Community College Courses vs Stanford Summer Program

Applying to College
1

<p>I am currently a sophomore in high school. Right now, I am thinking of majoring in Biomedical Engineering/ Pre Med, and then going on to medical school. I've always wanted to be a doctor. I am aiming at UC Berkeley for my undergrad. Stanford if I am extraordinarily lucky, and maybe UCLA, USC, or another UC campus if none of the other two.</p>

<p>Summer break is obviously coming up, and I want to ensure that I be as productive and use my time as wisely as possible. Right now, I am thinking of two major options that I have:</p>

<p>1) Take certain classes at a local community college.</p>

<p>or</p>

<p>2) Attend the Stanford Medical Youth Summer Program (SMYSP) for low income students.</p>

<p>If I take classes at a local community college, I may get credit for them when I actually go to college. I'm looking along the lines of Intro to Engineering, and Intro to Medical Microbiology. Unfortunately, there aren't a wide variety of classes offered during the summer at the college, and these two are in my opinion the best and most practical considering my career goals.</p>

<p>As for the Summer Program at Stanford, I have already cleared 2 out of the 3 judgement processes. The first being the initial application, and the second being the telephone interview. The only thing left is the on campus interview, which I am somewhat confident about. It is a five week residential program focusing on educating H.S. youth with a passion for the medical field. </p>

<p>Ultimately, I am confident that I can't go wrong either way, since they are both good options considering that most people will simply spend their summers playing Minecraft and Grand Theft Auto 5. However, I want to participate in the one that will most benefit me.
PLEASE try to answer the following questions for me.</p>

<p>~ I am interested in doing some research on my own, or at least participating in some sort of lab position as an assistant. Which option will best provide me with that type of opportunity?</p>

<p>~ I HAVE to spend quite a while during the summer to try to prepare for some of the classes I am taking next year. I've signed up for 5 AP Classes along with Pre Calculus. Which option will give me the most spare time for this?</p>

<p>~ I am working on computer programming and app development. Which option will provide the best experience and assistance on this?</p>

<p>~ Which option will best prepare my for my career goals?</p>

<p>~ AND MOST IMPORTANTLY: Which looks better on the college admissions applications?????</p>

2

<p>Anyone can take CC classes, since the S program is competitive and scholarship based, you should take advantage of this opportunity if selected.</p>

3

<p>You can achieve your end goal (becoming a doctor) without the endless grind you are putting yourself through. If you can get in Stanford, go, but you really need to take some time and just be a kid. That opportunity won’t ever show up again, and somewhere down the line, 20 or 30 years maybe, you’re going to look around and realize that everyone around you achieved exactly the same thing you currently have, only they had a lot more fun along the way.</p>

4

<p>College courses taken while in high school do count for the purpose of calculating GPA for medical school application. Whatever you do, get A or A+ grades.</p>