Advice on Transfer to Cornell?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Cornell University
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<p>I'm currently a freshman in the BC Honor's Program, a biochem major, and after the first semester I have a 4.0 GPA while simultaneously taking an EMT course. My courses were my honors course which is a philosophy/theology/english class all mixed into one, a second level bio course, Gen Chem 1 with lab, and Advanced Spanish Language (The honors class counts as two classes so I was not able to take a fifth class). I want to apply to an MD/PhD program after graduating undergrad.</p>

<p>My high school GPA was 4.95 out of 5 (kind of a weird system that I don't entirely understand), I was third in my class, and SATs 800 Math, 760 Writing, 750 reading and 800 in Math 2, 780 Spanish, 770 in Biology. I was accepted to Cornell as a senior but chose to go to BC because it was closer to home, close to Boston (possible fun and medical opportunities) and I thought I would be able to perform well since I was already in the Honor's Program. Cost for both is about the same. After the first semester, I found that I was not really going home or into Boston, so distance from home and proximity weren't as significant as I expected. Classes are interesting but I feel like if I'm getting a 4.0 I should be challenged more (yes I know that first semester isn't representative of college as a whole).</p>

<p>I have been considering transferring to Cornell since October or so. I have gone through the process of filling out most of the common app in case I decide to transfer. Firstly, I was wondering if my odds of being accepted as a transfer are likely to be hurt by having declined last year and secondly if anyone from either school or with PhD/MD programs had any information to share regarding whether it would be worth it to transfer. Also, does anyone have anything to say about Cornell's curve? I've heard horror stories from friends who got a C- on a test for scoring what would be considered an A anywhere else because the average was so high. </p>

<p>Thank you for any help you can give me and for your time,
bcfreshman</p>

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<p>I was between Cornell and BC last year it came down to literally the last day. I ended up going to Cornell because it was cheaper (I live in NY) and was better known for its science program. I regret every day that I did not go to BC. My first semester at Cornell was completely miserable I did work constantly, had no social life, and made very few friends. In high school I had a lot of close friends and was valedictorian; now my GPA is a 2.2 and I eat alone for just about every meal. This is just my experience and I don’t mean to scare you off; however, if you are happy at BC I would definitely stay there. You are receiving a roughly equivalent education and are doing much better if you maintain the quality of work you are doing now I am certain you could go to med school wherever you want. Again, this is all just my opinion; however, Cornell is very intense and overall a very different environment from BC which I would say is the most important thing to consider.</p>

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<p>lindsgirl2
I’m sorry to hear about your experience thus far at Cornell. I really suggest joining greek life or joining clubs to make new friends.</p>

<p>bcfreshman
I’m a sophomore bio major and I really enjoy Cornell. While Cornell is challenging, its not that hard to do well, especially since you’ve done well at BC. I’m also interested in MD/PhD and the best thing about Cornell is that there is so much research going on here. I’m in a lab studying leukemia and I will probably publish up to two papers before I graduate.</p>