Should He be "Upfront"?

Applying to College
1

<p>DS plans to apply ED to a small LAC. He also plans to take all of the required courses to be able to apply to med school. This school wants to know, even if your are "undecided", If you will be "arts and letters" or "sciences". They admit that they shape the incoming class in this way. So here's the rub. DS only got a 4 on the AP Bio exam. He admits to not studying at all for this exam. He also only got a 650 on the math SAT. He did receive a 750 on both the CR and Writing, however. The bottom line is that this kid is really bright, but never cracks a book. We are hoping for more maturity in college. Should he be upfront and declare "sciences" to this school? If he declares undecided, arts and letters, would it be normally difficult (at most institutions) to switch majors when he gets there? I know med schools do not care what your major was, but he will need to avail himself of the advising you get when you are a declared "pre med".</p>

<p>TIA!</p>

2

<p>D's boyfriend was a music major in college, but took the required pre-med courses and is now a third year med student. I don't see any need for your son to declare a major at this point. He might change his mind completely anyway. The pre-med courses are pretty tough.</p>

3

<p>What's wrong with a "4" on the AP bio exam? It's still an excellent score. One doesn't need to be perfect to be premed or to go to medical school.</p>

4

<p>The AP and SAT scores aren't bad per se, but the writing and critical reading scores seem to be better, strictly in relation, which leads me to think he should apply to arts and letters. But if the student opted not to take AP level English junior year but still took Bio (or something of that sort), I'd have to go with sciences. So it really depends on his EC's, recognitions, essays, coursework, recommendations, and grades.</p>