@narkor, you have a daughter who is showing compassion that will serve her well in this noble profession she has chosen. You have conveyed from your heart the parent’s perspective; appreciate this note.
Yes, members of this forum are truly part of our extended family.
@med007 thank you much for the kind words. I, as a parent can vouch that it holds true even in the real world.
Compassion, kindness, genuineness, an affable personality with a consistent and strong resume has triumphed over a lot of must have baseline numbers/ scores. I have seen it happen live just through this journey. So, future applicants- do not hesitate to apply if you have these values, have followed your passion and built your resume throughout high school. Be yourself, and just be genuine. Even top non BS/ MD schools in the country recognize it even if you have borderline or lower scores than most traditional BS/MD or non BS/MD applicants. I have seen these virtues break most of the odds with interviews and acceptances to programs that most thought were out of reach due to borderline numbers. That being said, I definitely will NOT downplay the need for a stellar resume and very, very strong virtues to make up for the scores. Good luck to new applicants joining this extended family. I will post more stats and numbers within the next few weeks.
@1CRYZX thanks for stepping in to help the junior applicants on this forum. The way you handled advise given to you is commendable. Congrats and keep up your positive approach. You are a good role model for you peers to follow.
@HS2DirectMed You are really a very helpful and an outstanding student with everything perfect that some of these schools are looking for, including what you have already highlighted: an excellent talent for expressive writing. Congrats again and I hope you continue to guide your peers and juniors as this family grows.
@agirlinasweater : just be who you are. This forum is meant for people to openly voice their opinions (freedom of speech) while maintaining respect, compassion, decency and decorum. There will always be thorns in rose bushes. All you have to do is either clip the thorns, or ignore them while heeding extra caution to make a beautiful bouquet or adorn your vase.
All parents and university admin members thank you for your most valuable input and guidance. I understand the value of your time given that some of us may not have time even to login for days/ weeks on in at a time. Almost all of you have been extremely cordial and helpful. For those of you who personally attacked and shut down students please learn to be a little more professional and set a good example for children are future of this planet. These students are amazing, talented and have worked so hard throughout, especially under so, so, so much stress of application process, homework, test, quizzes and interviews. Let’s cut them some slack if their words don’t make too much sense at times and show them some extra love, give kind advises, pat them on their backs and keep this world a happy place.
Special thanks to @GoldenRock , @texaspg , @upstream , @goaltobemd (where are you these days?) and the many others I haven’t listed for keeping this family sane, intact and safe through this arduous and stressful process. Off course thanks to each of you out here helping others.
Everyone! as we head closer to the end of this year’s final process don’t fail to indulge a bit and give yourself a big hand. @HS2DirectMed had a great start with a summer holiday Q. Some of us especially parents may get on here sporadically because of our work and travel schedules. But, believe me. Speaking for myself I can claim that I spend a lot of time catching up on every post even if I haven’t been able to get on here for weeks. Thanks, good luck and congrats again!
@srk2017 Each school differs. So based on your plan, take SAT 2 exams. In general Math2 and Chem is good enough but it is not going to hurt to take Bio also. Also most schools weigh those SAT 2 exams, if ACT is taken. NW HPME and Boston mandates Math 2 and Chem (or ACT) where as most other schools will say Math2 and 1 science like Brown, RPI, GeorgeWash, St.Bonaventure, Rice. Since your child is good and semifinalist in BIO Olympiad , just take SAT II Bio also. GL
I have an update from W&J/Temple program. They will finish review of files by tomorrow and then invite candidates for interview. Temple will contact candidates directly. Rejections W&J will call later. April 5th for interview date. Not sure on how many they will call yet.
@GoldenRock - Thank you very much. I am trying to minimize the standardized tests since he already has his plate full with Science Bowl, Science Olympiad, Speech and Debate and subject Olympiads. He has 35 ACT score from one sitting and will take SAT only if he is a NMSF (won’t know and util September given new PSAT). Is taking Spanish subject test helps (esp for for Boston)?
@srk2017 Per BU web site “The SAT Subject Test in Foreign Language is also recommended”. Recommended only. Having a overall solid profile in various key criteria are more critical than SAT Spanish test. It is my take. People who had experience with BU with and with out SAT Spanish can speak more on this.
Remember, very few schools need SAT to apply. Stony Brook, one, if you have any interest in that school. But other wise it is ok, if you have ACT or SAT.
@GoldenRock - We haven’t started putting together college list yet. I have started following this thread from yesterday. Stony Brook seems like a good program, but not sure it’s worth taking SAT for just that school. He can’t take SAT in May and June for sure due to competitions, IB exams and finals. October may be too late and also spending time on SAT prep vs college essays.
I know ranking don’t mean all that much but US News just updated their medical school rankings for 2016: http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-medical-schools/research-rankings
@srk2017 @GoldenRock for BU, i did not take a subject test in a language and still got an interview…however, i was heavily involved in spanish honor society, so that may have helped in the language area
@srk2017 @Goldenrock I did not take the subject test in a language and was not involved in any foreign language activities and still got an interview. I did though take 4 years of Spanish.
@srk2017 I took two years of Spanish in Middle School (6th and 7th grades). From 7th, I advanced to 9th grade (jumped a grade ahead/ skipped 8th grade). I took a placement test and skipped Spanish Level 3 in 9th grade. In 10th and 11th I doubled up my Science courses and so no room for foreign language. Now in senior year, I am taking AP Spanish. Some colleges require 3 years of foreign language. I taught Spanish to middle school students during 10th and 11th grade so I will not lose touch with language. I didn’t had a chance to take it at community college as I am involved with research during weekends and after school. I attended BU interview as well. In couple of interviews (UMiami and VCU) this topic about Spanish came up and the interviewers mentioned how impressed they are. By the way I am not a Native Spanish speaker and I did not take Spanish subject test. I just love the language.
@srk2017 I would suggest that he take the SAT at some point. Most schools accept a stand alone ACT score much more readily, because if you send SAT, many schools also need 2 subject SATs. However, if he wants to apply to schools in some states like Texas they have some unspoken bias towards SAT as per some friendly insider information.
Given his ACT score he may score well even without much prep. So, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to go ahead and fit the SAT into his schedule.
@tunetheday and @HS2DirectMed - thanks for advice on Spanish. my son has been taking Spanish since 1st or 2nd grade, but he won’t be taking it in senior year. He is in IB program and testing out in Spanish this year.
@narkor - Thanks for the advice on SAT. He got 1480 in new PSAT with no preparation (except September ACT prep). He already took SAT Math II and Chemistry at the end of 10th grade. I guess I should advice him to prep in summer and take SAT in October. Hopefully College board will resolve all the issues with score replying.
Had anybody else gone to the Hofstra BS/MD interview for the last couple of weeks? I believe they will call to notify us anytime now. Anyone care to offer their opinions?
SOM is new and in immaculate condition and all MS and BS/MD I’ve met seemed upbeat and happy. And the interviewers were sincere and personal. Not too sure about the undergrad experience… Did like that SOM and Hofstra are in the same campus and the close proximity to NYC.
Quick question for the members of the extended family. Looking for some advise. My kid got accepted to some of the prestigious bs/md programs and also waiting for the decisions from the IVYs. Accepted colleges are pushing us to commit to their program ASAP. Ivy acceptances are going to come out only on April 1st. My kid thinks that interviews with the Ivys went very well and there is a good chance of getting accepted into these Ivys.
As we all know acceptance rate for these BS/MD programs are around 2% which way less than acceptance rate for ivys(5-7%). My kid wants to be a cardiologist/researcher and has spent last three summers doing cancer related research. So, based on the future aspirations, parents are leaning towards BS/MD program. Our kid is torn between the program and the Ivys. I would like to ask the group how would they handle this situation. End of the day, it is our kid’s decision. I thought this is a nice topic for discussion. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Generally speak, if the BS/MD program is associated with a top medical school (at least top 30) in consideration of your kid’s goal as a physician-scientist, it would be fine to turn down some of Ivys excluding HYC (due to their own exceptional medical schools).
@mdbs2016 Congrats. There are multiple threads on this topic. Especially when you are saying "prestigious bs/md programs " got accepted, then it should be easy to make the decision to go with that than any IVY. Check UMKC thread also (you need to plow thru that thread and also any other thread where this topic is extensively discussed).
At the end the student comfort level. If he has already got prestigious bs/md programs and also interviewed for Ivy, he should be able to get in to MD at a later point of time also. But at the same time, if s/he is clear on medicine profession, wants wrong in taking up the prestigious bs/md programs now? See my other post related to ranking, I did not articulate clearly the point I want to say. Rankings need to be considered to some extent (included Ivy status also). But at the end, students need to realize it is just a start, may be end of of the preface of the book (getting admission to BS/MD or Ivy), still so many chapters they need to go thru. GL
is there any hope for being accepted into HPME if you are waitlisted from NW?
northwestern decisions out lol