Direct Medical School Program HELP!

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hi everyone,
I am currently a sophomore in high school right now. For the past year or so, I have been doing extensive research regarding different direct medical school programs offered by many colleges around the nation. For any of you that are/have been in a direct medical school program (i.e. REMS, HPME, PPSP, etc.) or have a child attend similar programs, are there any certain pieces of advice you would be willing to share? Are there specific areas where I need to focus my attention on to help my chances into one of these great (but highly selective) programs? I have had a burning passion for biology and medicine ever since I was a child, which is what has led me to want to pursue a future career in medicine. Please feel free to email me! Here's my current "resume" (I'm only a sophomore!):</p>

<p>State of Residence: New York
Race/Ethnicity: Asian
GPA: 4.0 unweighted
Rank: No ranking process at my school</p>

<p>Past Classes (relevant classes):
Regents Biology
Regents Chemistry
Regents Geometry
(all passed with flying colors)</p>

<p>Current Classes:
AP Physics B
AP Biology
AP World History
Algebra II ES (advanced/honors)
All my grades, for all current and past classes, have been passed/are passing with high A's (95 or above) with the exception of Physics which is currently an A- (90-93)</p>

<p>Extracurricular Activities:
Active member of the cross country and track team
News Editor for school newspaper
Avid participant of MUN, Science Olympiad and Math Team
Devoted violin player for 10 years, privately studies at the Eastman Community School of Music (University of Rochester) and current member of local youth orchestra</p>

<p>Health-Related Activities:
Currently participating in medical research program that offers frequent shadowing opportunities at the University of Rochester
60+ hours of volunteer time at local hospital (amount of hours will increase)</p>

<p>Awards:
Editor on "Best Overall Newspaper" of New York State as awarded by ESSPA recently
Honorable mention in Write-off contest at ESSPA
Received multiple medals at regional competition for Science Olympiad
Received the American Chemistry Society award for outstanding performance in chemistry
Represented Eastman School of Music to multiple internationally-acclaimed music festivals (International Academy of Music, Euro Music Festival, and Summit Music Festival)- Performed solo and along with multiple different ensembles/chamber groups at each festival
Received the Molly Mulligan Scholarship, Merit Scholarship, and Alexander Leventon Scholarship to the Eastman Community School of Music as a result of superb violin performance</p>

<p>So what do you think? All of my categories are sure to grow in the next two years, especially in classes and awards (and hopefully health-related activities). Are there any suggestions for where I should focus my attention on or any specific item that I need to improve? How am I doing as of right now? Sorry for all the questions, but I hope you can help. </p>

<p>Thank you!!!</p>

2

<p>so I applied to all those direct med programs (didn’t get in to any) about 2 years ago with a 4.7 weighted/ 4.0 unweighted and let me tell you, grades will not help you because everyone applies almost always also has straight A’s. What makes you different is your ECs and it has to be college level research internships (not shadowing doctors, but working in a lab). Here’s the thing, I deeply regret focusing all my energy on applying to those med schools with their extensive applications and then blowing off all my regular university apps. I go to UCB which is a great school don’t get me wrong, but frankly i could’ve done better. Basically go ahead with your apps if its what you really want to do, but know that most people become doctors the “normal US way” and are no worse off (sometimes better off since many of the direct medical schools aren’t the best med schools)</p>

3

<p>i know that some high schools with colleges near by have a couple programs for their students to get into, so I would talk to your counselor. Otherwise, just ask around maybe if you’re close to a state school or some private college, look up some research online that requires little experience. Also, since you’ve been shadowing doctors, ask if they know about some research going on nearby? It won’t be easy since you are a high school student but it certainly is doable. But another thing to keep in mind is while you should have a lot of health related activities, stay well rounded (which you seem to be) for the regular 4 year universities</p>

4

<p>that sounds like solid advice. Thank you so much! I’m going to go find my counselor soon and ask him if he has any suggestions :)</p>

5

<p>wait, one more question. How important is hospital volunteering? I was thinking about restarting my volunteer work at a local hospital. Should I focus on that or finding a lab internship more?</p>

6

<p>You should probably do the hospital volunteering, which is much easier and less time consuming. The internship is not something many applicants do, it would heighten your chances of getting into the program you want but it is in no way necessary for regular college and almost everyone volunteers at the hospital so if you don’t it would almost make you look bad. Again, I want to urge you not to place all your hopes on these programs, many of them only accept 25 people and sometimes it comes down to luck.</p>