<p>Hi. I am thinking to apply to TCNJ this coming year and I found out that I have to choose a major when applying. I was actually going to go with undecided.. So my question is, how hard is it to get into TCNJ as a bio major? Can anyone give specifics like SAT score, GPA, etc?</p>
<p>biology is tcnj’s most competitive major. idk about specifics with gpa’s, but SAT scores should be at least an 1800 in my opinion</p>
<p>If you’re afraid you can’t get in as bio you can always apply as open options science and plan to transfer into the bio program. HOWEVER we were told last summer that due to the large size of the entering bio class it would be very difficult to transfer into the program. With that said, I know of at least 2 people who have already switched majors so it could be possible but not necessarily easy.</p>
<p>Thank you cometstarg!
Thanks <em>HazelEyes</em>! I have more questions for you. I am seriously oblivious with the whole idea of college. What do you mean by open options science? Is it possible to change major within freshman year?</p>
<p>open options science means you’re undecided but know you want to major in the sciences. declaring a major i always thought wasn’t technically done til sophomore year, but maybe someone else knows more on that</p>
<p>technically you do not have to declare a major until soph year however they still ask you to apply for one specific major (as well as a second option). sometimes people aren’t accepted into their first choice program but they are accepted into their second choice. the reason you apply for a major is that you will start taking classes for that program freshman year. if you are undecided/open options you will take more of the general classes. </p>
<p>it is absolutely possible to change majors during your freshman year - one of my best friends from high school goes to TCNJ too and she changed about 4 times before finally settling one one lol. however, whether or not it will be easy or hard to switch majors depends on the programs. this is because a lot of majors require that you take courses in a specific sequence (i.e. you have to take gen chem before organic) and some courses are only offered one term per year. so depending on the program you are coming from and the one you are going to (and the time that you switch) you could be a semester or even a year behind.</p>
<p>Wouldn’t open options/science be still harder to get into? Or would it be at least easier than bio?</p>
<p>Also, I have more general question about college. Do professors go over things that shouldve been learned in high school? Even a quick overview… Because I learned chemistry but I feel like I need to go over it but afraid that professors will be moving on with new materials.</p>
<p>I think open options would be easier to get into than bio but then any of the sciences is harder to get into than something in the humanities/social sciences IMO. With that said, don’t apply as open options just because you think it would be easier to get accepted. </p>
<p>My chem prof did not “review” per se but then gen chem is pretty similar to AP chem (I did not take AP chem). We did go over the basics though on the first day of class (I was one of those unlucky people who had a not so great high school chem experience). Now with something such as Calc B, I’m not too sure how much the profs will review of Calc A (you can place out of Calc A and go right into B).</p>
<p>ah. I see. so do you think it may be better for me to go with psychology?</p>
<p>Thanks so much for great replies!! :)</p>
<p>It’ll be easier getting in as a psych major than as a bio major</p>
<p>Yes I think it would be easier to get in as a psych major but you should apply for what you are interested in. TCNJ also has a bio-psych program. You would major in psychology but concentrate in bio-psychology. That might be a good option if you are interested in both fields but are leaning more towards psychology.</p>
<p>So pretty much I should apply for bio if I am interested in going to med right? Sigh… I guess I will have to take my chances. Well thanks for all the info you guys! Greatly appreciated!! :)</p>
<p>not necessarily. you DO NOT have to major in bio to go to med school. TCNJ also does not have a “pre-med” major. you can major in anything you want really but you just have to take the classes required for med school.</p>
<p>Don’t majoor in bio because you think that’s what hou have to do to get into med school. Major in underwater basket weaving if you want. Just get the necessary classes out of the way and you’re golden.</p>
<p>But… wait… If I take all the classes required for medical school, then wouldnt it be easier to major in bio since I would be taking many of the classes required for bio major also? Oh and also, are there like tutoring system if I need help on a specific subject?</p>
<p>I’m an incoming freshmen. I want to go to medical school to and I’m majoring in chemistry. First reason I decided to is because chemistry is easier to get into than biology. I knew I was on the cusp of getting in as is, so I picked a normally unpopular major. I looked at the classes they said you should take for medical school and the only additional classes I have to take aside from my normal chem classes is two semester of biology. Just the first two semesters like any freshman would take. Personally, I feel this major is going to prepare me best for medical school. Because as important as biology is (we are talking medicine) chemistry is just as important. I plan on getting all of my med school requirements over my two years. I’m going to take the MCAT after I finish my sophomore year. Good luck, the admissions process is difficult but the joy you will experience at the end is worth as the stress.</p>
<p>Well there are 9 courses that are needed for pre-med. There are approximately 17 courses required for the bio major (NOT including liberal learning, foreign language, and electives…these 17 are the bio, chem, physics, and math requirements). In terms of fitting in the classes, then yes, it might be “easier” to just be a bio major, but believe me, I know lots of people who are not majoring in biology and are planning on going to med school. I know someone who is majoring in English and is planning on becoming a doctor. You will have 5 open spots for electives. A lot of students will use these spots to complete a minor but you could use them to fulfill pre-med requirements. Also, consider that you could also come in with transfer/AP credits and/or place out of the lower level(s) of foreign language. It would probably be harder to do pre-med as say an engineering or music major.</p>
<p>Yes, there is a tutoring center on campus.</p>
<p>Chem is a very popular alternative to bio for those who are considering pre-med. The only other advice I would give is that if you are going to apply for something that is easier to get into apply for something you are actually still INTERESTED in (like oxiate and chem). Don’t apply for basket weaving because hardly anyone else applies for it if you could care less about basket weaving lol. Because if 3 or 4 years from now you suddenly decide you do not want to be a doctor you will be stuck (if it’s too late to change) with a degree in basket weaving LOL.</p>
<p>Oxiate! when you say “the classes they said you should take,” you mean requirements, right? Wow, thanks for the great info!!
HAHAHAHAHA BASKET WEAVING. I will keep in mind. thanks! hahaha.
Thanks so much you guys! All these friendly replies make me wanna go to TCNJ more than ever! :)</p>
<p>The med school requirements. It looks like oxiate is trying to take the MCAT after sophomore year, I am too 
Idk how that’s gonna work out yet though so I’m waiting to see what the actual classes are like before I decide. I like chemistry, but not enough to major in it. I was sort of in between majoring in biology or psychology before the college application process began, but I like biology a little more, and I have enough elective spaces left over to minor in psychology if I want, and if not, I’ll still be taking a lot of psych classes.</p>