Decisions, Decisions.

Transfer Students
1

<p>All right. I have a dilemma. </p>

<p>I'm a Canadian student, currently studying Cell Biology and Genetics at the University of British Columbia.
I was accepted as a freshman to UC Berkeley two years ago, but due to their inane international student fees and lack of financial aid for international students, I stayed in BC.
I applied for a junior transfer to UC Berkeley for this Fall, hoping to finish the last 2 years of my undergraduate degree there.
However, lately, I've been questioning that decision to transfer. The primary reason is because I'm a pre-med, and I have a strong social and professional network built here in Vancouver already.
I know that if I transfer down to UC Berkeley, I would have to forge both new social and professional networks. I would also have to find new ECs, grow adjusted to the campus and lifestyle, get chummy with strange profs, etc. And seeing how many medical school applications are due at the start of my senior year, that really leaves me with a year at UC Berkeley to re-establish myself.
So, ultimately, the question is: "is it worth it to transfer down to UC Berkeley?"
My reasons for transfering would be: I've always wanted to go away to study, to really test my boundaries and limits, and go down an unknown path and see where it takes me, how well I fare. I think it would be an exceptional opportunity for me to explore and to grow.
My reasons for not transfering and just to stay and finish my degree in British Columbia: great friends, strong ECs and commitment, good professional background, familiar with financial awards system, full comprehension of what courses I need to take, familiar with profs and teaching system, etc. I could stay here and there are opportunities for me to grow and explore, and I have and I am taking advantage of those opportunities, but a part of me feels a bit limited, since I've been in this city my whole life. But, it's still a great city. </p>

<p>Basically, I worry that if I do transfer, I would experience:
a) drop in my GPA due to adjusting to an entirely new environment in my 3rd year
b) difficulty in finding solid EC/volunteering opportunities </p>

<p>This is a shytty way of putting it, but everything comes down to my application for medical school. Sure, Berkeley is a great name, but if it comes at the expense of a lower GPA and tougher recs/ECs to obtain, should I take the gamble? </p>

<p>I know, in the end, it's really my choice. BUT your input is greatly appreciated. =) Thanks.</p>

2

<p>Have you considered study abroad, rather than transfer? I think, I'm not 100% sure, but I think that Berkeley has a study abroad/exchange program with UBC. But if the only reason you want to study at Berkeley is to be challenged by a new experience, and test your boundaries and limits, I would suggest going to a different country altogether, such as Norway (Trondheim has a really great scientific-based university, with a lot of or most classes in English). I have seen other programs that allow bio students to study bio specifically during their study abroad. Going for one semester or one year will allow you to grow as a person, but it won't entirely cut you off from the contacts and community you have already made.</p>

3

<p>I agree to, if you are looking to go to med school the undergraduate school you go to isn't very important.</p>

4

<p>Thanks for the replies.
I guess another motivating factor is that I believe that by obtaining a degree from Berkeley, a lot more doors will open for me, than by obtaining an undergraduate degree from the University of British Columbia.
I want to keep my options open, in case med school doesn't happen for me, and Berkeley almost seems to grant more security, in terms of back-up job prospects, opportunities, etc. </p>

<p>How are the upperclassmen courses at Berkeley? I've visited the campus during my lowerclassmen years and noticed their MCB classes to be huge. I was hoping that the class size/ faculty-to-student ratio would improve by junior-year courses. </p>

<p>How difficult is it to find long-term volunteer opportunities with community organizations (on and off campus)?</p>