<p>Hello everyone,
I don’t know how to start this, so i will rant and we will see where it gets me, I came to the united state 2009, i was placed in the 8th grade , i was 13. i came from Nigeria, in Nigeria i went to school, i was not the brightest student(academic category that is) i never cared about school in Nigeria. When i got to the U.S.A something suddenly changed , i wanted to be a good student, i cared about learning and i wanted to have good grades, i worked hard and studied and listened in class and i did , i got A’s and B’s ( i have never gotten this in my whole life) I graduated 8th grade with 5-6 awards. people were impressed, people said i was smart (and i felt for the first time i had a brain), and i was very happy, and for the first time i felt like i could achieve high goals and compete with “smart” student (silly me) . Any ways i went on the high school, freshman year i Got A’s, B’s and C in English ( i never was good at English, i speak 3 languages, not making excuses ). sophomore year i had to move to another school, i hated the school , it was a nightmare, teachers did not care about the student, some student did not want to be in school, i complained about the school everyday, i took 2 honors classes (world history and English) i hate this two subject, math and Science is my favorite subject. At the end of sophomore year i got a 3.7. Then came junior year, teachers and my counselor told me to take AP classes, i listened to them and i took the two AP classes available to me (English and us history ) bear in my mind i hate this two subject. i joined all the clubs in my school and also joined track, Little did i know i was setting up myself up for failure, i was stressed out, i was depress and i lost weight, because i had a lot of school work, and my English teacher did not like me because i did not kiss her ass like other student ( i guess i should have). So i quiet track. i did all i could, i took the psat, i got a 130, i took the act i got a 21 and i took the AP exam i have a one in English and a 2 in AP us history ( very disappointing, i know) i ended up with a 3.4 unweighted GPA and a 3.6 weighted. My problem is i want to be a primary care physician i have always wanted to since the day i knew what it was, but i look at myself and i feel like am so dumb, and so stupid , since 8th grade have always set my goal higher, i thought i could do what the "smart " people could , some of my teacher call me smart, one of them even dared to call me intelligent, but it bring tears to my eyes because i feel like am not who they think i am , i don’t think am smart at all (academic wise) i feel like am the same girl from Nigeria who knows nothing and try to pretend she those… my parent expect the best from me and i just feel like i can never be who they want me to be, this is probably confusing for you, it is confusing for me too, this is the only way i can portray it. The question is , am i smart or have i been deceiving my self and others , because i try my best and i don’t get the result i want in the end. i would like to be a primary care physician, it is what i want to do, do i still have hope? am i doomed? What can i do too help myself? just lay it out there… advice , suggestion, comment, whatever it is , just help me out please. Thank you in advance. really appreciated.</p>
<p>You are very smart. You moved all the way from Nigeria, and in 4 years, you managed to get assimilated to the US school system and the different culture here. As and Bs aren’t bad. There are many people that are born and brought up in the US and can’t manage to get As and Bs. You pushed yourself which is really good. Colleges look for uniqueness, and you have a great story to tell about moving from Nigeria. Try to do ECs that interest you. Maybe you can volunteer in a hospital since you want to be a doctor. Try to get and internship that has to do with math or science. Take math and science APs…work on PSAT prep buy buying prep books…if you liked track, rejoin it…maybe you can drop a few ECs…I think you’re very smart; having an okay year doesn’t change that. Anyway, good luck. :)</p>
<p>@Foodlover001 wow… thank you so much, this really means a lot to me, you have no idea. I really appreciate it, thanks for taking the time to read my essay lol and for also replying and giving me advice, i will definitely take your advice to heart. THANK YOU AGAIN :)</p>
<p>You’re welcome! Colleges want to see that you worked hard. You should write in your essays what you wrote here on CC. You can expand on your education in Nigeria versus here in the US, maybe talk about how you felt getting good grades. The fact that you’re worried about your grade, shows that you care. Good luck! :)</p>
<p>Pelumi - grades do not determine intelligence or future success. You obviously are motivated, but you sound a bit unfocused, trying to do everything. You also seem to follow what people tell you to do, rather than what you know is right for yourself (AP classes). Don’t take AP in your weak subjects, just your strong ones. And yes, learn to kiss some ass when needed, it’s a life skill ;).</p>
<p>Realistically, med school will be a stretch for you if you don’t test well. Of course, it may get easier for you as you get older. But do some thinking about what attracts you to that profession, and find some back-up options that match your criteria (if you like helping people, teaching and nursing would be good options, for example). </p>
<p>Good luck, and never give up on yourself!</p>
<p>You speak 3 languages and have a 3.4 gpa as a student who has recently assimilated into the U.S. and you don’t believe you’re intelligent? Those are great accomplishments! Also you’re test scores are not bad. Your ACT score is actually above the national ACT average (which is 20.8), and that includes seniors who’ve taken more classes than you plus people who have taken it more than one time. I know people who have brought up their ACT score from low 20s to high 20s and low 30s. You seem to be dedicated and wish to succeed, and as long as you work hard you will be successful.</p>
<p>Good luck! I’m sure you’re going to do great and be great!</p>