Someone told me to repost here for a better answer, soo
I’m a junior looking for a couple of OOS bsmd programs just to see what my chances are. I already have a pretty good safety in state, so I wouldn’t be opposed to going there, however bsmds are probably going to take preference.
Demographics
State/Location of residency: Georgia
Type of high school: Competitive HS in metro region, albeit not many med pursuers (most do eng/cs bc of GT eng and cs in state)
Gender/Race/Ethnicity: Indian
Other special factors: None
Intended Major(s)
bsmd: biology, maybe biochem. If I go to GT I might try bme but I think ill stick to bio/chem for now.
GPA, Rank, and Test Scores
Unweighted HS GPA: 4.0/4.0
Weighted HS GPA: 4.5/5.0 (mid year gpa, when I apply should be somewhere from a 4.65-4.7)
Class Rank: 10, I expect it to drop
ACT/SAT Scores: 36 (36 36 35 36)
Coursework
Really rigorous, taken every science course offered except for both AP Physics Cs which I plan on taking next year. Math I finished Calc ab/bc as a sophomore, so I’m currently in the GT distance math program, finished lin alg last sem, abt to finish multivar calc this sem.
Awards
NMSQT, but not much which is why I’m a lil stressed Extracurriculars
Still working on this, but I had a summer internship last yr at HYPSM, and that was pretty fun, I work in a couple non-profits as a high position, I have shadowing as well as volunteering hours, and I expect over this summer it’ll go up a lot. I also hopefully have some wetlab research coming up this summer, which I hope to submit maybe to sts or smthng so that could be another award. I’m copresident of our biology olympiad and also pretty high in leadership in a couple other organizations. I’ll share more specifics if you msg me.
Essays/LORs/Other
Don’t know right now, but I think my essays will be fine, since I only plan on applying to 3/5 schools I’m going to make sure these essays are fire. LORs will probably be fine as well.
Cost Constraints / Budget
Not really a concern for now.
Schools
Safety: UGA RD (only if I have to), GT EA (I know it seems a little conceited to put this as a safety, but with the distance math pathway I’m pretty sure I can get in.)
Likely: NA
Match: NA
Reach: Brown PLME EA, CWRU BSMD EA, tentative: WashU BSMD
Not going to chance you for a BS/MD but there are other BS/MD options likely less competitive than those - although this is a great list - and all I can say is - any and all would be hard to get into.
What I do want to comment on is your awards since you have concern.
Don’t be stressed. I think, in many ways, awards are overrated.
I think, for example, what you do EC wise or academic wise is what matters.
In other words, if you’re employee of the month at Kroger, it’s great - but what are your duties that got you that award - that’s what matters.
Kids say - AP Scholar with Distinction. What that means is you passed 5 exams with a three - so that’s the important part, not the award.
The person who volunteers at a hospital or animal shelter has the potential to make a great impact - but does not get an award for doing so.
Be the best you that you can be. Get involved in things of interest and if wanting a BS/MD, the things that those schools look for (there is a lot of info on those activities on this website and on the school admission pages).
If you’re in a contest and win an award - great. But most students don’t have awards or the ones that they list (my kids included) aren’t really of impact. But it is the things that they did that were impactful - so I would look at it from that point of view…
So I wouldn’t be tripping over myself to alter my life - just because I don’t have awards.
You have a strong profile, and will be competitive at many schools.
I’m sure you know BSMD programs have low single digit acceptance rates. I would prioritize patient facing experience over research experience this summer…what about becoming an assistant CNA? The benefit of that experience is that it will help you decide if becoming a doctor is what you want to do, it has to be a passion, and your apps have to reflect that.
As for GT, not a safety even with distance math. Good luck.
Great stats! FYI Brown doesn’t offer EA, only ED. And if you apply ED to Brown+PLME you could get accepted to Brown but not PLME and the ED is still binding. They explicitly recommend that you do not apply ED if you are applying to other similar programs. Best of luck!
Just to supplement what you wrote, Brown also says about ED:
Please do not assume that your admission chances are improved by applying under the Early Decision plan. The Board of Admission makes the same decisions under Early Decision that it would under the Regular Decision plan.
I take that to mean - you’re not necessarily at an advantage by applying ED there - so they’re offering more flexibility to you (in regards to comparing acceptances, offers).
Does Washington University have an accelerated BS/MD program or a program for early admission to medical school?
No, WashU does not currently offer an accelerated program for entry to medical school. Rather, WashU offers a comprehensive pre-health sciences curriculum that advises and educates all students interested in a career in the health sciences as they prepare for medical school. WashU’s PreHealth website has detailed information about how we provide comprehensive advising and support to students on their path toward a career in the health professions.
Oh wow, I didn’t expect to get this much advice, thank you so much!
Yea, I know its not really a safety, but I feel like I have a good chance, I kind of just put it there. I don’t think there’s much I can mess up until the admission deadline. I didn’t mean to sound overconfident in it, although I am confident in my abilities to make it into GT. (That sounds like I’m overconfident smh)
I actually didn’t know this, so I’ll keep it in mind!
I didn’t know this too! (wow lots to learn) This gives me a little relief, I think I’ll be less stressed for brown after getting into a college beforehand. I also get some time to shore up my ecs tbh. Thanks a lot!
I have shadowed at clinics before but nothing too serious. Especially due to my age, I am not allowed to do most things that a nurse would be able to. Do you have any tips regarding how to become a CNA, I don’t exactly know how to approach a hospital or clinic. Would you email/phone call and ask for a possible position, or is it more of a shadowing request to a doctor?
Working/volunteering as a CNA requires a state issued certificate.* The certification process requires that you take and complete a state-approved CNA class (offered at most community colleges as well as other educational sites) and pass a national standardized licensing exam.
Georgia requires CNA applicants to be at least 17 years old. Additionally,applicants need a social security number, a state issued ID and current negative TB test in order to start the coursework.
*Certification is required for all healthcare positions because you are working with a vulnerable population.
One job that high schoolers can do that’s medicine adjacent is working as nutrition aide at a nursing home, group home or rehab hospital. Often employers will pay for your CNA training if you have proven to be a reliable employee and are old enough to take the the class.
Your age has nothing to do with this. Nurses are trained and LICENSED to do their jobs. You can’t practice nursing without a license to do so.
CNAs have to take a CNA course of study. Then they also need to take a test, I believe. You should check your local community college to see when/if they offer a CNA course. This is not offered typically through hospitals or clinics.
Here…read this:
This link says CNAs in Georgia must have a HS diploma or GED.
Just do some research on this if you want to do it. You might be too young in Georgia…
Other places you may be able to volunteer to get some medicine adjacent experience–
summer camps for disabled or autistic children, Special Olympics, local group homes for disabled adults, any kind of special program offered for disabled or autistic children (like therapeutic horseback riding or therapeutic swimming programs), adult daycare programs for the elderly w/ dementia, nursing home aide.
Some hospitals will allow 16 and up to volunteer with Child’s Life programs for in-patient pediatric patients. (My younger D did this one summer.)
Some hospitals offer summer programs for rising high school seniors that have them shadow various different healthcare professions (physician, nurse, physical therapist, clinical lab scientist, audiologist, etc) Your HS counselor may know if any of your local hospitals have a program like this. OR, you can check for yourself by calling the volunteer coordinator at your local hospitals and asking.
Adding that some non-profits may allow student volunteers to work as assistant CNAs, different than a fully certified CNA, at least in Illinois (where these non-profits also run the training course/program).
Also some states will allow a 16 year old to start an asst CNA/CNA training class/program if they will be 17 at the end of the class…something for OP to check in GA.
I have tried looking into my local hospital, but their volunteer program always gets booked out within a couple weeks, and its extremely restrictive as it is only during summer, making it kind of frustrating as its either this or a summer program, internship, etc.
I will try to email the volunteering coordinator to see if there’s a possibility though!
My score made the cutoff, so I should make it to the second round. My academic record is there to make it into the finalist stage, so I think I have a good chance.
I would consider BS/DO schools, however, I don’t think I would take one over an in-state school like GT.
You can take the required courses for medical school admissions at just about any four year college…so UGA would be fine. I’m also not sure GT is a safety, but you do have a good chance there. If it were me…I’d pick one more sure thing to apply to. If I’m allowed to make suggestions, I would suggest University of Pittsburgh.
If you go the regular medical school admissions route, you will need to apply broadly. Many applicants apply to a mix of MD and DO programs.
As noted above, BS/MD programs are very highly competitive with acceptance rates in the single digits.
This is jumping the gun a little…but what about finances should you attend medical school? That likely will be $100,000 a year. Going to an undergrad where you won’t have any debt, and maybe can conserve funds for medical school isn’t a bad idea. It sounds like you will be eligible for scholarships for those GA Publics…right?
But you might want to also look at places with generous scholarships for NM finalists.