SIMR 2013 Stanford Inst. of Med. Summer Research Program: Should I Even Apply?

Pre-College Issues Summer Programs
1

<p>Well, I'm not smart whatsoever. I don't really try in school, my overall G.P.A. through the first 2 years of high school and first semester of Junior year is 3.29
I got a 4.0 first semester of this year (Junior Year).</p>

<p>I play football and baseball. I have like no service hours, haven't taken any SATs yet,etc.
I'm not in any clubs.</p>

<p>Should I even try to apply to this Stanford Summer Program, I just ran across it over the internet. I really want to go in medicine but I have no motivation to try hard and stuff and I feel like if I go to this I would see if I really want to go in Medicine.</p>

<p>If I do apply, should I put that my mom is African American?
My mom's from Africa and my Dad is from Pakistan (I'm Muslim).</p>

<p>Yeah so just wondering, should I even apply? If I do, are my chances really really low?
I live like 30 minutes away from where the Program is being held.</p>

<p>Thanks for all your future opinions and if you have any more questions, just ask!</p>

2

<p>Yes (: I’m applying too</p>

3

<p>anyone else for some advice?</p>

4

<p>Yes, apply. I wouldn’t try to second guess your chances. Two years ago, my son and many of his classmates applied to SIMR. The ones who were accepted were not considered the strongest candidates in terms of the expected measures - GPA, test scores, past research experience, awards, etc. It may be coincidental, but of the students who were accepted from my son’s school, none of them had past research experience. Each wrote essays showcasing their uniqueness. </p>

<p>There may be easier ways to figure out if medicine is right for you - shadow an MD, volunteer at a hospital, etc. SIMR is more of a research experience. Good luck!</p>