Carefully Considering College is Key
Dear Counselor, I’m only a senior in high school but I know I want to go to med school. What can I start doing now to help? What should be my major in college?
Answer:
For what to major in during undergrad, many students interested in medicine will study one of the sciences (biology, chemistry, etc.). There are a number of specific science and math courses that you have to take in order to apply to med school.
Although it’s not a requirement to take these classes before medical schools, admission officers like to see applicants with well-rounded backgrounds—if you have an interest in a major that’s not science-based, you should pursue it but keep in mind you will have to take a good deal of math and science as well.
As far as what to do now, try volunteering at a hospital or see if you can shadow a doctor or two. Not only will this give you a more realistic perspective of what to expect but it will also give you a boost when applying to med school (that is, being able to trace back an active pursuit and interest in medicine for several years).
Dear Counselor, As a junior in high school, I am still trying to figure out what career path I want to take but am leading toward a writing career. The current AP English class I’m taking is difficult, but I still want to be a part of the school newspaper. Do you have advice for what path to take?
Answer:
If you have an inclination toward a career in writing, one of the best things you can do is explore all of the many opportunities available in that field.
At age 16 or 17, it’s not uncommon to have a somewhat narrow view of your career options. Going into healthcare means being a doctor and wanting to write translates into being a novelist. Start thinking about advertising, public relations, journalism (broadcast, newspapers, magazines, internet publications), scriptwriting (television, film, radio, theater), grant writing, speechwriting, and academia. Also study the range of specialties in every area (i.e. in journalism you’ll find sports, politics, healthcare, entertainment, food and dining, etc.).
Performance in a course like AP English doesn’t necessarily predict skills as a writer. It’s important to take AP classes in high school to both earn college credit and demonstrate to college admissions offices that you are driven, but don’t let that be the deciding factor in your career. There are many other opportunities to work on your skills as a writer, such as searching for writing workshops in your area.
Dear Counselor, I want to major in biology in college and eventually become a pediatrician, but I want to get started in the field now while I’m still in high school. What can I get involved in? I also want to work on my math and science skills before college, so what do you suggest?
Answer:
I’d also encourage you to gain additional exposure to the pediatrics field. Try volunteering at a hospital or clinic. Shadow people in various positions – doctors, nurses, etc. You can work in healthcare in a number of different capacities so it’s important to explore all of your options.
As far as your concerns about math and science, keep in mind that math and science will form a large part of your curriculum. Admission to medical school is contingent upon excelling in undergrad and performing well on the MCAT. To improve this knowledge, you might want to seek help from a tutor, taking an extra class, and trying out different study techniques to find which ones work for you.
