what are my chances of getting into yale? what do i need to get into yale as a med student?

Question

so heres the situation: im 25, I was a late bloomer after HS and dilly-dallied around a jc for a few years after HS and then I went to Univ. of Calif. San Diego for my b.s. in biochemistry. Graduated *** laude. Took the MCATs and got 14 in physical sciences and biological sciences, and a 15 in verbal. I scored a Q on the writing. The thing is, at UCSD, I only have a cumulative 3.7. And it took me a while to get in the academic ballgame. is that going to hurt me? They all told me that what I did at the JC isnt going to hurt me, but Im not so sure. I wonder if I should even bother applying to places like Yale, Harvard, or Johns Hopkins? Plus, I didnt do much in research. I did work in the lab, but someone once told me that Johns Hopkins is only for great people that have published works. So scared. What are my chances at Yale, etc? What else do I need for med school at yale?

ok just in case it wasnt clear......i already graduated high school. I went to a catholic hs.

Answer 1

Get into a college prep program and get straight "A"s in all AP (advanced placement) classes. Also, you will want to be very active in your community as far as civic duties and volunteer programs. You will also want to have many "letter of recommendations from school personnel the higher up the better. Teachers, principles, etc... And the most inportant...you want to be in the top percentile on your SAT's..go see your school guiadance counselor often as they will be your biggest asset in your college search.

Answer 2

Truthfully, those universities aren't the beginning or end of your life. The name recognition is wonderful but being happy is even better. If you know what you want to do and are really good at it and love doing it P/H/Y/M won't matter that much. I went to one of those schools and really enjoyed my time there but 10 years in retrospect, I would have been just as happy other places just as well. Just make sure you are happy and love what you do. I wish you the best of luck but if it doesn't work out, don't stress it. Read "The Overachievers: The Secret Lives of Driven Kids (Hardcover) by Alexandra Robbins" Getting into those schools is like hitting the lottery even people with stellar academic records don't get in and people like George W do.