<p>Hey everybody! So I've probably made a name for myself on this thread already, but if you don't know me, I was a Maryland hopeful who was rejected. Now that I've had some time to get over my anger and disappointment, I have been thinking deeply into my options. The one that sticks out the most so far is community college, specifically Northampton Community College in Bethlehem Township, PA. I can see myself here for several reasons, including: it is the ONLY CC in PA that has dorms, it is a beautiful campus, my current crush is going there, and many more. Another big thing is that I will be the honors program since I have attained a 3.5+ GPA. Now that my high school journey to Maryland has failed, what can I do to make my new college journey to Maryland successful? Are there certain courses in CC I should take? I plan to major in Economics with a pre-med track; therefore, I will attain my A.S. in biological sciences and transfer somewhere. And finally, can transfer students be admitted into Maryland's honor college or CP Scholars? Thanks in advance for your help!</p>
<p>Good luck to you. Best advice is to study your brains out and get as high of a GPA as possible. There is a place on the UMD cite where you can find out what CC courses (from specific schools) transfer to UMD and what they take the place of. If you sincerely want to focus on UMD, I’d suggest that you spend a lot of time looking at the online catalog and course descriptions, figure out what courses you’re required to take, and see what you can take care of at the CC level. Specifically, I’d suggest that you get the math requirements for your major taken at the CC level. Best wishes to you. Sounds like you have a good plan.</p>
<p>I’d recommend talking with folks at Maryland (if you haven’t already) and see what they’ll want to see, what courses will be credited by Maryland, etc. I believe that UMCP works hand-in-glove with Maryland’s community colleges to provide a clear path from community college to UMCP. You should try to research whether such a path exists, or how to create one for yourself. If UMCP isn’t especially helpful, you may want to try to see if you can get some assistance from one of Maryland’s community colleges. </p>
<p>Good luck to you.</p>
<p>Your ambition is inspiring. </p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Sounds like a good plan! The honors and scholars programs are not as relevent coming in as a junior and just think of all the money you’ll save for medical school. Good luck, college is a blast at most schools. Work hard, have fun and travel if you can.</p>
<p>I don’t have anything to add other than this, your gumption is moving. Good luck!</p>
<p>what about your other college choices? Was UMD the only school you applied to?</p>
<p>He got into Penn State but he is following his dream!</p>
<p>Would it be better to try to transfer from a 4 year college to UMD than from an OOS community college? How would medical schools weigh the first two years at a CC over classes at Penn State? UMD may have an agreement with in-state CC’s and take those students as transfers first, making it harder to transfer from an out of state one. </p>
<p>You might be in a better position to start at the Penn State college you’ve been accepted to, and then apply to transfer- but transfer is never guaranteed and you may decide you like where you are at as well. If you start at a CC, you will have to start over somewhere. Also consider finances. Med school is expensive and you don’t want to accumulate too much debt. UMD as an OOS student may be more costly.</p>
<p>Before you decide on the CC, maybe a visit with the pre-med adviser at Penn state would be a way to see what your best options are as a pre-med student.</p>
<p>There’s nothing wrong with following your dream, but you have a long range dream beyond college. Be sure you’re making the best decisions for that one too.</p>
<p>Thanks for the support and encouragement everybody! I guess my ambition comes from the fact that my mom had me at 18, never stopped working hard, and is now an influential figure at her job. Plus, she often gave me the type of encouragement that would guide me in the right direction academically and spirituality. Because of all this, I am chasing a dream that will be extremely difficult. Despite being educated in the worst school district in Pennsylvania for middle school, being bullied, and growing up in a poor neighborhood, I have a dream that can only be accomplished through hard work, which is what I’m willing to do to become a doctor!</p>
<p>Sent from my VS840 4G using CC</p>
<p>It looks like you have a great mom, and she raised a good kid. Yes, your dream will require hard work, and there is a general “road map” to achieving it. You have different options and it may be a good idea to discuss them with a pre-med advisor at the colleges.</p>
<p>One of your options is the community college for two years and then a transfer to either UMD or another school (as this is unknown)</p>
<p>The other is the Penn State school, with some scholarship money with the possibility of transfering to UMD, another campus, or staying. </p>
<p>What is the total anticipated cost of your options and how do they compare? (after you have received your final financial aid offer after they have seen your FAFSA).What is the cost difference between Penn State and UMD? </p>
<p>One consideration is where do you think you will do your best- which includes size of classes, advising, learning environment, mentoring, financial aid. Most med students end up with considerable debt from med school and wish to keep the cost of undergrad school down. </p>
<p>These are questions to consider in the next few months, and it’s good that you are asking them so that you can make the choice that works for you the best. Consider also posting them on the “Pre-med” section of this board- there’s a lot of advice there.</p>
<p>If you were accepted to Penn State and can pay instate tuition, I would say go there.</p>
<p>The reality is you want to be a doctor so you HAVE to keep your undergrad costs low. You will have medical school and other costs that you have to take into consideration. UMD is not the end all to be all. The great thing about dreams is there are different ways to achieving them!!</p>
<p>I just read this, and like so many others, find your ambition inspiring. I started my college journey (many years ago) at a community college in Pennsylvania. I studied my butt off and transferred to the University of Delaware and continued on there for my master’s and a post master’s certificate. </p>
<p>I would recommend if you decide to go the community college route that you look at ARTSYS. It is a matrix for determining which courses transfer between schools throughout the entire state of Maryland. By looking at the Maryland community college courses and comparing them to your PA community college you can make a reasonable assessment of how your courses will transfer. I used this matrix quite effectively in helping my son take summer classes in Delaware to transfer to a Maryland university.</p>
<p>Good Luck!</p>