Chance me and Match as a student from NJ [3.7 UW, 1420 SAT, biology or neuroscience]

Chance Me / Match Me
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Not sure if I have good enough stats for any BSMD programs or some colleges in general. Also looking for any advice for other colleges.

Stats:

  • Gender/Race: Male, South Asian, 16 M

  • Income/Class: Middle class

  • School: Large public high school in NJ

  • GPA: 3.7 unweighted / 4.36 UW / 5.1 weighted (out of 5.6 scale)

  • SAT: 1420

  • Course Load (For senior year):

    • AP Lit, AP Bio, AP Euro, AP Psych

  • Academic Note: Junior year was a bit rough and took a hit on my GPA (had harder classes and a C+ in pre calc), but otherwise things have been solid.

    • Freshman: 3.8/4.3 Unweighted/ 5.09/5.6 Weighted

    • Soph: 4.0/5.3

    • Junior 3.5/5.0 (not sure how accurate this is, though since my school made a mistake on the transcript)

    • Senior: ???

ECS:

  • Science Olympiad (1 year — junior year only): For Science Olympiad, I participated in various levels of competition during the year I was involved. My team placed 6th at the state-level competition, and individually, I placed around 17th at the Princeton Invitational. Although I only did it for one year, I won’t be continuing it in my senior year.

  • Hospital Summer Program ( This summer): In my Hospital Summer Program, I’m currently volunteering at a local clinic under the supervision of an Internal Medicine physician. I help out with various small tasks, assist with patients, and provide support to doctors and staff. I also do community volunteer work.

  • HOSA (3 years): For HOSA, I’ve been an active member for several years. I’ve volunteered at a number of events, helped organize activities, and participated in fundraising efforts for organizations like the American Heart Association. I also competed in one of the events, but didn’t place.

  • National Honor Society (2 years) and Social Studies Honor Society (1 year): Just honor societies, pretty explainable.

  • MSA (4 years): Finally, I’ve been involved in MSA (Muslim Student Association) throughout high school. I regularly helped with setting up events, managing supplies, and organizing fundraising drives for local food pantries. Food pantries are open to anyone no matter their faith.

  • Last summer, I helped organize a STEM education program for my local religious community. Over the summer, I taught basic science and math concepts to younger students, which was a great way to give back and share my interest in STEM with others. The program still continues, but I don’t lead it currently.

  • Also working as a Pharmacy Tech (got the job this summer)

Awards and Leadership:

  • None, unfortunately, there’s hella nepotism, but it is what it is. No Awards other than AP awards, unfortunately.

Colleges: Rutgers, Hofstra University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Brown, Rice, Boston, UMASS, Tufts, Princeton, NJIT, TCNJ, Stevens Inst. of Tech., Drexel, and FDU. Also, I’m not only applying to BSMD or BSDO, I’m also applying to their regular colleges.

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As a suggested addition of a school that would match your profile, look into the University of Rochester.

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Linking OP’s previous post: ChanceMe as someone trying to do Pre-Med [NJ resident, 3.7 GPA, 1440 SAT]

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I don’t think you are a competitive applicant for BS/MD or BS/DO programs…most of which have extremely low acceptance rates.

You could look into the LECOM BS/DO program which requires you to apply to a partner school and LECOM. @momsearcheng might be able to give more info about this program. Right now, I don’t think you have any of the partner schools on your college application list.

I think I pretty much gave you the same advice on your other thread! Maybe you should read the responses there again. Very good advice!

At this point, you want to find an undergraduate school where you can do very well, and where you will be happy for four years. You can cross the “applying to medical school” bridge when you get to it…which might not be now.

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Edit: just read the other post and gave the same advice.

You’ve not mentioned a budget and I’m guessing engineering isn’t in your future - I could be wrong and if that’s your interest, prove me wrong!!

I don’t know about errors on the transcript - but get it fixed if there is.

Your stats are fine.

What level math have you taken - pre calc or are you going farther - like AP Stats? Doesn’t seem like it. What level of foreign language have you gotten to? I’m giving you chances below - assuming you’ve had at least two years, preferably three of FL.

I wouldn’t worry about a BS/MD - if med school is in your future, you’ll apply after college.

Not sure where you’re applying but you should be ok for Arts&Sciences.

Hofstra - safe.

RPI - what major? Are you full pay? Not sure it’s the right given your quant struggles and apparent avoidance senior year. But we’ll say target.

Brown - no chance - and when I say no chance, I’m not an AO - but I’d be shocked if you got in.

Rice - same as Brown

Which Boston - BU or BC? Both - I don’t see it.

UMASS - major dependent.

Tufts - same as Brown

Princeton -same as Brown

NJIT - likely

TCNJ - safet

Stevens - target/tiny reach

Drexel - safe

FDU - yes

So what is your budget? What can your family afford and what to afford? What other types of schools do you have interest in - location, size, cost, etc.

I don’t know you so take this comment for what it is - but I don’t see “tech” schools in your wheelbase - you struggle with math and your Senior schedule other than bio, is slight on science.

Are schools like RPIor NJIT in your best interest?

You can go to med school from any school -but I wonder if med school, vs. other type of health careers - are in your future. I hope so but a struggle and avoidance of math won’t help.

2024 Desk Reference Card-08072024_QR_0.pdf

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Did you score a 1420 or a 1440 on the SAT?

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This is pretty good. However, with a 3.7 unweighted GPA plus 1420 SAT I do not see Brown, Rice, Tufts, or Princeton happening. Also, as a premed student I am not sure that you want to attend any of these four reach schools. As an example, if you are a freshman at Princeton taking premed classes, you will be walking into very tough, very demanding classes surrounded by students some of whom have never had a B in their life and many (possibly most) of whom haven’t had more than 1 or 2 B’s in their life. Even at a university ranked in the 100-120 range you might find a few students who have never had a B in their life, but you will find a lot more of them at the highly ranked reach schools.

Fortunately there are many, many universities that are very good for premed students, and you have a lot of them on your list. Taking these four reach schools off your list, what is left looks like a pretty good list to me.

This is not a good sign for anyone considering any engineering major. It is also not a good sign for someone intending to take calculus in the near future. I have however heard that some medical schools allow statistics instead of calculus for admissions, and at least to me statistics actually seems more relevant for any medical-related career compared to calculus. There might be something to think about here in terms of what math classes to take going forward, and if you do take calculus how to make sure that you are fully prepared before you start taking it.

In your other thread you stated “I know my GPA has a downwards trend, but that’s because I had a lot harder classes“. To succeed as a premed student, and then as an MD or DO student, you need to find a way to do well in these very tough classes.

I think that this is very true. Also, four years as an undergraduate student plus associated experience in a medical environment, will expose you to other options and other possible careers.

Learn how to do well in tough classes. Budget for a full 8 years (in case you do make it to medical school). Keep an open mind concerning both schools to attend and career options. With this I think that you are likely to do very well.

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yep thats me but is this not allowed? Sorry if I broke any rules

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Alr thanks, but I forgot to mention that I’m switching my major to Neuroscience or Biology

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Alright, thank you! Yeah I just posted again just because I got a few things updated (like my sat score and other stuff).

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Sorry, it was a 1420

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Sorry for the late response, but I’m thinking more of neuroscience, sociology, or biology (ik this doesn’t help, but I’m still deciding.) Also, I already took pre-calculus, and I am now taking Calc H (this class is not hard at all; I got a 91 on a recent test). Also, for the budget, my parents said if it’s a good school, they’ll pay for it, but for them, that means Ivys. Also, I’m definitely taking loans since they have nothing saved up. Furthermore, I took Spanish for three years. However, if you need any other information from lmk, because Im surprised NJIT is a likely for me. Also, are these rankings for me about the BSMD program, or just getting in?

For location, I don’t really care, but the place can’t be hot. I’m not too worried about size, and cost I mentioned above.

To address your last point, I was thinking of those tech schools because they had good BSMD programs, and my dad went to NJIT, so he just told me to apply.

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So as you can see - this makes zero sense.

They’re willing to pay - but have nothing saved up.

Personally, I wouldn’t even apply to Ivies - you’re not getting in.

But thanks to the government, your parents can only take $65K total in loans over four years (which is far too much) and $20K in one year. In essence, they are going to save you from the horrific mistake you’re about to make.

And then you’re talking about more school - I’m guessing no med but maybe another health care program.

So how will you pay all this debt?

So you better run NPCs on every school you plan to apply.

You can go to school for as low as $20K - but not in an area you’d want to go.

But your plan is littered with holes and impossibilities.

And loans have fees - if you borrow $20K, you’re not actually netting $20K - and interest - and how will you pay it back.

Figure out the budget without loans - and go from there.

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How will they pay if they haven’t saved anything?
You, as the student, are limited in how much money you can borrow. Federal loans will allow you to take out $27k over four years. That averages to $6750 per year ($3k plus per semester).

I am assuming neither you, nor your parents have looked at costs. Your parents will pay for ivies? Go to each university web site and find the Net Price Calculator (NPC) and see what your estimated costs will be.

Just a sampling:

Rice is about $58k per year.

UMASS is about $40k per year.

NJIT is currently at $21k per year.

RPI is $87k per year.

Boston University is running at $91k

These are just the undergrad costs.

If you’re middle class, you are probably not eligible for financial aid, other than loans.

Med schools are running about $100k per year. They don’t have scholarships and most students are on loans or use the Bank of Mom and Dad. If you get to this level, your parents may not qualify to take out more loans. Plus the government is limiting how much in loans a graduate level student can receive.

So, find out what they can afford and then make your lists. It won’t do you any good to apply to unaffordable schools. Scholarships are rare and competitive.

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This is your biggest problem right now. How will they pay for college if they have nothing saved up? The loans that you are permitted to take are limited.

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Please look at the new guidelines for YOU taking out loans in your name only. There are now limits for these loans…$200,000 total for professional school students for the Direct Loans, and this includes undergrad. Simply put…$200,000 isn’t enough to pay for four years of medical school and especially if you use some of that on undergrad. You can find some private lenders who will lend to you, but the more you take on loans, the less qualified you will be to take more. Will your parents co-sign loans for you?

I’ll repeat what I’ve said before…BS MD and BS DO programs are highly competitive. At this point in time, I think these are all reaches for you…and probably not likely.

I’ve suggested that you look into the LECOM and LECOM partner schools a couple of times. This is a BS DO acceptance but you MUST apply to both LECOM and one of the partner schools and get accepted to both. Look at that list of partner schools because right now, you don’t have any on your list.

The very vast majority of doctors do NOT do the BSMD or BSDO route. They go to regular undergrad, do well, take the MCAT, and apply later.

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RPI gives good merit, so may be significantly cheaper though.

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It sounds like your budget and the cost of university is the most important issue. If you want to keep the option of attending medical school as a realistic possibility, then you need to try to avoid debt for your bachelor’s degree as much as you possibly can. If you take on significant debt for a bachelor’s degree, then you just are not likely to be able to afford to attend medical school, and debt is likely to make other forms of biomedical-related graduate programs more difficult.

Princeton does have very good need based financial aid, IF you were to get accepted and if they think that you qualify for need based aid. It does not have any merit based aid. Many of the schools on your list do have merit based aid.

It makes sense to apply widely and see what sort of offers you get. When you get your range of acceptances and rejections in a few months, then you can compare the various acceptances and see what each one costs. Once you are looking at offers and deciding where to attend, you need to put a high importance on choosing an affordable option.

And you are in-state and it is quite a good university.

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Many schools give merit or have need aid. OP has to run the net price calculator.

But if they give $40K and not saying they would, Tuition, room and board alone are $83K. So that’d leave $43K plus books, transport and more - where is the money coming if not saved up or can’t be cash flowed?

As you can only get $65K in Parent Plus loans over four years and $20K in one year, it’s not feasible. Even that is too much in loans.

OP has to do a lot of financial planning before they can even pick a school list.

OP, with the stats, can go South with auto merit for $20K all in - but OP is Muslim and there are Muslim’s in the south but that would be a choice as I understand on paper there might be discomfort. There may be lower cost (but not as low) in the NE too but perhaps in rural places - like New Hampshire, etc.

But in the end, no matter where OP chooses to go, there has to be an affordability component - that’s just life. And needs to be planned for, if it isn’t by the parents. It sounds like they think - just borrow - and that’s one thing the current administration has gotten right, they’re limiting that ability - protecting both the kids and lenders who get defaulted on.

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You’re being hopeful and not realistic.

The way to be more realistic is to go on that website and use the NPC to calculate your estimated funding. Given that current funding issues are affecting students and will be limited, you really have to get a baseline of available funds.

If you plan on going medical school, which is what we did for our kid, a lot of money has to be put aside for fees. So it’s a lot of money. Your parents may not be able to fund everything that you need for med school.

Once you get your NPC estimate then make a list of schools that are affordable.

Your parents may want to pay for ivies, but their income level, and collateral, may not qualify them for what you all want.

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