Emory pre-med rigor?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Emory University
1

<p>I was taken off Emory's waitlist yesterday...I want to do pre-med...but at a 200,000 cost of attending Emory, I want to have a good chance of getting into A medical school....How hard is it to maintain a 3.8 gpa at Emory. I want to major in Economics, but still take the basic pre-med classes...Any Emory students telling me how many hours a week they put into their classes. How flexible are the professors, for example if you truely worked hard in a class, but you still can't make an A, are professors willing to "boost" the grade up a little?</p>

<p>The reason I am asking is because I am "good" at stanardized testing, (ie sats), but I suck when it comes to doing well in a class..For example I end up with a B in Calculs, even after I take notes, and study for tests....</p>

2

<p>I was actually wondering the same thing. I’ve heard different answers from different people, and therefore, cannot offer you any answer. But premed at Emory is rigorous (as it is anywhere) and I’ve heard moreoften that it is hard to keep you GPA up. But don’t rely on hearsay.</p>

3

<p>Pre-med (like most things at Emory) is rigorous. People make good grades in bio/orgo/chem/physics but the thought that a professor will “boost” your grade for trying hard seems unlikely. Everyone is trying hard. For example, the average grade on an orgo test is a 65 but, with the curve, that ends up as a b/b-. Don’t be discouraged but do realize that it’s not high school.</p>

4

<p>pre-med at EVERY college is rigorous and, in general, the intro science classes are curved. Thus, by definition, half of the entering premeds at at EVERY college will receive middlin’ grades in Frosh Chem (and Bio) and, for the most part, will be changing quickly career plans. Moreover, many premeds taking Frosh Chem and Calc are repeating their AP courses (even after scoring a 5) for the “easy” A (or so they think).</p>

5

<p>Just a point of clarification - by “curve” I mean that your grade can only improve. Emory does not have a limited number of A’s or B’s per class so, theoretically, everyone can do well.</p>

6

<p>Caltech has a similar “theoretical” policy, but the thing is, even in Calc 1 (which everyone has to retake in Pasadena), several kids flunk it and have to repeat. Of course, if they are premeds, they are essentially done. But if they had attended a mid-tier UC, they could have taught the class!</p>

7

<p>1470/1600 on sats (critical reading and math), a 2170(overall)…1930—the first time…</p>

<p>Gpa - 3.8 unweighted, with a 4.1 weighted
10 A.P.s and 7 honors classes…</p>

<p>Class Rank-Top 20 PERCENT…</p>

<p>These are my high school grades…I am showing these, because I don’t know if I have what it takes to do well at Emory…(I mean if I end up with a 3.0 I can’t get into Medical School)</p>

<p>Freshman Year

  1. Honors Algebra 2 - 95/98
  2. Honors English - 90/94
  3. Honors Biology - 92/94
  4. PE - 93/92
  5. Spanish 2 - 91/91
  6. Art 1 - 92/91
  7. Freshman Survial - 98</p>

<p>***Started going downhill, second semester of sophmore year…I guess I started getting dumber…</p>

<p>Sophmore Year

  1. Honors English- 88/88
  2. Honors Pre-Cal - 92/84
  3. Honors Chemistry - 90/86
  4. A.P. World History - 94/91
  5. PE - 88/88
  6. Spanish 3- 88/83
  7. Medical Learning - 92/96</p>

<p>**** Started going uphill second semester of junior year a little, senior year I kicked it up a knotch…</p>

<p>Junior Year

  1. A.P. English -87/83
  2. A.P. Calculus AB - 83/88
  3. Honors Physics - 89/90
  4. A.P. American History - 94/95
  5. Clinical Rotation -100/100
  6. Clinical Rotation - 100/100</p>

<p>Senior Year

  1. A.P. English - 91
  2. Computer Science -87
  3. A.P. Statistics -93
  4. A.P. Calculus BC- 87
  5. A.P. Biology -94
  6. A.P. Macroeconomics - 92</p>

<p>These are my A.P. Test Scores(I know they suck =(…)</p>

<p>A.P. U.S. History-4
A.P. World History- 4
A.P. English Literature- 3
A.P. Calculus AB- 4</p>

<p>These are the A.P. Tests I am taking this year…
A.P. Calculus BC-
A.P. English Literature-
A.P. Biology-
A.P. Government-
A.P. Economics-</p>

8

<p>clutch01, don’t look down on yourself…you might succeed at Emory…you never know!!</p>

<p>college is alot different than high school…i think surrounded by smart people and supportive professors can bring a lot out of students… :)</p>

9

<p>nobody can tell you whether you will or will not succeed here. And I think its pretty normal to have doubts about how your abilities will match up against “the best and the brightest blah blah blah”</p>

<p>The admissions people spend the entire year looking at scores from schools they know and have inside info etc and they still make all kinds of mistakes (accepting students who are really not able to succeed and rejecting some who could have). So there is no way that any of us, who are not in admissions, can look at your numbers and give you any accurate information. </p>

<p>Just as an example though:</p>

<p>3.4 unweighted gpa in hs, 5-6 AP’s, 2200 sat, C+ in non-honors spanish</p>

<p>current gpa at emory - above a 3.9 </p>

<p>Whether that’s me or my roommate, the bottom line is that the stats can do a horrible job of predicting college success because there are so many other factors involved.</p>

10

<p>^^^ I have a couple of questions…</p>

<p>Did you attend a private high school(they are known to have lower gpas)
Are you a science major at Emory? If so, how many hours a day do you put in?
Even if you are a non-science/non-business major do you have to work really hard? Did you decide to get your act together, and actaully try?..</p>

11

<p>Emory, as with any other college, is rigorous, and the rigor of the courses will depend on the person. It is a subject question, and cannot be properly addressed even a ten point-scale. College is much different from high school in that in college it is more about a work ethic rather than being the dumb kid in your classes.</p>

<p>If you have a proper studying schedule then you will do just fine, but studying thirty to forty hours per week in a Pre-Med major is normal. You’ll do fine. I cannot think of anyone that was a Pre-Med sophomore that said they failed a course, but they all said it was hard. That’s life period, though.</p>

<p>There were, however, many freshmen and upperclassmen that said they started as Pre-Med, but switched out because of the rigor. Usually, this is because they aren’t passionate enough about the field of Medicine and find interest elsewhere. If you want to become a doctor in the future then you WILL study those long, hard hours.</p>

<p>I would also like to add that I have never met anyone who worked their ass off and still failed any course at Emory. And remember, sometimes receiving a C+ isn’t so bad… You have that ONE grade, but many more to come.</p>

12

<p>^^^ I have a couple of questions…
**
Did you attend a private high school(they are known to have lower gpas)** it was public but one of the better ones in the state.
**
Are you a science major at Emory? If so, how many hours a day do you put in?** Business major. I couldn’t give you a daily amount because its usually close to 0 unless its 1-2 days before a test or assignment. Science majors put in more time, partly because lab sections may as well be classes by themselves.</p>

<p>** Did you decide to get your act together, and actaully try?..** I like how you assume I didn’t try in HS and am trying now. Honestly, I did more work both in and out of class in HS than during any semester here by far.</p>

<p>You asked so I answered your questions, but I don’t think my experience is representative at all. So I would not make assumptions about work here based on what I said. Just realize that there are so many factors that affect how much work you may or may not have to do that it is impossible to predict for any individual. If you have more specific questions just PM me.</p>

13

<p>Im a pre-med major at Emory, and I’m telling you it is no joke.
Okay, here are my stats from HS, even though it might not be important, Im just showing you where I stand: </p>

<p>Race/Ethnicity: African American, Black (Senegalese parents)
WGPA: 4.7, UNWGPA: 4.0.
SAT: 2,350
Took all APs/Honor Courses.
EC: Varsity VBall all 4 years, SGA (president), HOSA (President all 3 years), National Merit Scholar, Lead Saxaphonist in Jazz and Symphonic Band, ALOT of community service, NHS, alot of National Recognition Awards and Programs, Participated in 3 National Ambassador/Leadership Programs in Health and Medicine.
My essay was about my passion and devoution to Health and Medicine.
Got accepted to Emory with a full scholarship. </p>

<p>okay, maintaing a 3.8 GPA at Emory, isnt hard…unless you TRY and APPLY yourself.
Choose classes that are farther apart, or at least give you an hour or so to study between classes. Thats what I did, and it helps alot. This time can serve as alos a balance, between educational and social life. You can also take naps, which I do quite often. If your doing pre-med at Emory, expect it to be hard, but not impossible. There are times that you might feel tired and you can not handle it, but this college has plenty of resources and people to help you. I also recommend you to get a roomate who is also in pre-med, so you both can go through the trials and tribulations of “Emory Pre-Med” At the end of the day, however, you will be glad that you came to Emory, because Medical School will be a breeze, compared to your undergraduate studies. </p>

<p>I take five-six classes each semester, not more, not less: because of Emory’s GERs. This number can be hard especially because of the demand of science courses, but it is all worth it at the end. Just remeber to have down time and relax. Also, take individual time out to go to the library and study, it will pay off. Oh, Attendance is really ADVISED. GO TO CLASS, profs, really look at that too.</p>

14

<p>Dude you are fine. Your scores put you within the 75th percentile, and your grades are fine. You aren’t seriously concerned are you? Are you trying to flex your scores and stuff? Either way, most people admitted are capable of doing well here. All the resources are in place if you begin to struggle, so chill. You can do it.</p>

15

<p>How did you hear about getting off the waitlist and did you do anything special? </p>

<p>Also you’re stats show that you are a smart kid, you will be fine as long as you put your mind into it.</p>

16

<p>Question, what sort of medical-related activities are there on campus for pre-med students? I’m looking to major in economics at Emory, but still hoping to get some exposure in research with faculty or an internship or something in order to learn more about medicine and better prep myself for the future? Is it legitimately possible/common for students to be able to work with professors on research, or to find other such “hookups”?</p>

17

<p>^ All the replies I’ve read were: Yes. There are plenty of opportunities for undergraduates to get involved in research and internship. On Facebook, the Emory Class of 2014 group had a response in the discussion section that said:
"worrying about getting experience here is not an issue. i’ve gotten my share already, although not at emory yet. ive participated in real surgeries (i mean legit participated), performed autopsies, worked with pediatrics, worked in EMS (im an emt) etc etc etc. emory prepares you.
for places around here you could get experience at… well heres a list:

  1. Many Opportunities: Georgia Regional Hospital
  2. Recruit Volunteers & Speak Out: American Kidney Fund
  3. Wellness Education: Dekalb County Board of Health
  4. Hospital Volunteering: Atlanta Medical Center
  5. Activities with Patients & Families: Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston
  6. Greet Patients & Patient Service: Emory University Hospital
  7. Read to Children: Reach Out & Read at Children’s Healthcare
  8. Many Opportunities: American Red Cross
  9. Sort Medical Supplies: Medshare International
  10. Fun Activities with Residents: Sunbridge Healthcare
  11. Ready, Set, Read: Lindbergh Children’s Center Clinic
  12. Global Health: Global Health Action
  13. Gain Excellent Experience: Grady Health System
  14. Explore Healthcare Careers: Project Health Care
  15. Help Terminally Ill Patients: VistaCare Hospice
  16. Pathfinder Volunteers Needed: Piedmont Hospital</p>

<p>Thats only a few because i didnt feel like spamming this page. you will have PLENTY of chances for work if you are premed here."</p>

18

<p>On another note, what about premed advising? I heard it was… unfriendly and unhelpful… :(</p>

19

<p>Note: this thread was started in 2009- so the OP would already have matriculated somewhere. If s/he is still reading these…maybe you can let everyone know how it turned out?</p>

20

<p>Emory just started up their Pre Health Mentoring Office, and they are a huge help! They hold programs throughout the year for premeds. You can set up a meeting with a premed advisor at any time, and they are very receptive and truly want you to succeed. Each student is assigned an individual advisor as well who really learns a lot about you as a student and your life at Emory.</p>

<p>From what I have heard, just in the first year of the Prehealth office’s existence they have already seen an increase in med school acceptances, but the official info has yet to be released.</p>