Transfer to Northwestern or Stay at Rutgers?

Pre-Med & Medical School Pre-Med Topics
1

<p>Reposted from the Transfer Students forum.</p>

<p>I've recently received an acceptance letter to transfer from Northwestern and I'm quite conflicted about whether or not I should go.</p>

<p>At Rutgers, I receive tuition remission and scholarships that basically amount to a full ride. At Northwestern, I don't really expect to get any kind of financial aid, but my family is prepared to handle the costs. </p>

<p>Glancing around this forum, it seems as though undergrad prestige doesn't matter much, but my application is currently very weak since I have no research experience at all. So I'm in a position where anything will help--and maybe a change in school and location will give me more opportunities/chance to grow.</p>

<p>I'm satisfied at Rutgers but I'm not ecstatic either. I kind of feel like I'm coasting along, getting a bit lost in the shuffle, but I have established some connections with professors and clubs, and as a rising junior, it will be difficult to have to start all over at Northwestern. In addition, I've never been that far apart from my family (or even the Northeast for that matter), so it will be a HUGE change if I go to Northwestern. Whether or not I will be ready for it depends on my own strength of character, but I definitely think this will force me to be more independent, and maybe take more initiative. </p>

<p>So I guess I'm just looking for some more opinions about the whether or not I should make the move.</p>

2

<p>why aren’t you looking at research opportunities at Rutgers? Rutgers IS a national research institution. UG prestige will not affect your application to med school. Besides, why do you believe Rutgers is not highly regarded? You need to think this one over and do research at Rutgers-Northwestern is not the answer to finding a research opportunity.</p>

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<p>I’d stay at Rutgers. You actually got a lot to do. I am not that familiar with premed process but I think you are already late in the game to get research. You should have obtained one for this coming summer and if not, you should better get one in the fall. You also need to prepare for MCAT. Transferring while doing all these may not be a good idea. Also, none of the professors know you at NU so while research opportunities at NU are plenty and it’s easier to get them in general, it may actually be more difficult in your case when you already have some connections with the professors at Rutgers. Once you get into med school, no one cares where you went for undergrad.</p>