Hey everyone so I am freshman at the University of Miami and I have just completed my first semester at the University of Miami. I really enjoyed it. However, my father lost his job that semester and had to get a new job where he does not make nearly as much money, It is quite clear to me that paying for the University of Miami is not really feasible at the moment (50k a year). My end goal is to go to med school. so I am trying to save as much money as I can. I would like to transfer to UF, however I would have to wait until my junior year to do so. I was thinking, for my sophomore year to transfer to FSU to save the money and then transfer to UF. But would it look weird to UF to see that I had already transferred once? Second of all, in the case that I do not get the transfer to UF, would graduating from FSU hurt my chances at top med schools? My father is adamant that it will, but I am not of that mindset. I really need all the advice I can get, as this a very important decision.
Medical school admission is generally thought to be more focused on college GPA, MCAT score, pre-med extracurriculars, interview, etc., rather than your undergraduate college prestige (main prestige factor is that some medical schools frown on taking pre-med courses at community colleges).
Due to the high cost of medical school, it is certainly a good idea to minimize cost and debt in undergraduate.
@ucbalumnus@privatebanker thanks for the response guys. But do you guys think that UF would look down on me trying to transfer there having already transferred from Miami to FSU?
Have you explored your options for remaining at Miami, at least long enough to do the UF transfer? Maybe you could take a leave of absence, take classes at Miami-Dade that will articulate, and then come back once you’ve had a chance to submit a new FAFSA and potentially get need-based aid. UMiami meets 96% of documented need, so don’t walk away until you’re sure you can’t get aid based on your new circumstances. Have you met with someone in Financial Aid to discuss your options?
@aquapt I have been able to speak to the financial aid office. Unfortunately, since the FAFSA is based on the previous year’s tax report, they are not able to give use any aid. I will continue to speak to them, because you are right that staying there until the UF transfer probably makes the most sense.