Going to a state college then Ivy League?

Colleges & Universities A-Z University of Florida
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<p>Going to a state college then Ivy League? </p>

<p>Hey everyone,
Right now I’m in the process of evaluating my academic situation and my ‘qualifications’ to attend an Ivy League University. Currently, I don’t feel as if I stand out academically and extracurricular wise because of several reasons. One of my reason is that I didn’t take AP or honors classes 9th to 10th grade because my school ‘home school’ didn’t offer them; you might be saying I could have taken them at a community college, but my circumstances prevented me to do so
(detailed explanation here <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/harvard-university/833829-i-m-african-american-homeschooled-i-need-help-how-get.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/harvard-university/833829-i-m-african-american-homeschooled-i-need-help-how-get.html&lt;/a&gt;)
I currently only take one AP class, but I plan on taking the majority of them my senior year. My reason is simple; I’m just not academically prepared to take AP Calculus and Physics, when I haven’t even taken standard Chemistry or Algebra II (I’m currently in those subjects). Anyways, I have this dream of becoming a neurosurgeon and I’m willing to accept the challenges that come along with it, but I don’t know if the ‘make up’ work I’m doing now will be enough for Yale, University of Pennsylvania ect. I’m just a driven and determined as any other Ivy bound, but I’m playing serious catch-up compared to everyone else.<br>
I know if a different card had been dealt to me I’d be adequately qualified to attend an Ivy League university now. However, I’m trying to make the most out of where I am presently. Is the better option for me attending a state college then attaining my medical degree from an Ivy League university? If anything I would attend the University of Florida or the University of Miami. </p>

<p>I do have questions on how competitive Ivy League universities become for graduate degrees. My ideal dream would be attending John Hopkins or Harvard University for my medical degree. Also, does anyone know of how many African Americans (females) apply to either of those schools for a medical degree?</p>

<p>Thanks for the replies, :)</p>

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<p>Ok, I am going to be direct with you, you definitely can apply to any IVY league and I recommend it, BUT with that story, you won’t even be in the wait-list, WHO is not dreaming of becoming a neurosurgeon in Harvard and/or John Hopkins? but my friend, the only thing I can say is DO IT, you won’t lose anything by applying, However, you obviously can go to a state univ like UF and try to transfer to an IVY league, that would be the best solution…</p>

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<p>The OP would be down the application fee for sure. There’s absolutely no point in applying for undergrad. I don’t imagine a single parent household has the kind of money that lets you apply to Hail Mary schools anyway.</p>

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<p>Look, and I am not trying to discourage you, but like what a previous poster said: your long-term dreams are shared by many. And some do go from a state school to elite private universities for graduate education/training. That is entirely possible… really it does not matter where you come from WHEN (and this is conditional) you make the most of your situation and stand out as a big fish in a small pond. I would agree that, going to an elite private university for undergrad, that you would have BETTER opportunities, networks, flexibility, and resources to make yourself the best college student you can be, but there are still plenty of good opportunities at state schools and there is no way one person can exhaust them all.</p>

<p>With that being said:</p>

<p>ANYWAY… lets focus on just getting INTO college for the moment. Because college comes before graduate education and it is seemingly something that is evident for you. You are homeschooled… which really does not help when you are applying to college but isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Figure out schools and programs you want to apply to and rank them. Do not stress out if you don’t match the credentials for an ivy league school… just focus on match schools and if you plan on going in-state then decide which one. </p>

<p>Don’t forget this! There are many, many, many private small-mid-size universities that can offer you the environment, faculty ratio, and resource distribution that an ivy league school can. And many of these schools offer good financial aid. Do not be completely obsessed with college brand-names because, like I said, it is not where you go but what you make of where you go. Don’t be focused on whether or not XYZ college can let you get into XYZ med school because, to be honest, you don’t even know if you can cut the cake for pre-med yet. In the end it will be largely determined by how you did RELATIVE to your own peers from the same school you went to.</p>

<p>And a word of advice: when you get to college… Keep an OPEN mind. Unless you were a physician or neurosurgeon in a past incarnation of life you have no true idea of what that life entails. No first-hand experience, no credentials, nothing. You have to earn your place at every step of the ladder up. And the ladder could be ugly. You can dream about the destination but if you can’t make journey there is no use. Some will make it, many more won’t… that doesn’t mean they fall into a chasm… they just might find something else. Do not forget that the journey is HARD and LONG and it HAS to be that way. You are ALLOWED to dream big, don’t let me get you down,… but you look better when you are showing and proving and pulling everyone by surprise than when you talk big and end up not being able to follow through. In the end make your own calls, just make sure that by the end of the day you are cutting the cake and having a good time.</p>

<p>Just keep in mind THIS: It is your life, your degree, your career, your youth, your future. If the journey and, even the destination, are not a joy to some degree this may not be for you. When something that interests you, even if it comes out of nowhere, knocks on your door: GIVE IT ATTENTION. When all you have got isn’t enough you may have to be smart and expand options. </p>

<p>A lot of people think they can want something… and they go out to do the work to get it and are miserable every second… and once they finally have it everything is okay again and “real” life can resume. The reality is that college, grad school, professional school, residency, fellowship, internship, Post-Bac, Sabbatical, Appointment, and Employment… those things all form an interwoven yellow-brick-road that you will follow for a long time and that IS your life!! If you plan on studying something for 4 years that you end up hating then having gone to college might have been a genuine waste of your time and money. And you probably would end up not doing that well anyway. You have only got one life so make sure you are on the road you want to be on and that it brings you intrinsic rewards and happiness. No matter what road you are on, learning never stops.</p>

<p>JUST KEEP AN OPEN MIND AND FOCUS ON THE SMALL STEPS TO GET WHAT YOU WANT IN THE LONG RUN. AND TRY TO ENJOY YOURSELF.</p>

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<p>@gthopeful: She can use a NACAC Fee Waiver [FAQs</a> for Application Fee Waiver Form](<a href=“http://www.nacacnet.org/studentinfo/feewaiver/Pages/default.aspx]FAQs”>http://www.nacacnet.org/studentinfo/feewaiver/Pages/default.aspx) THAT is why i am saying that he won’t lose anything by applying, maybe just the SAT Fees.</p>

<p>@mystifire: Excellent advise/post!</p>