Chance me for Ba/MD programs please!

Pre-Med & Medical School Multiple Degree Programs
1

<p>I know it's a bit early, but I have a good grasp of standardized test scores and such. Where do you think I can actually go?</p>

<p>General Info:
Asian Indian
Junior Attending Semi-Competitive Public High School
California Resident
No Financial Aid Needed</p>

<p>GPA including 2nd Semester predictions:
Unweighted: 3.8
Weighted: 4.2ish</p>

<p>SAT/PSAT/ACT Scores:
SAT I: 2250 (710 CR, 770 M, 770 W) (Am considering retake to break magical 2300)
SAT II: 730 Chemistry (UGH maybe retake)
Projected: 800 Math IIC, 750+ Biology, 750+ US History
ACT: 35
Will Send Both ACT and SAT</p>

<p>AP Exams:
AP European History - Passed, but Ugly</p>

<p>Taking this Year:
AP English Language – 4 or 5
AP Spanish Language – 3?
AP United States History - 5
AP Biology – 5
AP Chemistry - 4</p>

<p>Taking Next (Senior Year):
AP Calculus BC
AP English Literature
AP Government
AP Macroeconomics
AP Microeconomics
AP Physics C: Mechanics
AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism
AP Statistics</p>

<p>Extracurricular Activities/Work Experience:
Self-Taught Pianist – 10 Years (can send CD)
≈750 Hours Work at Parent’s Small Business
500 Hours Biomedical Research at UCSF
90 Hours Shadowing Gastroenterologist
Organized Colon Cancer Awareness Booth at Local Relay for Life Event
≈250 Hours Volunteer Work Local Hospital
≈2000 Hours Volunteer Work Local Sikh Temple
≈60 Hours Tutoring With Pay
HOSA Competitor National Level
Public Forum Debate / Extemporaneous Speaking National Level
Captain Public Forum Debate – 2 Years
President College Club
JSA Member</p>

<p>Awards/Recognition:
San Joaquin Valley Champion Public Forum Debate
First Place Biomedical Debate State HOSA Competition
Finalist Biomedical Debate National HOSA Competition
Ranked #56 International Issues Extemporaneous Speech Nationally
California Scholarship Foundation Member
National Honors Society Member</p>

<p>Schools of Interest:
UCSD Med Scholars
Columbia EA
USC Bacc/MD
Penn State BA/MD
Boston University BA/MD
Northwestern HPME</p>

2

<p>Sat Siri Akal. I am sure you will do fine. I had about the same scores as you and am now going to Stanford!</p>

3

<p>Wow that is definitely impressive. Can people who have been accepted to some of these programs please give some input?</p>

4

<p>hi,</p>

<p>I got into HPME, PennState, Pittsburgh Med School guarantee, UCSD Med Scholars, and Union/Albany LIM programs, and here are my stats:</p>

<p>Stats:</p>

<p>2210/2400 SAT
35/36 ACT
790 Math 2C
790 Chem
3.91 (unweighted GPA), 4.47 (weighted GPA)
top 1% of class (out of 600ish)</p>

<p>Shadowed Er Physician
Diabetes Research Project at community clinic
Worked Blood Pressure and Blood glucose checks at Community health faires
Hospital volunteering
Sci Oly, Team Captain
Junior State of America
Founder/Pres of IB Society at my school
Over 600 community services hours
Fundraised 5000 $ for 2 charities
Lead Intern at Orange County Human Relations Associates Program
Taught Sunday School classes</p>

<p>You have some GREAT ECs and good test scores, but your GPA seems kinda low to me. At all of my interviews, except the U. Pitt one, all the applicants had GPAs about 4.4, so idk if that will be a weeding factor for you. </p>

<p>I know of people who had high GPAs, and low test scores, and they got in because the interviewers felt that the 4-year GPA was a better measure of their academic competence, but I have never heard of it going the other way around, so you might kinda falter there.</p>

<p>Other than that, your stats look really good! And if the GPA thing doesnt turn out to be a problem, you have a good shot at most BS/MD programs.</p>

5

<p>You have really, really good stats, regardless of the GPA thing. But now you have to focus on the person behind the stats, which is what the essays are for. If there's nothing substantial behind all this, then a lot of the committees will be really turned off by it.</p>

6

<p>Do you guys think that the GPA will hold me back a considerable amount? Essays I think I have in the can and will write pretty good ones.</p>

7

<p>honestly, idk... cuz college admissions, and BS/MD admissions in particular, are essentially a crapshoot, and you'll come to realize that once you apply and get accepted/rejected from places that you shouldn't have.</p>

8

<p>^Very true. I don't think there's much you can do to control the process, especially with admission rates dropping this year and projected to be even lower next year.</p>

9

<p>To restate something penguin757 said: admission rates are dropping every year.</p>

<p>schools that host combined med programs have realized that combined kids slack off during undergrad because they dont have to take the MCAT and only maintain a reasonable GPA. They also don't do as strenous ECs as non-combined kids. therefore, med schools are realizing that combined med kids are sometimes sub-par, when it comes to their matriculating med school class. So either the requirements for staying in combined med programs are going to be come more stringent, or they will be drastically downsized, if not eliminated over the next decade or so.</p>

10

<p>Also, make sure to not limit yourself into applying to only bs/md programs. With those stats you have a chance at the ivy's and other top schools.</p>

<p>After you get your acceptances, then you can choose whether you want a specific program or a top school. Realize that for someone with your stats, getting into medical school (assuming you maintain your academic vigor) is not going to be hard. Thus, you have to be sure that you want to lock yourself into a program. As ppenguin mentioned, most kids from these programs tend to slack off and end up as the bottom tier in the respective medical schools. Bottom tier is not where you want to be if you want a residency like anesthesia, or surgery.</p>

11

<p>Your weighted GPA is relative based on where you go to school so dismiss that. Your unweighted GPA is what really counts. 3.8 is great.</p>

12

<p>3.8 is good, but like i said earlier, most of the ppl who i met on my interview days all over the place (except Pitt) had about 3.9-4.0</p>

13

<p>I'm also applying to
UCLA
Berkeley
Stanford SCEA
Columbia
UChicago</p>

14

<p>Perfect GPA and first in class ranking combined with all other ECs, including a lot of hours working (paid) in research med. lab. was not enough for some programs last year. It is simply unpredictable. It is good that you are applying to other schools "regular" route. </p>

<p>FYI - cannot slack in combined program, it is a wrong perception. All of them require to maintain some GPA and some require MCAT. People with such attitude get kicked out easily, just stumbling on one bad grade. BE PREPARED TO WORK EXTRA HARD or be smashed.</p>

15

<p>would a c in one semester (we have semester grading) ruin your chances for these progrs?</p>

16

<p>I would definetly say that the AdComs would not look favourably upon a grade of C, reguardless of what subject (except P.E.)</p>

17

<p>^PE is one of my favorites lol...</p>

18

<p>what do you think about those other schools?</p>

19

<p>cc_mom,
Not all bs/md programs are very selective. Which ones you are planning to apply? In-state status is very helpful with admission to some combined programs.</p>

20

<p>am from TX. All of our instate progs are pretty selective. Will have to try for some others and try my luck. Hope I can push it up to a b by the end though.</p>