Preparing for College - Page 1

2 Preparing for College

High school: an overview

Program of high school studies

Evaluating a college

Selecting a college

Getting into college

The essay: your personal statement

Extracurricular activities

The interview

Recommendations

Summer enrichment programs

Checklist of precollege activities

HIGH SCHOOL: AN OVERVIEW _____________________________________

High school is a period of social adjustment and a time when the student becomes

increasingly aware of what adult responsibilities are. Thus, while high school is a transi-

tional era, it is a critical one in that it is usually the time when your career goals become

tentatively formulated. Career ambitions may change as you become exposed to new

areas of knowledge and as old ones are explored more deeply, but it is advantageous to

have some general educational goals rather than to drift aimlessly.

A final decision to choose medicine as a career need not be made in high school and

probably should be deferred until the end of the sophomore year of college. Two ques-

tions, however, need to be answered in high school: Do you intend to go to college? Do

you have a genuine interest in science? It is essential to plan an educational program of

high school studies that will make it feasible to gain admission to a suitable college as

well as to test the validity of your preliminary career decision.

Especially gifted high school students should be aware that there are integrated

BA-MD or BS-MD programs offered by about 35 schools (see page 128). These combine

undergraduate and medical education into a continuum that in some cases facilitates the

completion of one's studies in less time than required by the traditional programs.

PROGRAM OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDIES ____________________________

Having decided to attend college and possibly become a premedical student, you should

select your high school program to include courses that meet at least the minimum

requirements for admission to a liberal arts college. The program should therefore include:

English: 4 years

Laboratory science: 2 years

Modern foreign or classical language: 2 years

Mathematics: 21/2 years

Social studies: 2 years

You should enlarge upon these requirements as much as is feasible by taking electives

to obtain a well-rounded academic background. Concentrate in a science with the aim of

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