At my school we have different pathways for different career choices, and in completing a pathway you get some type of certification, ex: certified nurse’s assistant. The classes for the health science pathway, I intend on being a doctor, includes Medical terminology (9th grade), Principles of Health Sciences (10th), Clinicals (a 2 period class in 11th), and Practicums (also a 2 period class in 12th). The issue I have with these classes is that they don’t come with any quality points, which in return messes with my GPA and class rank (my school is very competitive). I also am currently part of orchestra, which doesn’t have any quality points as well. Do you think colleges would rather me continue on with this pathway, or drop it in place for more AP classes? By the way, I am a freshman, have already taken Medical Terminology, and was wondering if I could get any additional advice for the path I am trying to take on top of the initial question. Thank you guys in advance.
Is there an option that includes more honors/ap science classes (though make sure your taking all your core subjects). Do you live in a state where rank matters? Orchestra is good if you like it otherwise it is fine to fulfill necessary music/art type requirements then drop if you don’t like it. However don’t drop it if you love it just because of the quality points.
You’re a freshman? And you are already worrying about this? You should take classes you want to take. Almost nothing you do in high school, apart from doing well in your classes, has any effect on your future career as a doctor.
Getting into med school mostly depends on your college GPA and MCAT score. You are at least seven years away from med school. If you like orchestra, do orchestra. Personally, I think your high school sounds like a joyless place that has the potential to burn kids out before they even get close to college.
Take AP classes if you want the challenge. I get that you get a certificate, but frankly, I’m not sure what purpose this certificate has. Might be a good choice for someone who wants to be a medical assistant, but you’re planning on college. Maybe meet with your school counselor and discuss options.
Can you take:
Math
English
Social Science
Science
Foreign Language?
If so and you can fit in Medical pathway and Orchestra you are fine.
“Let me state clearly: we do not admit students solely because of their AP courses/scores. There is no minimum or recommended number of AP courses. AP scores are not part of an admission formula… What we are saying is that, despite what you may have heard, college admissions isn’t a game of whoever has the most APs, wins.”
https://mitadmissions.org/blogs/entry/on_aps_1/
Stanford:
We expect applicants to pursue a reasonably challenging curriculum, choosing courses from among the most demanding courses available at your school. We ask you to exercise good judgment and to consult with your counselor, teachers and parents as you construct a curriculum that is right for you. Our hope is that your curriculum will inspire you to develop your intellectual passions, not suffer from unnecessary stress. The students who thrive at Stanford are those who are genuinely excited about learning, not necessarily those who take every single AP or IB, Honors or Accelerated class just because it has that designation.
Prioritize your core courses: 4 years of math (to calculus if offered), 4 years of science (bio, chem, physics, and then for a pre-med hopeful either AP bio or AP chem), 4 years of english, 3-4 years of history, 3-4 years of foreign language. If you can get those classes in and still stay on your medical pathway, that’s fine if it’s something you enjoy.
Have you spoke to your guidance counselor to see how/if this Medical Pathway could impact college admissions, getting in all your core courses (and at what level), your GPA etc.? That would be my first stop.
If you want to be a doctor, you need:
- 4 years of solid English (honors, AP)
- Math through precalculus honors or calculus
- Hbio, Hchem, HPhys or p physics 1, and either or both AP Bio/p chem.
- Foreign language through level 3 (or 4)
- us history+ World/Global/European History + 1-2 more classes (Economics, Psychology, Government, Human Geography, or another history)
- some electives of your choice.
In college, as a premed, you’ll have any major of your choice -Biochemistry, Chinese, Data science, Philosophy, Neuroscience, Writing, etc…
- 5 Chemistry courses: 2 semesters each of Inorganic chemistry and Organic chemistry + Biochemistry
- 2 semesters each of biology, physics, and English + 1 semester each of Calculus, Biostatistics, Sociology, Psychology, Bioethics, neuroscience/cognitive science.
You’ll need to rank in the top 10-20% of each of the first 7 college classes I listed and top 10% in everything else, keeping in mind these 7 classes are weedout, meaning designed to cull students at each step. Then you take the MCAT. You have one shot (2 max).
Once you’ve managed all that, you can apply to Med school and nationally only 40% have even just one acceptance -60% of the top students listed above will have zero offer. That’s why choosing a Plan B is very important.
You DO NOT need “Medical terminology” or other vocational classes, which sound like they prepare you for being a CNA. Being a CNA is a way for you to make money before and during college but it’s totally unrelated to being premed.