<p>I am a current high school junior in CA. My stats from freshman-junior year, about 4.05W, 3.85UW. SAT between 2000-2200, ACT between 31-34. Will have 5 APs, few college classes (bio, anatomy, physiology, chem, multivariable calc, linear algebra, some gen ed stuff). Good ECs including sports, volunteering, clubs, etc. My best achievement probably is qualifying for AIME sophomore year.</p>
<p>After high school, I plan going to a community college for a year to finish up my general ed requirements, go to paramedic school for a year, then probably transfer to SJSU for its Health Services Administration major. It makes more sense than a business major since I only plan to use my degree in 10-20 years after I burn out from being on the streets for so long. It also saves money to get my general ed stuff done at a cc instead of at an expensive university.</p>
<p>Would this be a good choice, or should I just pay more to go to a 4 year right off the bat? The 4 years I have in mind are USC, UC Berkeley, UC Irvine, UC Riverside, Cal Poly SLO, SFSU, SJSU, SDSU for business major, but again, I’m not sure if spending all the money and time is worth it for my career goal.</p>
<p>Hey, this may not necessarily be what you were looking for, but this Washington Post article definitely speaks to your situation and may be useful as a reference as you make you decision:</p>
<p>with your stats, you should be grabbing merit and not doing a CC. A CC will be too boring for you. CC’s also tend not to have much of a social aspect.</p>
<p>There are many schools that would give you outstanding merit. Since your career goals don’t require a top/elite school, grab the merit that your scores will get.</p>
<p>BTW…are those your actual scores or projected scores? </p>
<p>Remember, the best merit goes to incoming freshmen. Transfer students get little to no merit.</p>
<p>You can always become a paramedic but you can’t always have the “college experience”. If I were you, I’d apply to 4 year universities, see if you get in, see how the finances shake out, and then decide based on that. Since you have a talent for mathematics, you might enjoy studying that at a 4 year university. Subjects like statistics, applied mathematics, etc. might be very interesting for you.</p>
<p>An old college pal of mine did the 4 year bachelors, then did paramedics school. He’s been able to move up the ladder (no pun intended) in the Fire Department. He’s higher than a captain, can’t think of the name.</p>
<p>Anyway…since you’re likely to qualify for merit, do your best and apply to various schools including those that will offer great $$$. Get that bachelors in bio, chem or whatever interests you and then go to para school.</p>
<p>djtopps, that was an interesting read. I didn’t know ccs have honors program…and that several kids choose to take that route!</p>
<p>Grumpster, what exactly is the “college experience”? And I think I’m done with math…heh (maybe just diff eqn…)</p>
<p>mom2collegekids, the SAT/ACT scores are projected, based on my practice tests. I guess I will apply to 4 yr schools…though I’m not sure if my list is good. I plan to stay in CA, since that will make the whole EMT/medic thing much easier. I’m thinking business administration would be the most useful for me, but if schools don’t offer that, perhaps econ? And I don’t know if this really matters, but I plan to work in the SF bay area (where I am now) after I get my medic license and bachelors degree. Does the college I choose have any affect on that?</p>
<p>No. As long as you go to a reputable college, you’ll be fine. I suggest USanFrancisco because they’re generous with merit, and you’ll get a fine Jesuit education (it doesnt’ matter what your religion is - the Jesuits are laid back kind of people).</p>
<p>You need to at least “test the waters” to see how much merit you could get from various schools. If it’s enough (for 4 years), you’ll likely have a better “college experience” than if you went to a cc first.</p>
<p>BTW…do you have a connection with a particular city/fire station? Sometimes getting accepted can be difficult.</p>
<p>Also…have you considered becoming a Physicians Assistant? That seems right up your alley - especially considering how smart you are. The pay is EXCELLENT!</p>
<p>In case you’ve never heard of the profession…here’s info from Wikipedia…</p>
<p>**A physician assistant ¶ is a healthcare professional licensed to practice medicine with supervision of a licensed physician.[1] A physician assistant is concerned with preventing, maintaining, and treating human illness and injury by providing a broad range of health care services that are traditionally performed by a physician. Physician assistants conduct physical exams, diagnose and treat illnesses, order and interpret tests, counsel on preventive health care, assist in surgery, and write prescriptions.[2]</p>
<p>Physician assistants exercise autonomy in medical decision making as determined by their supervising physician. Physician assistants are educated in the medical model designed to complement physician training. Physician assistants are not to be confused with medical assistants, who perform administrative and simple clinical tasks with limited college-level education in hospitals and clinics under the direct supervision of physicians, registered nurses, nurse practitioners, or physician assistants.</p>
<p>The profession is represented in the United States by the American Academy of Physician Assistants.**</p>
<p>I’d encourage you to do the business degree instead. It’s a much more versatile. You’re going to have tons of health care experience if you stick to your plan, and the combo of on-the-job experience with a business degree will be very marketable within the healthcare industry.</p>
<p>There is nothing wrong with doing the EMT training, working for a few years, and then going to college. For some people a four year “college experience” is really important. They like the whole campus-life experience. However, not everyone feels that way, and if you don’t want to spend four years doing that it is perfectly OK too. Take your time thinking about, and investigating your options. You will know when you have come to the best decision for yourself.</p>
<p>^^^
By doing it THAT way, he won’t get the BIG merit scholarship offers that he’d likely get as senior in high school since he’s a strong student. Those big scholarships aren’t typically given to students who aren’t current seniors in high school.</p>
<p>Also, it’s hard once a person is well into their 20s to go back to school. Often by that time they’re in serious relationship (and may even be married with a child or two). Also, at that point, a person is really limited to only going to school in their own neighborhood.</p>
<p>Have you looked at the Public Health major at Santa Clara? There is also a business school which might interest you.
[Santa</a> Clara University - College of Arts and Sciences - Dean’s OfficePublic Health Science](<a href=“http://www.scu.edu/cas/phs/]Santa”>http://www.scu.edu/cas/phs/)</p>
<p>I don’t think I have any connections to a city or fire department, unless currently living in a city in the SF Bay Area counts? And I will be a part of CERT (community emergency response team) in spring, which is run by my city’s fire department.</p>
<p>I considered being a PA, but it seems like it’s a nurse with more power! Yet still stuck in hospitals. I’d prefer to be out on the streets.</p>
<p>About business, so if I look at the UCs, Berkeley has Haas (which I probably won’t get in if I get into Berkeley in the first place), UCLA has business economics, UCSD has Management Science, Davis has Managerial Economics, Irvine has Business Administration, UCSB has Business Economics, UCSC has Business Management Economics, UCR has Business Administration. Seems like any of these can fulfill my goal?</p>
<p>I’m leaning towards finishing all my schooling now (well maybe a masters down the line, depends) since yea if I go back later, I might not have the motivation, and the scholarship part is true too.</p>
<p>Yup, I’m looking to save money, spend less money. Thanks though!</p>
The pay is EXCELLENT!</p>