<p>I'm transferring to UIUC as an MCB major from a community college. I got an email from an MCB adviser explaining the whole transferring into the major experience. One thing that worried me, though, was that he stated that a lot of students ended up taking an extra semester to a year to finish off all of the required classes. Is it really that difficult to graduate in 4 years as a transfer MCB major? </p>
<p>Can anyone that transferred into MCB describe their experience? I'm a little worried because I wouldn't want to pay for an extra year, especially since eventually I'm going to be swimming in loans after med school (assuming that everything goes as planned haha).</p>
<p>Thanks for all the input!</p>
<p>I’m not a transfer, but there are many classes that you need to take. Assuming you have credit for MCB 150 and IB150, you still need:
MCB 250 Genetics
MCB 251 Genetics lab
MCB 252 Cell Bio
MCB 253 Cell Bio lab
MCB 354 Biochem
That is 13 hours. And then 15 more advanced 300-400 levels classes. MCB majors starting at U of I finish the above in 3 years (many can graduate a semester early or even a year early). But if you still have to take physics, organic, and other premed reqs that you don’t have AP credit for, it would be difficult to finish in 2 years. </p>
<p>Better question, what credits are you transferring form CC? And when are you planning on taking the MCAT?</p>
<p>I already took two semesters of gen chem with lab, both semesters of physics with lab, as well as finished most of gen eds for LAS (through classes and AP credit, and that includes calc and stats). I have yet to take orgo. </p>
<p>Also, I’m planning on taking a year off after college. It that case, what would be the best time for me to take the MCAT?</p>
<p>Anyone else has any experience in MCB?</p>
<p>I would then take the MCAT sometime in the spring of you senior year. Do you hace plans for the year off?</p>
<p>MCB is tough, but really manageable and not as hard as what many students say it is. Are you starting with 250/251 this fall?</p>
<p>Yeah, I’m taking MCB 215 online over the summer to catch up with the material since my school didn’t cover everything that MCB 150 covers, and then MCB 250/251 in the fall. </p>
<p>I’m signing up for classes next week. Is there a preferable time of the week to take MCB 251? Like, does it matter what day of the week you take it? Or is it better to take it on a certain day?</p>
<p>For the year off I’m planning on working an EMT or volunteering, hopefully abroad!</p>
<p>I would take it later in the week (wed or thursday) since you can ask people who have it monday or tuesday how the practicals went/anything that you really need to know from the manuel. Other than that, it doesn’t matter. You will rarely stay all four hours in lab, and most of the time you’re waiting (for a PCR, gel, staining, etc.), so it’s a good idea to bring some hw to work on. </p>
<p>I assume you will be taking CHEM 232 and 233? If so, then just add one more easy gen ed. Those four classes will total 11 hours and you will have your work cut out already. So try not to take advanced comp or anything that might be time consuming.</p>
<p>Thanks for your advice! I’m talking CHEM 232 only and 233 in the spring. And yes, I’m also taking an easy gen ed, and that will total 12 hours. I figured I don’t want to overwork myself, especially since it’ll be my first semester there :)</p>