What are the advantages of attending a liberal arts college versus a specialized school?  Some students have specific "pre-professional" interests, such as business, engineering, architecture, fine arts, fashion design, theater, journalism.  Other students are undecided about their eventual career, or even what they would like to study. 
There are a variety of types of colleges to consider:
1.  Small liberal arts colleges:  Typically have fewer than 3,000 students, offer a variety of majors in the areas of natural sciences, social sciences and humanities, and are known for close student-faculty relationships and discussion-based courses.
2.  Specialized colleges:  Focus on a particular curriculum, and attract students who want to specialize.  Examples range from Babson and Bentley (business) to Carnegie-Mellon and Cal-Tec (science and engineering) to Parsons and Pratt (art).
3.  Universities.  Typically have 5,000 students and more (up to 40,000!), contain specialized schools and colleges, as well as a college of Arts & Sciences, have many options for courses and activities, offer far-ranging opportunities for research and internships.

Your high school guidance counselor plays an important role in the college admissions process.  A significant component of your application package is the "School Report," which consists of your transcript, your high school "profile," and your Guidance Counselor's Letter of Recommendation.  The profile describes your high school and your community, including the student and family population, the grading policies, the types of courses offered, and the historical achievements of your high school's students.  The purpose of your counselor's letter is to place you within the context of your school and your peers, to evaluate your strengths relative to those of your peers, and to review your accomplishments relative to the academic and activity resources available at your particular high school. Establishing and maintaining a close relationship with your counselor will  help your counselor write a more personal, knowledgeable letter on your behalf.
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Medical School Admissions has changed significantly over the last decade!
           
MYTH #1: To be accepted to Medical School, you need to major in Biology or Chemistry.  NOT TRUE! 
Increasingly, students are majoring in non-science fields, ranging from music to Classics.  As long as you fulfill the "pre-med" course requirements, of biology, chemistry, physics, calculus and English, you are encouraged to major in the area of your true passion. Your undergraduate years may be more rewarding if you study a variety of subjects aside from the natural sciences.  Up to 40% of pre-meds do not major in the sciences!

MYTH #2:  To be accepted to Medical School, you need to know that you want to be a doctor during college (or even elementary school!).  NOT TRUE! 
Many students realize they have a strong goal to become a doctor during their senior year of college (perhaps helping a sick roommate) or even after they graduate.  There are a variety of "Post-Bac"  (or post-baccalaureate) programs that provide all the required medical school science courses, such as Columbia, Cornell, UVA and Hopkins.  Students typically attend for 9-12 months.

MYTH #3:  To be a strong medical school candidate, you need to do plenty of research during college.  NOT TRUE!
See the Spring Newsletter for More Info!

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