Essential Question
What education and skills are needed and beneficial to succeed in topics of study at the university level and in careers that you deem engaging and worthwhile?
When asking an admissions officer from University of the Pacific this question, he told me that challenging myself with community college courses such as calculus and advanced composition will be beneficial toward my success in college. He also told me that one of the most important things I could do would be to develop interpersonal and communication skills before college. I'm able to largely agree with the advise he offered, as I'm looking to build relationships in college to make the experience more enjoyable, and so that communicating with my professors is easier. Some additional skills I need the most improvement in are: confidence, time management, and networking. A part of the brain I'd like to improve the functionality of is the hippocampus because this is a region of the brain I'm likely to exercise very frequently when studying for exams, which will become a large part of my life as a student.
What education and skills are needed and beneficial to succeed in topics of study at the university level and in careers that you deem engaging and worthwhile?
When asking an admissions officer from University of the Pacific this question, he told me that challenging myself with community college courses such as calculus and advanced composition will be beneficial toward my success in college. He also told me that one of the most important things I could do would be to develop interpersonal and communication skills before college. I'm able to largely agree with the advise he offered, as I'm looking to build relationships in college to make the experience more enjoyable, and so that communicating with my professors is easier. Some additional skills I need the most improvement in are: confidence, time management, and networking. A part of the brain I'd like to improve the functionality of is the hippocampus because this is a region of the brain I'm likely to exercise very frequently when studying for exams, which will become a large part of my life as a student.
Getting the most out of college and preparing for a future career requires more than your ability to pass tests and impress professors.
Safety: UoP- UoP is a university in Stockton, California with a spacious and scenic campus, and frequent rainfall (a feature I enjoy). I interviewed the senior assistant director of admissions from UoP, and learned that they offer a great pre-med track featuring organic physiology, anatomy, and others.
Acceptance rate: 65%
SAT: 25th percentile - 1090
Acceptance rate: 65%
SAT: 25th percentile - 1090
Fit: UC Irvine- UCI is a UC school located the perfect distance from my home. The surroundings are beautiful and the campus is even more beautiful. The options for biological science majors are expansive, and research opportunities are available first year.
Acceptance rate: 39% (2016) - It's gone down to 28% since, due to a recent influx of applicants
SAT: Reading and writing 490-620, Math 570-710
Acceptance rate: 39% (2016) - It's gone down to 28% since, due to a recent influx of applicants
SAT: Reading and writing 490-620, Math 570-710
Reach: University of Southern California- Located in LA, USC is a top-tier private research institution with numerous areas of focus to choose from in biology, and a wide variety of research approaches and tools.
Acceptance rate: 17.7%
SAT: Reading and writing 630-730, Math 650-770
Acceptance rate: 17.7%
SAT: Reading and writing 630-730, Math 650-770
My interview with Scott Hoback, senior assistant director of admissions at University of the Pacific
What education and skills are needed and beneficial to succeed in topics of study at the university level and in careers that you deem engaging and worthwhile?
There are a handful of skills that are obvious, and some that are a bit more subtle. I’ll briefly highlight both:
You’ve likely heard the common expectations on your ability to crunch numbers and write succinctly. I advise that you challenge yourself with courses like Calculus and Advanced Composition. Those are skills you’ll want to have before starting at a university.
From my perspective as a Success Coach and Admission Counselor, I also recommend that you focus on building organizational and interpersonal skills. Getting the most out of college and preparing for a future career requires more than your ability to pass tests and impress professors.
On top of this, what could I study at a community college now to be ahead for college if I would like to major in, say, biology? I'm taking psych 101 now.
Intro level courses are useful, but don’t overdo it. You can only enter Pacific, and many other schools, with a limited number of transfer credits. Psych, History and Spanish are all good. Try to focus on courses that won’t be directly taught as part of your major.
If I wanted to study biology and am interested in dermatology and pathology, could you recommend any majors that incorporate these areas of study somehow?
Studying Biological Sciences, Biochemistry and Bioengineering are all good tracks to follow. Most schools offer a Pre-Medical track that will get you started in the right direction. If you want to be a dermatologist or pathologist, you’ll want to study those fields directly as they will likely require field-specific accreditation before you can practice.
What programs that UoP offers could sufficiently prepare me to study medicine?
We offer a Pre-Professional Pre-Med track that encourages you to study Organic Chemistry, Physiology, Anatomy, etc. Research the M-Cat and the types of topics you’ll be expected to know.
10-Year Plan
1: attend the University of California, Irvine and major in human biology, where I'm able to perform research
2: join clubs and become more involved in life on campus; get a job or internship where I'm more exposed to labs and am able to gain experience
3: live in my own off-campus apartment and continue my studies as a biological sciences major
4: complete my research project (preferably one involving dermatology) and present my results; get my bachelor's in biology
5: Take the MCAT, apply to medical schools and attend school for dermatology
6: dermatology med school
7: dermatology med school
8: dermatology med school
9: dermatology med school
(some years later)
10: become a licensed PA in dermatology and practice in a rural setting (where there are lots of old people with lots of skin problems) alongside a physician