Does this sound right for what I wish to do? (Indiana Colleges; no out-of-state)

College Majors Science Majors
1

I am going to be a senior in high school when the school year starts back up and have been researching colleges in Indiana, since in-state tuition is cheaper. I have decided that I would like to one day get a Ph.D. in Molecular genetics (I just like it and want to pursue it), but in the world of undergraduate degrees, I feel that a Bachelor of Science in Cell Biology (B.S.C.B.) would be the closest to MOLECULAR genetics I could get. There is also B.S. in Genetics, but I would have to learn less about the molecular-level stuff and learn about things like population genetics and demographics, etc. Plus, Cell Biology, I feel, would give me some room to explore other things in biology w/o losing track of what I want to learn (I’ll talk about that in just a minute). After careful research, I have narrowed my choices down to 4 non-private colleges in Indiana, each from where I wish to go most to least in descending order.

  1. Purdue (West Lafayette)
  2. Indiana University (Bloomington)
  3. Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis/IUPUI
  4. Ball State

My reasoning for this is because Purdue and Ball State are the only 2 colleges in Indiana that offer Cell Biology, but, stereotypically, Ball State is more known for their Media and English majors while Purdue is more known for their Science and definitely Engineering. So I feel that a B.S.C.B. from Purdue would be more impressive and better education-wise than Ball State would be. The reason why it is still last though is because Indiana University has the next best reputation in science alongside Purdue (or higher than, to some), but IU only offers a B.S.B (Biology), not Cell Bio. This means the education I would get from IU would be more “expansive”, but I think my employer would find a general biology degree from IU more impressive than a degree from Ball State, even though it is/was not exactly what I want(ed). It is also for this reason IUPUI beats Ball State, since they offer a Biology program from IU too (unfortunately no Cell Biology program from Purdue though)

Let’s just say I were accepted to all 4. Which college should I choose based on my personality and standing on the colleges? Also, Do you think I have done enough research to come to this decision or am I missing something(s)? If you have anything to say or tell me, I am all ears, as this is my future I am talking/asking about. I did not get this in depth with my colleges, since they would have just be supportive as a tactic to get me to come there; I needed info after all, not grace.

P.S.: I know that I should definitely go for the Ph.D. since that is what I want to research, but I do not want to “jump the gun” so fast on getting it. I’d still like to explore and travel in my 20’s and early 30’s before getting chained down into research and devoting lots, if not all, my time in it. There are jobs I can get with a B.S. in (Cell) Biology, such as a research assistant at a University or a Lab Technologist. I would just like to know if they seem under payed is all. I know Lab Technologists only make about 35k - 65k, depending where you live and worked for, and URA’s are the same way, but the Salary seems more varied.

2

You’re overthinking and overanalyzing this. It doesn’t matter what the title of your degree is. Biology is biology. Genetics is biology. Cell biology is biology. Moleculary biology is biology. What’s more: cell biology, genetics, molecular biology, and even biochemistry are all essentially interchangeable. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that there are stark and defined differences between these areas, particularly at the undergraduate level. A major called “genetics” is pretty much a cell and molecular biology major. In addition, at many schools with a plain “biology major” you will still be able to concentrate in a specific area like molecular biology or evolutionary biology or biophysics, etc., either explicitly or simply by choosing to take electives in the area that interests you.

Moreover, at the undergraduate level, every biology program is virtually the same at any research university. It really doesn’t matter which school you go to. Employers won’t care where you got your biology degree, only what skills you have, and those can be obtained at any research university.

By and large, none of the jobs you can get with a BS in biology are rewarding or well-compensated or offer any real job security. The type of work will probably utilize few of the very basic skills you obtain over the course of a four-year degree and will require very little or none of the knowledge from your education. Are there exceptions? Sure. Even stellar biology students, however, shouldn’t count on getting a job that is an exception.

3

In state is generally cheaper when comparing PUBLIC colleges. Since private colleges often give generous FA & merit scholarships, many times they can be cheaper than an in state public.