Dilemma of the Chinese Student

Student Lounge International Students
1

<p>I'm a 3rd year, about to be 4th, undergrad student in Biology. currently, i am 4 classes away from graduation with a BS in Biology, focused on molecular biology and biochemistry.</p>

<p>In the first few years I've done pretty well in the basic classes like general/organic/biochemistry, genetics, molecular bio, etc. and some higher level classes like microbio. but once i started taking more upper division classes like high level molecular bio, developmental bio, development lab, immunology and neuro that required alot of memorization of things that didn't seem to have logical connections, i either got C's or had to spend incredible effort just to get a B-.</p>

<p>When i was taking quantitative courses like organic chemistry (though not very quantitative), physics and multivariable calculus though, i seemed to do alot better. so i considered switching. after looking at the degree requirements for all engineering majors, i found that i was closest to completion of the chemical engineering degree with the classes i've taken.</p>

<p>Would this be recommended? or should i just try harder to "get used to biology"?</p>

<p>What makes it even more complicated is, I'm on limited time. I'd like to return to China within another 5 years. The people on this forum have some bias against my native country (I read some of the topics ^_^) but there's nowhere else I'd rather be! However, I also wanted the most rigorous training possible so I can be useful to society. That is why I attend college in the US - it provides exceptionally rigorous training in both language and science.</p>

<p>This bothers me, because biology is very "vocabulary" based and though I'll understand the general concepts and lab techniques, it'll require me relearning the vocabulary of biology, in chinese, if I were to stay in this field. And again, I'm on limited time and funds, so I'm not sure whether I should just swallow the pain and try for a biochemistry PHD, apply for a chemistry PHD, or ask for more money and get a 2nd degree in chemical engineering and then go for accelerated 1 year master's in chemical engineering.</p>

<p>It's so hard to decide!</p>

2

<p>Well, what do you want to do? Do you still like doing Biology even though you’re getting poorer grades, or do you like Chemistry?</p>

3

<p>I’m enjoying biology less and less. I just took my finals for Signal Transduction. It was an extremely difficult test, despite very intensive study. I’ve done alot better in the chemistry classes.</p>

<p>I’m also worried about the requirements for biology graduate school as they require previous research, and if i don’t get into grad school, a BS in biology is worthless both in China and USA… so that’s why I’m considering both applying for a Chemistry department graduate school or switching to an engineering field, although i feel guilty for asking for money from my parents.</p>

4

<p>You really ought to do what you’re interested in. If you like what you’re doing, you’ll do better in it. Since you’re liking biology less and less, I would recommend doing Chemistry.</p>

5

<p>it sounds to me like the reason you don’t like Biology is because the classes are difficult and you are getting Bs / Cs. If that’s the only reason then I’m sorry I think you are plain stupid. You don’t go to college to get an A, you go there to learn something you are interested enough to do it 5 days a week for the rest of your life. If you have a true interest in Chemistry over Biology, then I totally agree that you should make the switch.</p>

<p>Now I’m not very clear whether you are thinking about transfering to a Chemistry related program or that you are thinking about Chemistry for graduate school. If it’s the first case, then I would seriously consider whether the extra money and time you will need to spend is worth that (now I’m not exactly sure how much more). You are only 4 or one semester away from graduation. You could just go ahead and graduate with Bio, then go to a graduate school for Chemistry. Having research experiences is definitiv a plus but I’m sure there are schools that are willing to take you even without it.</p>

6

<p>thanks for the advice. you are right, learning is much more important than grades and it’s just 4 more classes to graduate. the money isn’t worth it, my family’s taking out a loan to support me and wasting 1 more year won’t help.</p>

7

<p>First of all, I have no basis where you come from. There are many good students from China. I feel you pain. I really think probably you are not the biology type of person, while you are the Math and physics type. They have big difference.
I remember many students told me that they got A in Bio, chem very easy but they can never understand physics. It took them 5 hours to solve one physics question.</p>

<p>Your problem is the timing, look like you should take Physics, Math or Engineering in the beginning and now your “conscience” come up. It is very painful if one could not be true to himself.</p>

<p>I am true to myself and end up I am poor now. But I am proud of what I did.</p>

8

<p>I am curious. What helped you make the decision to come to the US for your University/College degree? Are you from mainland China? How was your transition? Had you lived in the US before? Do you have family in the US?</p>