<p>Hey, so I've done this in a couple other school's threads, and since I'm looking to Miami to apply next year, I had a quick question. Hypothetically, I'll apply under an easy major to ensure admission. Something like geography or philosophy. However, I was told to do this in order to make sure I get in, and then transfer into the school of business. Yet at Miami, as I've occasionally read, it is VERY difficult to switch into Miami's school of business from a different major. Can anyone give me advice regarding if I should apply under a business major as a senior in HS, or continue with my plan and then try to switch into the school of business after freshman year at Miami? Any insight is appreciated.</p>
<p>If you haven’t already, you better re-check the Miami website. The requirements for transferring into Farmer as a Miami student have just been raised again! After the spring of 2015, you now must have a 3.5 GPA after 30 hours at Miami in your Miami Plan Foundation and Business classes!! You also must have completed Calculus and Microeconomics. (This is as increase from the previous 3.3 GPA requirement.)</p>
<p>Direct admission is holistic, but stats definitely come into play. The mid-50% stats are ACT 27-31 and GPA of 3.62 - 4.08 on a 4.0 scale. Obviously, it is much better to gain direct admission. With the new 3.5 college GPA requirement, you virtually have to perform at the Dean’s List level to transfer in. (Dean’s List use to be a straight 3.5, now it varies based upon class percentages - it has varied from 3.57-3.62.) The chances of someone who isn’t performing at that level in HS to all of a sudden perform at that level in college, living away from home for the first time, are not very high. </p>
<p>This new requirement isn’t unique, IU-Kelley also has tough standards for internal transfers. </p>
<p>@ChicagoBear Would you then recommend I apply with finance as my intended major if I’m not a sure bet to get into Miami? I’m probably 70% sure I’d get in not applying under business, but maybe 50% or less with business as my intended. Does it work as if I get into Miami first, and then accepted/rejected from the business school itself?</p>
<p>Curtiss - from the Miami website:</p>
<p>“Students wishing to major in business must apply for direct admission into the Farmer School of Business (FSB). No separate application is required, but students must indicate business as their intended major on the admission application. Students with questions regarding FSB direct admission are encouraged to speak with their admission counselor.”</p>
<p>It sounds like if you apply as an intended business major, you are either accepted to Farmer or rejected. You should call and ask a counselor if you don’t meet Farmer’s standards, but meet the general university standards, if you would be denied direct admission to Farmer, but offered admission to the university as an undeclared major.</p>
<p>I think you need to sit down with your parents and/or advisor figure out whether you are “married” to Finance or to Miami. If its Finance, go ahead and see if you can get into Farmer, but you need a Plan B safety. As a parent, I would be cautious of sending my kid to Miami or any similar school with tough direct admission requirements as an undeclared major if he truly wants be a Finance major and doesn’t have the grades for direct admission. Don’t fool yourself into thinking you are going to be a significantly better student in college than you were in HS - it can happen, but its rare! College has many distractions that don’t exist in HS.</p>
<p>My DS just graduated last weekend from Farmer - Miami is a great university and he received a great education from wonderful faculty and I strongly recommend it. However, Farmer has tough transfer standards and you need take that into consideration when choosing a school. </p>
<p>@ChicagoBear Yeah, makes sense. Thanks for your help. But let’s say I do have decent grades and scores, right under Farmer’s standards. If I go to Miami not in the business program, can I make a second attempt to get in once I’m there after completing my first classes there with a strong GPA?</p>
<p>@curtiss - sorry, I’ve been traveling. I don’t know the answer to your question and given its importance to you, I wouldn’t want to speculate. I would just call the Farmer’s admission counselor and ask them. My past dealings with the university staff have all been good - they would be in a better position to give you accurate information.</p>
<p>@curtiss I am a current Farmer school of Business student and I was in your same position three years ago. My advice is to apply as a business to Farmer to try to get direct admit to the business school. If you do not get in, like me, then you will need a 3.5 GPA and 30 graded credit hours at Miami your freshman year. I had to get a 3.3, and that was difficult for me my freshman year. However, don’t forget that you can transfer calculus and economics courses from another college, which are required to be admitted into Farmer. Transfer classes are not counted towards your GPA. I recommend doing this because these are the most difficult classes you will need to take to be admitted if you are not offered direct admission. Miami will admit you based on the entire student applicant pool, not just the students trying to get direct admit into Farmer.</p>