Hello, I’m currently a high school junior going into senior year and currently live in Florida. But I need help deciding on an undergrad major (and colleges to boot)!!
I want to have my graduate major in biotechnology, but I’m not sure if I should:
~a) go into a biotechnology undergrad program (seeing as how there aren’t that many uni’s that have one) OR
~b) go into an undergrad program that is similar to biotechnology (biochemistry, molecular biology, etc.)
So what do you guys think?
~For a biotech undergrad major which school do you think would be best? (I know UCF has one but the school population is WAY too high for me, so would rather avoid that) (I am also looking at FGCU but I know its new and also know very little about it)
~If you suggested that I go into a major related to biotechnology instead what sort of major is closest to and would prepare me best for a biotech graduate program?
Also, what schools would you recommend along with majors? I’d rather the school be:
~Public (but don’t mind private uni suggestions)
~Have a medium sized student population (Lower than UCF preferably)
~Be in Florida (so I can benefit from Bright Futures and Florida Prepaid)
~If not in Florida then along the East Coast
~Have good internship opportunities
And while not necessary it would be nice if they also had:
~Greek Life (I’m hoping to join, or at least try out, a sorority)
~International opportunities (As in being able to study abroad)
~ROTC programs (Navy and Air Force)
~Many clubs/programs to join
~Anywhere else than the East Coast is fine if you really think it’s worth it, I just would rather it be closer to home
Sorry for the huge list but I’m going to be applying this summer and am jumping into the preparation game late so would like as much help as I can get! Thank you!!
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I’m a strong proponent of choosing a college on the basis of overall fit, not because of a single major. This is a place you will spend four years of your life, a place that will shape you. There are many majors that can lead to specific careers, and many college students change their minds about their majors and careers anyway. But you still want to have a good experience that’s going to build you professionally and personally.
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I’m not exactly sure how I feel about a high school junior thinking about a specific type of graduate program (why? career I can see, maybe, but a specific graduate major?) and working backwards, but either way, biotechnology seems too narrow/specific a major for undergrad. Undergrad programs are about breadth moreso than depth. So while it’s fine to include some schools with a biotechnology undergraduate major, don’t eliminate schools without one. Majoring in a biological sciences field (biochemistry, biology, etc.) or a technology related one (computer science, etc.) is absolutely fine preparation for a biotechnology graduate degree program.
UCF is literally one of the largest universities in the country, so pretty much every other Florida public university will be smaller than it. Florida State has a computational biology major, which sounds pretty perfect for biotech (it’s a combo of biology and computer science). You could also major in computational science with a concentration in either biochem or biology or in biostatistics, and there is the more traditional biological sciences major too.
At UF you could major in biochemistry and molecular biology; microbiology and cell science; neurobiological sciences; biology; biological engineering; or biomedical engineering. At USF you could major in chemistry with a concentration in biochemistry/biotechnology, biomedical sciences, cell and molecular biology, or environmental microbiology. UNF has a biology major with concentrations in biomedical sciences and medical laboratory science.
At FGCU you can major in biotechnology but also biochemistry, biology, clinical laboratory sciences, or bioengineering.
There are also lots of medium-sized universities up and down the East Coast that have biology or biochemistry and computer science majors that may appeal to you. Also, never forget that at most schools you can create an independent major; you may be able to create a computational biology or biotechnology major at most private schools by combining some coursework in biology/biochemistry and computer science. What are your stats? That’ll help people recommends schools.
I’m retaking the SAT on June 4th but currently have a 660 in reading and 440 in math (around that I don’t really remember… also I’ve yet to take the writing) with a 3.2 unweighted and 3.7 weighted GPA, with all honors classes, and some AP and Dual Enrollment classes