How to Improve?

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

Hey guys!

I am a rising sophomore in Texas, and I am working towards going to UPENN as premed. However, I feel like I don’t have anything that sets me apart besides basic academics, and I feel as if I have missed some opportunities to volunteer in the summer at hospitals, and that I am too late. Many of the programs required you to be 16, so I didn’t meet the age requirement, but I feel as if I have wasted a lot of time where I could have done so many things. I guess what I am asking is what should I do as a sophomore to meet my goals? Do any of you have summer programs for juniors who are interested in medicine during the summer of 2017? I want to start planning now so I can apply to lots of different programs come March.

Also, how can i stop comparing myself to others? It seems as if everyone else is so far ahead college-planning wise, and my brain wants to copy whatever they are doing, or sign up for things that I think will just make me look good to colleges. Any advice would be appreciated!

ALSO my schedule/stats if anyone cares :stuck_out_tongue:
English 2/H
Algebra 2/H
Chemistry H
European History AP
World History AP
Spanish 3/H
Band (top band)

Rank 9 (4.327 GPA)

Leadership/Volunteering/Clubs:
Clarinet Section Leader 2016-2017
JWAC
HOSA (will join)
Debate (1 year)
All Region Band
Teen Court Juror
Animal Shelter Volunteer
Seven Loaves Volunteer (food pantry/clothing donation)
ManeGait Volunteer (helps kids with disabilities ride horses)
Tennis (just started but whatever :P)
Science Fair (I am partners with someone who is in a class that automatically takes you to regionals so I will at least go that far)

Thanks!

2

It’s only one year. You haven’t “missed out” on anything. Freshman year is about exploring your interests and colleges aren’t going to give you a penalty of some sort because you didn’t have pre-med EC’s in your first year of high school. Also, colleges don’t give a lot of attention to freshman year, so you shouldn’t worry.

If you continue with your EC’s I don’t think you’ll have a huge problem from setting yourself apart, though you might not have time for everything - if you need to drop an EC, I recommend dropping JWAC.

3

Your ECs are very strong, and you should not worry about colleges looking down on your first year of high school.

As for summer programs for next year, here are two that might be good for pre-med students:
Brown “So You Want to be a Doctor” Program
Penn’s Biomedical Research Academy