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krisha
Student
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What classes should I take to get into my dream college for my wanted major and minor?
Hi! My name is Krisha and I am currently a 9th grader. I want to major in pre-med in college but minor in criminology so I was wondering what classes would look good on a college application in order to get into good pre-med program. My dream school is Harvard, Stanford, and University of Florida. I also was wondering what internships and game plan I should have and take in my next 3 years of high school to get into my dream schools. As for the criminology part, I wanna get a degree in criminal law so I was wondering also what classes to take for that !
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Michelle M.
Actress
2327
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Krisha !
It is awesome to have two or three interests and thinking about college admissions already. You are a good planner and I would be happy to explain what you'll need to do in order to be able to sift through college admissions. The courses you take in High School are not as important as preparing by knowing the admissions requirements of your intended college. As long as you have a High School Diploma and have done other things, you can apply to colleges as a high school graduate regardless of what courses you've taken.
You also need to know that some colleges offer a pre-med and pre-Law major, but most do not. You learn those careers in Medical School and in Law School. Harvard University recommends four years of high school Math, English, human Sciences, and two years of history. Your SAT score needs to be between 1460 to 1580. Your High School GPA will need to be perfect for admissions to Harvard at 3.9 to 4.0. Their admission acceptance rate is very low.
For Stanford University, students in high school are recommended to take four years of English and Math, three years of History, Science and three years of the same Foreign Language. They require a high school GPA of around 3.96 to 4.0. Even though Stanford is SAT optional right now, you should take the SAT and get a score between 1505 and 1600. Having a high score on the SAT could compensate for other criteria for admissions. You really need to have an in-person conversation about this because there is a lot of information.
For the University of Florida, look up online the same information for what is required for admissions from high school. Any major you take in college will have episodic courses and those will be the prerequisites to higher level courses in your major.
I know of only one medical doctor that has both a medical degree and a law degree. You will have to go through many years to obtain your M.D. and practice as a doctor. When the time is right for you, you can then apply to Law School which is three years.
Criminology is not connected to medicine and is a small segment of law, so I would suggest that you take it as electives while you go for your Bachelors Degree. You are going to need to learn law as it connects to the criminal justice system so some electives in college will be fine but you'll learn what you need to know in Law School. Once you are in college, there are required courses for your major, too and also required general ed courses you'll have to take so maybe Administration of Justice or Abnormal Psychology can fulfill a required general ed requirement.
The path that you are thinking about is very intricate so I would advise doing the research online first and then discussing it with your high school guidance counselor. College admissions depend on many other things then just what you've taken in high school, so read up on each college and take notes so you can have the information at hand. Keep staying ambitious but make sure to pace yourself and everything will fall into place. Best wishes in all you do !
It is awesome to have two or three interests and thinking about college admissions already. You are a good planner and I would be happy to explain what you'll need to do in order to be able to sift through college admissions. The courses you take in High School are not as important as preparing by knowing the admissions requirements of your intended college. As long as you have a High School Diploma and have done other things, you can apply to colleges as a high school graduate regardless of what courses you've taken.
You also need to know that some colleges offer a pre-med and pre-Law major, but most do not. You learn those careers in Medical School and in Law School. Harvard University recommends four years of high school Math, English, human Sciences, and two years of history. Your SAT score needs to be between 1460 to 1580. Your High School GPA will need to be perfect for admissions to Harvard at 3.9 to 4.0. Their admission acceptance rate is very low.
For Stanford University, students in high school are recommended to take four years of English and Math, three years of History, Science and three years of the same Foreign Language. They require a high school GPA of around 3.96 to 4.0. Even though Stanford is SAT optional right now, you should take the SAT and get a score between 1505 and 1600. Having a high score on the SAT could compensate for other criteria for admissions. You really need to have an in-person conversation about this because there is a lot of information.
For the University of Florida, look up online the same information for what is required for admissions from high school. Any major you take in college will have episodic courses and those will be the prerequisites to higher level courses in your major.
I know of only one medical doctor that has both a medical degree and a law degree. You will have to go through many years to obtain your M.D. and practice as a doctor. When the time is right for you, you can then apply to Law School which is three years.
Criminology is not connected to medicine and is a small segment of law, so I would suggest that you take it as electives while you go for your Bachelors Degree. You are going to need to learn law as it connects to the criminal justice system so some electives in college will be fine but you'll learn what you need to know in Law School. Once you are in college, there are required courses for your major, too and also required general ed courses you'll have to take so maybe Administration of Justice or Abnormal Psychology can fulfill a required general ed requirement.
The path that you are thinking about is very intricate so I would advise doing the research online first and then discussing it with your high school guidance counselor. College admissions depend on many other things then just what you've taken in high school, so read up on each college and take notes so you can have the information at hand. Keep staying ambitious but make sure to pace yourself and everything will fall into place. Best wishes in all you do !
Joseph Ford
189
Answers
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Updated
Joseph’s Answer
9th grade? well it's good that you're already thinking about your future. I'm not sure what classes may be offered in the 9th grade for the career you're planning BUT, I can suggest any Biology, Chemistry, Math and if Bio Informatics classes are available jump in there. Also work with your teachers in these subject matters. I was recently at Harvard for a personal matter and loved the campus.
Now here is the BIG thing, to get into these schools you really should involve yourself in as many volunteer tasks in school or outside of school. You want to have a great resume when applying to these schools. Remember you will be in competition with others and academics, SAT scores are great, but it will come down to what you did as a person to help yourself become the person you are today.
The example question you will be asked is,
Why do want to attend Harvard and why to you believe Harvard should accept you?
Good luck
Now here is the BIG thing, to get into these schools you really should involve yourself in as many volunteer tasks in school or outside of school. You want to have a great resume when applying to these schools. Remember you will be in competition with others and academics, SAT scores are great, but it will come down to what you did as a person to help yourself become the person you are today.
The example question you will be asked is,
Why do want to attend Harvard and why to you believe Harvard should accept you?
Good luck
Patricia Trostel
Medical transcription
3
Answers
Warrior, Alabama
Updated
Patricia’s Answer
Mist high schools have a program where you can take basic college classes while in high school. That way, you will have all the prerequisite classes out of your way and you can focus on your degree. My son did that and he just got his Masters degree. Plan ahead...
Rafael Diaz Montelongo
Consultant
395
Answers
Raleigh, North Carolina
Updated
Rafael’s Answer
Hi Krisha,
It is great that you are gearing up for a pre-med major with a criminology minor. In high school, focus on advanced science and math classes like AP Bio and Chem—they are essential for pre-med preparation. Improve your writing skills with strong English courses, and if you can take a criminology or psychology class, that's even better! Gain real-world experience by volunteering at hospitals or law enforcement agencies. Join clubs, lead projects, and maintain a high GPA. Also, aim to excel in your SATs or ACTs! Start working on your college essays early to highlight your passion for medicine and criminology. You've got this!
It is great that you are gearing up for a pre-med major with a criminology minor. In high school, focus on advanced science and math classes like AP Bio and Chem—they are essential for pre-med preparation. Improve your writing skills with strong English courses, and if you can take a criminology or psychology class, that's even better! Gain real-world experience by volunteering at hospitals or law enforcement agencies. Join clubs, lead projects, and maintain a high GPA. Also, aim to excel in your SATs or ACTs! Start working on your college essays early to highlight your passion for medicine and criminology. You've got this!
Melanie Anderson
Associate Director
29
Answers
Elmont, New York
Updated
Melanie’s Answer
Hi Krisha!
It's awesome that you're planning your academic future! Dreaming of Harvard, Stanford, or the University of Florida with a focus on pre-med and criminology is exciting and requires a solid academic base. Here’s a simple guide for your 9th-grade year and beyond:
Key Academic Areas:
* Science:
* Biology: Important for pre-med. Try for honors or AP Biology if you can.
* Chemistry: A must for pre-med. Honors or AP Chemistry is a great choice.
* Physics: Also key for pre-med. Take honors or AP Physics when you’re ready.
* Mathematics:
* Algebra I & II: Build a strong base here.
* Geometry: Great for logical thinking.
* Pre-calculus/Calculus: Important for pre-med and showing academic strength. Go for AP Calculus if possible.
* Statistics: Useful for both pre-med and criminology.
* English:
* Work on writing and communication skills. Honors or AP English courses are great.
* Social Sciences:
* History: World and U.S. History. Honors or AP History courses show depth.
* Psychology/Sociology: Good for criminology. Try honors or AP if available.
* Foreign Language:
* Show you can speak another language. Harvard likes well-rounded students.
* Criminology Related Studies:
* High schools might not have "criminology" classes, but focus on:
* Government/Civics: Learn about legal systems.
* Psychology/Sociology: Understand human behavior.
* Debate/Public Speaking: Improve communication skills.
General Recommendations:
* Rigorous Coursework:
* Take challenging courses like honors and AP classes. They help with college credits and show schools you’re serious about learning.
* Strong Grades:
* Keep a high GPA. Harvard is selective, so aim for excellent grades.
* Standardized Tests:
* Get ready for tests like the SAT or ACT.
* Extracurricular Activities:
* Join activities that show your interests. Look for pre-med and criminology-related activities, like volunteering at a hospital or joining a debate team.
* Develop Strong Writing Skills:
* Harvard values strong writing, so work on communicating well.
* Seek Learning Opportunities:
* Find ways to learn outside the classroom, like online courses or attending lectures.
Important Notes:
* Harvard wants well-rounded students, so balance academics with activities and personal interests.
* Develop a real passion for your chosen fields.
* Remember, there’s no perfect way to get into Harvard. They want passionate learners.
By focusing on these areas, you’ll build a strong base for college applications and future success. But remember to have fun too—balance is key!
It's awesome that you're planning your academic future! Dreaming of Harvard, Stanford, or the University of Florida with a focus on pre-med and criminology is exciting and requires a solid academic base. Here’s a simple guide for your 9th-grade year and beyond:
Key Academic Areas:
* Science:
* Biology: Important for pre-med. Try for honors or AP Biology if you can.
* Chemistry: A must for pre-med. Honors or AP Chemistry is a great choice.
* Physics: Also key for pre-med. Take honors or AP Physics when you’re ready.
* Mathematics:
* Algebra I & II: Build a strong base here.
* Geometry: Great for logical thinking.
* Pre-calculus/Calculus: Important for pre-med and showing academic strength. Go for AP Calculus if possible.
* Statistics: Useful for both pre-med and criminology.
* English:
* Work on writing and communication skills. Honors or AP English courses are great.
* Social Sciences:
* History: World and U.S. History. Honors or AP History courses show depth.
* Psychology/Sociology: Good for criminology. Try honors or AP if available.
* Foreign Language:
* Show you can speak another language. Harvard likes well-rounded students.
* Criminology Related Studies:
* High schools might not have "criminology" classes, but focus on:
* Government/Civics: Learn about legal systems.
* Psychology/Sociology: Understand human behavior.
* Debate/Public Speaking: Improve communication skills.
General Recommendations:
* Rigorous Coursework:
* Take challenging courses like honors and AP classes. They help with college credits and show schools you’re serious about learning.
* Strong Grades:
* Keep a high GPA. Harvard is selective, so aim for excellent grades.
* Standardized Tests:
* Get ready for tests like the SAT or ACT.
* Extracurricular Activities:
* Join activities that show your interests. Look for pre-med and criminology-related activities, like volunteering at a hospital or joining a debate team.
* Develop Strong Writing Skills:
* Harvard values strong writing, so work on communicating well.
* Seek Learning Opportunities:
* Find ways to learn outside the classroom, like online courses or attending lectures.
Important Notes:
* Harvard wants well-rounded students, so balance academics with activities and personal interests.
* Develop a real passion for your chosen fields.
* Remember, there’s no perfect way to get into Harvard. They want passionate learners.
By focusing on these areas, you’ll build a strong base for college applications and future success. But remember to have fun too—balance is key!