<p>Hey, I was thinking which Florida Universities you think are the best, and also which you think I could get into. Here's my stats:</p>
<p>1720 (superscored) on my SAT:
560 CR, 620 M, 540 W. (I know its low -.-)
3.8 GPA unweighted, 5.0 weighted.
Currently ranking 1 of 522.
Essay should be really good, at least I think so..</p>
<p>500+ community service.
NHS Member 11th and 12th grade
HOSA Member 11th and 12th grade
Football player 10th grade</p>
<p>Lots of Dual Enrollment (40+ credits).</p>
<p>I also plan to retake SAT's in October before my application is due.</p>
<p>One thing for you: there is no such thing as a “pre-med” school. Pre med is an advisory track for undergraduates who plan on applying to med school later. You can be an art history major or a biomedical engineering major and still be “pre med”.</p>
<p>^I think you mean that there are no premed majors. There are definitely schools known for their premed populations and teaching. The OP is wondering which schools are good for premedical education not for premed majors (hopefully).</p>
<p>In another thread, you say that finances are a big deal for you.</p>
<p>Do you qualify for Bright Futures? If not, how will you be paying for school? How much will your family pay? </p>
<p>What Florida public can you commute to? </p>
<p>Your test scores are likely too low for any merit scholarships or acceptance into the schools that give the best aid. If your family can’t pay for you to “go away” to school, then consider starting at a local CC and then transferring to a Florida public that you can commute to.</p>
<p>If you live in Florida, chances are there is a public university and/or community college within driving distance. You should qualify for at least 75% of your tuition paid for by Bright Futures, assuming you submitted the paperwork by the cutoff date. I believe that might even be 100%, if you attend a CC first (don’t quote me…) It sounds like your test taking skills are not as strong as your ability to make great grades, so I’m more concerned with boosting that up. Make sure you get a very strong background to prepare you for the MCAT. Look for the teachers and classes that will push you to learn as much as you can in the topics covered for the test… and prep, prep, prep for it. You want to aim for at least 30+. You need to get your foot in the door, so to speak, when you apply for med school… that means getting the interview. High grades and a high MCAT will pretty much guarantee that much, but then you’ll have to sell yourself to the adcom, which is where your personal interests, experiences, and personality will come into play. While in college, establish good relationships with mentors because you will need at least 5 recommendations… these can come from professors, advisors, medical staff that you’ve worked under (volunteer in a clinical setting), research staff that you’ve worked under (volunteer), physicians that you’ve shadowed… Also, consider both allopathic and osteopathic schools. </p>
<p>My son went through the pre-med process, essentially on his own. Looking back now, and seeing the resources like CC out there (which he did not avail himself to), I’m thankful that he made it. I was absolutely useless, and he navigated a very bumpy ride to where he is at now. There were many dark hours, because going pre-med and doing all the preparation required really feels like going out on a limb. There are no guarantees. But I will never forget a conversation I had with him one late night… I suggested that he have a plan “B” in case he didn’t get into medical school. His reply was something like this… “All I have ever wanted to do is work in the medical field, and work with patient care. If I don’t get into medical school (and he applied to allo and osteo schools), I will be a PA, or a nurse, or a EMT… I don’t care, really… but I will not turn to a “plan B” that does not involve patient care.” </p>
<p>I think that’s a good way of looking at things for anyone wanting to go into patient care. Good luck and God Bless…</p>
<p>So i won’t be as thorough as some of the other posters. Here’s the nuts and bolts though:</p>
<p>It doesn’t matter what school you go to. Your MCAT scores will dictate your future. Less than 30 and you are looking at very low ranked MD like NYMC and more than likely DO schools. You won’t be able to match competitively and will be forced into Family Medicine.</p>
<p>Going to a Florida school, you will need about a 32 for UM or UF. UM doesn’t consider in state applicants any more. USF is ok, but going to be really hard for the competitive specialties. FIU is low ranked and can possibly be attainable with a sub 30. UCF and FSU are a little above FIU but again in that class where it’s nearly impossible to match ortho without a killer Step 1.</p>
<p>Bottom line: You’ll need a 32+ and it’s really hard to get these scores because the MCAT is monster and is completely unfair.</p>
<p>Ok guys, thanks for the advice! I am looking for really anywhere for med school, it’s just I don’t think I am ready to leave Florida YET (for undergrad). I am aiming to up my standardized testing skills though, and looked specifically at FSU, FAU, and USF as the state schools to apply to for undergrad, due to my low SAT. Hopefully I’ll be able to rock undergrad and the MCAT and go where I choose!</p>