Is not taking the Biology SAT II going to hurt my chances of becoming a doctor?

[Brian]

I'm a freshman in high school. My guidance counselor and parents (well, just because my parents listened to the guidance counselor) are very reluctant about me taking it. They say that if I do badly on this test (and the guidance counselor said that this is what happened to many students last year, aside from one). My semester average for Honors Biology is an A+, unweighted.

Now, my biology teacher seems to be a bit clueless as to whether or not this test is necessary. At the beginning of the year, she was practically recommending everyone to take it. But now, she just tells us to talk to our guidance counselor and that "colleges aren't really looking the SAT II's as much".

Should I just take the test now? I can always take the Chemistry SAT II next year, and the Biology SAT II at the end of senior year with AP Biology.

By the way, I want to try to become an emergency room doctor or a surgeon.

Thanks.

[science teacher]

You should take it some time, but not as a freshman. After AP Bio is good. In general take as much as you can, and you tend to get better grades on the standardized tests as you take more and get used to the way questions are asked. Take the PSAT for Merit Scholarships and as many AP courses as you can. Also look for some volunteer work in the medical field. It looks good on the resume.

[?Aphrodite?]

Your guidance counselor is correct.Honestly they don't pay attention to students who have taken SAT II's.It's not that big of deal.Plus you are only a freshman.You still have plenty of more schooling ahead of you before college rolls around.Keep your grades up and work on EC's.Enjoy your high schools years.Try not to worry about this kind of stuff so much...Your getting there.Good luck!

[Micheley]

how confident do you feel of doing well now? I would just take it now to get it out of the way. The type of studies you will need to make it into medical school are only going to become more intense as you progress. good luck either way though!

[cerebralmike]

YOU'RE A FRRESHMAN...you have THREE years to worry about it!!!

Just worry about doing well, and worry about that AFTER your PSATs.