<p>so, for a while i’ve been set on the path to premed.
but i’m having doubts.
and since i planned on applying to at least a few b.s./m/d. programs it’d be nice to know before i waste all my time what i should do!</p>
<p>i mean, i love science, but i also love math and english and writing and reading and public speaking and being creative, and as much as i’ve been set on building up a stable, respectable, good paying job (like a doctor) part of me wants a job where i can be unique and creative and really express myself while still challenging myself and using my strengths.</p>
<p>i used to think i wanted to typical college experience (sort of) but now i’m warming up to the bigger cities because they would give me a chance to do the stuff i can 't do in my town now (like goign to plays, exploring a city, etc.) even if it would mean being cold (since most cities aren’t so sunny all the time)</p>
<p>i know this sounds more like a major problem than a college problem but i don’t want to apply to a bunch of colleges just based on pre med and not have any chance to branch out!</p>
<p>my (combed through numerous times) list:
Hamilton C (NY)
Pomona C
Princeton U
Rice U
Scripps C
Stanford U
U Central Florida (safety)
U Miami
Washington U St. L.
Wellesley C
Whitman C </p>
<p>but i’m thinking of scratching u miami and maybe princeton and rice?</p>
<p>and others i had considered:
Johns Hopkins
Carleton C
U Chicago
Centre
Barnard
Colgate</p>
<p>someone, help me sort this out! as cliche as it sounds, i want somewhere i can really grow in all of my strengths and expand in many more ways than just my major or my then-career goals!</p>
<p>don’t apply for the bs/md program, imo. I know so many kids that came in all pre-med or die and quickly found out it wasn’t for them. Some of them found other aspirations while others were weeded out. Not trying to kill your dreams, but many don’t make it to the med. school application cycle and even if they do half of those wont get in.</p>
<p>It sounds like you want to go to college for all the right reasons - congratulations! And the schools you mention will all provide the kinds of cultural stretching and opportunities you’re missing now - no need to limit your search to urban schools. With your motivations, I wouldn’t want to see you scratch Princeton and Rice - they attract a lot of students who share your values.</p>
<p>It depends what you define as a “typical” college experience… I guess in your mind, it means no BS/MD to start with (I agree with you on this one, I think college is much, much more than a gateway to a profession), but does it mean frats and sororities, big parties, football games, an intense intellectual experience?</p>
<p>Some of the schools you crossed off (Carleton, Barnard, and Chicago, in particular) will offer you an intellectual and superb academic experience, at the expense of a “typical” college scene. Colgate might be a good balance of academic and social-- the students I know who go there care both about academic success as well as their social lives and “having fun.”</p>
<p>The other schools that are currently on your list point a little bit more towards intellectual. You’ll be able to become a fantastic doctor with a degree from any of the schools that you listed.</p>
<p>Don’t commit yourself to anything now, especially if you’re having doubts. The average college student changes his or her major 5 times. You don’t want to limit your options before you fully explore them. </p>
<p>If you love math, science, reading, writing, public speaking, and being creative - you have tons of lucrative options to look at. If you want to stay in math and science, but wish to incorporate creative thought and innovation, you might like computer science or the various branches of engineering. If your interests migrate more towards being creative and working on projects, you may like a career in public health or business. Or maybe you’ll find your artistic side and become an architect.</p>
<p>Point is - don’t stress about your career now. </p>
<p>As for your other question - all of the schools you’re looking at are great schools. Each has its own strength, but as a whole, you can get a well-rounded education from any of them.</p>
<p>thanks for the reasurance!
i guess i say a “typical” experience is what i was looking for,
but if that means lots of partying then i scratched that right away
(i didn’t use in-state UF as my safety)
i guess i meant that there would be a lot of involvement in sports (i play 2 varsity sports) or at least school spirit</p>
<p>but i definately want the intellectual side.
hardly anyone is motivated at my school,
and i want to get away from that.</p>
<p>i was trying to find intellectual schools and at least some with some school spirit, so i hope i’m doing okay with that</p>
<p>Since Stanford is on your list, have you considered Berkeley? Very intellectual, close to San Francisco (15 minute BART ride), great weather, a serious school with lots of majors, and great sports. from what I have seen, the school spirit is okay, too.</p>