UIUC.. Should I transfer?

<p>I originally applied to UIUC as a kinesiology major thinking it wold be easier for me to get in and sadly, I was wrong. I'm heading down to Illinois State University in the fall but I still really would like to attend UIUC. At ISU I'm a biology major and I would like to go on to med school. My idea was transfer as either a bio major or even anthropology (mainly because it interests me and you still take all the science classes required for med school). So my problem is should I transfer? or should I stay at ISU for my undergrad?</p>

<p>I think what you should concentrate on now is having a great college career at ISU. If, after a year or so, it’s not working out, then maybe start thinking about transferring.</p>

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<p>Act: 26
GPA: 3.15
<<</p>

<p>Can I give you some motherly advice?</p>

<p>Your stats do not bode well as a pre med student. If it works out then great, but since more than half get weeded out, there’s a chance your GPA won’t be high enough for med school. </p>

<p>So, protect yourself and major in something that could lead to another career. There are too many lowly paid bio majors.</p>

<p>Thanks and mom2collegekids what would you suggest? I’ve always wanted to go to med school/ work in medicine</p>

<p>I suggest that you NOT major in biology. There are a glut of bio majors out there. Some just liked the major and some were pre-med and didn’t end up with med-school stats.</p>

<p>To be a strong med school applicant, you need a 3.6+ GPA…especially in the sciences. You’d also need a strong MCAT score.</p>

<p>What else do you like? Business? </p>

<p>It looks like you’re a B student. Do you get A’s in a particular subject?</p>

<p>Most of my science classes are the ones I did well in (Bio, chem, physics) but I’ve also done pretty well in my math classes. I haven’t really looked into anything other than medicine I just assumed if I worked hard in college it would be a viable option for me. But I’ve always like ecology or I think I’d like working for a sustainable energy company</p>

<p>Some data; 2010 matriculations to medical school (the table from which this data is taken is from the Association of American Medical Colleges and is no longer online)</p>

<p>Biology majors
Applicants: 22,372; MCAT mean 28.1, GPA mean 3.53
Matriculants: 9.559 (43%): MCAT 30.8, GPA 3.69</p>

<p>Humanities majors
Applicants: 1,950; MCAT 29.6, GPA 3.54
Matriculants: 991 (51%); MCAT 32.0, 3.66</p>

<p>Math and statistics majors
Applicants: 386; MCAT 30.5, GPA 3.54
Matriculants: 183 (47%); MCAT 32.8, GPA 3.66</p>

<p>Physical science majors
Applicants: 4,672; MCAT 29.8, GPA 3.53
Matriculants: 2,201 (47%); MCAT 32.2, GPA 3.67</p>

<p>Social science majors
Applicants: 4,997; MCAT 28.5, GPA 3.49
Matriculants: 2,268 (45%); MCAT 31.2, GPA 3.63</p>

<p>Specialized health science majors
Applicants: 1,181; MCAT 25.7, GPA 25.1
Matriculants: 406 (34%); MCAT 19.5, GPA 3.74</p>

<p>Other
Applicants: 7,229; MCAT 27.7, GPA 3.53
Matriculants: 3,057 (42%); MCAT 30.7, GPS 3.67</p>

<p>So, OP, if you want to play those percentages: English, philosophy, history, the classics, languages with an emphasis on literature.</p>

<p>Specialized health science majors
Applicants: 1,181; MCAT 25.7, GPA 25.1
Matriculants: 406 (34%); MCAT 19.5, GPA 3.74
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<p>is that supposed to be MCAT 29.5???</p>

<p>Thanks for that data annasdad! So you’re saying major in some sort of humanities major but the MCAT scores and GPA averages are pretty similar throughout</p>

<p>mom2: yes, good catch; MCAT 29.5</p>

<p>matty: personally, I would major in something I was passionately interested in learning about, because I think that is where you are most likely to pull a good GPA (as well as have a rewarding and successful college experience); and study very, very hard in the courses that will prepare you for the MCAT, such as chemistry (general and organic), biology, math, and physics. I’d also take a good selection of courses that required me to develop my critical thinking skills and to communicate effectively, which I think you can probably do by choosing challenging courses in most any major.</p>

<p>I was looking into anthropology possibly. Do you think this would be a good idea? Would I still be taking all the classes I would need for medical school?</p>

<p>You can major in anything and take the pre-med series. Anthropology is fine.</p>