I have a 4.1 cumulative GPA and a 1320 on my SAT…I know those are pretty good but I go to a really big public school full of smart people since I’m in a science and tech program so I feel like its competitive. Since there’s so many people here with good GPAs (some even have 4.5!) I feel like my grades aren’t that great. I also don’t feel like my essay was that good even though it meant a lot to me. My mom went through a lot of losses in her life and I wrote about those and how they impacted me. Even though it means a lot to me it probably sucks to whoever is going to read it but yeah, I’m so nervous. Some of my friends are already getting acceptance letters and while they’re from other colleges, it still makes me feel like maybe I’m behind and all. I applied to UMD and UMBC for early action and John Hopkins, George Washington, and George Mason University for regular decision. I’ve joined some activities and clubs/organization but not usually for a long period of time.
Do you guys think I have a good chance of getting into any of the colleges I’ve applied to?
I think you will be going to college. You are pretty surely getting into UMBC, and likely GW, GMU, unless there is some glitch in your recommendations or something. This is not an uncommon feeling AT ALL. Both of my kids were terrified that they wouldn’t get in anyplace, especially during that window when they were waiting after applications were in. And that was really an unreasonable fear – but very normal. Glad you put in a couple of EA applications. If you are still nervous, you could find another safety and apply there – or at least identify it, in case neither of your EAs pans out. But I think you are going to be okay.
It’s so hard to say without knowing your full profile. Based on what you’ve said, I think you will definitely get into Mason and GW. Hopkins may be a reach with 1320. Apply to a few more safeties. Are you from MD, VA, or DC?
@intparent I hope so! Almost everyone at my school is applying to UMD too since I live in Maryland so theres so much competition for that as well. What’s worse is that my sister applied to a lot of colleges but didn’t get in, even UMD and UMBC and is in community college now so Im worried that’ll happen to me. But she did have a low gpa, 3.5 I think, so maybe thats why she didn’t get in.
If you don’t get the school you want, take a year and do biomedical research at NIH or find a primary investigator who will sponsor you. If you truly want to be a doctor, never give up on it. Have a Plan B, but I think you are good to go for college.
@VegasRoller do you think the colleges I’ve applied to are good schools? Any other schools you think I should apply to since deadlines are jan 1st? I would love to become a researcher/geneticist at children’s hospital in DC so I’ll be looking for an internship there over the summer.
Some schools don’t have January 1 deadlines. Like I remember that Gettysburg college didn’t when my D was applying. You might run the net price calculator there to see if it would work for you. Also, how about St. Mary’s College of MD as another in-state option? I don’t know if you have visited – it is kind of in a rural setting, but lovely with that river location – kind of a summer camp feel to it. And it isn’t religious in spite of the name, it is a state university.
All of those schools are excellent. To be honest, it’s not really where you go to college. In fact, if you go to an elite school, it is harder to maintain a high GPA due to the competition. You need a high GPA for medical school applications. I assisted a candidate for medical school last year who went to a top-tier college and couldn’t get in with a 3.4 college GPA and MCAT of 29. Once she got over the 30 mark she made it.
@adios9 I would strongly encourage you to take a look at Ursinus College. Their pre-professional programs are great and their med school placement rate is one of the best in the country.
UMD is no longer a safety school unless you’re a 4.5 and 1500+ SAT. Your GPA is good, but how high are your math and science levels? You need a good backup plan in case UMD doesn’t work out. Hopkins is going to a be a VERY hard reach for you.
George Mason will be a safety. As for UMBC, yikes, seems like a lot of kids with decent stats are getting deferred. Good luck!
LECOM is a DO school that has early acceptance agreements with many undergrad schools, meaning that you can get admissions to LECOM right out of high school pending you get accepted into their program right out of high school.
It may be too late to apply, but if plans do not work out, take a gap year and volunteer/work at hospital to get experience/resume builder, then apply to this program. I’m not sure how competitive it is, but you have the minimum SAT score required. Knowing that you want to be a doctor, this may be the best route for you since this is a guaranteed program, meaning you do not have to reapply to medical school after undergrad.
If you want to be a doctor, you’re almost better off going to a lesser known, less rigorous school and excelling. That way it’s easier to get internships, research experience, etc and really make yourself stand out. Med schools will like you being a big fish in a little pond. You have a good chance that way. Plus, if you do end up going to community college that won’t matter either.
There are a lot of schools that have past January 1st deadlines. The more schools the better. Good luck!