<p>She is majoring in Psychology Honors (while completing the pre-med requirements and doing a Spanish minor) at UT Austin. She is going to be starting her second year there this fall. </p>
<p>-Currently has a 3.8 GPA.</p>
<p>-Took 19 credit hours spring semester</p>
<p>-Did an hour of volunteering every week (tutoring underprivileged high school students) during the past school year, and is considering doing a few hours a week this year. </p>
<p>-Volunteered at a hospital for about 2-3 hours a week last semester.</p>
<p>-Is taking 8 hours of classes at UT this summer</p>
<p>-Is taking an EMT-B certification class this summer as well</p>
<p>-Will be starting this week in a lab on campus that studies neuroplasticity, where she will be working 10+ hours per week</p>
<p>Her "dream school" is UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. I'm mostly posting this because she is very worried that she has no chance of getting in there, whereas I am convinced that she is doing quite well. </p>
<p>So what do you think? Chances at UT Southwestern? Alternative medical schools to apply at?</p>
<p>No way to answer at this point. Would need an MCAT score and more than one year's worth of grades, especially for the sophomore year BCPM courses.</p>
<p>I guess I just want to know if she is doing okay for where she is at (i.e., only going to be a sophomore).</p>
<p>It's a fine start. There's nothing so far that's a red flag.</p>
<p>She should continue what she has started. I'm usually the one to harp on this more than the others, but some sort of campus involvement/leadership experiences would be the one area I see an opportunity to work on.</p>
<p>Right, there's no smudge on her record at this point. BRM is right, though, that it doesn't look like she's involved in a whole lot on campus. I got the feeling (especially in my interviews) that med. schools wanted to see that a student wasn't only a pre-med. By that I mean that I was frequently asked about my activities (and classes) that weren't related to medicine or science at all.</p>
<p>Hmm, okay. What would be some examples of these campus activities if anyone wouldn't mind giving some?</p>
<p>Examples of campus activities? There are dozens and dozens of choices. It just depends on what she's interested in. A year on a campus should give you a pretty good idea of the available activities... campus publications, service organizations, etc...</p>
<p>Could be anything. Absolutely should be something she wants to do. For some that'll be things like student government, or being a TA for a class. </p>
<p>A brief list of things I was involved with:</p>
<p>Greek Ambassadors - Public relations student of the Office of Greek Affairs. Talked to incoming HS students about joining fraternities/sororities - served as president for one year</p>
<p>Arts & Sciences Student Ambassador - (one of 14) involved in recruitment activities for HS students interested in majors within the college of arts and sciences. Did for three years.</p>
<p>TA for a class on Leadership and principle-based decision making</p>
<p>Participated in the Undergraduate Interfraternity Institute - a national program run by the North American Interfraternity Conference providing leadership education to fraternity and sorority members from across the country.</p>
<p>Arts and Sciences Student Advisory Board - 3 years as a member of the executive board, including one term as VP. Liaison group between students and college administration. </p>
<p>"Buddy" program at local elementary school - paired with a third grader deemed at-risk by school administrators. Hung out with my buddy weekly, basically being a friend, but also helping with homework and areas in need of improvement according to parents and teachers.</p>
<p>I've a got few other things I took part in, but I think this is enough to demonstrate the point. Basically, she shouldn't do things just to check off the box on the application. It doesn't really matter what it is, so long as she has something she can point to...if she wants she could start the "Chicks and dudes who like to watch movies" club at her school (real life club that existed at my school - unfortunately they ran up a bunch of late fees at Blockbuster, which they couldn't afford to pay).</p>
<p>Okay, thanks all! Very helpful!</p>