Between Purdue, IUPUI, IU, and Ball State, which is best for me?

College Majors Science Majors
1

Hi, I am interested in pursuing cell biology here in Indiana (since in-state tuition is cheaper) and have narrowed my choices down to 4 Non-private colleges. I am thinking I will go on to grad school and try to get a masters, then Ph.D in Molecular Genetics, as that is my interest right now. i also know that with a Bachelor in Science, i can not do research yet; i could only get a job as a Lab Tech. The colleges that I am interested in from most to least are:

  1. Purdue - Cell Biology
  2. IUPUI (Indiana Univ.-Purdue Univ.-Indianapolis) - Biomedical Engineering
  3. Ball State - Cell Biology
  4. Indiana University - Biology

My reasoning for this is because Purdue and Ball State are the only 2 state colleges in Indiana that offer Cell Biology undergrad degrees (B.S.C.B.), but, stereotypically, Ball state is known more of their English/media degrees and Purdue is known more for their Engineering (DEFINATLY!) and science (At least the best in my opinion), so I value Purdue more than Ball State.

As for IUPUI, they do not offer cell biology, but since they are affiliated with Purdue (iu-PU-i), I could take Biomedical Engineering (B.S.B.M.E.) there and graduate with a Purdue degree IN ENGINEERING! I know Purdue is hard to get into for engineering, but i believe it is easier to get into to IUPUI’s Engineering while still getting that Purdue degree from what i found, even though it was not much (hoping you guys could give me some insight on this). My only fear is that I very well will go to grad school to get my masters, then Ph.D. in Molecular Genetics and i do not know what other colleges will think, looking at me like “you want to do (clinical) scientific research and you went to school for an engineering degree? HA! Yeah right, maybe that flies at, like, Penn State, but not here at Ivy League.”

Finally, for your sakes (sorry for the length) there is Indiana University. I do know that, here in Indiana, they are more known for their Biology programs then Purdue is (great in all sciences), but from what I researched, they are more general biology related (B.S.B.)and it is harder to get a job with just general biology than a more specific field, like neuroscience or botany, so I don’t think it would be as great as Cell Biology. On the other hand though, while I believe I may go to grad school, the only job I could get with an undergraduate degree in science is, again, as a Lab Technician, so it may not matter whether I get a degree in CB or Bio if I am to wind up in the same job anyway. If IU is cheaper (P-$20,000 room and board and tuition per year, IU-$16,000 room and board and tuition per year), maybe it would be better for me, but idk.

If you guys can give me more insight to my reasoning, ideas, and research for college, please let me know, and thank you for your consideration and help.

2

OK, you are kinda all over the place, but let’s see…
Don’t worry about whether a particular school offers a subspecialty major in cell biology. As long as you have access to basic and advanced courses in cell biology as well as research opportunities, you’ll be fine. Most of those departments can meet that requirement with Purdue and IU both being the best choices. IUPUI might be OK, too, with the possible added advantage that the medical campus in Indianapolis might offer some good research opportunities. Also, keep in mind these considerations: the undegrad biology programs at many top schools do not offer a subspecialty track in cell biology (although most might offer a major in molecular biology that would include cell biology); while you might already know that your interests lie in the more molecular areas of biology (as opposed to organismic biology or ecology/evolution), you needn’t specialize too early—many of the core courses in biology and supporting sciences are common across various bioscience subspecialty majors; it is doubtful that an top dept. necessarily would look down on an applicant with a bioengineering degree, assuming that he/she had relevant core courses in biology and supporting sciences and that you can make a case for the pathway you want to pursue, and there are aspects of bioengineering that are relevant to the areas that interest you. Finally, I don’t think you can accurately characterize IU as being more about general biology than Purdue just on the basis of the titles and structures of their undergrad biology majors. There are faculty, course offerings, research opportunities in most major branches of biology at both schools. Between those schools, I would choose the one that is the best overall fit (in terms of cost, location, campus culture, size, and other personal preferences, etc.) rather than focusing on a specific major. Both IU and PU schools can get you where you want to go.

3

At the undergraduate level, biology is the same at virtually any research university. Doesn’t matter if “cell biology” in particular is on option for biology majors. Choose a school based on other criteria like cost, location, fit, etc.

4

You will get a slightly more well rounded education at IU than you will at Purdue, while Purdue is better in most of the STEM fields. They are clearly both better than IUPUI and Ball State.

If I were you, I would decide between IU and Purdue based mostly on fit (which campus/lifestyle you prefer) and finances.

Are you cream and crimson or old gold and black?

5

I agree with all of the above posts. You are not going to specialize as an undergraduste in Biology. What you for getting into graduate school (and a Masters is NOT necessary if you want a Ph.D., just go for the Ph.D. directly…) is good grades, strong GRE scores, significant research experience, and very good letters of reference. Frankly, you can get all that from any one of the schools you have listed but IU and PU may offer the most on-campus research opportunities.

6

I would just like to say thank you for all of your answers and help. I have officially decided to go to purdue, but iu will be my second choice. If I am turned down by both, I will go to IUPUI, and I feel safe enough to get in their that I won’t worry about ball state. It will remain my 4th though. Anyway, thank you for your help and I hope all goes well for u.