<p>I'm looking for matches/safeties and maybe a reach. I'm a first generation college student and have no idea where to begin. Here are my stats:</p>
<p>-I'm female and I'll be a senior
-ACT: 26-- will be retaking on June 10th, hoping for 28-30
-2 AP's Jr Year (History and Bio), 3 Sr Year (Lit&Comp, Chem, Psych)
-By the end of Sr year, I will have taken
4 yrs of English including AP Lit&Comp
4 yrs of math up to trig
4 yrs of a foreign language
4 yrs of science including AP Bio, AP Chem, and Physics
4 yrs of a social science including AP US History and AP Psych
I have a 3.0 GPA due to extenuating circumstances, but an upward trend in grades for Jr year</p>
<p>I want to be some sort of science or biochem/biomed engineering major or a history major, but my ultimate goal is to attend medical school and work at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.</p>
<p>I live in Illinois, so I'll be applying to UIUC.</p>
<p>Any other suggestions? I'm looking for schools especially with a high acceptance rate into medical schools. Thanks!</p>
<p>I know it seems like schools with high acceptance rates into med school seem ideal, but please don't choose a school on that criterion. It is easily manipulated and impossible to make accurate comparisons, especially is some of your schools are going to be state schools that are at a disadvantage simply b/c they have a broader range of students.</p>
<p>If you are serious about going to medical school, you need to really focus on finding a school that will be the absolute best fit for you. A place where you can achieve the most possible: good grades, solid MCAT, volunteering, research, campus involvement, leadership and a social life. (Yes you really need it all!). Above all you need a place that can provide those things AND make you happy - so that if you happen to change your major, you don't feel out of place (which is more likely if you only focus on med school placement). </p>
<p>Second, as for St. Jude, realize that most med students don't pick a specialty until well into their 3rd year. It's great that you are excited about pediatrics (I'm starting my M2 year in the fall, and I'm definitely leaning towards peds myself), but St. Jude requires stellar credentials and work in a lot of oncology. I'm not saying you can't make it there, just that you should remain open to other options. Also there are Children's Hospitals all over the country in nearly every major city, many that carry out a similar mission as St. Jude. Obviously with St. Jude having such a high name recognition, there is a lot of competition for jobs there. </p>
<p>Finally, since you are interested in St. Jude so much, there are a lot of opportunities for college students to help in the fundraising efforts of St. Jude by organizing either "Up 'til Dawn" or a "St. Jude 4 Square Tournament". A lot of colleges also hold "Dance Marathon" to raise money for nearby Children's Hospitals (Penn State's is the largest student run philanthropy in the world and raised over $4 million for the Penn State Children's Hospital!).</p>
<p>bump? Anyone? I'm completely in the dark here...</p>
<p>Miami University (Ohio), Indiana University, University of Iowa, Purdue University, Northern Illinois University</p>