Hi, I’m a junior at my public school right now and I’ve always dreamed of going into medical school ever since 7th grade. I plan to go to pre-med with a major in, say, statistics or finance JUST IN CASE something does not go well (bombing the MCATs or something like that).
Currently I have a full 4.0 GPA (unweighted) and a full 5.0 GPA (weighted) since I took all HON and AP and have straight A’s. However, I might finish junior year with a B in AP Chemistry, which worries me since this is supposed to be the most important year and surely does not match up well for a future pre-med student (Biology and math are my stronger subjects).
As for other things, I am in the top 1% of my class and am class treasurer, an NHS member, leader of Knowledge Bowl, and am in Latin Club, Math Team, NJ Science League, Community Service Club, and Chess Team. I also play piano outside of school and have around 150 hours of community service.
I just took the SATs and am expecting around a 2150-2250 range, and will take at least 8 AP tests and a couple SAT IIs by the end of my high school career.
If it says anything, I am competitive but get along easily with people, though my biggest flaw is having too much or too little confidence at times. So I guess a super competitive school isn’t exactly suited for me.
I am considering Rutgers as my “safety school”, and University of Pittsburgh or Penn State University as well-matched schools, and John Hopkins as my dream school, though it’s highly unlikely that I’ll get in it.
What are you asking? Do you want us to recommend colleges?
If so, what is your budget? What are your geographic/size preferences?
Don’t worry about one B! Move on.
Oops, guess I didn’t ask my question clearly.
I’m just wondering if that B in AP Chemistry is saying anything about my future in college, like if it is a sign that pre-med school isn’t suited for me.
I don’t have a budget preference, but I’d like it if schools were in, or close to, the Pennsylvania/New Jersey/Maryland region.
So if you don’t have a budget preference and are considering Penn State, you’re able to afford $47k+ per year for four years PLUS med school costs, right?
Take the sat subject in chemistry. If you’ve or 700+ it’ll put your fears to rest.
A B is not indicative of anything. Try for all these universities and their honors colleges. Keep your back up plan. Stop worrying about one B.
Remember to get 8hours of sleep each night, minimum.
I think your chances of getting into Hopkins are pretty good - but will your parents want to pay for it, if you’re considering med school, which is expensive?
My advice - either go to Rutgers (where you’d be likely for Honors and a large scholarship) or go to a school that provides large merit money for good stats like one of these:
http://automaticfulltuition.yolasite.com/
How did you do on PSAT? There are also places that give large grants for National Merit Finalists:
http://nmfscholarships.yolasite.com/
You sound like a great student!
No, a B won’t ruin your chances.
I think you have a chance at John Hopkins.
-Columbia University
-Drexel University
-Franklin & Marshall College
-Lehigh University
-Muhlenburg College
-Temple University (You’ll automatically receive full tuition + $8,000)
-University of Pennsylvania
Since you are premed, you should head over to the pre-med forum here on CC (go to Forum Home and then scroll down and look for the premed forum), then read the sticky threads carefully. There is a lot of important information in there that isn’t worth repeating here.
Bottom line: Go somewhere affordable because med schools don’t care where you go (they are relatively prestige insensitive, so avoid prestigious but cutthroat schools). Major in whatever you like best because med schools don’t care what you major in as long as you’ve done the pre-reqs. Most reputable schools will prepare you adequately for med school. Avoid overloading your schedule with tough courses freshman year: There’s a lot to adjust to and if you end up with a bunch of Bs, it’s a hole that’s hard to dig out of. Finally, read up on what’s required for med school admissions now, so you will know how to plan out your college years and avoid having to scramble to fulfill prereqs, get the necessary research and volunteer experience, etc…
And no, one B in Chem says nothing at all except that maybe there are a few concepts you need to brush up on so it’s an A next time.