High School Senior Needing Advice

[collegebound08]

Hi everyone! I am a high school senior fixing to graduate in a couple of short weeks and was really needing some advice. I am currently enrolled at a 4 yr university for next fall. I have changed my mind so many times about what "I want to be when I grow up". My mom and Grandmother were both nurses and I thought getting my bachelor's in nursing and then moving on to be a nurse practitioner would be kind of an easy route considering I can take all of my courses in my hometown.

I've had premed in the back of my mind ever since I started considering college. I can't really talk to my parents about this kind of thing because a.)they never take me seriously when it comes to what I want to do in life and b.)I'm sure they would hate to encourage me to "leave the nest". The more I think about what my life will be like in 5-10 years the more depressed I seem to get because I feel like I could do so much more than just nursing. I don't want to take the easy way out and then regret it later in life. I've always said if I could do anything in the world it would be a doctor but that would mean going away to med school and going into debt. Is it going to be worth it in the long run? In my opinion yes.

Anyways, (sorry for rambling), I guess my question for you guys is, what's the best route to go? I've been homeschooled for the past 3 years (online), for reasons I'd rather not say, but I've managed a GPA of about 3.75 which I didn't think was too bad but not too great either. I know if I set my mind to it I can do anything, cheesy, but true. I really just don't know how to go about this whole thing. I mean, what do I major in? I've read a lot on here about people saying to just do the prereqs to get into medical school and not go for a degree in biology, etc. You guys are really the only people I have to talk to and your opinions would REALLY mean a lot to me.

Thanks!

[tennisball80]

If you want to be a doctor in the states, try 4 years undergrad first and go to a U.S medical school. If you can't manage high GPA during undegrad, then consider a caribean medical. Life is not easy. Good luck to you !

[tennisball80]

and you may want to read here about cource selection during undergrad
http://www.valuemd.com/premed-forum/...selection.html

[mellsworth21]

Do yourself a favor, go to a regular 4 year college. No doubt about it! PM me if you have any ?'s.

[jameslynton]

A 3.75 GPA in high school is fine even if you are in a 4.5 max system. If you feel you made mistakes. Figure out what they were and correct them before you walk into the door at a university. Don't feel like you are a failure with a 3.75 - it is very good.

It is good to have your parents support you psychologically. However, some don't - do your own research - this is your path not theirs. The best way to get parental support is to do well. Some may never support for medicine as a career.

[Tipton]

Take advantage of your university's advisory services particularly if you feel you need help making the transition from home-schooling into the university system. This is a whole new world with MANY disctractions. Your first year you should do very little in the way of extra-cirricular activities. Get some A's first, then have some fun...along with more A's.

[collegebound08]

Thanks for all of your advice! I REALLY appreciate it!

[mattox24]

I was also on home study for much of high school, though i received a regular high school diploma. I started attending a community college while during my junior year of h.s., and continued there after. After a couple of years there, i was able to do well enough to transfer to UCLA, and just graduated from there last quarter, and I am applying to med schools for next year. Maybe you could try a similar route to what I did. I just tell you this to let you know that having been home schooled shouldn't hold you back at all in what you want to do.

[mattox24]

Oh, one more thing. I majored in physiology, and I personally think that it is better to major in a biology related field if you want to go to med school. It'll better prepare you for both the MCAT and the curriculum of medical school. Just my opinion.

[MoonBeam79]

you can get an idea on how to make sure you make the best decision by visiting best foreign medical schools dot com. there is a list of schools and what question you should ask about each school. good luck