Are you a 7th Day Adventist?
In that case, it’d be a good safety.
If you’re not, there are other universities that are small and have strong science programs, with or without religion classes or a faith environment.
With a part time job, it’s about doing something humble with adults, being reliable, disciplined, etc. Working a cinema’s ticket counter, stocking shelves at Trader Joe’s or Giant Eagle or Krogers or Walmart (wherever they’re hiring part time and hourly pay is highest), helping someone with their landscaping business, waiting tables…
Thank you for the link 
I will look more into this.
No.
Do you know of any universities with great/strong science programs near Redlands, CA?
I am trying not to go to a university that is far from where I am.
How far is too far?
UCR seems rather close. Pomona and other Claremont colleges are not that far. UCI, UCLA, and UCSD are within driving distance.
University of Redlands is obviously close, but I do not know much about its academic offerings.
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A couple of hours at most.
I am also considering UCLA and USC as well. I’ve visited UCR and I don’t know if it is the right place for me.
University of Redlands is an obvious one -you could design your own major at the Jonston Center, though med schools like “traditional” majors so your program would have to make sense. If you show interest starting Junior year it would be an academic safety but you’d need to run their NPC to see if they’d be affordable.
Chapman would be another one.
Neither meets need.
You’d likely be top 9% locally/ELC so if you applied to UCR (esp. One of the medical pathways) and didn’t get in, you’d still have Merced, probably better for premeds than San Bernardino???
UCLA and UCI have TONS of majors so explore ALL that are biology-adjacent.
Thank you so much for taking the time to give me these resources (it really helped)
Is double major okay, or will it be too much work?
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I’m thinking of double majoring in genetics and astronomy.
I am also considering a physics and astronomy minor with a genetics (or biology) major.
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Major+ rest of premed pre-reqs +minor will keep you VERY busy (there will be some overlap between your major and premed pre-reqs and you can always create a “cluster” of a couple classes if you can’t get a full minor.)
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I am interested in space sciences. But unfortunately, my school doesn’t offer an astronomy class or elective. Are there any DE options related to astronomy that I could take? (Sorry, I know we keep going back and forth 
)
@timeagain1 you are a HS freshman. You don’t have to take courses in everything that you have an interest in. Actually that’s probably not possible.
You have a six period day. Make sure you are meeting your HS graduation requirements…
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Yeah, you’re right. That should be my priority
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Go to the closest science museum. Ask if they have astronomy workshops, if there’s an observatory nearby… They’ll give you ways to get involved. They may even offer community classes! (And this would count as an EC). You can also look at space camps - NASA has all sorts of possibilities.
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You are getting ahead of yourself. I think you should speak with your teachers and ask about classes for next year and make sure you are meeting graduation requirements. You should focus on challenging yourself appropriately and doing well…not jumping into AP classes. The goal is to enjoy your HS years, do well ,join clubs- I like the idea mentioned above about getting involved in the science museum.
I think it is too early to think about top 20 colleges- you are doing this backwards and right now you don’t know if these are the right schools for you.
Take the right classes - for you- after speaking to your teachers. Get involved in school, go out with friends, and study. Once junior year arrives you will have a better idea as to which schools are appropriate.
Kids in our HS take biology before chemistry and it works out just fine. Our HS does not allow AP classes until junior year.
You do not need AP biology to major in biology or genetics.
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Same. Everyone takes bio before chem at our high school.
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Thought I let everyone know about my decision.
Sophomore
AP Bio
Chem H
AP Euro
English 9H
Int Math IIH
Spanish 2
Summer: Art
Junior
AP Physics 1
AP English Lang
AP Comp Sci Pri
AP US History
Int Math IIIH
Spanish 3
Summer: PE
Senior
AP English Lit
AP Calc BC
AP Spanish or AP Comp Sci A
AP Psychology
AP Chemistry or Physics C
American Gov/Econ
With this, I will have completed all my A-G requirements. I will be joining Science Olympiad and possibly a couple of clubs related to my career goals.
Thank you to all who have helped me through this
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Looks like a good plan! Remember to stay flexible if you find it’s too much.
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