I am still wondering how this student will complete an honors thesis…plus do research that possibly gets published. Research at UNC can be 10-15 hours a week, and the process necessary to get published means additional time editing, and re-editing…again and again…and meeting with your research team etc. It means having nights where the words on the page become a blur…and begin to make little sense. Many students do not do both…they choose one.
Being is honors and writing an honors thesis will not distinguish this student. Also…one does not need to be in honors in order to gain significant positions and experiences at UNC.
@thumper1@twogirls I don’t think I ever said that my only plans of distinguishing myself were research, only that at the MOMENT, I plan to look for a research-oriented medical school. Nor did I mention every single EC that had crossed my mind. Anyways, a senior honors thesis is something to be completed senior year. Students at Carolina often have plenty of opportunities before then to complete research. I don’t think anyone has suggested it would be easy… just doable. Students who get recommendations and complete an application can apply to Honors Carolina freshman year.
I understand that most people don’t choose to do both. And maybe I won’t. But most people aren’t getting to the top. I’m not trying to be cold or arrogant (I’m still in HIGH SCHOOL) but perspiration seems to be the way to compete.
I think the OP is referring to the Freshman process (for students who were not invited to Honors Carolina; the student has to be impressive in their first year seminar or class and get a recommendation from a faculty member during their first semester, then apply in early January to join the Honors college as a freshman).
Not being in the Honors College may be a handicap, since freshmen in labs are uncommon and AFAIK mostly come from the Honors College (freshman year = rookie, do grunt work to prove yourself valuable so that sophomore year you can be entrusted with something and perhaps junior year be 5/6th author on a publication and doing original research. Building to that stage is hard, hard work and it’s only necessary for MD/PHD).
Being in Honors, in itself, doesn’t distinguish, but it affords opportunities other students may not have heard of as well as a “calling card” of sorts. It’s not impossible to interview for a lab position as a freshman and be selected despite not being in Honors, but it’s just a bit harder (no personal adviser to give pointers, etc.)
Also, Honors students may be in non-weedout classes, with no limited number of A’s and the Medicine&Culture minor is useful for students who made it past the first cut to interview stage.
Typically, a student doing research will use that research for their honors thesis - it should not be separate, it’s not “plus” but “together”. By the time they’re a junior, they should have achieved a position that allows them to conduct their own chunk of research.
The Burch London or Burch Scotland students have a nice advantage (cultural perspective on healthcare, not a necessity but nice to have) and while these field experiences aren’t reserved to Burch Scholars, it still helps being in Honors. However a stellar application from a non Honors sophomore to one of these field experiences can totally be enough, as long as the sophomore is well-positioned.
Getting into a lab as a non honors freshman at UNC isn’t uncommon, and nonhonors students do get published… even as the first author. That being said, it seems that honors provides a more structured approach/guidance to the process… and that can be quite valuable.
I have been told that honors students need to have one honors class each semester to remain in the program, and it can be difficult to fit that one class into their schedule. Not sure if that’s a common complaint…
I want to wish you luck. UNC is a great school with a lot to offer. The biology dept is outstanding and the professors are wonderful, often opening their homes and hearts to their students.
I didn’t think that the honors program was that great, but based on what is written above I think it has a lot more to offer than I thought. As far as doing both research and an honors thesis, some don’t recommend it if you are looking to get published, but my guess is that there are different schools of thought. You will choose what works for you.
As far as “most people aren’t getting to the top” …I am not sure what that means, exactly. There are many accomplished students who actually are at the top, meaning both grades and activities. These students are out there presenting their research at places all over the country… and that’s just one area of involvement. Most are involved in several.
The vibe is “chill” and not competitive at all, although there are a few who may not agree. I would be careful not to arrive on campus looking like you are ready to “compete.” Students generally do not show a competitive edge. The goal here is to make friends and develop close relationships with professors. My observation is that those who are very smart…involved…yet remain unassuming and humbled…seem to have success. There is a lot written about imposter syndrome at UNC.
I have shared with you my thoughts. Your experience may differ. Your personality may differ. I wish you the best!
@twogirls I appreciate that and all I meant is that (maybe not even necessarily in this scenario) doing what most people would do is only the way to go if you want to achieve most people’s level of success. There’s nothing wrong with that at all, but to stand out one cannot rely on what most people would do.
In your first thread you also indicated that you wanted to be an English or communications major but that you recently spoke to your parents and decided on medicine. You haven’t taken any AP science classes in HS and don’t particularly enjoy math. First I would like to say that changing your mind, switching majors etc…is common. It’s also not unusual for interests to change…you may realize that you really love science, which is important for medical school. Medical students must be very strong in science ( among other things).
I think 17 is too young to decide on a career path…although some do. UNC is very big on exploring different classes and not deciding on a career right away…you may like something that you don’t even know exists. You may also confirm that medicine is your calling. The next 2 years will give you time to explore.
Just be careful…you don’t have experience with advanced science classes in HS…jumping the gun and expecting A’s in biology, labs, physics, orgo 1 and 2 at UNC…and asking what activities it takes to get to the top medical schools…suggests a lack of awareness. That’s ok…you are young. A lack of awareness is not unusual.
Once again I wish you the best. You seem like a focused and determined student…that’s a great start.
@twogirls Yes, I am somewhat unaware. Hence the reason I’m here. To become aware. I don’t expect A’s to be granted to me. I expect to work for them.
To clarify:
No, I didn’t like math. Then I took Calculus, which completely changed my perspective. I’m a good writer, so that’s why I originally wanted to major in English. But to be honest, that came from a place of indecision more than anything. When I thought about the possibility of med school for psychiatry, it was because I come from a family of clinical psychologists.
Yes, I have changed my mind several times based on research and circumstance. But to me, that isn’t “unawareness” per se, but rationality. Yes, I could change my mind a hundred times in the next four years. Or I could remain completely set in what I want now. All of that is irrelevant to the original topic of this thread. I promise to continue to do my research. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not mad or offended. But if you are working off of your impressions of who I am as a student, then there’s more to it than my posts on CC.
There is nothing wrong with changing your career path over and over again over the next few years. You may go in as bio/premed…then decide it’s not for you…and then change back to it again. There is also nothing wrong with being indecisive. This is the time in your life when that’s expected …and ok. And…many HS students seem to know exactly what they want…and that’s ok too. Unaware… is a function of your age and was not meant to be an insult.
None of us know who you are as a person or student. We are just providing advice based on our experiences. You can take this advice and do whatever you want with it.
I am familiar with your major at this school. I am also familiar with other things such as research, volunteering, etc.
I won’t lie…setting goals for top medical schools from a student who has not yet experienced heavy sciences…is quite a lofty goal. I am not saying that it’s not attainable, but I am saying that it suggests an unawareness. But …again…that is a function of your age.
Adjust to college, make friends, attend office hours and get to know your professors, work hard, and become involved in activities/clubs that interest you.
also, if you haven’t taken AP bio and AP Chem in high school, get very familiar with the material over the summer, as most successful premeds have taken the course before.
You don’t need to b a big partygoer in college…but you DO need to have good social skills to be a successful medical school applicant. Remember when @WayOutWestMom mom said your stats get you to the door, and other gets you in? Part of that other is your social interactions (there is usually a social mixer the night before interviews with some current students) and then your interview. When it comes time to apply for residency, again…your stats will get you an interview…but your interview will get you considered for that residency. And again…there is a social the night before the interviews…with some current residents and staff.
Everyone who gets an interview is likely qualified to be accepted to medical school…or residency…or they wouldn’t even get an interview invite. But how you interact with others is a consideration as well.
I agree…I want my doctors to be very very up to date and competent…but I also want them to speak to me, answer my questions, be understanding, and be a cordial.
@ImBlue_23 socialization doesn’t always mean traditional parties. Many…many students at UNC are very involved in clubs and other activities on and off campus. There are a lot of social events…small gatherings, dinners, social events organized through club officers, etc.
@ImBlue_23 to answer your original question about setting goals, I know successful students who have done all/most of the following while trying to decide on a path:
top grades and various academic awards etc
significant nonmedical volunteering
health care volunteering and physician shadowing
became very close with professors… significant engagement
kept up with activities that they enjoy, including socialization
research, including getting published
involved in peer tutoring and similar activities
significant summer internships…this process begins in October/November
leadership in clubs …participated during their first year and worked their way up.
Peace Corp and similar work…I caution you not to take this lightly. This type of work is extremely difficult and should only be done for the right reasons.
MODERATOR’S NOTE: The OP’s user name was changed since originally it was his real name. That explains the confusion. I will go through and delete the references to his original user name.
