Transferring to Columbia

<p>Hi,</p>

<p>I am currently a sophomore at Northwestern interested in pursuing medicine, dentistry or a PhD/MD. </p>

<p>Academics: (Please note that NU is on the quarter system not the semester system)</p>

<p>I currently have a 4.0 cGPA, including the grades from fall quarter of my sophomore year. In my Freshman year I completed the following courses:</p>

<p>Gen. Chemistry sequence (3 quarters with lab), College Physics (3 quarters with lab), Calc I & 2, two Freshman Writing Seminars & a biology course (concepts of biology).</p>

<p>My final essays for both seminars were nominated for awards. Didn't win on both occasions. </p>

<p>In the fall quarter of Sophomore year I completed the following courses:</p>

<p>Organic Chemistry with lab, Genetics and Evolutionary Biology (1st of a three course sequence), Persian and an environmental science course (energy & the environment)</p>

<p>I plan on completing both Orgo and Bio sequences in the winter and spring quarters. Additionally I will take two Stats course, Calc III and a course called Introduction to Energy Systems in the 21st Century. </p>

<p>I am on a full ride (need based). In my Freshman year $35,000 of this aid was replaced with a merit based scholarship (by some benefactor) due to my grades.</p>

<p>I went to high school in Pakistan (I'm a US permanent resident), and the British System is used there. We didn't have a GPA only letter grades (no + or -). If I remember correctly I had around 62 As and 8 Bs on my HS transcript. We were tested twice a year and kept the same subjects year long. 10 subjects for the first two years and 5 for the last two.</p>

<p>SAT I - 2170 (M: 740 W: 720 R: 710)
SAt II - 2300 ( Bio M: 760 Chem: 770 Math II: 770)</p>

<p>Activities: </p>

<p>-Freshman Year:</p>

<p>Work Study Job with the YMCA Project Soar. Mentored a 10 year old boy from an underprivileged family. Met him once a week for six hours.
Worked with my Physics Professor as his assistant. He is the head on undergrad physics labs at NU. I helped him design and test experiments to be part of the curriculum in the future. </p>

<p>-Sophomore Year:</p>

<p>Year long post as a paid research assistant in a Chemistry Research Lab at NU. Research focuses on alternative energy applications and other environmental issues.
Year long post as a Gen Chem facilitator with and organization known as Gateway Science Workshops. This is an initiative that provides undergrads taking science courses with the chance to have a group learning session led by undergrads who have previously performed well in those courses.
Still help out with Project Soar as a volunteer.
Did 35 hours of dental shadowing - (15 in Michigan, 20 in Pakistan)</p>

<p>High School:</p>

<p>School swimming and Basketball team (starting five), Chess Society president for 3 years, 1st or 2nd in numerous internal and external chess competitions, Editor for 2 years for school publications, VP of Quiz Society. bunch of volunteer/social work (Flood relief, tree plantation, shelter & orphanage) </p>

<p>Reasons for transferring:</p>

<p>Always planned on either doing a year study abroad or transferring after my second year. Can't do the former due to premed/major/distribution requirements. I'm pretty restless and need new challenges. Academically not challenged at NU. Quarter system isn't good for science courses. 10 weeks for a course that covers both genetics and evolution for instance. Professors often skip chapters they are supposed to cover or just skim over them. Semester system and adapting to it will pose new challenges and offer more comprehensive science courses (which I'm passionate about). It'll be interesting adapting to a new environment, and meeting new people. That's just the type of person I am. I enjoy change. One of four Pakistani FOBs in the entire university. Most other universities offer a stronger Pakistani community which is always nice to have. </p>

<p>Specific reasons:</p>

<p>UPenn: Two of my good friends go there. I visit them each break (can only fly back to Pakistan once a year due to cost). Love the campus. My gf goes to Bryn Mawr which is right next to Penn. Penn Med School favors Penn Undergrads and is on top of my list along with Harvard Med</p>

<p>Are my reasons good enough? I apologize if they seem obnoxious or stupid. However, those are the reasons I will put down since I don't believe in lying to improve my chances. Based on your advice I might omit some of the stupider ones. Of course, I will do some research into Chem/Bio/Premed at Penn.</p>

<p>Thank you for taking out your time to read this. I look forward to hearing your advice/feedback/criticism.</p>