Pre-med curriculum difficulty

<p>Hey I'm at a mid-tier UC right now, and I"m gonna be applying to WashU as a transfer. I got a 3.93 last quarter (A in Bio, A+ in Chem, A in Humanities Lecture, and an A- in Humanities Writing). Now I was told that my school is very competitive for pre-med, but I honestly didn't think so, since I got my grades with a relatively modest effort. I was wondering to those of you who have gone through the premed track at WashU, how hard is it? Would it be significantly tougher than the school I'm at now? (yeah i know, that's a terrible question, but I'd like an idea of what i'd be getting myself into if i go there) Thanks a lot guys!</p>

<p>At WashU an A in chem is like a miracle....</p>

<p>**** it can't be taht bad?!</p>

<p>Yes , it can be that bad.</p>

<p>Whether you are someone who got an 800 on Sat II Chem, scored 5 on the AP, and/or gotten A's in chem all through high school, WashU chem will STILL be difficult.</p>

<p>hmm is it because of the harsh curve, or the challenging questions? sorry if my questions seem so fatuous, but if i'm transferring up, i just want to know what im in for. do you know if they have sample packets of questions availible online, so i can just get a feel for them?</p>

<p>For General Chemistry (at least the first semester), the questions are usually pretty "out there" and the exams are not very straightforward. Most of the semester is quantum physics without the math. Second semester was more straightforward but still difficult. First semester orgo was also hard but not impossible. Most of the chemistry exams have been pretty difficult and there is always a time crunch, but the curve is usually pretty friendly if you do reasonably well. Means are usually in the 50s or 60s and the mean is set around a B/C. It's definitely possible to do well if you work hard; I got an A in both semesters of Gen Chem and an A+ in first semester Orgo, and I had no AP Chem in high school (just honors chem). Good luck!</p>

<p>haha that's an inspriing story soulturtle. any other opinions?</p>

<p>Have you been accepted as a transfer yet? From what I have heard from S, you will work very hard for a good grade at this school--especially if you are premed.</p>

<p>No, I havne't been accepted yet, but I'm turning in my application right on January 15th, but yeah as iv'e said, my college gpa is 3.93, but my HS gpa was a 3.2/4 (w/ maximum AP load), 2170 SAT, 800/730/630 SAT II, and fairly good ECs, including working in a lab as of right now. Do my chances look good?</p>

<p>Are you applying for sophomore transfer or junior transfer? I'm a transfer student myself, so if you have any questions or anything, let me know!</p>

<p>I think your college record is excellent. I'm not sure if admissions looks at your high school record. I think you have a good chance!</p>

<p>you should get in. make sure to display your ECs.</p>

<p>Anyways, premed at wustl is tough. be prepared to work.</p>

<p>haha i'm fine with that. This quarter is even easier than the first one, since I'm now used to the whole pattern and everything, so now i spend under 1 hour every day studying -_- sad, i know</p>

<p>btw i've heard of applicants emailing profs at universities and showing them the work they've done, and the prof would put in a strong rec for them for admitting them. now, do u guys think that's a bit too shady or should i just stick to just writing about it in my short essay? I'm doing research in GBM(the most common type of brain tumor)</p>

<p>awesome i've seen one of those tumors removed in a brain surgery!</p>