Chances at the Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education?

Colleges and Universities A-Z City College of New York
1

<p>I'm currently a rising senior and this is a program that I am extremely bent on getting into, as it would be the only way that I could even get into medical school. My financial situation is tough, and there is no guarantee that I would even be able to afford to go through the traditional pre-medicine route in a regular undergrad. To put it into perspective...if I can't get into the Sophie Davis program, I will have to settle for colleges like Brooklyn or other CCNY schools, because I simply cannot afford anything better. Plus, this is the only BS/MD program that I could find that would even consider (I think?) a "less than stellar" applicant such as myself. I am very interested in going into primary care, and the three essay's (except the first topic essay) pretty much revolved around my commitment to primary care, and how I can relate to the people who are currently living in undeserved areas that are in dire need of physicians. Unfortunately, based on my ACT test scores alone, I'm not sure I'll even be given a chance. T_T Anyway, here is a little more about me (I'm basing this on the "what are my chances" threads I've looked at earlier)</p>

<p>Gender: Male
Ethnicity: Hispanic (half of my cousins live in Venezuela)
Average: 93.85 unweighted (around a 3.75 GPA, I've kept it consistent throughout high school)
Class Rank: School does not rank unless colleges need it for scholarship considerations or something like that (that's what my guidance counselor told me lol)</p>

<p>SAT's: 1660 (590CR, 480M, 590W, 11 essay)
SAT II's: They're abysmal. I won't even go into those.
ACT: 26 Composite (retaking in September. Thank you ACT test dates )</p>

<p>Regents (grades that I remembered, anyway):
-Living Environment (9th grade...I didn't really care back then): 82
-Earth Science: 85
-Intergrated Algebra 2 w/ Trig: 75 (and that was from trying my best...if you guys couldn't tell already, I'm horrible at Math)
-Regents ELA: 100
-Regents US History and Gov't: 99
-Regents Phy Set/Chemistry: 79 (retaking in August for a 90+)</p>

<p>I take IB classes instead of AP. IB classes are like AP, but supposedly they're more harder and some are even offered in 2 years instead of one. Meh, I don't really know more about that. My school only offers AP Euro, since the other AP's were replaced with IB's.</p>

<p>Classes taken this year with final grades:
-Chemistry Honors: 88
-Chorus: 99
-IB English HL I: 90
-IB History of the America's: 92
-IB Psychology SL: 92 (gonna find out my IB exam grades on the seventh)
-Integrated Algebra 2 w/ Trig: 85
-Health Education: 90 something...my report card was torn, leaving me clueless about the second digit...lol</p>

<p>Senior Schedule:
-IB English HL II
-IB History of the America's HL II
-IB Physics
-IB Living Environment
-IB Math Studies
-Anatomy and Physiology
-Sports Medicine
-Team Sports</p>

<p>And the WISE Internship as well. I'm planning to intern with a Neurosurgeon (the school has been able to get Neurosurgeon's before).</p>

<p>Honors:
-Honor Roll Grades 9-10
-High Honor Roll Grades 10-11 (and hopefully senior year)
-Health Achievement Award - Grade 11
-5 year National Roll for Piano Guild</p>

<p>EC School Activities:
-Chamber Singers grades 9 and 11
-WISE Internship - Grade 12 (this is planned)
-NYSSMA Grades, All "outstanding", grades 9-11
-Volunteered at the library for the whole summer of my freshman year</p>

<p>Out of School EC's:
-Pianist for 15 years
-Martial Artist, Red/Black stripe ranking - 8 years
-Hospital Volunteering at the Emergency Department - Grades 11-12 (planning to keep up with it senior year)
-200+ hours shadowing various doctors including a Cardiologist and an Anesthesiologist
-Piano Guild Participant - 5 years
-Pianist at the nursing home - Grade 9
-Returning pianist at winter and summer recitals for the Brookville Reformed Church (yes, this means I live on Long Island, but I am far from "rich" or even "middle class") - 10 years
-Youth Group at the Glen Cove Christian Church</p>

<p>Letters of Recommendation:
-Guidance Counselor
-Piano teacher of 15 years
-The Anesthesiologist I mentioned earlier wrote me one, and my guidance counselor said that it was awesome.
-My Chemistry Honors teacher
-My AP Euro teacher from 10th grade</p>

<p>They're all in and ready to go. </p>

<p>Employment:
-Photographer's assistant - Summer of 2008
-Auto body repair assistant - Summer of 2009</p>

<p><em>Well that's pretty much my whole story up until this point. I know my grades are not stellar, but I am hopeful that my commitment to various extracurriculars and my essay's will be more...'loud' than what my grades say. I know that I'm not the best student, but I have always been passionate about everything that I have done, even though some results may have been less than "stellar". But nonetheless, I NEED TO KNOW if I stand at chance. Should I even apply?</em></p>

2

<p>Hi,</p>

<p>Great ECs and I think you have a strong resume and experience as a high school student.
However, your SATs and ACT are pretty low.
SAT’s: 1660 (590CR, 480M, 590W, 11 essay)</p>

<p>The SDS is extremely competitive, and they higher scores in standardized exams are assumed. So your chance is rather low.</p>

<p>If I were you I would attend other CUNY schools. Hunter, Brooklyn, Queens are all good.
You should apply to CUNY Macaulay honors. Note that this admission is only for 1 cuny school, while regular admission allows up to I believe 5 CUNY schools. </p>

<p>The advantage of Honors is that you get consider for Macaulay honors, honors program @ that particular college, and regular admission.</p>

<p>My friends @ CCNY are in pre-med preparation program @ Columbia for this summer and the next couple summers, while Fall / Spring they are still CCNY students.</p>

<p>Also, not everyone will like how SDS goes. It is extremely hard! Hardcore. </p>

<p>According to your stats so far, your math and science are not pretty. At least it’s in the mid range. I would recommend going to a regular 4-years program, while exploring possible pre-med program like what my friend did.</p>

3

<p>I’m not sure how the SAT’s and ACT’s work at the school. I plan to take the ACT again in September, just in time before the application is due (scores come out the same month) and I plan to improve it by a lot. </p>

<p>Is it true though that you submit BOTH SAT and ACT scores? I heard that if you decide to submit ACT scores (and not take their placement exam) that the ACT had to have been taken in June of your junior year…? On that front, it was all very confusing. But other than that, it’s obvious that my SAT and ACT scores are subpar, but I can’t do anything about the SAT’s. I took it THREE TIMES already. </p>

<p>Is there any other way that I could boost my application? What about my essay’s? Aren’t they taken into consideration as well? What about the interviews? Will I even get an INTERVIEW? At this point, I just want to know if I can get an interview, because that is when I plan to sell myself in full force. I’m a persuasive speaker, and a lot of people tell me that once you get an interview, that your admission is dependent on that. But I don’t even know if I’ll get one…</p>

<p>As you can see, I’m very desperate at getting into this program, because becoming a doctor is something that I have committed myself to achieving for a very long time. I NEVER had opportunities to perform research, participate in clubs that would take trips to places across the country, and I NEVER had the chance to enter science competitions because I simply did not have the resources available. More recently, I was given the opportunity to serve an internship with a Neurosurgeon as a part of the WISE internship program, but that’s really it. However, the other EC’s that I have committed my life too, I believe, are at least worth mentioning, no? I’m in a unique situation. If I don’t get into this program…I honestly don’t have a back up. Why? I can’t afford one. Sophie Davis is probably the only program in the world that fits my needs to the last letter, and I’m doing everything in my power to not screw this up. But it seems like no matter how much I try, I have to leave my chance to luck. LUCK. Don’t you understand how ridiculous that is? Don’t you understand that there are other people out there, like me, who have committed themselves to becoming physicians, but do not have the opportunity because they lost out to a kid who only wanted to become a doctor to please mommy and daddy? It’s really screwed up, and I’ve worked too hard to be screwed like this. I mean…what you see in my resume is an HONEST assessment of who I am as a person and as a student. I don’t have PERFECT SAT scores, I don’t have PERFECT ACT scores, and it’s ludicrous how a lot of other BS/MD programs only look at a student’s worth through their test scores. I think, well…thought, I had a chance at the Sophie Davis program because it was the only program that would actually look at students, like me, who were truly committed to practicing medicine, even though their test scores are around average. I thought that if I could at least convince them through my resume and my essay’s that I truly wanted to be a physician, they would at least LOOK at my application. I guess I was wrong. Completely wrong. Just as wrong as anything else I want to pursue, I guess. </p>

<p>WOW…I got seriously off topic out there. When I was writing my initial response, I kinda became furious after realizing how little of a chance I actually have and how I might lose to sell-outs who want to go into medicine for the wrong reasons. But I apologize for that digression…</p>

4

<p>Hi SophieDHispanic,</p>

<p>Sorry for this late reply. I just finished my summer class and had a final this morning. I am really sorry.</p>

<p>As far as instructions for the admission process, I will read this official letter first:
<a href=“http://www1.ccny.cuny.edu/prospective/med/admissions/upload/SDAdmissions-Letters-to-Applicants-for-2009-2010.pdf[/url]”>http://www1.ccny.cuny.edu/prospective/med/admissions/upload/SDAdmissions-Letters-to-Applicants-for-2009-2010.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>According to the instruction, you HAVE TO SUBMIT both SAT I and ACT scores. Another minor correction is that you are ALLOW to apply to both CCNY Honors and Sophie Davis simultaneously. You just need to file both applications only. Should you need any assistance with the admission process, please contact the Sophie Davis in person. Even students from the program may not know everything, so be cautious about whatever you get from the Internet.</p>

<hr>

<p>Actually I was going to respond last time, and I had written a very very very very very lengthy response with my personal story. I felt that it was too much to digest so I decided to write a concise response today. (It’s still long, but please read it).</p>

<p>I came to United States in 2003 when I was only twelves years old. My family treated me as if I was a prince. I have an older sister, who is 5 years older than me, is extremely studious, gifted and earnest person. She holds a commitment to the family because my parents do not speak English. </p>

<p>To keep the story short, people look up at her. </p>

<p>Although I came here when I was 12, I was not prepared for such a dramatic change. The first two years was very difficult (7th and 8th grade). I was not admitted to any high school (including my zone school), and I was very disappointed. I thought it was the end, but my advisor helped me to apply to a new high school opened in the following Fall semester. One of my assistant principal was appointed to become the principal of this school. My sister said transfer admission was allowed for 9th and 10th graders, which I did apply and was successfully admitted to Francis Lewis for 10th admission.</p>

<p>I did very exceptionally well in 9th grade and I enjoyed being there. In particular, I was the first class of the school, and hence there I had a very small community. Beside applied to schools like Francis Lewis, Cardozo, and Forest Hills, I also tried specialized high school again. I didn’t get in but my score improved, so I was satisfied., </p>

<p>When I received my acceptance to Francis Lewis, I was a bit not happy. I was told that Forest Hills (my sister’s school) was stronger than Francis Lewis academically. Moreover, it would take at least 40 minutes to commute for Francis Lewis, and only 20 minutes for Forest Hills. </p>

<p>Well. I was not regret after being a FLHS student for the next three years of my high school career. </p>

<p>I carried the same attitude in 10th grade. I took education and school performance very serious. I was loved by so many people. Everyone I knew would come to me for all. I would stay after school, or come to school very early to get help from my teachers. </p>

<p>I became so arrogant since 11th grade, and I was forced to drop AP Chemistry. Moreover, my GPA was screwed up. There were numerous incidents where I became frustrated and self-destructive in school. In other words, I got into troubles with the school being “insane”. I was sent to the emergency room at least twice for psychological assessments. </p>

<p>My 11th and 12thg grades were chaos. At one point I was removed from the robotics initiative that I started in 11th grade. </p>

<p>I didn’t attend school for 2 months when I was a senior. I continued to cut school regularly until March or April of my senior year. I abused drug and alcohol. I believed my brain was damage. By the time I graduated I was recovered from depression.</p>

<p>Recently I managed to get through two other obstacles which I didn’t want to mention again. </p>

<p>I go to City College. I was accepted to Columbia but I declined it. I was regret. Last year when I was still a freshman in college, I told people how much I hate about attending City College. It would be really cool to attend an Ivy like Columbia. I told people how cheap City College was.</p>

<p>After a year being there, I had made some discoveries about the school. We got a decent amount of funding in science and engineering divisions every year. Our physics department has produced four Nobel Prize physicists who were undergraduates in City College. I am now the webmaster of the ACM chapter @ CCNY. I am committed to design and develop a website using Django framework for our chapter in the next few months. There is a lot more that I can do for the Computer science and engineering school at City College. </p>

<p>While I am still considering transfer admission, I do not find any hostility toward City College anymore. </p>

<p>I felt that I have learned enough from making the same mistakes over and over. I was never calm, which was a primary factor to frustration. </p>

<p>I remembered I was declined from the Macaulay Honors program. The director of the program actually wrote a very caring e-mail response with some youtube links and quotes when I told her how important it was for me to enter Macaulay Honors. </p>

<p>Life is not perfect and we have heard enough of this damn expression. To modify it a bit: “Life is a maze: there is an infinite number of paths to get to the same point, including our death. Hence, life is a series that converges absolutely to the point of death, eventually.”</p>

<p>Look at this lovely expression. If you decide to get up and go to the restroom when your friend is returning from the restroom, and he is only about a step away from where you sit, then you may end up spilled over by his soda.</p>

<p>If you allowed him to pass you and then you leave where you sit, you may not get spilled over. If you decide to leave 5 seconds earlier, you don’t get poop over by the bird that just fly over where you sit. If you decide to leave 5 seconds later, you will get poop over by the bird. No matter what your decision is, the bird has decided to poop 5 seconds later.</p>

<p>That is, there is so many scenarios that can happen. Our decision and decisions of others will influence the outcome. Therefore, if we do not get into Sophis Davis, all it meant is that you are taking another path. If you still want to become a medical doctor in primary care, you would have to apply to a medical school. If you decide to take a year off after receiving your B.S. degree, and you still want to fulfill your dream, you can always apply to medical school after that year. </p>

<p>If you are not in S.D, there are experiences you may not get from enrolling in S.D. program, and same logically follows vice versa. </p>

<p>There is no such thing called “I must” when there are still other alternatives available to you. </p>

<hr>

<p>As far as the admission goes, certinaly they will look at you and see how well you can express your interested. You should always apply both. We cannot predict the future. You may get in.</p>

<p>Since you can apply to both Honors and S.D, do both applications. </p>

<p>If you happen to get int, congratulation. However, be caution that you may not like it.
If you do not, I am sorry for you, but there are other opportunities for you to explore. </p>

<p>For example, my friends who are interested in medical schools are accepted to this Columbia’s summer program:
[Office</a> of Diversity](<a href=“http://www.oda-ps.cumc.columbia.edu/nera/index.html]Office”>http://www.oda-ps.cumc.columbia.edu/nera/index.html)</p>

<p>They are attending this @ Columbia in the summer. There are so many interesting paths that you can always take.</p>

<p>There is no ABSOLUTE path, but we all converge to one point, that is, the death. How you write your life is up to you.</p>

<p>:)</p>

5

<p>Whats the chance of me getting in? I’m currently a senior(2nd term) in Stuyvesant High School. My overall average is an 89.5, my SAT score is 2230(800 in math, 730 in reading, 700 in Writing), my ACT score is 34, I took 2 APs (World History and Chemistry) in Junior and Sophomore and Im currently taking two(AP Bio and Calculus). So far, I got a 4 on the AP world history test and a 5 on the AP chemistry, I took 4 SAT subject tests(Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Math level 2) and I got over a 750 in all of them, and I got over a 95 for all my regents(except for geometery and earth science). I only took two clubs after school and I have around 100 hours of volunteer work. So, What’s the chance of me getting into Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education?</p>

6

Hey, I have few questions for you, I am currently a sophomore at Bard High School Early College (I missed Stuyvesant by 20 points), but I have an average of 93.5, I got a 1850 on the PSAT without much preparation. I am currently taking Trig and Physics, I which I currently have an A in. I got a 90+ on my regents, and for the last two years of high school we are entered into a rigorous college program where we can earn 60 college credits which are redeemable at most CUNYs (Probably not Sophie Davis) and some Universities. I’m pretty sure Stuyvesant is on par with Bard in both Science and Math, I am going up to Calculus III, and all of the required Pre-Medicine, which include Cell Bio, Chemistry I, II Physiology, Physics with Calculus I and II and a few others. I’m pretty good at math but a lot of students at my school are even better since they take Precalculus in sophomore and I’m taking Trigonometry. I am not to keen on volunteer work but I am working on it, I currently have 50 hours and I am planning to volunteer at a local hospital or with the ASPCA, as for clubs I am involved in my Math team, Coding club and a few other extracurricular activities. I plan to continually improve my grades, but I want to know if you got accepted into Sophie Davis are enrolled or what other college/University did you get accepted into or are currently enrolled in. Thanks.

7

Hey well look on the bright side!.. at least you know what abysmal is :wink: I have to say I was pretty surprised you knew it…considering your standardized test scores