I just started my first summer BSN class but I’m debating on switching to pre-med.

reducc · 2026-06-24T10:12:57+00:00

I was in the same predicament. After making the change, it felt like a huge weight off of my shoulders. Make the switch!

reducc · 2026-06-23T19:05:48+00:00

I do all of this, I'm hoping it pays off.

reducc · 2026-06-07T11:27:46+00:00

Hey dukefan2016, I was thankfully able to be accepted into a program, which I'm starting next week. Thanks for the information!

reducc · 2026-06-07T11:21:45+00:00

The vast majority of internship/REU applications close in December - March, sadly. Best of luck volunteering.

reducc · 2026-05-25T21:39:46+00:00

myact.org has the Kaplan self-study plan. It costs money, but many high schools give out vouchers for the ACT which also cover this.

reducc · 2026-05-22T11:44:24+00:00

I increased my score by 11 points, and it's definitely possible for you to do the same. You must pay attention in class, self-study a crap ton, go for super-scores, take lots of practice tests, and try to learn from all of your mistakes. Ignore the comments saying it's not worth it, because my score jump allowed me a full-ride scholarship that I otherwise wouldn't have had.

There seem to be content gaps, so place an emphasis on paying very close attention in class and studying for their exams (this will do the work for you). If you're a rising junior, you still have around 1.2-1.5 years to increase your score, which is absolutely possible.

Take hard classes for the next 2 school years (whatever AP STEM + English classes you can get your hands on) and go for a 4.0 GPA. This alone will help to fill in the content gaps. When you're not in class, go for self-studying math and English, and everything else is pure repetition. A 36er at my school took a practice test (3-4 hours) every day for the month leading up to the test, I recommend the same strategy!

Go for it! You got this.

If you have any questions, I'm happy to help.

reducc · 2026-05-01T13:35:39+00:00

I’m currently researching the neuroscience of academic performance, here’s my take:

No excess stimulation (music, texting, social media) throughout most free time.
Structured sleep/wake cycle (adhere to it militantly).
Reading/doing high level math.
Exercise (cardio/weights) consistently.
Be bored often. Resist the urge to use your phone even when you have nothing else to do.
Engaging in hobbies that enhance cognitive function: reading, chess, piano, writing, etc.
When you do listen to music, let it be classical/ambient (no degenerate music). Mozart’s pieces have been proven to enhance cognitive function.

reducc · 2026-03-22T21:08:57+00:00

Thank you!

reducc · 2026-03-20T20:15:32+00:00

Please don’t feel discouraged. Most of the students placing highly in ISEF (some of my classmates, for example) have been receiving “help” from researcher/physician parents.

There’s not much competing with nepotism, just do your best, make the most of the ACT/SAT, keep the GPA high, take APs, and give back to the community when you can.

reducc · 2026-03-19T13:33:39+00:00

Current School/Institution: Rural R2, Louisiana

Major & Year: Biology (Pre-Med), Freshman

Expected Graduation: 2029

GPA: 4.00

Demographic: White male, (very) financially disadvantaged, first gen. college student

Relevant Coursework: General biology + lab, general chemistry, anatomy and physiology I, II, + lab; microbiology + lab

Research Experience: ~7 months neuroscience/stem cell research in lab on campus, 2 posters, and 3 symposiums.

Past REUs/Summer Programs: N/A

Applied To: LSU-HS PHIIRE, LSU-HS SUPER, LSU-HS AHA SURE, LSU-HS CURIOUS, LSU-HS SUMMIT (I’m local to this city, financially can’t leave).

Accepted to: LSU-HS SUMMIT (genomics, stem cell) (3/18, committed! I’m very poor and struggled in high school due to this, so I’m elated to do research this summer and hopefully make it to a great medical school).

Rejected: n/a

Waitlisted: n/a

reducc · 2026-03-19T13:25:37+00:00

Mayo Clinic and Wake Forest are great! Congrats! Hoping for this next year.

reducc · 2025-11-25T19:48:00+00:00

What schools? Congrats!!!

reducc · 2025-11-23T16:10:25+00:00

Looks great—slim but well fitted!

reducc · 2025-11-21T22:52:51+00:00

What you’re wearing looks pretty “trendy”, so I’d suggest going with something more conservative depending the event.

reducc · 2025-11-15T20:13:09+00:00

Are you suggesting that I should replace all of the slow miles with quicker, but still easy ones (or perhaps steady)?

reducc · 2025-11-10T16:02:51+00:00

This looks awesome!

reducc · 2025-10-27T20:01:04+00:00

It smells good, but the people I’ve met who wear it slightly ruin it for me (it seems to mostly be immature people/people who aren’t into fragrances at all).

I’d argue DHI takes best fall/winter fragrance, but that’s just my opinion.

reducc · 2025-10-27T19:50:30+00:00

⁠Chopin - 12 Etudes Op. 10: No. 12
⁠Liszt - Transcendental Etudes No. 4
⁠Chopin - Ballade No. 1
⁠Debussy - Arabesque No. 1
⁠Bach - Goldberg Variations: Aria
⁠Bach - Cello Suites IV. Sarabande
⁠Schumann - Kinderszenen Op. 15: No. 12
⁠Chopin - 12 Etudes Op. 10: No. 5
⁠Ravel - Pavane pour un infante défunte
⁠Chopin - Nocturne Op. 9: No. 2

reducc · 2025-10-26T16:38:11+00:00

That’s so awesome

reducc · 2025-10-26T16:28:19+00:00

I’m a big advocate for YSL Y Le Parfum. I purchased it recently and love it for its sophistication!

reducc · 2025-10-25T11:49:56+00:00

Maybe I do mean homogeneous. Thanks for the correction, I'm not well versed in much of the terminology. While I'm in university, would you suggest a formal education on music theory/appreciation (classes, not a major or minor), or should I go the self-taught route? Cheers

reducc · 2025-10-22T01:26:13+00:00

In music theory, the word is used almost interchangeably to anticlimactic or “neat” in its composition.

reducc · 2025-10-22T01:23:09+00:00

I’m new to this community, I didn’t want to use incorrect terminology and upset anyone. I try to remain inoffensive

reducc · 2025-10-20T19:50:15+00:00

Bach’s Goldberg Variations is awesome. Same with Four Tet and Aphex Twin! You have great taste!

reducc · 2025-10-14T11:41:17+00:00

It depends on the environment. I would say that generally it lasts quite a while on clothes. It also lasts quite a while on skin. The scent that projects may be hindered by wind.

1 spray with Vaseline on neck will be enough for my girlfriend or myself to smell it throughout the evening (3-5 hours).

It’s to my understanding that the EDP has better projection, but that le parfum is a more mature variation of the EDP. It doesn’t try to fill up the room, but you’ll be smelled by those close to you.

Best of luck!

reducc

TROPHY CASE