Colleges...

wtcnbrwndo4u · April 29th, 2008

I'm ending my year as a junior in high school soon. I'm looking for colleges and I know of just about none other than the big names and the major state schools... I just don't know where to go.

I'm looking for a school Biology/Medical major. Currently, I'm looking at University of Kansas because it's at home and it's a pretty well-ranked medical program. But after talking with some of my senior friends, I think I should be broadening my search by a bunch.

I got a 32 on my ACT and am in the top 3% of my class... if that makes any difference.

Any help would be awesome guys!

Panda Man · April 29th, 2008

Why don't you come on down to Troy University =D Of course as far as medical goes they only offer nursing :P

But seriously, I'd start off getting your general studies at a small community college then transfer to a bigger one. When it comes to general studies usually the only difference between the big and small schools is the price, and I've never heard of credits not transferring.

wtcnbrwndo4u · April 29th, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Panda Man

Why don't you come on down to Troy University =D Of course as far as medical goes they only offer nursing :P

But seriously, I'd start off getting your general studies at a small community college then transfer to a bigger one. When it comes to general studies usually the only difference between the big and small schools is the price, and I've never heard of credits not transferring.

Oh, I wouldn't be able to stand living at home. I have no social life right now as it is. I definitely need a university environment.

TheBobGoat · April 29th, 2008

Take the SAT

theburan · April 29th, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBobGoat

Take the SAT

Only if you plan on leaving the midwest, lol.

Hmm... my sister graduated from USD (that's south dakota, not san diego, mind you), with a degree in biology. So, yeah... they have a program there.

Can't give you any first hand experiance though, my school doesnt really do the whole biology thing that well (South Dakota School of Mines and Technology). Sadly, we mostly do engineering... (I'm a physics major.... lol. And physics majors, at least at my school.. well... we're kinda snobby at times [mostly because we wind up taking more math than the math majors and stuff like that.]).

But yeah, USD is an interesting choice, SDSU is probably a nice choice too. They have a nice golf course nearby too, if you're into that. Nice looking campus too.

wtcnbrwndo4u · April 29th, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBobGoat

Take the SAT

Not necessarily. And to the midwest thing... nearly every college now takes the ACT... they still just prefer the SAT at the big-boy schools and the coast schools.

I've taken the SAT... I got a 1920, or a 29 equivalent. I did much better on the ACT.

azianai · April 29th, 2008

i feel old, i took my SATs back in 02 and ACT too, i think i was a stupid 1280 SAT and 30 ACT.
TBH, if you're looking at biology or medical, i'd just find an undergrad state school, mainly to save yourself some $$ and tbh, no real need for pre-med unless you're looking at the big boys (Hopkins, Columbia, etc) for pre-med. Its all about your undergrad grades, MCAT, and internships or whatever in the medical field. If you can find a state school thats ranks high for sciences or medical, or has some internship opportunities/connections with hospitals or labs, i'd jump to there. I had a bunch of buddies that got into hopkin, columbia, cornell, etc but decided to head to Stony Brook cause of the price of State school, and that LIJ (long island jewish) hospital has connections with stony, so there were plenty of internship/lab work available to them. 2 of my buddies right now just finished their DAT, one's going to UPENN and another's deciding between NYU or Stony's Dental (financial decision).

TheBobGoat · April 30th, 2008

Ya Brown, I just want to make sure you are covered for the good coast schools. I dont know if the 1920 is good since they added 800 pts. If it is 29 equivalent I guess it is a decent score. How about University of Chicago or Northwestern?

I think in the end, if you go to a pretty good undergrad and do well, you will be able to get into a good med school. The best situation would be getting a direct entry but you may need to beef up your scores a little. Most of my friends who got direct entries had near perfect gpa's with 1500+, 34+ SAT/ACT scores. There are probably med scholar programs too that you can get into where you have an easier time getting accepted to that school's med school.

**Hitman** · April 30th, 2008

Being that you're a minority you qualify for Scholarships and Grants that many people do not qualify for. Make sure and start researching and applying now, the cost of college is getting even more expensive, and the "Free Money" out there is even harder to come by.

garetjax · April 30th, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by wtcnbrwndo4u

I'm looking for a school Biology/Medical major.

You may want to look at the east coast as far as what you are looking for. I know that Pennsylvania State University Hershey Medical Center is a highly regarded medical institution/college. You might also want to look at Johns Hopkins, and Army Reed Medical Center for potential internships or volunteer programs. Good luck!