Biology Undergraduate Admission Requirements

Applying to College
1

<p>Hello!
I should start with the fact that I just moved in US a month ago from Europe.
I'm 17 and I'm going to be a Junior in high school this year.
My dream is to get into a great medical school (maybe Ivy League). So in order to do that I need to get into a good
undergraduate school, I really like molecular biology and genetics so I am considering studying molecular biology in college. I currently live in New Jersey so my goal is to get admitted into Princeton. I know it's difficult
but I am willing to work as much as I have to .
The thing is I went to the guidance office at my high school and they helped me plan my schedule.
I told them about my future plans and they gave me AP Chemistry this year and AP Biology for my Senior year.
My questions are: </p>

<ol>
<li><p>Does anyone know what are the admission requirements for a Biology Undergrad program? Also do you know what they are looking for in an application?</p></li>
<li><p>Is it ok that I'm taking AP Biology in my Senior year or should I try and take it this year? I'm asking because I'm afraid that colleges won't see any Biology classes done in US. I took Biology for 2 years in my country but the classes were really advanced (college level) and the teacher gave really hard tests so, even though I learned a lot my grades are not that good.</p></li>
<li><p>I want to take the SAT Subject Tests in Biology and Chemistry. Is that enough? Should I take Math or Physics also?</p></li>
<li><p>If you have any other advise or anything that you think I should know as a foreign student I would be more than happy to know. :)</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Thank you and sorry for the long post! :)</p>

2

<ol>
<li><p>AP Biology like you’re planning should be sufficient.</p></li>
<li><p>How do your grades from your home country stack up against others? Are you a permanent resident/US citizen? It might matter if you are applying early action, as they will not see your senior year grades, so it might be helpful to do AP Bio in junior year to show then you can excel. If you are really committed to princeton, early action is likely the way to go.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>However, keep in mind that many people go to great medical schools from all sorts of undergraduate alma maters, so going to a good state school is just as a viable if that’s your only reason.</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Lots of colleges like seeing a math SAT II. I don’t remember off the top of my head for Princeton, but it should be easily found on their website.</p></li>
<li><p>Make sure that you meet the requirements to be considered in-country because international admissions requirements are crazy.</p></li>
</ol>

3

<p>Don’t forget to take physics, since pre-meds need to take college physics, which may list high school physics as a recommended prerequisite.</p>