Hi guys!!
I’m currently a sophomore in high school and I’ve been thinking really hard about college and my future this year, but I have some serious doubts and insecurities along with a bunch of questions concerning college. It’s my dream to study medicine and go to med school and I wanted to find a college that would help me achieve my goals. UT Austin happens to be the university I’m most interested in going to and one of the particular things that peaked my interest in UT is their Health Science Scholars program (honors in the health sciences). From what I’ve read online, HSS looks for students with high academic achievement and community service along with the required passion for the health sciences/professions. My problem is that I know that right now, I’m not a competitive applicant and I don’t stand a chance for admissions to HSS or UT in general. Throughout my freshman year of high school, I didn’t take any pre AP classes because certain things that happened in my eighth grade year. This year, I’m only taking pre AP English, the rest of my classes are regular. It wasn’t until this year that I found out about HSS. I know that I chances for me actually getting in are very low and that I shouldn’t even try, but I really really want to get in. I’m planning on taking APUSH, AP chem and physics, and AP English 3 my junior year and I’m probably going to take AP bio, AP English 4, and AP govt/Econ my senior year (I might also take calculus but I’m not sure about that yet). I’m also considering trying some dual credit classes (in math and science) at HCC. I’m taking some classes related to medicine as well: this year I’m taking Principles of Health Science, junior year I take med term and Health Science, and my senior year I take anatomy and Phisiology (I also want to take Scientific research and design). I’m a part of HOSA (and I definitely want to compete next year), Miracle Club (we raise money for children at Texas Children’s Hospital), and Medical club (health professions workers talk to us about their jobs). I might join NHS next year, but only if I’m eligible. Over the summer, I want to be a junior volunteer at Texas Children’s and I might be able to find a job. I’m currently in the top 20% of my class. My questions are:
-What can I do to make myself a more competitive applicant for HSS and UT’s College of Natural Sciences?
-What exactly does HSS look for in an applicant?
-Am I on track for maybe being accepted to UT’s CNS and HSS?
-Will my lack of pre AP classes my freshman and sophomore years hurt me when I apply to that program?
-How can I improve my class rank? What can I do to get an exceptional SAT score?
Please tell me what I should do to become a competitive applicant for Health Science Scholars. All responses are highly appreciated!!