Some help on my application

<p>I am currently an Indian-American (Mahrashtra if anyone cares) high-school junior in Pittsburgh. I plan to become a physician, and I've read how hard it is to get into medical school, so I am trying to get into a 7/8 year BS/MD program where I would not have to apply to medical school.</p>

<p>My first option for the BS/MD program would be at the University of Pittsburgh, which I've heard has an excellent medical program (most likely not extremely top-tier, but quite good), because my father works for UPMC, and therefore I would have most of my tuition paid for the first 4 years for which I would be an undergrad (at the very least).</p>

<p>All of the 8-year programs are conditional, and the UPitt one says I must maintain a 3.25 GPA, and that I can SKIP the MCATs (meaning I don't have to take them). Also, there are a variable number of seats depending on how many worthy people apply to the program, so it may be anywhere from 5 to 50. </p>

<p>If I get into the BS/MD Program at Pitt, that's where I'm going, but other universities, such as U of Miami (FL), last year, accepted 50 out of 200 applicants. Therefore I will be applying there as well, since the GPA requirement is only 3.0 and I have to take the MCATs.</p>

<p>Stats
GPA- 4.5ish weighted, around 4.0 unweighted (B in AP English 11 is only B in HS)
Rank - 2/350ish</p>

<p>SAT I- 2160 combined (800 M from 2nd attempt, 670 CR from first, 690 W from 2nd)
- 2140 single seating (800 M 650 CR 690 W)
ACT - 34 (Forget subsection scores)</p>

<p>Haven't taken any SAT IIs yet- plan to this spring.</p>

<p>APs:
Currently in:
AP Chem (A)
AP Physics (A)
AP Statistics (A- to B+, gettin up to A, not taking AP Test, completing the College in High School course which will count as UPitt credits)
AP English 11 (B- I'm terrible at English)
AP US History (A)</p>

<p>Next Year:
AP Calculus BC(Most likely doing same thing as above w/ Statistics)
AP Biology
AP English 12
AP Government
AP Spanish 5</p>

<p>Haven't taken any AP Tests. Not sure what I will get.
Expecting decent scores (4 or 5) in all except English</p>

<p>ECs:
~ 140 hours at a research center researching cancer cells
Volunteer hours at local nursing homes
JV Tennis Team(9-11), hopefully Varsity 12th?
NHS (who isn't)
Highest Honor Roll (look above)
Member of Academic Team (11th and will be 12th)
Attented JHU's CTY (Center for Talented Youth) Camp before 9th and before 11th grade (took Intro to Biomedical Sciences, then Genetics)</p>

<p>Worries I have:
My ECs are sub-par
I don't have the best writing skills (therefore essays may not be amazing)
I'm not sure how good my recommendations are going to be (haven't been a disturbance in class, but many of my teachers don't know me outside of school)</p>

<p>Applying to:
Any 7/8 year BS/MD Program that I have a chance at (may skip applying to Northwestern or Rice/Baylor, not sure- I'll see how I do on SAT IIs and AP Tests)</p>

<p>good essay writing is a must. you want them to be as good as possible so I'd advise getting someone now to help you write better.</p>

<p>Some advice. U of Miami's program is a 7/8 year program that demands a 3.7 GPA overall, 3.7 Science/Math Courses, and a 28 on MCATs. If you are a competitive stuent for the applicant pool next year, don't be scared of the GPA; you will be fine. As for your EC get it alot more beefed up. Join clubs, leadership position, state/national competition, Math, science, english, anything that is on a large scale basis that can truly reflect who you are and what you enjoy. Don't do research on a certain field and not care at all. Do what you can, btu be enthusiastic. Lastly, be ready with your essays. Start early, and if you arent great at writing, rewrite, rewrite, rewrite. Just keep editting. Have at least (in my opinion) three different essays on three different topics ready. My programs ask for one essay for common application (vauge), one for why medicine/program, and a last for why a certain school. You can recycle those on and on, so make sure they are pristine by the time this application process begins. Just be ready that competition is stiff and so keep your head up. If you are from the Penn area, also look into PSU's program. If you want some easier one, look into places like Union/RPI/AMC. Goodluck!</p>

<p>I have to say that I am in the same boat as Evil: I am not such a good writer. </p>

<p>But since I need to practice, do you guys think I could download an application from the programs that I want to go to and write the essays now so I have time to revise and rewrite? </p>

<p>Do you think if I look at this year's application, it will be the same as next year's?</p>

<p>anybody? bump</p>