Contemplating third transfer; somebody stop me.

[Member 11]

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Here's what you need to know:

Me: Junior at a large state school (School #1), already transferred to small private school (School #2) for one semester before transferring back to School #1. Now considering switching to a different state school (School #3).

School # 1: Not really interested in my major (low job prospects also) BUT I'll make it out in four years. I'll have a gap year afterwards though.

School #3: Has a unique major that I think I would really enjoy and potentially help my admissions chances BUT it will take me five years to graduate, but again I'll have the gap year if I stay at #1 anyway.

I should mention that School #1 has a better academic rep than School #3, but I don't particularly like School #1. Also, my grades have been fine throughout.

This will be my THIRD TRANSFER, and I'm afraid it might make me look indecisive/flaky. I hesitated to post this because I know there's really no definitive answer, and this topic has been discussed before. However, I really don't have anybody to bounce this idea off of, so any advice/thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[sobored]

Here's what you need to know:

Me: Junior at a large state school (School #1), already transferred to small private school (School #2) for one semester before transferring back to School #1. Now considering switching to a different state school (School #3).

School # 1: Not really interested in my major (low job prospects also) BUT I'll make it out in four years. I'll have a gap year afterwards though.

School #3: Has a unique major that I think I would really enjoy and potentially help my admissions chances BUT it will take me five years to graduate, but again I'll have the gap year if I stay at #1 anyway.

I should mention that School #1 has a better academic rep than School #3, but I don't particularly like School #1. Also, my grades have been fine throughout.

This will be my THIRD TRANSFER, and I'm afraid it might make me look indecisive/flaky. I hesitated to post this because I know there's really no definitive answer, and this topic has been discussed before. However, I really don't have anybody to bounce this idea off of, so any advice/thoughts would be appreciated.

Definitely didn't follow any of that. Go to a school and stick with it. Who cares about UG, bachelors in most fields aren't worth anything anyways.

 

[Member 11]

Definitely didn't follow any of that. Go to a school and stick with it. Who cares about UG, bachelors in most fields aren't worth anything anyways.

Ah, sorry. It made sense while I was typing it.

The main reason I'm concerned with the bachelors is because I'm less than optimistic about my chances, and need a solid plan B. At least for a year or two.

 

[kyamh]

I'm afraid it might make me look indecisive/flaky.

Um, yes, I think you already seem flaky after 2 transfers. Seriously OP, search for all the threads where SDN collectively supports the fact that medical schools don't care about what your major was. It really doesn't matter. I can't believe that you are incapable of finding at least one major that interests you at your current school. Something has to interest you. You want to go to medical school....is a science something you would like to major in? Did you have any high school interests you would like to pursue like history? Why not try something new and fun like astronomy or economics?

As far as not liking your school, medical schools will wonder whether you will fail to make a solid decision on a medical institution just as you couldn't settle on an undergraduate institution. During the application process, a major part of your application is convincing schools that you really want to attend there. Your word currently carries almost no weight. Also, how are you forming long term relationships with faculty members who will be writing your letters of recommendation? Nevermind the fact that you should have chosen you school carefully to begin with, you show poor maturity/judgement/self-reflection when you made the first transfer only to switch back. Not only did you not research/feel out school #2 well enough to gauge whether it was a match, but you then went back to mistake #1 showing that you really don't know what you want.

 

[Member 11]

You want to go to medical school....is a science something you would like to major in? Did you have any high school interests you would like to pursue like history? Why not try something new and fun like astronomy or economics?

Also, how are you forming long term relationships with faculty members who will be writing your letters of recommendation?

On the first point: It's not that I can't find a major that I enjoy. History, political science, psychology, would all be majors that I would have fun with, but I need to be able to land a job after graduation. And I realize that schools don't "care" about your major, but the one I'm considering switching to offers a significant amount of clinical exposure that is built into the curriculum. That's what I meant by "help" my chances.

On the second point: Things aren't great on the LOR front either. All of my science classes were 200+, and I've never had the same professor twice. This would also be a plus for School #3, because the class sizes are much smaller. I knew my professors at the private school very well because of the high school-sized classes.

In response to the "poor maturity/judgment" allegation, I suppose some of that's true, but it is slightly difficult for a 17 y.o. kid to know what he/she wants to do / major in / where to go to college. I made some mistakes, it happens. Now I'm just trying to evaluate my options.

 

[inycepoo]

Stop.

There you go. If you're posting to get people to stop you, you've already made your decision.

 

[Lya]

On the first point: It's not that I can't find a major that I enjoy. History, political science, psychology, would all be majors that I would have fun with, but I need to be able to land a job after graduation. And I realize that schools don't "care" about your major, but the one I'm considering switching to offers a significant amount of clinical exposure that is built into the curriculum. That's what I meant by "help" my chances.

On the second point: Things aren't great on the LOR front either. All of my science classes were 200+, and I've never had the same professor twice. This would also be a plus for School #3, because the class sizes are much smaller. I knew my professors at the private school very well because of the high school-sized classes.

In response to the "poor maturity/judgment" allegation, I suppose some of that's true, but it is slightly difficult for a 17 y.o. kid to know what he/she wants to do / major in / where to go to college. I made some mistakes, it happens. Now I'm just trying to evaluate my options.

How are your ECs in school #1, like research or non-clinical volunteering?

It looks like you already made the decision, like the poster above said. 2 years in school #3 to reestablish your ECs are not too bad, although 4.5-5 years in school #1 will offer you clearly more advantage on longer, in-depth involvements in ECs. If you think that more clinical exposures in school #3 will outweigh the potential disadvantage of having 2-3 years in this school and 2-3 years in that school, then go for it. My college had horrible clinical exposures as well, so I understand this is an important aspect, but make sure that transferring to school #3 is a better option than everything else.

 

[Member 11]

How are your ECs in school #1, like research or non-clinical volunteering?

It looks like you already made the decision, like the poster above said. 2 years in school #3 to reestablish your ECs are not too bad, although 4.5-5 years in school #1 will offer you clearly more advantage on longer, in-depth involvements in ECs. If you think that more clinical exposures in school #3 will outweigh the potential disadvantage of having 2-3 years in this school and 2-3 years in that school, then go for it. My college had horrible clinical exposures as well, so I understand this is an important aspect, but make sure that transferring to school #3 is a better option than everything else.

You actually hit on a pretty important point there. ECs are one of the main advantages of transferring because of the clinical opportunities offered. The only long-running EC I would be leaving at #1 is a little over a year of hospital volunteering.

 

[mtbski]

Don't do it. The best reason I can think of is to avoid having to send another transcript to AMCAS.

 

[Corningstone]

On the first point: It's not that I can't find a major that I enjoy. History, political science, psychology, would all be majors that I would have fun with, but I need to be able to land a job after graduation. And I realize that schools don't "care" about your major, but the one I'm considering switching to offers a significant amount of clinical exposure that is built into the curriculum. That's what I meant by "help" my chances.

On the second point: Things aren't great on the LOR front either. All of my science classes were 200+, and I've never had the same professor twice. This would also be a plus for School #3, because the class sizes are much smaller. I knew my professors at the private school very well because of the high school-sized classes.

In response to the "poor maturity/judgment" allegation, I suppose some of that's true, but it is slightly difficult for a 17 y.o. kid to know what he/she wants to do / major in / where to go to college. I made some mistakes, it happens. Now I'm just trying to evaluate my options.

Some practical perspective here: As someone who had transferred during undergrad and had to list 5 different schools on the AMCAS (summer school, dual-enrollment in high school, etc), I can tell you that it is a PAIN to arrange for those transcripts to be sent out. Also, transferring credits between undergrads is also a tedious process. Maybe I just got unlucky, but I had to transfer from quarter to semester system, so it was a mess. I ended up getting screwed over and had to take extra classes that I otherwise wouldn't have to take if I stayed at my first undergrad. I had to take freshman-level class during my senior year to compensate.. That being said, transferring was one of the best decisions I've ever made. I was much happier and my grades/EC's reflected that. LORs are extremely important - like you said, it is difficult to build relationships or even develop meaningful EC's if you keep switching schools. I went to a huge public school, and didn't really have a problem getting to know profs (try TA-ing, research). In terms of EC's, my most meaningful ones weren't even through the school. I looked for medical/non-medical opportunities in the surrounding community. Something to consider.

 

[ruedjgtc]

When you are accepted you are asking the school to invest $200,000 4 years and stake their reputation at the place you get to do your residency. With that in mind, whether you are a actually a flake or not doesn't matter, it'll appear that way on application. First you have to get invited to an interview after being screened by primary and secondary applications. You might be a dapper chap, but if you don't get invited the committee will never find out.

If you are still a young person, my only advice to you is to remember that you are building your brand as a professional -- protect your brand image, and polish the tarnish off. As long as you have a solid plan and narrative go for it, but just keep in mind you might face some unfair bias by some. Just be able to address it during your interviews succinctly as it may or may not come up.

 

[Pacna]

Don't do it. The best reason I can think of is to avoid having to send another transcript to AMCAS.

^ Best point of this thread.

 

[Ace-Co-A]

Obligatory...

 

[justAstudent]

^ Best point of this thread.

Having to sent TWO transcripts was already hell. lol

 

[kyamh]

On the first point: It's not that I can't find a major that I enjoy. History, political science, psychology, would all be majors that I would have fun with, but I need to be able to land a job after graduation. And I realize that schools don't "care" about your major, but the one I'm considering switching to offers a significant amount of clinical exposure that is built into the curriculum. That's what I meant by "help" my chances.

On the second point: Things aren't great on the LOR front either. All of my science classes were 200+, and I've never had the same professor twice. This would also be a plus for School #3, because the class sizes are much smaller. I knew my professors at the private school very well because of the high school-sized classes.

In response to the "poor maturity/judgment" allegation, I suppose some of that's true, but it is slightly difficult for a 17 y.o. kid to know what he/she wants to do / major in / where to go to college. I made some mistakes, it happens. Now I'm just trying to evaluate my options.

I'm glad that you took the time to give me a better idea about what was going on behind the transfers. You posted asking how your situation looked and I gave you a response based on the information I had. What I hope you take away from our exchange is the importance of, like ruedjgtc said, your narrative. The way you first presented your situation, you look flaky and unsure, later you backed up your decisions with reasons (though I still don't get why you are back at a school you already didn't like once before). The excuse that you were 17 doesn't hold water because we were all 17 and making these decisions so clearly most 17 year olds have enough perspective to make the college decision successfully..most transferring once or not at all. When you submit your AMCAS, you should definitely frame your decisions in the best light possible and in good detail in the "anything else" section because without a good narrative, plenty of readers will think poorly of your decision making skills.

 

[lalalapartay012]

Don't transfer.

You really need to make the most of your opportunities. I find it really hard to believe that there aren't any other extracurriculars you can participate in. Many, many, many applicants go to large state schools and are part of 200+ classes, but we all manage to get to know our professors. If these opportunities (clinical, extracurriculars, getting to know professors well) aren't handed to you (via structural means, i.e. small classes), then you need to go out and create these opportunities for yourself.

Switching around is definitely not good and makes you look very uncommited and flaky. Plus, staying at the school now will save you some money and headaches in the long run when it comes time to face AMCAS.

Instead, focus on showing future medical schools your ability to thrive in your community and environment. Take charge of your education and life! Best of luck!

 

[rellak]

Obviously I have no idea what goes on in the brains of adcoms, but with that being said I do want to offer my perspective as someone who worked in an undergrad admission office for 3 years: DON'T DO IT.

The fact that you went back and forth once already is questionable, a third transfer is going to raise a major red flag. I agree with the others that it makes you look flaky and impulsive, both attributes that are rather undesirable for med school. I would say make the most of where you are. In addition to 200+ lecture classes, can you find conference classes where you discuss papers with a professor and ~20 other students? That would be a good place to get a letter from.

As far as getting a good job with just a bachelor's degree in anything....good luck. My friends and friends of friends' experiences with that have shown that (almost universally) you will need some kind of professional school or advanced degree to get a paycheck that will let you live comfortably. Unless you go into engineering, of course.

 

[Kinch]

I personally attended three UG schools and it has not been a problem as of yet, only was asked about it, briefly, by 1/10 interviewers thus far.

 

[Kinch]

I'm glad that you took the time to give me a better idea about what was going on behind the transfers. You posted asking how your situation looked and I gave you a response based on the information I had. What I hope you take away from our exchange is the importance of, like ruedjgtc said, your narrative. The way you first presented your situation, you look flaky and unsure, later you backed up your decisions with reasons (though I still don't get why you are back at a school you already didn't like once before). The excuse that you were 17 doesn't hold water because we were all 17 and making these decisions so clearly most 17 year olds have enough perspective to make the college decision successfully..most transferring once or not at all. When you submit your AMCAS, you should definitely frame your decisions in the best light possible and in good detail in the "anything else" section because without a good narrative, plenty of readers will think poorly of your decision making skills.

I'm not sure this is necessarily true, I think it is very dependent on the OP's "story," for me personally this fact was well weaved into the journey from very average student to a solid pre-med candidate years down the road (non-trad here) and when I spoke to one interviewer about it they were pretty receptive of it. Just make sure whatever you do it fits into your narrative and you can rationally explain your decisions.