math is not an important factor in Medical field.
No.
Do them if you enjoy them.
What you should be doing in HS for a potential doctor:
- Take Bio, Chem, Physics and at least one AP version
- Challenge yourself in English…try to take AP if possible
- Try to get to Calculus
- Volunteer in a medical setting
if you are looking for BS/MD then also:
5) Try to do research
6) Shadow doctors
BS/MD programs look for three things outside of stellar academics - medical volunteering, shadowing, research experience.
Northwestern has something like 20-25 seats. Setting your eyes only on HPME would make zero sense if your goal to is to get into a BS/MD program. You need to apply widely.
@cool908 There is a section in CC called ‘multiple degree programs’. Every year there are 2 threads created , one for discussion and one for results. Review some of the results thread to get a feel for students profiles and what they have done to get admission. Also you can post in 2020 discussion thread if you have specific questions related to BS/MD.