<p>I've got an 85 average (No 4 point GPA in my school), all honors classes since the beginning of high school, 5 APs so far, 1560 SAT (out of 1600) with 730 writing, and 800 math level 2 SAT II. I'm currently a junior. I had a conference with my guidance counselor, but I didn't get a good idea of what colleges I can aim for because of the huge difference between my GPA and my SAT scores and difficulty of classes. I'm very interested in biochemistry, and I want to go to the most difficult college I can; the knowledge is far more important to me than a high-paying job or 'prestegious' degree. </p>
<p>That being said, anyone have any suggestions for biochemistry schools that I'd have a chance in? I'm a devout atheist, and will not go to any college with a religious affiliation.</p>
<p>From that difference in your scores and grades I would have to ask if you will put in the effort for the most difficult college? Large State Unis tend to weight standardized scores more than grades so I would look there. What is your home state?</p>
<p>Effort won’t be a problem for me; 4 years studying a topic in which I am interested in is not equivalent to four years of mostly worthless classes that prepare you for standardized tests and allow no thought.</p>
<p>O.K, check out Reed College. #2 in the country per capita, after CalTech, for the number of graduates who go on to earn Ph.D.s in the biological sciences. In the past (though not quite as much recently), they have been known to take risks on late bloomers (such as kids with very high test scores but grades that don’t quite match). Hospitable atmosphere for atheists (the bookstore has sold tee-shirts stamped “Atheism, Communism, Free Love”, a tongue-in-cheek reference to the school’s historically iconoclastic reputation). Very challenging. Called “the most intellectual college in the country” by Loren Pope (author of “Colleges That Change Lives”). Requires a difficult battery of exams at the end of junior year, and a demanding thesis in senior year. Students do not see their grades unless asked. Grade deflation, with very very few straight A students, but nevertheless good records for grad and professional school placements. Pretty campus. Has its own research nuclear reactor. Traditionally, one of the most successful schools in the country on a per capita basis for training professional scientists, even though its admit rate is much higher than the Ivies.</p>
<p>On another thread, a kid described the interview process. He expected the interviewer to ask him about his ECs, that kind of baloney. Instead, the guy sat him down and asked him to define “free will.”</p>
<p>I was considering Reed for a while, but their GPA standards seemed too high, and I’d heard there were a lot of compulsory classes. But from your post, I see they’re probably more suited to me than I thought. Plus I can’t resist a nuclear reactor. Where would you put my chances of being accepted?</p>
<p>OP - Your GPA is what it is. Your job now is to show that the GPA is E-X-C-E-L-L-E-N-T for your HS. In other words, make sure the colleges you apply to know you’re #4 in your class. (A strong letter of recommendation from your HS Guidance Counselor would be helpful in this regard.) There are many excellent schools who’d be thrilled to have a student who’s #4 in his class with 1560/1600 SATs. Good luck.</p>
<p>Our D just graduated from Reed; tk’s description is right on. “Capitalism, Avarism, and Free Beer” is another popular Reed T-shirt. There are significant divisional requirements, but this is part of what makes Reed so popular with grad schools; they know what they’re getting.</p>
<p>Igolos, I think you’re a match for Reed overall. Swarthmore and UChicago are peer schools as difficult as Reed; Carleton, Grinnell and Oberlin attract some similar students.</p>
<p>Lgolos, did NewHope misinterpret your original post? When I read “No 4 point GPA in my school” I interpreted it to mean, “My school does not calculate GPAs on a 4-point scale”. Not “I am ranked 4th in my class based on my GPA”.</p>
<p>If you really are 4th in your class (or anywhere near it), that would make things a lot easier for you. But even if you’re not, you still may have a shot if you can account for your grades. What’s your own honest self-assessment? Were you a bit of a slacker and now you are ready to work harder? Or, were your classes truly as worthless as you describe, and you were off doing other, more interesting things? If the latter, can you account for your time? Maybe a couple of high scores on SAT subject tests would help (I don’t know if Reed usually looks at them, but if not, you could find a way to brag somewhere on your app.)</p>
<p>The fact that their median GPA is high does not necessarily mean (almost certainly does not mean) there is a standard or cut-off. Reed traditionally has been “self-selecting”, meaning they admit a relatively high percentage of applicants, it’s just that anyone who would choose to go there usually has high grades and scores. Above all, they are looking for smart kids who love to discuss ideas, and are willing and able to work hard. They do not (like some of the top New England LACs) care about filling slots on the women’s field hockey team.</p>
<p>As a parent, I was secretly pleased when my kids occasionally blew off a stupid, make-work homework assignment. If you are not arrogant about it, the Reed adcoms probably could appreciate that, too. But be prepared to discuss what you like to do with your time. Have you ever read all the books of single author? Do you play a musical instrument? Dissect dead cats? Whatever.</p>
<p>By the way, there are alternatives to Reed. Earlham College is a small school that also has a great track record at motivating and preparing students for graduate work. They are #8 in the county, per capita, for the ratio of graduates who go on to earn a Ph.D. in the biological sciences. Earlham is much less selective than Reed, but they also attract many bright kids (late bloomers). I think it would be a good safety/match for you if you are o.k. with a small LAC in a rural location. It is a traditionally Quaker college but please don’t interpret that to mean “religious” and avoid it for that reason. Among Christians, the Quakers are among the friendliest to atheists, in fact many of them nowadays probably are atheists.</p>
<p>I don’t know what state you are from, but St. Mary’s College of Maryland is strong in the life sciences and also is much less selective than Reed (for in-state anyway, I don’t know about OOS). It is Maryland’s public “honors college”, not (as the name might suggest) a religious school. Beautiful campus and location.</p>
<p>Sooner or later you’ll need to decide if you prefer a LAC or a university. Personally, I’d recommend a LAC for someone like you. The best national universities will have a problem with your grades. The better public universities (especially in-state) might not.</p>
<p>Do really well senior year and get straight A’s. Did most of your B’s come in freshman year? Do you have a recalculated GPA of only soph and junior years?</p>
<p>Johns Hopkins’ course in biochemistry was rated as one of the toughest biochemistry classes in the nation. </p>
<p>A mother during Parents weekend flipped a **** after sitting in one of the biochemistry and yelled at Professor Hill (biochemistry) and said something to the effective of: “well, I took upper level biology courses and was a biology major back in college. I cannot believe you make students go over 50 pages of fine detail signal cascade material per lecture. This is torture…etc… You can’t expect my son Jimmy to know and understand the material at this detail etc…” </p>
<p>Professor Hill was obviously scared and couldn’t really argue with the mother. Luckily one of the students came up to the mother in Prof. Hill’s defense said: “Well if little Jimmy cannot handle the class, maybe Jimmy should drop out of it.” The entire room of biochemistry students applauded and the mother just stomped out of the room in disbelief. :)</p>
<p>Biochemistry is the class that ends all classes for premed students at Hopkins. The amount of material you will have to consume is amazing. I have been told by many students that this class will affect your performance in the other classes you are taking that semester. The amount of rote memorization of fine detail material and reading is extraordinary. If you like a challenge, come to Johns Hopkins.</p>
<p>1) UC San Francisco (graduate school only, does not count)
2) Harvard U.
3) Johns Hopkins U.
4) UPenn
5) Caltech
6) Columbia
7) Scripps Research Institute
8) WashU
9) Yale
10) U Wisconsin at Madison</p>