Chance for UMKC, PLME, HPME, USC, Rice/Baylor, WashU med Scholars???

Pre-Med & Medical School Multiple Degree Programs
1

<p>So, I posted this chance thread on the "What are my Chances" area of CC, but didn't really get responses on specific combined med program. So, I'd really appreciate any input. Here are my stats:</p>

<p>Gender: M
Race: White (well, technically Middle-Eastern)
Income: ~85,000
State: Missouri
College Class Year: 2016
High School: Public
High School Type: sends a couple grads to Ivies (semi-competitive)
Will apply for financial aid: Yes
Major: Biochemistry or Biomedical Engineering (unless school program requires me to follow a different path)
Minor: Political Science</p>

<p>Academics:
GPA - Unweighted: 4.00
GPA - Weighted: 4.42 (4.62 by graduation)
Class Rank- Valedictorian
Class Size- 238
I also have about 12 credit hours from state schools (University of Central Missouri and University of Missouri-Kansas City) for college Spanish and math classes (4.0 GPA in this as well). I should have about 20-25 by the time I graduate. I know that this won't transfer to most of the schools that I'm applying to, but I think that it should show some initiative on my part to go above and beyond my school's curriculum. (I can always hope, right??)</p>

<p>Scores:
ACT: 32 (English- 35, Math-34, Reading-31, Science-27, Writing 11) I will retake this to increase science.
PSAT- 197 (I was unfortunately sick during this test, really awful experience)
SAT- Planning on taking in the fall
SAT II Math Level 2 (IIC)- Will take in the fall
SAT II Chem- Will take in the fall
SAT II US History- 740</p>

<p>APs: I don't come from an "AP school." My school offers 4 APs, and restricts us from taking them until junior year. Moreover, it was logistically impossible for me to take more than 1 my junior year: US history (5). I'm doing a lot of independent studies to make up for that my senior year (school also restricts us to doing this only senior year). But, I am taking the most rigorous course-load possible. </p>

<p>Senior Course load:
Honors Independent Study AP Psychology
Honors Independent Study AP Calculus AB
Honors Independent Study AP US Gov and Politics
Honors AP Literature
Honors AP Senior Composition/Techniques of Writing (AP English)
Honors Anatomy and Physiology
Honors Chemistry II
Honors Spanish IV
Honors Debate</p>

<p>Essay: I have, what should be, a very unique idea for an essay for the commonapp. I'm an excellent writer, and I intend to write every optional supplement essay.</p>

<p>Extracurricular/Community Service/Work Experience:
-National Honor Society- President
-Student Council- Senior class president, junior class president, sophomore class vice-president, and freshman class representative.
-Debate- I do Public Forum Debate (PUF), Extemporaneous Speaking, Original Oratory, and Radio. There are too many awards at tournaments to list. However, the major ones are:
Sophomore.....2nd at Conference in PUF, 1st at Districts in PUF, State qualifier (first to do this from my school as sophomores in debate)
Junior.....1st at Conference in PUF, 2nd at conference in Extemp, 1st at Districts in PUF, state qualifier in PUF
Varsity debater every year, voted Novice Debate student of the year (among many other awards )
-National Forensics League- Distinction Member
-Future Business Leaders of America- President Junior and senior years.
Freshman year....3rd in Word processing and Intro to Business (districts)
Sophomore year....1st in Public Speaking I and Intro to business, 4th in Word Processing 1, 6th in Public Speaking and 4th in intro to business at State.
Junior year....1st in Public Speaking II, Economics, and Business ethics (districts), 2nd in Business ethics and 6th in Public Speaking (state), and Top 15 at Nationals in Business Ethics.
-Spanish Club: Vice-President Junior year, set to be president senior year.
-Student 2 Student- Ambassador every year. I introduce new students to the school and help them get settled.
-J.V. Tennis- Freshman and junior year.
-J.V. Track and Field- pole vault sophomore year. (I guess I was experimenting....what a mistake!)
-"Building a Winning Community"- This was by far one of the most unique experiences I've ever had. I might write an essay about it. I was selected by my principal to serve on the steering committee for an initiative by the NCAA Division II. This program was a revitalization project for my hometown that was to serve as a Pilot program for over 19,000 other towns. The steering committee consisted of leaders in the community, such as the President of the hospital, the President of the local university, the City Manager, etc. After this program finished its primary goal (to establish a vision and action plan for the city), I traveled to Indiana to give a presentation on its accomplishments to the Indiana State High School Athletics Association, and I received recognition from the National Federation of State High Schools.
-Academic Quiz Bowl- Freshman and Junior year.
-Students Against Destructive Decisions- Freshman year (somewhat insignificant)
-Science Olympiad- Freshman year. Placed at regionals, advanced to state.
-Western Missouri Medical Center Auxiliary- raises money for the hospital in my town.
-Local play performance- "18 More Reasons Not to be in a Play." It was kind of cool. I also did another performance for elementary school kids.
-Missouri Youth Election- I facilitated the 2010 elections.
-TEAMS Science and Engineering Competition- 16th in state.
-Boys State- Senator, Majority Party Caucus Chair in Senate, Country Party Delegate, State Party Delegate, Senate Committee Vice-Chairman
-The Greenleaf Center Servant Leadership Workshop.
-Job Shadowing- I shadowed a pediatrician and a doctor at the MO Veteran's Home for 100+ hours. I'm currently shadowing that same pediatrician regularly. Also, I will be shadowing a surgeon for a few weeks. I should have around 200+ hours when all is said and done.
-Volunteering- 200+ hours at the local hospital, Veteran's home, blood drive, tutoring, etc. (I'm being VERY brief).
-Commencement Host at graduation</p>

<p>Awards: (not too extensive)
-President's Volunteer Service Award Gold Group level and Bronze Individual Level
-Varsity Award in Academics every year
-Personal Finance Challenge- 4th and 7th place at districts
-Academic Excellence Medal every year
-February 2011 Student of the Month
-Optimist Club Student of the Month
-1st at County, District, and Zone in American Legion Oratorical Competition. 4th at State. Received $1,800 Scholarship
-Principal's Honor Roll every year.</p>

<p>Recommendations:
-One from AP History teacher- This one should be the best. It will highlight how academics is my strong-suit, and it should go over my dedication to ECs.
-One from Chemistry I/II and Biology teacher. This should be very strong.
-Counselor recommendation should be great, as well. I have gotten to know her very well over the years. </p>

<p>Interested in: (no particular order)
-Brown- PLME
-Northwestern- HPME
-Rice/Baylor program
-University of Missouri Kansas City- 6 year MD program
-USC combined program
-Washu- Med scholars</p>

<p>Thanks for your input! And thanks for reading all of this!!!</p>

2

<p>In at UMKC, 100% no joke, especially because you are in state. I’m not too familiar with the rest, but they’re all a crapshoot for everyone. G’luck!</p>

3

<p>When all this is cut down to the stuff that matters, I have a hard time understanding why you are passionate about medicine? It seems like you are first and foremost interested in poli sci/history? Probably 90% of your activities focus on those areas versus medicine.</p>

4

<p>@bsmdman, I can see where you’re coming from, but I come from a high school where being involved in debate/FBLA, and the rest of those things is a necessity if you want to be successful. Moreover, I enjoy them. I’ve talked to a few combined program adcoms, and they’ve said that pursuing your interests while still showing interest in medicine is important. Also, I don’t have too many opportunities available to me in my area with regards to medicine related activities (no pre-med clubs, etc). With that in mind, what else should I be doing?</p>

5

<p>I think you have great chances for all of these programs.
If you can score around ~2300 on your SAT’s, I think you’d be a shoo-in.</p>

6

<p>haha this is almost exactly like me, I’m trying for all these programs and my stats are similar to yours, everyone always comments on how they thought I would go towards the political route but is surprised by my passion for medicine</p>

7

<p>Your ACT score needs significant improvement. Otherwise you’re OK. </p>

<p>If you want a “chance”. My scores were higher, but my major activity/leadership stats were almost identical to yours down to the positions held…
I got into every program you listed. Didn’t apply to Rice/Baylor or PLME.</p>

8

<p>Thank you for all the responses! I’ll work on increasing my scores. I guess my main concern is how to gain more medical exposure. Does anyone have any tips?</p>

9

<p>I had a similar dilemma, i worked in a hospital for volunteer work but that was about it, so I then went to work for the NIH over the summer and Im continuing to work there until the end of my senior year. I also worked as a Aide in a Dentists office and plan on getting xray certified in the fall. just some ideas</p>

10

<p>In for UMKC.</p>

<p>The other ones are unpredictable.</p>

<p>Also, I believe that the USC program is now defunct.</p>

<p>I don’t want to change your mind, but WashU has some pretty hard requirements once you’re in the program (3.8 GPA and 36 MCAT), but if you’re confident you can get those then definitely apply.</p>