<p>My son is a rising 10th grader in Raleigh, NC. More details on him are in App-A. He is planning to do
(1) Plan-A :7/8 year BS/MD medical program in one of the good medical schools. OR
(2) Plan-B:Attend a best pre-med school to get ready for a good med school.</p>
<p>Last one week, I have read quite a bit in this forum. Statements are +ve in one and -ve in other. For example, one say "Take many AP courses so that you can get credit in yr college to wrap the undergraduate sooner". Other note says "Even though you take AP classes, DO NOT take those AP exams in high school. Instead retake those course in college. Because medical schools like you taking in College instead of High School". One says "Studying pre-med in any college is good", while the other says "Pick a good Pre-Med school".</p>
<p>It appears only In-State public schools are affordable, which leaves me with
- ZERO 7/8 Accelerated Medical Schools since there are none in NC.
- TWO Medical Schools (UNC-CH and ECU) </p>
<p>Hmm. I thought there 300+ Medical Colleges in the country. And I can afford ONLY TWO !!!!. Every thing else is out of reach due to COST since we may not qualify for need-based aid. I am like most of us, the middle class. Not a good thing to be a middle class and expected to study in a college of our choice. Either we should be below poverty OR rich. Any way getting back to reality, based on the App-A, </p>
<p>QUESTION OF THE DAY: What else we need to do in order to INCREASE my son's "Admission chances" in a top 7/8 year BS/MD medical program and INCREASE the chances of getting a "Decent Merit-Scholarship"</p>
<p>App-A:<br>
- Currently he has 4.75 weighted GPA(that is the maximum a freshmen can score in this school). 4.0 UnWeighted GPA.. Expected to have higher/similar GPA by 12th grade.<br>
- Expected SAT score 2350 out of 2400. Great SAT scores are important, but how much difference does it make from 2350 to 2400. If we get 2350, I plan to stop instead of retaking it again for 2400.
- Expected ACT score 35 out of 36<br>
- Expected to take SAT Subject Tests in Math-2, Biology and Chemistry with a score around 750-800 out of 800 in each.<br>
- Expected AP courses that he is likely to take before graduating High School is 12 courses. 4 in 10th, 4 in 11th and 4 in 12 th grade. In 10th grade he is enrolled into AP-Biology, AP-Physics-B, AP-Calculas, AP-GovtPolitics
- He plays Varsity Tennis part for High School Tennis team and played for "High School State Championship" this year<br>
- Participant - Quiz Bowl
- Member - Key Club</p>
<ul>
<li>His GPA and class rank are on course to be as good they possibly can be, which is obviously ideal. Don’t underestimate class rank! He should shoot for at least top 5% (he’s currently in top 1%, which is great, but can be hard to hold onto).</li>
<li>The difference between a 2350 and 2400 is only a few questions on the SAT, and admission officers recognize this-- they will view the scores as nearly equal. A 2350 will never be considered a bad thing, and it would be silly to retake. </li>
<li>His ECs certainly aren’t bad for a rising sophomore (they demonstrate that he’s well rounded), but he now has to begin to look in the direction of his major. Admission officers should be able to look at his ECs and recognize that he’s passionate about going the medical route. He could shadow a doctor; he could do independent research and take part in competitions such as ISEF; he could intern at a medical laboratory. Also, he should shoot for leadership roles in clubs, like captain of the tennis team or president of Key Club.</li>
<li>He should take the AP exams, even if he does intend on taking the equivalent courses in college. Consistent 5s on the AP exams demonstrate a mastery of the subjects more so than As in the classes due to grade inflation.</li>
<li>Try to aim for 800s on the Math II and Bio SAT IIs… it’s not too difficult to get an 800 in Math II, but I think it’s a bit harder in Bio because all of the premeds take it.</li>
</ul>
<p>Medical schools really don’t care about what undergraduate school you’re from. Also, most residencies don’t care too much about what medical school you’re from either, and focus mainly on your achievements in med school + USMLE step 1 score. Therefore, I would suggest your son either:</p>
<p>1) Go for a med scholar program at a school that isn’t so incredibly competitive, such as St. Louis University. It’s much easier to get into, and SLU is still a good school. You should judge a school based on their average STEP1 score and their match lists, not based on their usnews rankings (although it is tempting!). Match lists shows which residency programs the students from their schools get in to, which is the <em>real</em> important factor. Go for the top tier schools if he really wants to, but don’t overkill.</p>
<p>2) Have him decide what he wants to do. It’s his life, not yours. You plan to stop at 2350? No, that should be his decision of when to stop, or continue aiming higher if he pleases. You won’t be there to caudal your son through college and med school, and I’m sure your own parents didn’t do the same to you. Pick the school that he will be the happiest at, because forcing him to waste his youth at somewhere he hates is the worst thing you can do to him.</p>
<p>Most med schools don’t care if you’ve taken AP classes in high school, as long as you take more advanced classes in college. What they <em>do</em> care about, however, is that your son shows that he gives a crap about healthcare, people, and the community in general. So do things like volunteering at hospitals, research over the summer (hard to get as a HS kid), and volunteering at places with people less fortunate.</p>
<p>Thanks so much for the response. I really appreciate that. BTW, may be I should have written it clearly upfront since some of you are asking this question. All these questions/opinions are my son’s, I am trying to help him get the required answers.</p>