So I’m going to be transferring in as a junior hopefully doing the Biology, Health, and Society major with plans of going into a health career. I’m pretty scared right now because I need to finish this major within two years and I’m still petitioning to get my biology, calc, and stats classes approved. This might be a bit ignorant question, but I can’t find the details anywhere - how many credits is the biology degree at UMich (including prereqs) and would it be feasible to complete it within two years (throwing in a few gen ed classes as well)? Also, what’s the rigor of the biology degree like?
There is a pdf to open that gives a lot of information about your program. You can also email or call the program directly.
https://lsa.umich.edu/biology/undergraduates/majors—minors.html
I would see what transfers first. Michigan is very stubborn taking classes from others especially in math and physics. Don’t be surprised if you have to retake something.
Yeah, I’m planning on doing all that tomorrow. They really are stingy with transfer credit and it’s making me rethink my decision to go there.
They are very specific on what they want especially for Calc and physics. My son took engineering physics 2 and our local community College class was missing one small item. They also asked the school to send in a sample final which didn’t have this thing on there. He had to take the El train 1.5 hours to get to a community College that did pass. We could only find one Calc 3 class in the suburbs that met Michigan standards. Another 1.5 hour trip for a 4 hour class. That was his summer but got 2 classes out of the way.
Wow that’s insane! I hadn’t realized it was that uptight for other departments too. Does he still think it was worth it to go to Michigan with such strict standards?
YES!!!
If you want to pm me I can elaborate but it’s the single best decision he has made. He loves it there coming from an slightly introverted kid.
Keep in mind… This is a world class university and it has many positives and opportunities that will help you succeed. Once you are there… They want you to succeed.
Are you the kids from UIC and is transferring as a junior?
Opportunities and alumni network is a real thing.
But starting off… My kids “wanted to go away to college”. Was it a little scary… Of course but those feelings are just normal.
If I remember you basically had a full ride as a transfer student. This is a gift horse staring at you in the face. Many will never have this opportunity. You will regret your decision and second guess yourself forever… How’s that?
There are just so many resources there to help you. If you don’t succeed its not that they are lacking anything
My son is not that social. Staying in the dorms playing ps4 and homework was the norm.
He decided to get a job at something he loves but couldn’t do in high school since he was away at engineering programs like every summer. He is an ump for softball and a ref for flag football plus he played flag football at 10:30 pm on Sundays! This was as a freshman.
The other ref was a junior and they became friends. He introduced my son to meet up groups in Ann Arbor since there was no clubs my son was interested in. He joined one on Augmented Reality/mixed reality . Sort of his passion.
From there he got together with local businesses and other students. He met a Ross Business freshman that had the same interests.
They with Michigan’s help started their own Augmented Reality group and joined two other business groups and one awarded them a $5,000 grant and the other one a $10,000 grant. Once they registered their group on Michigan’s site, alumni came out of the woodwork to help them and use their group to push their companies and products. One local Ann Arbor company even offered an internship. Through the one group called Barger… They are working all summer on research and have a grad student over seeing them weekly. They have board meetings weekly and have been interviewing both students, faculty and companies from around the US to present to their group. All faculty have gone out of their way for them. I don’t think they know the word no.
I could go on and on but this is not the kid that started at Michigan. I told this to a recent Michigan grad and he told me they actually have a name for the scared, no confident students that come there. It’s called the “Michigan effect”. Kids come in scared and meek and leave self confident.
Brand-name will also help you get internships /jobs later on. Companies want to work with Michigan grads.
Let me know if you have any other questions. Good luck to you.
So sorry… I thought I was responding to a pm.
No worries!! I’m actually coming from a community college and was trying to decide between UIC and UMich! And scared and meek does hit pretty close to home, even if I’m just four hours away. Never really been much of an independent person.
But, your son’s story really is inspiring. I’ve heard great things about the alumni network at Michigan, but that’s pretty extraordinary. I’m not sure if UIC would offer the same network and opportunities.
I guess, since I’m planning to do a health career, my real anxiety right lies with the fact that I might not be able to major in biology at Michigan (due to the pesky credit transfer) and might need to major in something else and take my required science prereqs on the side. I’d probably need to take a year after graduation at my community college and finish any remaining prerequisites. At UIC, I could probably just finish the biology degree in two years without issues. So I guess I’m asking if the Michigan name is worth it to potentially lose a year doing more classes.
Thanks so much for explaining everything though! Good luck to your son, too.