Sophomore Looking for Advice

Applying to College
1

I suppose I consider myself moderately ambitious, however, most of my friends & family aren’t. Thus, I don’t really know how I’m looking for college so far. Any advice or commentary would be appreciated, as well as how “competitive” I may be considered so far. I’d like to go into premed for forensic psychiatry. My goal is really just as best as I can get, ultimate dream schools would probably be JHU & Stanford.

My Personal Thoughts: I have been steadily improving my academics. I’m weak in Math and Spanish; spanish doesn’t matter as much but I need to work on my math skills. Other than that, decent grades & EC’s.

2015-2016 Grades (Eighth Grade): Algebra 1: 88 final grade, 87 Regents; Earth Science: 95 final grade, 98 Regents; Spanish 1: 86; Studio Art: 96;

2016-2017 Grades (Ninth Grade): English Honors: 97; Geometry Honors: 95 final grade; 83 Regents; Global History Honors: 96; Law & Legal System: 100; Living Environment Honors: final grade 98; Regents 98; Gym: 100; Spanish 2: 98; Sports Marketing: 97; Web Design/Java: 100; Weighted GPA: 99 (ish) Unweighted GPA: 97 (ish) Ranking: 28/575

This Year (Predicted): English Honors: 98-99 final grade, 95+ Regents; Spanish 3: 98-99 final grade; Algebra 2: 96-98 final grade; 85-95 Regents; AP Computer Science: 100 unweighted final grade, 3-4 AP; AP Seminar: 96-98 unweighted final grade, 3-5 AP (very unsure); Chemistry Honors: 97-99 final grade, 95+ Regents; AP World History: 96-97 unweighted final grade, 5 AP; GYM: 100; Unweighted GPA (Accumulative): 98-99; Weighted GPA: 100-101 (my averages for all three quarters so far have been 104, 105, and 104, with a 105 predicted for my 4th quarter; Ranking: 12-8/575 (midyear was 12, but I’ve consistently beaten #11 & #9)

Testing: PSAT: 1340 (hardly studied, plan on dedicating myself to it next year); Planning: Global & Chemistry Subject tests, retaking Algebra 1;

EC’s: Eighth Grade-Ninth Grade: Varsity Swimming; Tenth Grade: JV Tennis; Robotics: Dean’s List nomination next year, definite leadership position senior year; Model United Nations: possible leadership position senior year; PTSA; Red Cross Club; Academic Team; I may get into a STEM research program next year; I will be starting a Mock Trial Club next year;

Summer: Freshman Summer: chosen as one of two students from my school to participate in EDNY Justice Institute camp under Judge Bianco; This Summer: class at local college & assisting in pyschology research with local professor;

Future Plans: Next Years Schedule: AP Language; AP US History; Precalc Honors; AP Biology; AP Research; AP Statistics; Advanced Data Structures (Honors weight); Gym; Predicted Weighted GPA (that year only): 105-107; Tests: PSAT; SAT; ACT; Subject Test’s (US History, Bio, and Lang); EC’s: Maintain current; start Mock Trial; research program at local college; apply to summer programs.

Is there any aspect I’m overlooking? I have a good relationship with my teachers and can expect good recommendations; I’m a decent writer and should be fine for essays.

2

You sound like you are in the right track. I expect you will be back in a year posting about finances, though, if you have higher aspirations than your family does. You need to know that you can definitely get into med school from your state flagship or other less expensive and possibly lower ranked college.

3

Thanks! Yea, I’m about 10 minutes away from a state school with a very good medical program, so I’ll definitely be applying there too.

4

8th grade doesn’t matter. You are definitely on the right track but super competitive schools so make sure you focus on your standardized tests AND finding reach and safety schools both academically and financially.

5

I took freshman classes during my 8th grade so they are on my transcript. It was definitely my weakest year though; so thats good.

6

It doesn’t matter if your undergrad college has a good med school. Your biggest goal if you are serious about med school is to really grind out great grades and a great MCAT score. Getting some volunteer medical experience is good, but could be accomplished over a summer or two. Also, you want to keep your debt low as an undergrad.