How can I best prepare for the college processes?
I am a Junior in high school and an aspiring doctor/psychiatrist. How can I maximize my college resume? What about with a low GPA/test scores? Where can I start the scholarship search? What can I do? Anything I should know in advance/advice? How can I afford college? Which should I select to apply for? What paths can I take for degrees that are relevant to medicine and more specifically psychiatry and neurology? Thank you all so much and may God bless you! #Fall24
2 answers
Julie’s Answer
Regarding affording college - all universities offer financial aid (loans or grants depending on your situation), scholarships and civic organizations also offer scholarships. Your school counselor should be able to help you pinpoint some of these.
Medical schools look for strong students so keep that college GPA as high as you can but they also really value students who have shown upward growth, overcome challenges or bring diverse perspectives. So even if your application isn't perfect, go for it !
Julie recommends the following next steps:
Jocelyne’s Answer
1. Focus on Experience: Volunteer in healthcare, join medical clubs, or shadow doctors to show commitment to the field.
2. Enhance Your Application: Boost a low GPA or test scores with strong extracurriculars, leadership roles, and essays about your passion for psychiatry or neurology.
3. Seek Scholarships: Start with sites like Fastweb and Scholarships.com, and look for local awards. Many organizations offer scholarships for aspiring medical professionals.
Choose colleges with strong pre-med programs, and plan on degrees like biology or psychology for a solid foundation. You're on an inspiring path—stay focused! You got this!