GPA: 4.5 W ( two Bs sophomore year and a B this semester in AP calc BC but my GPA is still 4.5)
SAT: 2120 CR: 680 M:780 W:660 (probably going to try again and aim for 2200-2300+)
AP classes: will have 9 AP classes by next year
EC: NHS (10-12)
medals/awards for fencing (very rare in my community so had to go out of town for all of my competitions)
Band (9-12)
started Children’s fencing program in my county
Center for Future Global Leaders lexicon Competition winner
volunteered at the library since 5th grade…200+ hours
*** I’m also planning on looking for an internship at a local university research center? (mostly biological/medical)
I AM FULLY AWARE that this is more than lacking in what is considered “extraordinary” or “popping out” so please don’t be harsh on me haha :)))
and also I haven’t joined many clubs so I would like some advice on being more involved? is it too late?
I think you have a good shot at all the UCs; UCB and UCLA are reach. I’m pretty sure you’ll get into UCI, so I’ll tell you this: I’m a pre-med biological sciences major at UCI, and I’m not too pleased. I’m looking to transfer out because the quarter system in general makes it nearly impossible to go for summer research at UCB, UCSF, Duke, Harvard, etc. I know a lot of the UCs have a quarter system. If I could go back and choose between UCI, UCSB, UCD, and UCSD, I’d go for UCSB or UCD. Definitely not UCI. But in the end, it’s up to you. Just thought you might benefit from knowing this. Best of luck!
@Gumbymom i’m so sorry to bother you…but if you happen to know…do you maybe have an idea like how I should look for and ask for an intership? It’s really tough in my community because i’m not in an urban(?) area and nothing is really around here. Plus everything is so overwhelming for me and I honestly don’t know where to start… Do you have any information on what exactly I should be looking for in an “internship” or even “shadowing” a doctor?
Based on my children’s experience with their high school biomedical classes, it is really hard to get an internship if you are under the age of 18 because of insurance liability issues. Most students generally have a connection to a known adult, via their parents, to locate viable internships.
My eldest worked in a university lab with a researcher, who is a friend of mine. DD's job was to prep blood samples, clean up the lab, give visitor tours and take messages for the researcher. They worked on diabetic research; dd1 was 18.
My middle dd worked with my HS friend, a veterinarian, who had DD2 prepare labs and clean and autoclave instruments and learning about universal precautions. DD2 was 17, but my friend let that slide.
My ds (age 18) worked at our local zoo with another HS classmate of mine, cleaning clinical areas and preparing formulas.
The biomedical class teacher required the class to complete and find these internships on their own for the second semester of off-site placements. Students who were under 18 had extreme difficulty finding placements if they didn’t have a personal connection.
The teacher approached me when my middle child began her Vet placement, and asked if I would be willing to share my connections with some of the other students (some students had come to her in tears because they couldn’t find placements). I shared my connections, but I let those connections know that they should probably interview the candidates since I didn’t know anything about the students. By the time ds was in the class, I had exhausted my favors, but my HS alumni came through with more options.
Ask your parents, church members, scout leaders for referrals. Someone who works in the medical field will be available.
@“aunt bea” I’m currently trying to figure out a way to email a professor at a local university to intern for her " behavioral neuroscience laboratory"… COULD YOU PLEASE GIVE ME SOME ADVICE ON HOW TO POLITELY ASK HER IF ANY INTERSHIP IS AVAILABLE? I REALLY WANT TO STUDY/WORK UNDER HER!!!
I COPIED THE INFORMATION SHE PUT OUT ON HER WEBSITE
"One of the primary focuses of the Behavioral Neuroscience Laboratory (BNL) is to provide undergraduate students with a research experience that will prepare them for graduate study via the use of animal models. The lab currently has two primary investigators: Dr. Amy…and Dr. Isabel…
Dr. Amy…
The focus of my lab is investigating behavioral and neurobiological mechanisms that underlie vulnerability to drug addiction. It is of great interest to examine why some individuals are susceptible to drugs of abuse while others are more resilient. My training as a graduate student focused on studying various animal models of behavioral phenotypes that may mediate variability in drug-taking behaviors (i.e., sensation seeking impulsivity, negative consequences of self-administration). As a postdoc, I studied the neuronal, molecular, and behavioral plasticity that occurs following repeated exposure to drugs of abuse. My research seeks to understand behavioral and molecular processes that lead to the development of drug addiction.
For more information about this research, please contact Dr. Am…,"
IM REALLY REALLY INTERESTED!! ANY ADVICE WOULD BE GREAT
Is there a biomedical course at your high school? Those courses teach you how to use and prep samples via lab equipment.
Do you have a family vet? They do lots of lab samples and studies. Start off with that a get experience in that lab and while you’re doing that, read her previous research then write to her and ask her if you can observe her during her investigations. PM me if you have more questions.
