What does it take to get into an Ivy League?

Question

Hi--I'm a senior in high school getting ready for college. I've been rejected by the Ivies I've applied to so far (Cornell, Yale, Harvard). It's just that for my dream--which is to become a dermatologist, these schools have top notch medical schools. It's just a dream, but I really want to get into one of these schools. I don't know what I don't have that my friends do. I'm half Japanese and half white, and I speak Japanese fluently. I got a solid 1800 on the new SAT and okay scores on the SAT II's (600's and a 750 on the Japanese) and a 27 Composite on the ACT. I've taken 5 AP's and gotten 4's on two of them (3 I have to take in May this year) and my GPA is a 3.8. Extracirriculars: Literary Magazine, Newspaper articles, Japanese tutoring, volunteering at a hospital, and a job in sophomore year. Do you think there is something I should work on so that I can successfully transfer into these schools later on in college? Thank

Answer 1

Your credentials are good, but they are not good enough for the Ivies, Duke , Stanford and the other very elite schools.

I got a phone call last night from one kid I have tutored in science. He was accepted into Duke and Brown. He is an Eagle scout, had a 4.0 GPA, 2200 SATs, won a medal in the National Science Olympiad, won a statewide music contest, and is a competitive Alpine skier.

That's the reason you didn't get in. He is just a normal kid at Brown or Duke. Someday he will be a physician. But you do not have to be that elite to become a physician. You are a good student and will have a lot to offer. I would trust someone with your responsible sttitude to take care of my family. Go to a top 100 school, do a good job, just like you've been doing, and you will be able to realize your dream of becoming a doctor.

Good luck!

Answer 2

75% of those accepted to Cornell have SAT scores of 1950 or above. While you have very nice SAT scores -- they just aren't good enough to get you into a top ten school. However, I suspect that you got into some very good universities.

Most people don't get medical degrees from the same school that they went to as an undergraduate. If you go to a good university and do well, then you will get into a good medical school -- it is as simple as that.

Sure you can think about transferring -- but most of the topschools don't accept many transfer students. Harvard only accepted 75 last year -- and that was twice the usual number.

Ivy League schools aren't the only good ones. Like you, I always wanted to go to an Ivy League school. When I was in my 40s, I went back to school (getting an MBA and a PhD). I finally got into an Ivy League school -- and turned it down to go to a better non-Ivy school (Duke). When you do get admitted to Medical Schools, choose the best one -- no matter where it is.

Answer 3

I would attend a junior college to maintain that GPA and then transfer out after taking the bulk of your general ed requirements and getting all the scholarship and honors standing as possible. I graduated high school between a 3.2-3.5 and applied to 5 schools and didnt get into 4 of them, but got into Barat College(where I graduated in 2005). I took advantage of the savings I did by going to a junior college and scoring 3 nominations on honor societies and working towards my 4th nomination.

If you got a 3.8 I don't know how they could reject a HS senior with grades and credentials like that because those are EXCELLENT comparing to some who think they can get into the Ivies with grades below a 3.0.

Answer 4

Well, you can always ask these colleges why they did you accept you and what you can do to improve your chances the next time around. Usually, they will want to help potential applicants, listen to them and if they sound reasonable (like it's something you CAN do) then go ahead and do them. Probably, the kinds of students that apply to the Ivy Leagues have similar characteristics that you do and you would want to STAND out from the rest of the pack. Do something that will make the admissions officers grab your application in excitement and shout at the top of the lungs that they want you because you are so unique, different, and dedicated (as evidenced by your stellar academic record, the fact that you speak Japanese fluently and your extracurriculars) and they would kick themselves if they do not accept you.

Best wishes and I hope your dreams come true!

Answer 5

although cornell, yale, and harvard are, obviously, really good medical schools..have you considered Johns Hopkins? Many seem to forget that it is one of the best medical schools, and easier to get into. at this point, you're a senior and you can't go back in time and change anything...

by the way is your 3.8 weighted or unweighted GPA? because if it's unweighted i'm also a bit surprised you were rejected from cornell...

and 1800/1800 or 1800/2400?

Answer 6

I was accepted to a few Ivy League schools. I think the key is that you need something that makes you unique, that makes you an asset to the school. Your transcript sounds great but it probably sounds like most of the transcripts these schools get. How about something involving leadership and proactivity?

And maybe you could go to a top-rated, non-Ivy League school then apply to an Ivy League for med school.

Answer 7

I wouldn't worry about going to an ivy league school for undergrad if you are planning on going to med school. The med schools will only look at your college grades, and they won't really care if you went to Harvard or your state's university, so long as you got great grades. So who would you rather compete against to get those great grades, the geniuses at Harvard or the average students at a state university? Also, I don't know about medical schools, but I know a lot of grad schools won't take students from their own undergraduate schools. For example, I went to MIT as an undergrad in Physics. I got As and Bs, and because of my meager GPA (even though it was MIT, after all) I only got accepted into one of the graduate schools I applied to. And of the 70 or so physics majors that graduated with me, only 1 got accepted into MIT's physics graduate program, even though most did apply and most did go on to other grad schools.

Answer 8

you have excellent credetials, i think you shoudl send in with your application a personal video message about yourself, your interests, did u interview at the schools as well? did u try colombia university they have an excellent medical program as well. How is you essay? That might be whats seperating you from the pack/ try writing several different responses to the essay question, read it to several people and get their imput as to which essay personalizes you most. maybe tweeking that will increase your chances. good luck!

Answer 9

Try Notre Dame or somewhere to start out. Then transfer if they accept you then.