<p>Plenty of time before applying to colleges. Your parents need to get a reality check in the next year. I’m a physician and H is also- he’s from India.</p>
<p>In India students choose medicine instead of a major and then applying to medical schools. In the US there are very few students who do a BS/medical school to follow program. Most US medical students will not go this route. Your parents need to get in tune with how things usually work here. I assume they are not physicians or they would be more aware of how things work. If they are or are not they need to talk to physicians about this. The advantage of an American education over an Indian straight to medicine program is that here we choose an interesting major plus get to take all sorts of fun electives as undergrads. My H says I took a course in everything. Not really, but I had courses in symphony, art history, literature, another language as well as all of the courses for a chemistry major plus premed reqs in biology. Much more well rounded than a student who focuses too soon on medicine.</p>
<p>Your job now is to have your parents become educated about the way things are usually done in the US. They should learn that your chances of being one of the very few in a BS- medical school program are very low. They should instead help you focus on a college that is affordable and fits you academically and socially. Any college will suffice for getting the premed requirements and potentially being accepted into a medical school. Do not try to play the odds of highest percentages getting in or other such strategies. Your chances of being one of the one in three interested in medical school who actually gets accepted to one goes up if you are happy with your major and school and therefore do well. </p>
<p>Your junior year of HS is the last complete one college admissions people will see- do your best. The coming year is the time for you and your parents to learn about colleges and to visit several informally. This can be a drive through when on vacation nearby. A good start is seeing public U’s near you- where you live there are tons of schools within an easy driving distance. Also visit campuses of private schools in your region. At first it may be confusing but after seeing many campuses you and your parents will be able to see what is the same and different. Spring break of junior year in HS is a good time for a one parent-child tour of schools on the list you make. </p>
<p>Also- no matter where you go to college be aware that most entering freshmen don’t know their major or will change it. By the time you are in college you will have many more tools in deciding your future path. For now, don’t panic. Educate your parents and yourself about the American college experience. Your HS is likely to have presentations on college for students and parents- be sure your parents attend those.</p>