Hi everyone. I’m a senior and am trying to decide which college and which major I want. Basically, I’ve narrowed down my options to major in Genetics/Cell Biology & Development at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities or majoring in Biotechnology at Florida Southern College, a small private school in Lakeland, FL. I’ve been accepted to both and have a good scholarship at FSC. Both schools have good research opportunities, but I’d say FSC’s are better since the school is very small and personalized. In fact, they guarantee research opportunities and an internship. I really like the opportunities they offer, but my gut tells me to get the major in genetics at UMTC. I think it’d be better to get a solid foundation in genetics and then pursue a graduate degree in biotechnology. And UMTC is in a good location for internships. My parents are pushing me to go to UMTC, though. I don’t really know what to do now. What do you all think?
Those sound like a powerful advantages. However, looking at the courses these respective universities offer, I see UMTC has at least 9 courses in genetics and 17 biology courses with “cell” in the title, while USF has just 2 for each of those.
If you are thinking of simply a bachelor’s degree and the workforce, USF’s personal attention, guarantees and presumably lesser student debt seems to make it more appropriate. On the other hand, if you aim to be a career researcher, UMTC is, I feel, more appropriate.
Thanks for your input! As of right now I’m leaning toward pursuing a Master’s and possibly going into research, although it’s hard to tell what my career goal will be. My gut says Minnesota but there’s so much at play! And did you look at the University of South Florida’s (USF) or Florida Southern College’s (FSC) program? I’m interested in FSC lol
I got my information about the Florida one from http://www.flsouthern.edu/undergraduate/academics/majors/biochemistry-and-molecular-biology.aspx and http://www.flsouthern.edu/undergraduate/academics/majors/biology.aspx#cd (Florida Southern College). It was my strange error to allude to it as USF.
Oh, okay lol. Thanks for your help!
I just realized I wrote that my parents are pushing me toward UMTC. That’s wrong, they want me to go to FSC.