Transfer decision... Pre-Med Student Choice between 2 schools.

[jennavrussell]

<p>Hello all,</p>

<p>I have used College Confidential in the past and thought it to be a good resource for various points of view in me making a decision. This choice regards my college education as a prospective for medical school post-undergrad.</p>

<p>I graduated 1 year early from high school with a 4.1 AP/Honors G.P.A and various awards to my name. I began at North Central College (a private, liberal arts college in Naperville, IL), taking courses in freshman orientation, calc 1, english, and religion. I was facing some $$ stressors and left the college after that first trimester with a 3.4 G.P.A. </p>

<p>I transferred to my community college immediately after, taking courses in english, anthropology, history, and computer business. I am currently getting all A's.</p>

<p>As you can tell, I have not taken any of the science based courses I should have, providing my preparation for the MCAT exam in a timely manner. Essentially, I have wasted my first year in college only taking entry-level courses of the sort.</p>

<p>I began submitting further applications to transfer, but only met deadlines for Loyola University- Chicago and Florida State University. I would prefer to attend a more prestigious, vigorous university for my pre-med education. However, I also want to feel like im "finally settling down" with a college. I want an academic home and don't like having to switch a lot.</p>

<p>I am torn between a few ideas; first, whether I should attend LUC or FSU in terms of who would provide the most valuable science education. Or second, whether I should remain at my community college for 1 more year (or even transfer to Loyola, since it is close to my home in the Chicago Suburbs) until the time comes around next year when I can apply for transfer at a bigger, more prestigious university.</p>

<p>I would appreciate input on what others would do if they were in a similar position as I. </p>

[bopper]

<p>Freshman year you should have been taking English and Calculus, which you have.
It is good that you didn’t take science courses at the CC. Most/many med schools won’t accept CC sciences…they want to make sure you can handle med school, and taking science at a CC will not do that.
So next you need to plan out how to take the science pre-reqs without taking too many in one semester.
Med school cares about your GPA, not that you took an extra year to graduate.
So which one? Would you prefer Illinois or Florida? How is the pre-health-career guidance? Are there hospitals nearby to volunteer at? How do their students do on the MCATs? How many get into med school? But really I am sure that science-wise it won’t even matter.
And finally, WHICH IS CHEAPER? Getting out with no debt is important because Med school is expensive.</p>

[mikemac]

<p>Since money sounds like an issue, are either of these options affordable?</p>

<p>As to picking between these 2 schools (or schools in general), how successful you are in applying to med school depends on what you do in college and not some magic the college has with regards to preparing students for med school. So if you want lists of “top 20” someone will supply it, but I doubt such rankings are that meaningful. There are hundreds of colleges that can give you the opportunity to be a strong med school candidate. There is an excellent online handbook at Amherst I recommend you read to get an understanding of the process and what really matters

What does elevate a student’s chances is to go to an institution (1) that energizes and challenges that particular student academically, while providing good teaching and academic support so the student can meet the challenge satisfactorily; and (2) that provides opportunities for accomplishment and leadership in extracurricular areas. Of course the student must take advantage of these educational and extracurricular opportunities - in the end it’s the student’s accomplishments that count, not the name of the institution.
[Amherst</a> College Guide for Premedical Students](<a href=“http://www3.amherst.edu/~sageorge/guide1.html]Amherst”>Amherst College Guide for Premedical Students)

For deeper detail it would be a good idea to get a book about medical school admissions so you understand the entire process and what you should be doing to prepare the next several years.</p>

<p>One thing to avoid is placing any importance into acceptance numbers. Some schools boast incredible rates, but it boils down to one of two things. Either they start with great students (think Stanford, etc) or the school weeds out students. Look out especially for the “committee letter” which small schools with average students coming in wield like an axe to prevent all but the strongest applicants from applying right out of college; to no surprise, they often boast 90% or better med school “acceptance” numbers for their undergrads. Soon a regular poster will chime in to recommend one such school, Holy Cross.</p>

<p>I also always ask kids that say they want to be doctors, why an M.D? Not that I know it is wrong for you, it may be the right fit, but have you actually looked into the medical field and considered the alternatives? From the day you start college it will be 11-15 years before you are a practicing doctor, depending on what field you go into. Doctors are not the only ones in the health field that help people. Physical therapists, radiology techs, nurses, speech pathologists, to name but just a few. Before you go heavily into debt and commit so many years I suggest you explore the alternatives.</p>

[MYOS1634]

<p>Many colleges still accept transfers - have you looked at UIUC? Northwestern? Does your community college have an agreement with a 4-year university?
For premed in FL, beside FSU, look at Harriett Wilkes, a Florida Public Honors College that’s more focused on Med Schools.</p>

[jennavrussell]

<p>Thank you for your input, thus far guys. I’ve always valued how people here on CC take the time to contribute valuable, thought-provoking ideas. </p>

<p>In response to some questions you guys have had: I have chosen the educational route in becoming an M.D. based on my prior experiences in medicine and love of science. I have attended the National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine and got a lot of background on the process of med school (MCAT/boards, The Match, etc). and also received mentorship from current, leading doctors. I have dreamed of working as a surgeon since I was very young, and I cherish the fact that I still have the same goals and passions as a young woman. Science excites and ignites my potential (I feel).</p>

<p>Bopper, thank you for your input about how I spent my current year in college. It was a bit encouraging to know that I made good decisions with English, Calc, and avoiding lab based coursework at my community college. Hearing it from someone else made me feel a little less like I wasted a year. </p>

<p>I have had the change to further submit Transfer applications to Vanderbilt, Syracuse, and University of Southern California. I had to do some digging to find what schools still had admissions open at this time of year. My concern now lies in financial aid. I got my award letters from Loyola and FSU, both pretty much a flop compared to what my freshman admission package was at North Central College. Merit Aid doesn’t seem to be as strong. I heard USC, which I mentioned I applied to, is very generous in their aid so I hope I have a bit more luck there. </p>