Hi, I am a sophomore and just trying to see what I can improve on. I would really like to get into a BS/MD program.
Current classes : AP calc AB, AP bio, APUSH, chem honors, pre-ap english, chorus, spanish 4
11 grade (I plan on taking) : AP chem, AP physics, Ap english lang, Ap spanish lang, chorus, AP calc BC, and AP us gov
12 grade (I plan on taking): Ap english lit, AP spanish lit, chorus, Ap stats, anatomy and phys, and I have not decided on the rest.
EC: I will eventually run for officer in these 11 and 12 grade
Pianist (will be 13 years, solo and duet, Recieved state honors and “superior” from FL music teachers association every year)
Traditional Indian Dancer (will be 10 years when I graduate)
Traditional Indian vocalist (will be 10 years)
Science Research for the past 4 years, I have placed in my regional fair every year, hope to go to states this year.
Model UN
Student Government
Mu Alpha Theta
Academic Team
Book Club
Beta Club
I plan on starting a Future Doctors of America club at my school
Volunteering: Not sure on my hour count but this is how much I do in a week
Tutor elementary kids individually and in groups, 2 hours a week
Volunteer at a hospital , 2 hours a week
Occasionally volunteer at school as a tutor
First off, I was going to say I think it’s great that you’re inquiring early at the start of 10th grade year, when you can still can do a lot about your CV and overall application to BA/MD and BS/MD programs. Besides taking either the ACT or SAT eventually and doing as well as you possibly can; I would also plan on taking at least 2 SAT subject exams: 1 in a Math (usually Level 2) and 1 in a Science (Bio or Chem) – as many of the more competitive BS/MD programs do ask for SAT subject exam scores. The more competititive BA/MD or BS/MD programs tend to emphasize standardized test scores a lot, since they’re giving you potentially a medical school acceptance w/o an MCAT score and undergraduate GPA.
Continue to maintain and keep up your GPA and class rank as high as you can.
Some things I would suggest whether you end up doing so during the school year or in the summer:[ul][]Shadowing of actual physicians whether in a private practice or in a hospital so it’s clear you know what the life of a physician is actually like and not just based on a perception.
[]Participation in research, esp. undergraduate level or medical clinical research in some way (this is especially necessary for the more competitive BS/MD programs), especially if you can get your name as an author on a paper
[li]Taking part in other healthcare oriented activities that aren’t necessarily physician shadowing.[/ul][/li]You can get many ideas from posts from people who have put up their CVs on College Confidential.
Here are some books you can buy that I think will help elucidate the process of applying to BA/MD and BS/MD programs
http://www.amazon.com/BS-MD-Programs–Complete-Guide/dp/0983213283/
http://www.amazon.com/More-Than-Just-Accelerated-Admissions/dp/1479725374
http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Guide-Direct-Programs-Understanding/dp/1496000250/
http://www.amazon.com/Medical-School-High-Applicants-Admission/dp/0595227252/
http://www.amazon.com/BS-MD-Programs–Complete-Guide/dp/0983213283
http://www.amazon.com/High-School-Doctor-Underground-Accelerated/dp/0759666210/
http://www.amazon.com/Unofficial-Guide-Accelerated-Combined-programs/dp/1453787631
Here is probably one of the best lists in terms of listing most, if not all, BA/MD and BS/MD programs available:
So that’s a lot to put on your plate, but those are just some ways to flesh out your CV more which will help you regardless if you still decide to BS/MD programs or decide to go a very different route, whether in healthcare (Pharmacy, Dentistry, etc.) or not. If you have any further questions, feel free to ask.
Do colleges have a preference as to how many SAT subject tests you take? And will the AP course be enough preparation for the subject test or should I also be preparing for them separately? Thank you, this helps a lot. @Roentgen
@sunflower0712, are you referring to normal undergraduate universities or combined med programs? The AP Exam is probably enough preparation, although I’d take some practice SAT subject exams before you take the SAT subject exam. If I remember correctly, the SAT subject exams are all multiple choice.
How did you manage to start volunteering at a hospital so young? Are you part of an organized volunteer program or did you specifically ask individual physicians? I am asking out of curiosity (I always thought there was an age requirement, and I just want to clarify). That’s a great start!
combined med programs, ok thanks. @Roentgen
@logosoverpathosm It is an organized volunteering program, the youngest required age is 15!
@sunflower0712, the combined degree programs that ask for SAT subject exams, will tell you the exact ones they want on their website. You can see which ones do require them, and see the commonalities, but often it’s 2-3.