So, what I need to think about are good *undergrad* colleges, and then later, strong *medical schools*. My undergrad doesn't have to be a specific "pre-med" school, but it needs to have good science programs and strong advising for pre-med students.
Here's what I'm going to do:
1. Research colleges: I'll look at rankings (like US News & World Report), but also look at things that matter *to me*, like:
* Size: Do I want a huge university or a small liberal arts college?
* Location: City, suburbs, rural? Close to home or far away?
* Cost: Tuition, financial aid opportunities.
* Pre-med advising: How strong is their pre-med program and advising? Do they have dedicated pre-health advisors?
* Research opportunities: I'd like to get involved in research if possible.
2. Talk to people: I'll talk to my guidance counselor, teachers (especially science teachers!), and maybe even some doctors (maybe even a pediatrician!). They can give me advice and share their experiences.
3. Visit colleges: Once I've narrowed down my list, I'll try to visit some campuses if possible to get a feel for the place.
4. Think about medical schools later: Once I'm in college, I can focus on getting good grades, doing well on the MCAT (the medical school entrance exam), and getting involved in extracurricular activities (volunteering, research). Then I can start researching medical schools that have strong pediatric programs. There are many great medical schools all across the country.
It's a long process, but starting early is key! I'm excited to get started.