No, You Don’t Have to Major in Bio for Med School

According to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), 47% of students matriculating to US medical schools majored in something other than biology.

(Based on 2016-2017 data)

Entering High School? Plan Ahead!

Are you about to enter high school?  There are a few things to think about as you consider your course selection and look ahead.  One of the top factors that admissions people use to gauge a student’s competitiveness for acceptance is the rigor of the courses that the student took in high school.  Receiving all As in level 2 or college prep classes is not considered as competitive as earning As and Bs in level 1, honors, AP or IB courses.  You should aim high and challenge yourself to the best of your ability in high school.  

It’s never too early to map out your high school courses thoughtfully. 

Colleges want students who work hard, who participate and engage in their academics and broader school community.  They especially want students who demonstrate drive and a good work ethic.  So, when you’re debating between that easier class and one that may challenge you, think about how you want to position yourself for your future.  It may seem far off now, but the years will fly by, and you’ll be considering your options for after high school sooner than you think.  Be sure you plan well.

SAT Offered for the First Time in August

For the first time ever, College Board is offering students the opportunity to take the SAT and SAT Subject Tests in August.  So, pack your SAT prep book in your beach bag and get ready! The registration deadline for the August 26th exam is July 28th.

Ask the Consultant

Q:  How do we tackle the college admission process for an underachiever?

A:   I often ask parents of freshman and sophomore students to think back on all of their child’s report cards and tell me the common themes.  “Does not work up to potential” is not an infrequent reply.  If that is your answer, you are not alone.

The first thing we need to discover is the cause of the underachievement.  Is this the type of student who “rewards” a favored teacher by getting an A and “punishes” a teacher they don't connect with by getting a C?  Is the student not as mature as their classmates?  The only way to “turn around” an underachiever is for the student to begin to recognize the patterns and proactively learn to avoid them.

When working with underachieving students, we like to start planning for college as early as the sophomore year.  We spend a considerable amount of time discussing their learning style and how they are unique.  We call this “discovering your greatness.”  Many times a visit to a college helps the student to see the long term goal more clearly.  If maturity is the issue, we may consider a postgraduate or gap year.

For the underachiever, the college fit is critically important.  Small classes with interesting and caring professors can make all the difference for some; others need hands-on immersion in an area of great interest.  So don't give up!  After all, these students do have great potential!

Ask the Consultant

Q:  I was deferred from my early action school. What should I do now?

A:  For many students, deferral seems like being in limbo – “do they want me or not?” Deferrals, however, can provide a second chance for those who understand the process. 

When a college informs you that your application has been deferred, they are often saying, in effect, that they’d like more information before they make a final decision. This presents you with an opportunity to give them more reasons to accept you.  The first and most important reason would be improved grades in challenging courses. Be sure that your senior year grades reflect your hard work, and ask your school counselor to send updated marking period grades to them as soon as they are ready. Secondly, ask another teacher to write a letter on your behalf if this teacher can comment positively on your continued growth and achievement. Also, confer with your educational consultant about the advisability of calling the admission office to determine their concerns so that you can address these issues directly.

Next, send updates of significant new achievements that occur during your senior year: perhaps a copy of an article you wrote for your local newspaper or honor or award you received. 

Finally, review the list of colleges to which you applied. Check to be sure that your list is realistic and that you’ll have choices in the spring… and remember that for every student, there are many schools that offer a perfect fit.

Congratulations, You’ve Been Nominated!

It arrived in a beautiful envelope, looking very much like a wedding invitation.  Expensive card stock, double envelope, the works.  “Congratulations Lucy, you’ve been nominated for,” it began.  She had been nominated by a teacher that knows her well and praised her academic abilities.  Wow, what an honor!  The only problem, Lucy was only two years of age and was a Labrador retriever.

Who’s Who in American High School Students and the National Honor Roll will include the student in their publication for free, but there is a significant cost to purchase the book. The National Youth Leadership Council and National Leadership Youth Forum offer week-long programs at college campuses for “outstanding young leaders.” The programs sound wonderful; interesting guest speakers, field trips and acknowledgement of your participation in the local paper.  Are they worth the money?

You don’t necessarily get what you pay for.

While having their name printed in a leather bound volume may boost a student’s self-esteem and a cushy summer program may be a lot of fun, college admissions officers agree that these programs do little to enhance a student’s candidacy. While some outstanding summer programs exist, parents and students are best to proceed with caution before investing a significant amount of money. For most students getting a job, doing volunteer work or exploring an activity about which they are passionate will be much more beneficial on their resume.

So how did Lucy get her nomination? Certainly not from obedience class. Most likely her name was pulled from a scholarship search in which I used her name. And, no, we didn’t buy the book!