Hello. I’m an incredibly nervous sophomore student who constantly worries about colleges and applicationas and the like. i really want to get into an Ivy League in order to learn about medicine. I want to work in the health field when I grow up and I’m aware that getting accepted into an Ivy League is incredible tough. I know that they’re are looking for people who stand out and sets them apart from everyone else? Can someone give me examples of what that means? Like if I get one of my poems published, would that be standing out or is the level too low? I was hoping I could get a few examples so I could grasp this better. Thank you to all who took the time to read and answer this!
If you’re interested in writing, check out the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards!
My only other advice is to realize now that if the goal is to get a college degree, you will need a well-balanced college list, including schools you are more likely to get into. For now, focus on a) getting good grades and b) pursuing activities that interest you, but when you start your college search (late junior year maybe?), make sure you also identify less selective schools that are affordable and that you would be happy to go to.
First 123nervouswreck pause and breathe. There is a long road ahead. Personally, I wouldn’t recommend pushing yourself so hard. Take some time, browse some schools ( non Ivy) just nice good schools. Look around. Think about various careers in the healthcare field. Or even better, talk to people who do these jobs. Ask questions. Volunteer in a hospital to see what that is like. Explore. It may or may not be for you. There is no direct route from an Ivy to medicine. Many Ivy leaguers have zero interest in healthcare. Take some time and do the research and then build a plan from there. Don’t try to fill out someone else’s idea of what interests you. Make up your own route. Good luck. The one thing I would say is always get very good grades. Many other pieces can be put in place later but grades ARE important.
Ivy leagues are schools where everyone has perfect scores, so they have to rely on completely subjective criteria. There’s no way to predict anything. Even then, it’s a 5% acceptance rate, so it really comes down to dumb luck.
You do not go to medical school after high school in most cases. (There are a few combined BS/MD programs where you can.) You can literally do undergrad anywhere and still apply to medical school.
If you really want to get on the Ivy League treadmill, go read the accepted student threads on some of the college specific boards.
You need: Four years of English, four years of math, US history, world history, at least one more history/social studies class, biology, chemistry, physics, a fourth year of science, at least three years of the same foreign language. At least some of those classes at the AP level. Mostly A’s, high test scores, 2 or 3 subject tests. Recommendation letters from teachers who loved having you in class and who saw you do fabulous work. Essays that make the reader go, “wow, I can’t wait to meet this kid!”
At least some of the following: evidence of talent (such as your poetry being published, or other musical or artistic talent), leadership experience (such as club president or team captain), varsity sports, community service, being charming to talk to at an interview, entrepreneurial or work experience, attending competitive academic summer programs, state, national or international level recognition.
But you can also just take a strong mix of classes at the right challenge level for you, go to a college that is a good fit for your academic record and budget, and apply to medical school for after you graduate. You will probably end high school on a much higher level of mental health if you make decisions about classes and activities by asking “what is the right next step for me?” rather than “what is the right next step for Yale?”
To stand out, you need to have a “spike” in your application that demonstrates you have passion and skill in a specific field. For writing, this would mean that you become the editor in chief of your school newspaper, head of your school literary magazine, published in numerous literary magazines, received awards in big essay contests, getting a Gold Key in the Scholastic awards, etc. This all comes in addition to fantastic stats and essays