@lookagain,
To your queries -
- Yes, if feasible you should replace something like APES with AP Bio in senior year. Looking into your background, I am not sure what exactly is your primary interest and likely field of study going into college. Is it Business, Computer Science, Health care or liberal arts (at some Ivy)? I am sure the same will cross the minds of admission committee folks of these programs as they review your application. Taking good core science courses in senior year can provide some clarification and direction to them.
- You don’t need SAT subject tests unless you want to apply to programs that specifically need them (some of which mentioned earlier). But bear in mind, those programs offer no or little merit awards (max up to around 20 k per year for undergrad), so you may or not want to apply to them anyway. (they offer generous need based aid though if one’s family income and assets are low enough to qualify)
- I don’t think a short stint of research will make a significant impression, but I will let others here opine about it. However you also have an option of taking AP research seminar (or something like that) in senior year. I don’t know too many specifics but my understanding is that the school / college board will setup some kind of arrangement with a local university or research facility. You can perhaps continue it with the same professor you mentioned also. Your high school counselor will be able to provide more info on that. You need to find out how time consuming that will be though. Since you can’t get too ambitious in senior year when you need to maintain a fine balance among all your ongoing activities, studies and the whole application process. You don’t want to stretch yourself too much and risk any of them.
- I am not sure what is the reason for planning on applying only to aforementioned programs by you, all in TX. Is it cost, proximity or both. You may be aware that the total intake of both the Baylor programs together is 12 or so? I think anyone seriously interested in these programs should cast a wider net. There are a couple of programs in neighboring Oklahoma and Tulsa. Alabama also has a good program, though they seem to be giving extra preference to in state and regional applicants . All these programs give good price breaks for the undergrad portion if cost is an issue. If location is not an issue, you can consider NJMS with either NJIT or Rutgers as feeder school. The latter two seem to give almost free rides for the undergrad portions though the med school portion is relatively expensive compared to TX med schools. Also remember someone posting on the latest BS/MD results thread about Texas A&M program. if or once you have crossed 15 posts here, you can personal message him or her on college confidential to get more expert opinion specific to your state or region.
- Yes, do mention any activities outside the country too. I remember someone’s experience outside the country did help during interviews, essays etc. Do read all the posts of 2019 results thread and some followup queries and answers in the main thread too, around that time frame (since folks normally don’t ask the questions on the results thread but switch to the main one for that purpose)