<p>Hey everyone, sorry to bud in on tis conversation, but I have some questions as to my eligibility to the pre-med programs at a couple schools. I am looking for some completely objective and unbiased evaluation of my credentials and where it might get me.</p>
<p>I will start with what you guys will want to know first.</p>
<li>My GPA is far below what it should be, 3.5.</li>
<li>I took a derivitive of the SAT last year and scored a 1400. this is back when the SAT was out of 1600. I am expecting at least a 2250 on the real SAT.</li>
<li>I am a member of the Portland Youth Philharmonic, which is a well known and competitive youth orchestra.</li>
<li>I volunteer giving disadvantaged kids music lessons on a regular basis.</li>
<li>I am the founder, and captain of the Varsity rowing team at my high school.</li>
<li>I am a member of the National Honor Society, and might become a club officer next year.</li>
<li>My transcript is packed full of AP classes.</li>
</ol>
<p>Do all of my activities compensate for my low GPA? Where do you guys think I stand a chance getting into?</p>
<p>My top choices are Princeton, Hopkins, and University of Washington among others.</p>
<p>With that low of gpa, you won't get into any of those pre-med programs... The fact that you are "packed full with AP courses" yet have a 3.5 gpa shows that you aren't capable of taking so many AP classes without getting grades in them, which obviously is not good. Plus it seems like you have not done any science related acitivites like research or a science team, which obviously won't help at all... You seem more like a candidate for music school than anything else.</p>
<p>Well why don't you just stomp all over his dreams.. why don't you. You don't have to only participate in science ECs... adcoms also like to see well-rounded individuals who can bring character to the college campus</p>
<p>Don't listen to that person... just make sure you place safeties on your list as well.</p>
<p>The story of 3.5 gpa will be looked at in light of the difficulty of your school ..so simply stating that you have a 3.5 gpa is not enough to evaluate your application. The admissions counselor will also look at the trend of your grades and grades in academic coursework.</p>
<p>Thanks for the responses guys, I really appreciate it. What can I do to compensate for my low grades? I REALLY want into these schools, but I dont know, maybe I am just being unrealistic.</p>
<p>GPA is a TERRIBLE indicator of potential because soo many schools inflate grades. My GPA at Rice is HIGHER than my GPA in highschool junior/senior year WHILE trying. Why? I did IB courses at a school where they tried to fail you. Needless to say, you have a chance, but never ever expect to get in. Always, regardless of the situation, have a backup plan. Your goals in life are like a target 57.5 meters away in high wind that you have to hit with your single shot magnum 55 caliber pistol using a hollow point bullet--you only get one shot. WOOT FOR BAD ANALOGIES!!</p>
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[quote]
Well why don't you just stomp all over his dreams.. why don't you. You don't have to only participate in science ECs... adcoms also like to see well-rounded individuals who can bring character to the college campus
[/quote]
I'm sorry, I'm just telling the truth... I know, the truth hurts, but lets try not to sugar coat his dreams... You need to have SOME science background in order to get into a pre-med program. Plus, he wants us to give "completely objective and unbiased evaluation of my credentials and where it might get me."</p>
<p>Well...I wonder what the OP's Science SAT II scores are...and what he got on any science AP exams, assuming he took some according to the transcript "packed full of AP classes". </p>
<p>Those schools will warn you against taking a pre-med curriculum, but I doubt will prevent him from trying it out at least.</p>
<p>Most colleges don't have a "pre med program." A student is pre med if they are taking the courses that are required for med school admission. You can major in music and be pre med. You don't have to have a science background to be pre med.</p>
<p>I'm so tired of people on this forum simply placing five sentences on the forum and then other people telling them what their chances are for attending colleges. I worked as an admissions counselors and their are numerous factors in the admissions process.</p>
<p>This kid didn't even post his specific science coursework, yet you are making this judgement. Admissions Counselors do not make admissions decisions with such little information, so neither should you.</p>
<p>Like I said Bahn...apply to a variety of schools. And honestly, the best way to gauge your chances at admissions is to visit the school and speak with an admissions counselor. An adcom will normally give hints if you are being unrealistic.</p>
<p>In answer to the OP, yes, some really unique ECs can balance out a lower gpa, but they have to be really unique. Otherwise, you are competing with a national pool of kids who have a boatload of APs, and who received A's in them. </p>
<p>Hopkins is EXTREMELY competitive premed, and I would recommend it only for the top students. Regardless of what some feel about gpa, it is the #1 criteria for med admission, so you need to attend a college where you can maximize your gpa, again, I would recommend against Hopkins. Agree with the others, P'ton is a lotto school -- doesn't hurt to apply, but unless you are in the top 10% of your class, the chances are really slim. Most Ivies fill half their classes (~50%) with Vals & Sals; of course, the glass is half full since half aren't Vals & Sals, but many of this half are hooked candidates: athletes, URMs, developmental admits, geographic diversity, etc.</p>
<p>btw: UChicago is not so stat-happy as some other schools, but it too, is extremely competitive for premed.</p>
<p>I agree with latoya, except the visiting/meeting part. It is virtually impossible to schedule an appointment with adcoms at P'ton and Hopkins to obtain an application "hint".</p>
<p>U-Dub is mostly all about numbers, so your chances are pretty good.</p>