Hey all. I am a sophomore and I am starting to think about where I should apply for college. However, after reading the chance me forums, I am extremely worried. What schools would be a good target for me? (I already know what safeties and reaches I’m applying to).
I want my target schools to be small colleges that are good for premed (classes and advising) and that are located in or near cities. I would also like this school to have research opportunities available. Cost doesn’t matter as long as it isn’t exorbitant and insane (55k +). I would also like the school to be either on the West Coast (Cali) or East Coast(all except NH, Vermont, upper NY, Maine) or Texas.
My planned Major is Biology or Biochem
Background info: Asian Male in NC, Upper Middle Class
SAT: 1570 (770 ebrw, 800 math)
SAT II: Planning to take Bio M, Chem, and Math II next month
AP: AP Bio, AP Chem, AP Calc BC, AP Psych, AP Human Geo (all tests are in may, expecting 5 on all)
GPA ( AP is given a weight of 5) : 4.5 (expected 4.6 by end of sophomore year)
Major Awards: none yet 
Minor Awards: Honor Roll, AMC 10 3rd place (2 years in a row)
EC:
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Research Intern – published a paper in chemical engineering and working on my 2nd and 3rd projects in biochem and bio respectively (9-11 hours per week)
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Science Club - President
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Science Bowl - Co-Founder and Biology Leader
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TSA - Animatronics, Engineering Design (Team Leader)
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Educate A Child - Outreach Director - Non profit that raises money for education
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Key Club ( 80 hours)
I would love any and all help regarding this topic.
My top priority is to get into a good research or primary care med school and have a good GPA/ undergrad education.
Would the Claremont colleges (other than Harvey Mudd (insane grade deflation)) be a good fit? What schools with the criteria listed above have good premed?
Thanks for the Help?
That last question mark should be an exclamation point…oops
If your college is less expensive than the $55,000 per year price limit, will the remaining amount be available for expensive medical school?
Primary care specialties are not the highest paid specialties, so keeping total debt after medical school down is important if you want to go into those specialties.
But also consider that most pre-meds do not apply to medical school (GPA or MCAT too low, or lost interest), and those who do are successful less than half of the time. So consider college and major that is suitable in the event you do not get eventually go to medical school.
Note that combined programs (BA/BS->MD) commonly require a high GPA and MCAT score in order to retain the guarantee and skip the stressful, expensive, and unpredicable medical school application process.
Not a good idea to be an OOS premed in Calif.
What is your home state?
@mom2collegekids I live in NC. I was also thinking of what to do if if I don’t get in a 7 year (very VERY hard to get into 7 year ) Do you think I should be a compsci major and bio minor? I have always had an interest in AI and machine learning however I’m pretty sure I want to be a premed.
Thanks!
I am trying to optimize my chance of getting into a good med school, having a good backup plan, and save some money
Daughter this year. 4.0 uw. Valedictorian. 13 aps 4 and 5 on all. Nhs. Captain of a sports team for 2 years. Pres of two student clubs academic decathlon volunteered each week for 4 years at same hospital went to an ivy summer program etc etc. her experience was this
she was accepted at three excellent safeties with honors and merit ie UNC in state accepted at two low reach/high matches ie USC/BC , waitlisted at two low reaches GTown Amherst and rejected by the only two ivies she applied to Harvard and Yale. She is more than thrilled now with her choice and can’t wait but the process was brutal.
Planning for a specific school is not possible in my opinion. You must work hard score high and be yourself but really write great essays. Be a good friend and help others.
Also be very focused on your teacher relationships for recommendations. I think they can make it or break it for you with the type of high stats and ambition you have. Be smart about your applications and recognize that all of your choices will be wonderful. Have some fun too. It is a very short and wonderful time of your life.
FYI. Premed track and stem focused like OP
@privatebanker What would you recommend? Does CS and premed sound like a good mix? Do I even have a single chance at Pomona, UNC-ch, Duke, Brown, etc?
Did volunteering help her at all or was it not that important to her application?
Is UNC-ch good for premed and CS?
Anyways, congrats to your daughter and thanks for helping me out!
@SairacUchiha
I’m not a college counselor or expert. CS and Premed sounds ambitious to me
Everything is available to you. Essays ECs are important. Very important. Recommendations are very important too
So it’s everything. Have a good list of likely and possible and statistically unlikely based on pure percentages.
UNC is fantastic in all areas. It is prestigious and a nice vibe. And most likely going to be a great value as your instate option.
I am more convinced than ever it is really more important where you will thrive for great grades and mcat prep for your goals. Forget what anyone says or the bumper stickers on your dads car. Also have fun along the way. You’re an adult a long time. Trust me. .
Hi @SairacUchiha , you sound very motivated and ambitious. A few thoughts…
- Most of your “target” schools are going to be well over $55K unless you qualify for serious financial aid. That will include virtually all the Ivies, all the Claremonts, and any other super elite school like Duke UChicago, Hopkins, and all the great little LACS in NE. By the time you enter, the sticker price should be at or over $75K per year ('cause the cost of undergraduate education rises faster than the rate of inflation). So, if money is a consideration, you should aim for state schools or schools that offer merit aid. (There are many other posts on College Confidential about Merit Aid which you can query.)
- I have a good friend that majored in a STEM science and CS undergraduate and just got into medical school. It can be done. And, if you took off a year or two to study for the MCAT and worked in some data informatics role within the medical sector after college, it would be a great way to “marry” the two disciplines before med school. As an aside, I can say there is a huge demand for MDs who are interested in CS and toggle between their practice/research and IT. If you are willing and able and like straddling the two worlds, you will be probably be able to find a job easily for the rest of your career.
- You seem like you might enjoy engineering as well. So, based on what you are suggesting, maybe you can look at some of the really strong state schools that offer engineering, CS, and STEM. Maybe put UNC at the top of the list if you can stomach staying in NC. It is well respected and you could save towards medical school or graduate school if the in state cost is that much lower. Maybe also consider U Mich and UC Davis. (BTW, U Mich will be just as cold as schools in upper New England.)
Best of luck!
One last question. I know people select which schools are safety and which are not through the calculator. However, that calculator doesn’t take into account race, economic status, and spikes. How much do I have to subtract from that percentage ? (I am an ORM from a upper-mid class background).
Thanks.
@CallieMom @privatebanker
My parents are very generous and told me that if I keep my college gpa above 3.65 they will pay for my tuition for both college and grad/med school (if I can manage to get in). However, I don’t want them to bust the bank for me ( I feel so guilty and thankful at the same time) so I will 100% consider UNC-ch.
I will also try to break into some serious CS work more so I can really get a feel for it. My dad always tells me that CS is the most lucrative and important major/minor for the future for all jobs.
Thanks again,
-SairacUchiha