Does transfering hurt your chances of med school admissions unless you transfer "up"?

<p>This was originally posted in the CC transfer forum, but it was suggested I'd look for advice here. I need help deciding if transfering is worth it or if I shouldn't risk how it will affect my med school application and just stick it out. </p>

<p>I am currently a sophomore at Tulane who is considering transferring for fall 2011 (my junior year). I don't want to get into a long sob story about why I want to transfer back up to the North East, but it's not the right fit. In high school I was extremely active (extracurricularly and socially) and motivated but I have been miserable here and as a result I have lost all of that. I feel as if I was happy and not so miserable all the time I'd have some motivation to actually study and do better in school.</p>

<p>Here are my main concerns with transferring: I am pre-med and don't want transferring to inhibit my application to medical school. I will have all of my pre-reqs completed by the end of this spring semester (I doubled up both years). I have done some research and have found that transferring is only an issue with LORs/committee letters and it raises a huge red flag if you transfer "down." So, my options are basically limited to schools on par with or better than Tulane. Also: I am concerned about how many of my credits will transfer, as with most transfer students. </p>

<p>Because everyone at CC loves stats, here are mine:
Cum. GPA: 3.717
Major: Neuroscience
Honors prog.
1st semester Freshman Year: B Gen Chem I
A Gen Chem Lab
A- English 101 Honors
A- Calculus
A Intro to Research
A Intro to Psych</p>

<p>2nd Semester Freshman Year:
A- Cell Biology
A Ecology (Yes... I did Gen Bio I and II in the same semester)
A- Ecology Lab
B Gen Chem II
A- Gen Chem Lab
A Sociology
A- Medical Ethics</p>

<p>1st Semester Sophomore Year:
A- Organic Chemistry I
A- Organic Chemistry Lab
A- General Physics with Calculus Honors
A Gen Physics Lab
A Latin
A Behavioral Neuroscience </p>

<p>Will my improvement in grades give me an advantage? I know its not a huge jump (I went from a 3.68 to a 3.85 from freshman to sophomore year) but I worked my tuchus off last semester with a pretty difficult workload IMO</p>

<p>Extracurricular wise is nothing stellar. I am on an intercollegiate sports team which takes up most of my free time. I am in about 5 honor societies (which require no participation so they probably aren't worth mentioning)
I've done about 200 hours of hospital community service. I had two different internships: one in the OR and the other in the ER at two hospitals back at home. I've done about 40 hours community service at a therapeutic horseback riding clinic and this semester am teaching an after school chemistry program for high school students in the area (should be around 30 hours)</p>

<p>If high school stuff matters I have a 4.2/4.0 GPA (5 /100 in my class) and 31 ACT and A LOT of leadership, sports, all that fun stuff. </p>

<p>I keep going back and forth between transferring and sticking it out. I have been trying to like it more but I like it less and less every semester it seems. Any advice on what to do? I was thinking about going abroad to get away from here but it can only be for a semester as I am planning to apply to med school next spring. </p>

<p>I think as of right now I might send out a few transfer apps, see what happens, and then proceed from there. I love NYC, Boston, Philly, DC and would prefer an urban environment but I wouldn't mind a more rural/suburban school in NY,NJ,MA,CT,RI (I am originally from NY).Any ideas on schools that are transfer friendly? I have no idea where to apply and the thought of applying "up" scares me. I know its silly but I am still burned from applying to college the first time around and I want to be realistic. </p>

<p>I really appreciate any advice! Thank you!</p>

<p>Transfering down is fine as long as your grades are good, which they are. A lateral move would be best. The only objection might be, hey you made a poor decision for college, maybe you’ll make the same decision about being a doctor, and change your mind. Just be prepared for that at interview. Not being able to tough out another year or two may make it appear you aren’t tough’ medical school is VERY tough (I’ve been there!). Still, have a good reason at the interview and you will be fine. There is some weakness at Tulane you could point to: for example the new college might have a lab you really want to be part of. Secure a spot in the lab, and transfer and voila, great reason!</p>

<p>Your numbers are competitive for transfers to most colleges, at least those that accept transfers. Not urban, but Cornell-CALS is transfer-friendly. A 3.7 is also competitive for Cornell-A&S.</p>

<p>Boston College accepts transfers, as does NYU; BC has a Neuroscience program. Any college in the Philly area, but Penn would be a stretch (just bcos its Penn). </p>

<p>HS grades and test scores won’t matter at this point. To be successful, you will need a compelling essay making the case: ‘Why this college, and why now?’.</p>

<p>Also, financial aid may be a consideration. Not all colleges are as generous with transfers.</p>

<p>Good luck.</p>

<p>OP, do you plan to go to MS right out of UG? If so, you will be 2/3 of the way there at the end of this semester. You need LORs, a great committee letter and possibly some research that will all be much easier to get from people who know you. Normally, transferring is nbd, but if you plan to apply after your junior year, it’s just so late.
Best of luck.</p>

<p>excellent point plumazul</p>