Erika Said:

How to deal with a stubborn med school know-it all?

We Answered:

Before I answer your question, I object to your use of the word "fag". There is no need for the use of a highly-charged, derogatory slur, just because this guy is a complete jerk. I could see you being officer material, and thus I ask you to stop using that word. Put it out of your vocabulary completely. Starting now.

That said, I can understand why this guy makes you so angry. He's educated, but he's ignorant. IMO, your best course of action is to continue to NOT let yourself be defined via comparisons with this guy. Yes... your family may value education, and thus they are all "wow" re: this kid, but your experience is valuable. Your military career is valuable. Don't let him get to you. You define success in your own way - not in terms of what he's done v. what you've done. It sounds like you have a solid life plan, which you're putting in place. Focus on that, not on him. And I know that's hard, but it's something that you, as the better man, need to learn to do.

I am *not* telling you to suck it up. I am telling you to pull yourself up from this. That means you can feel free to pull this jerk aside and tell him what you feel - but remember, he's a *jerk*. He needs to know that people without med school are smart, have valuable experiences and opinions, but he may not hear you. So if you do talk to him about this, keep calm. Be the mature one. And know that your conversation may change nothing, because he's stuck on himself.

Ignore your aunt, but do talk to your mom about how what *she* says (not what anyone else says) makes you feel. She's your mom, but she's also human, so she makes mistakes. She may be thinking that by taking like this, she's encouraging you to go to college or similar - and she doesn't realize that by saying these things, she's hurting you. So tell her.

BTW, med school really is that tough. He will not have a second to himself for the duration. He will also go through years of 3-day-long shifts - little to no sleep. He will have no life until he graduates and finishes his residencies. Then he will graduate into MASSIVE debt. His life will suuuuck. Take heart in that. :lol:

I do think you could be on the officer track in the military, or move up the enlisted ranks. For that, you do need college - I understand you'll need at least an associates degree to really be able to do what I think you're capable of doing. So make sure you're making progress toward that, both inside and outside the service. Really devote yourself to your classes, and your military service. Make a life that YOU can be proud of, and don't worry about what this guy does.

Gail Said:

Out of these 3 schools, which would be better to attend?

We Answered:

NYU is best, followed by BU (which does have a very good reputation), followed by Pittsburgh, the least prestigious one here.

Jonathan Said:

Realistically, do I have a chance at Johns Hopkins University or Duke?

We Answered:

Your weighted GPA is irrelevant. So are any awards, clubs, or volunteer organizations as well as your writing essay.

Seriously the only time anyone looks at any of this junk is when you are waitlisted and it is between you and another person.

What colleges look at is your true GPA and your ACT/ SAT scores. Thats it, it decides whether you get into college or not.

It is for this reason that many people game the system and take easy classes to boost GPA, an "A" in basket weaving beats a "B" in AP Rocket Science every time.

Everett Said:

Which school is better for pre-medicine?

We Answered:

Do they all have medical schools? Having the resources of a med school on campus can open a lot of doors for students who plan on going to med school (research, clinical studies, anatomy classes). I'd base it on 1) presence of a med school on campus, and 2) price.

Pitt is a great school though, I have a friend who went there and loved it. I also had a friend at stonybrook, he came from California though and I don't think he ever really adjusted to the East coast so I don't trust his opinion on it. I know nothing about Duquesne, but it sounds like a private school. Those are way too expensive... but I'm cheap, and a product of the public education system.

Victor Said:

Want to go to the University of Pittsburgh to be a Neurologist?

We Answered:

Yes, you are looking too far ahead, although it's great to set goals for yourself and plan ahead. There are certain biology and chemistry courses that you'll have to take in college as prerequisites for med school. There will be professors there who explain the differences between the various disciplines and give you some guidance. Also, you'll start out in med school taking the same general curriculum as everyone else before getting more specific. And there will be professors in med school who can provide guidance, too. You don't have to figure it all out while you're still in high school.