Thanks for your advice. I wasn’t sure if UC’s would have the social scene I like. At least the ones I care about. So I don’t think I’ll apply. I don’t have much time either. And UC selection is extremely unpredictable compared to other schools. I still don’t know what they look for in applicants.
It’s not the easy way out. I still have to go to medical school. There is no easy way out if you want to become a doctor. Even with a public health major, I’ll still sign up for majority of the pre-med classes. You can choose any major to go into medical school. Also, if I go to private school, I can switch majors if needed.
Thank you for your concern. My parents are fine paying the entire cost of medical school. I want to pay them back if I eventually do end up going, though. I have auto acceptance into the college I currently take classes at, just confirmed it today - no need to even apply. So I have it as back-up. Even if I do end up going here, which is my last option, it’s an amazing place and I have had amazing, lifelong memories for the past 1.5 years.
I’m glad the student is doing good. I’m sure he’s happy with the way things turned out eventually, even if at first it was devastating. Brilliant people will shine anywhere they go. But yes - it serves as a reminder to never that life is always unpredictable. No one knows the reason he got rejected, and no one will never know. And that’s okay. It’s in the past, and he’s grown and found a place that accepts him for who he is. Truly happy for him. I can tell he is an authentic and dedicated student. I’ll keep his story in mind as I proceed with the application process.
Definitely! Going to their webinars, tours, etc. and hearing the AOs and some of their CO29 students talk, I can tell - Rice is a home for those who are “quirky”, “nerdy,” and “different,” but in the best way possible. It’s actually the main reason I wanted to apply. Their community is amazing, and the way everyone has their own world of cool interests and how it all ties together in their friendships is something that other colleges really can’t replicate completely. Through their admissions processes, they keep this “niche” community alive, so I understand how important it is to put effort into my application and truly understand all aspects of the college. I’m working on it! And yes, they still have the Rice Box. I think I’ve decided what to put. It instantly just came to me (today, actually) and I think it’s so…me(?). I don’t know how else to describe it. It’s definitely…interesting 
. Glad your daughter loves turtles. A CO29 I know loves them too, and me as well. I had multiple pet turtles in the past (One huge one my mom yoinked from our backyard, and two baby red eared-sliders found in our pool. I had to release all of them, sadly.) But maybe it’s a sign! Thank you for all of your advice. I’ll definitely look at the newspaper now that you mention it, and a few of the other things you said that I didn’t know about! Congrats on your daughter’s to-be graduation!
2 Likes
Thanks for the advice, everyone who replied. I really appreciate hearing all your thoughts and that you took time out of your day to help me. Just wanted to say, I know what I plan to do may be weird for a “pre-med.” But I’m confident in what I have chosen to proceed with. I’ve heard numerous things about medical school. I’m not a clueless student who’s in it “for the money”. I’ve had my eye on becoming a doctor for almost four years now, and with that, I’ve heard countless things about medical school, including from my parents, who are extremely involved with my life and don’t bother “sugarcoating”. And even then, I still want to do what I have expressed in my original post. While I do like seeing different perspectives, the main focus of my post was not the medical school aspect of it. If I had omitted the “pre-med” part, a lot of the responses I have gotten would be different. In truth, majority of the biology/chemistry majors in this forum doing chance-me’s for top schools are most likely planning on doing med, too. I understand everyone’s concern(?), and I’m glad you all just want to help. But I am seeking a different kind of advice than just advice about medical school. Feel free to comment your thoughts, but I will not answer any more replies regarding medicine. And to those who found “match” schools for me, you have helped me more than you could know, so special shoutout to you as well. I hope you all keep continuing to change students’ lives! Once again, thanks everyone for all the replies.
There is no way to avoid taking organic chemistry if your plan is to attend medical school. There are other career paths that also require it.
Good luck with Rice.- I hope you get in! As long as you also have safety and target schools that you like, you will have some great options.
Adding: You do not have to attend a private school to change majors.
5 Likes
With all that college credit, would you be considered a transfer?
I don’t believe that is true.
7 Likes
You will need to take ALL (not the majority) of the required courses for medical school applicants. Just FYI, you can take the required courses for med school applicants at just about every four year college in this country, arts conservatories excluded. And agree with poster above, you can change majors at many many public universities.
But to your subject…Rice is a terrific university. Apply and see.
3 Likes
Sorry, if many of the replies were not what you were looking for. In many ways, you are correct: getting into medical school and getting into a prestige college are two separate (and in many ways, contradictory) issues. If Rice University is your dream school, then it makes sense to make a list of overlap schools. This would be equally true whether you were interested in Harvard, Yale, MIT, Columbia, UPenn or UChicago. There are usually competitors who, in the words of a former Amherst AO, are “happy with the crumbs from Harvard’s table “. Substitute the word, “Harvard” with “Prestige University XX“ and you get the general idea.
This is just simple math. Rice, for example, rejects 92% of all its applicants. And, it’s not because they were weak candidates. On the contrary, its brand-name virtually guarantees that every high school senior with a 4.0 gpa is going to be drawn to it. Overlaps are often regional in nature, so in your case, names like Emory and Vanderbilt make a lot of sense. For a smaller, quirkier, liberal arts college experience, I’d recommend The University of the South (aka, “Sewanee”).
1 Like
What is it specifically about Rice that you love? The size? The proximity to the medical centers? The residential colleges? The quirkiness? The band (MOB)? Would you consider schools that don’t have residential colleges but have living-learning communities? One of my s’s went to Rice and absolutely loved it! But if you are considering a small school like Rice, would you be comfortable at a large state U (especially if it doesn’t offer an honors program?) If you are looking for peer schools, these are important things to consider.
1 Like
Just echoing all this. The line in my circles was always something like Rice is super into applicants who are super into Rice. Obviously also excellent students, but among that group, it does appear critical to be able to explain your enthusiasm for Rice in vivid detail.
2 Likes
This is a good idea. You are a HS student and medical school, if it happens, is quite a few years down the road. That being said, there are required classes that you will need to take.
The goal right now should be finding a school that you feel is a good fit for you. If you love Rice and it is affordable, apply ED and see. Just make sure to have some backups that are also a good fit.
Good luck!
5 Likes
OP - just to bring clarity - this is from college vine.
I look forward to hearing your final outcome. The good news is you can become a Dr regardless of what happens.
Good luck:
Undergraduate course requirements vary from one medical school to the next, but generally include the following:
- Biology – 2 semesters with lab
- Physics – 2 semesters with lab
- General chemistry – 2 semesters with lab
- Organic chemistry – 2 semesters with lab
- Biochemistry – 1 semester
- English – 2 semesters
- Math – 2 semesters
Many schools also require statistics, psychology, and writing.
Your undergraduate university will likely have advisors who will help make sure that you complete your pre-med requirements on time. You may also want to review the requirements at various medical schools so that you know what you are up against. For example, the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine M.D. Program requires the following:
- College biology with laboratory, one year (8 semester hours)
- General college chemistry with laboratory, one year (8 semester hours)
- Organic chemistry with laboratory, one semester (4 semester hours)
- Biochemistry, three or four semester hours (Lab is not required.)
- 24 semester hours in areas of humanities (English, History, Classics, Foreign Language, Philosophy, Arts, etc.), social science (Sociology, Economics, Political Science, Anthropology, etc.), and behavioral science (Psychology, etc.). Must include two writing-intensive courses.
- Calculus and/or statistics, one year (6-8 semester hours)
- General college physics with laboratory, one year (8 semester hours)
1 Like
Rice and Duke have different “vibes,” imo. Are you looking for colleges like Duke? Or like Rice?
I said this earlier, but look at Rochester, Pitt honors, and W&M. You might also like some of the LACs noted above.
The only way to avoid organic chemistry is to choose a career path that does not require it.
5 Likes
Good for research - Wooster - no, it’s not top 20. Yes, it’s easier to get into. And yes it’s known for research.
For years on end, it and Princeton were awarded the top something from US News…
btw - research can and is done everywhere - just ask around..
1 Like
I agree that research is done everywhere (or almost everywhere), but some schools have more students involved in research than others.
I do believe that there are many schools that this student can apply to if they are interested.
Agreed but that’s a function of the kids too. A Rice will have more competition than nearby UH, as an example.
I noted Wooster because it’s imbedded, required. A Vandy prof I used to know (he passed) son went there - had his seal of approval.
1 Like
My best friend’s daughter is a sophomore on a pre-med track at Northeastern, and she is having a terrific experience. She started with the NU.in program in Scotland, loved it. I was impressed that her advisor flew over to Scotland to help her work out her 4 year plan because she was worried about fitting everything in.
Now that she’s in Boston, she is enjoying living on campus. This semester she has a medical communications class in which they have to practice sharing terrible news with patients’ families. The class uses professional actors to be patients and family members. Apparently it was quite intense, especially as a second year student. But very necessary, too, I guess.
Anyway, perhaps very different from Rice or LACs, but wanted to share her experience since it might be relevant.
3 Likes
If this student wants to do research (any school), they need to inquire about how easy it is to get. There are schools where anybody who wants to do it, can, and where it is uncommon to find students who are not involved (although with all of the cuts, who knows anymore). It sounds like this particular student wants that environment.
Sounds like Wooster should be on the list!
Again- good luck with Rice!
3 Likes