<p>I'm currently a sophomore enrolled in the honors college at Florida International University. It's probably not very well-known outside of Florida, but it is a decent university. However, I've been accepted to Florida State University as a transfer student this upcoming year. </p>
<p>My question is, would it be better to stay at FIU, a less reputable school, in the honors college, or transfer to FSU?</p>
<p>I very much prefer the living situation and social aspect of Florida State, but am not sure it would look better on an application after graduating. I hope to go to medical school after graduating, so these kinds of things matter to some extent. FSU also does not accept applications to the honors college after freshman year, so that isn't an option, but you can graduate with honors in your specific field. (I'm not entirely sure what that means or how impressive it really is)</p>
<p>As I'm sure there's no clear cut answer to the question of which is "better," I'd like to focus on which school would have the most resources for a pre-medical student (research, volunteering, clinical experience opportunities, pre-medical organizations, etc.).</p>
<p>Any advice would really help me out a lot.</p>
<p>The two factors that seem to matter most to medical schools, by far, are your GPA and MCAT scores. Is there any admission advantage from attending an honors college v. a supposedly better-known university (one or the other)? If so, it is likely to be way, way down in the noise.</p>
<p>You’re correct – there is no clear cut answer. In fact, one of the reasons that schools create “honors” Programs is to lure a certain number of students who wouldn’t otherwise attend.</p>
<p>At the end of the day – though I have no data to back this up, I think that employers will look at what college you attended (for a first job at least) rather than were you in an honors program. All other things being equal, I would recommend going to the better college.</p>
<p>yes, I agree with zephyr15 – better overall university.</p>
<p>
IMHO this trumps any other differences, which are likely to be relatively minor. </p>
<p>Its only at expensive privates that you will get truly personal counseling and the like; my guess (and mind you its only a guess) is that the premed support between your 2 schools is pretty similar; and by similar, I mean its going to be up to you to figure out what needs to be done and to get it done. Get a book on med school admissions to understand the process, and read thru the excellent guide at <a href=“https://www3.amherst.edu/~sageorge/guide1.html[/url]”>https://www3.amherst.edu/~sageorge/guide1.html</a> At a large public the way I’d suggest using the resources is to have a good picture in your mind of the overall process and then find people on campus as needed to answer specific questions or provide opportunities that you know you should be looking for (like research experience).</p>
<p>You only get to go to college once. If you think FSU will give you the better social & living experience, then don’t turn it down because you’re worried about having an honors stamp on your diploma!</p>