Need help on transferring schools.

[BigJasper]

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Hello everyone,

I'm really torn here and would love a huge dose of SDN wisdom.

I currently attend an average public research university as a 2nd year Biology major, where my GPA is pretty good and I am fairly involved in research and extracurricular activities. I would love to go to medical school after I graduate, but some research I've done online makes me a little cautious. I know that many people say that the name of your undergraduate institution does not matter when applying to med schools, but through looking at the freshman profiles of great med schools like UCLA, UPenn, Case, JHU, etc... I have not yet seen a single student come from my school.

I have been accepted to UCLA as a transfer student, a school that I've seen countless students come from in those freshman profiles I was reading. Thus, my question is: Should I leave my school and go to UCLA? There are so many factors to consider so I will try to simplify everything below.

• I believe I am FAIRLY capable (haha), and am confident my GPA won't drop by TOO much if i transfer.
• I will be behind 1 year in research compared to everyone else at UCLA since I will enter as a junior.
• I will be behind in extracurriculars and leadership compared to everyone else.
• However, I believe UCLA has much greater resource compared to the school I attend now, so I think I can still catch up with a little time.
• Maybe a gap year is required?
• If I stay at my current school, through historical trends I really don't see myself attending my dream schools.

I know I may draw some criticism with the whole "I wanna go to a great school thing". The truth is, if I stay I think I have a good shot at the medical school of my current school. However, ever since I was a little kid I wanted to be like my father and attend a famous medical school. In addition, I dislike the weather of the institution I'm at now, and I know I would not be happy if I had to stay for another 4 years.

If you read this far thank you so much.

Thoughts?

 

[Toutie]

You were accepted to UCLA as a transfer from another 4 year university...an out of state one as well? That's pretty impressive, as UCLA takes very few transfers other than those from a CC. Honestly I don't understand why you don't stay where you are, UCLA is NOT a guarantee to get to you a "famous" med school.

 

[BigJasper]

You were accepted to UCLA as a transfer from another 4 year university...an out of state one as well? That's pretty impressive, as UCLA takes very few transfers other than those from a CC. Honestly I don't understand why you don't stay where you are, UCLA is NOT a guarantee to get to you a "famous" med school.

Thank you Toutie, I was actually a UC to UC transfer student haha. I do know that UCLA is definitely not a guarantee by any means, but would it give me a better chance though than staying at my current school?

 

[AttemptingScholar]

The stats don't lie if you know people from your school don't get into your goal schools. However, expect your GPA to drop (UCLA will be harder but also just unfamiliar, both of which will work against you). So is it already above the median GPA for your goal schools? How many hours have you collected volunteering? How are you going to get into research if it's relatively late in the game? Leadership? What are you going to do about LOEs?

I'm not saying it's not a good idea, but you should have answers to these questions going in. Don't expect things to just work out.

 

[Toutie]

Thank you Toutie, I was actually a UC to UC transfer student haha. I do know that UCLA is definitely not a guarantee by any means, but would it give me a better chance though than staying at my current school?

So you're at a UC with a med school...and you don't like the weather there? Seriously? I can't imagine which UC that could be. They ALL have good weather.

 

[AttemptingScholar]

So you're at a UC with a med school...and you don't like the weather there? Seriously? I can't imagine which UC that could be. They ALL have good weather.

Not Berkeley, (or as we locals call it, UC Oakland). San Fransisco weather is overcast but never rains and tends to stay below 70 all the time.

 

[Toutie]

Not Berkeley, (or as we locals call it, UC Oakland). San Fransisco weather is overcast but never rains and tends to stay below 70 all the time.

Possibilities are...UCSD (bad weather? seriously?). UCI (OC weather is great), UCR (can be kind hot in the summer, but certainly not bad), UCD (again, maybe hot in the summer, but not bad). None of the other UC's have a med school, nor do they have bad weather. I can't figure out what this guy is talking about.

 

[BigJasper]

So you're at a UC with a med school...and you don't like the weather there? Seriously? I can't imagine which UC that could be. They ALL have good weather.

I attend UCR and it gets incredibly hot here during the summertime. I'm not as concerned with the weather as much as I am with my school's historical med school acceptance trends, though.

 

[AttemptingScholar]

Yeah, you might have to give up on the weather. I know a big complaint about our generation is that we aren't willing to move--my parents have lived in basically every part of the continental US to chase the best opportunities. However much you dislike UCR summers, JHU winters will be worse. I think California is the only state that's a net exporter of applicants, it's not great odds you'll get into a UC. Some stuff you just gotta live with.

You mentioned weather in passing, your real concern is getting into schools. Whatever you think will make you the best applicant. An outstanding UCR student is better than an average UCLA student, but an outstanding UCLA student is better than an outstanding UCR student.

 

[Toutie]

I attend UCR and it gets incredibly hot here during the summertime. I'm not as concerned with the weather as much as I am with my school's historical med school acceptance trends, though.

Don't even go there with "hot" in the summer, I live in Vegas. 🙄 You simply stay inside more in the summer months.

Now as for your other point...granted these only show the number of accepted students who replied to the questionnaire (see below), but I don't see a ton of "famous" medical schools listed here. The majority of UCLA med school students go to mid and low tier med schools...and some even end up in the Caribbean. If you have an amazing enough application to get into Stanford or Harvard from UCLA, then you could still get in from UCR if you had an equally amazing application. UCLA is not going to add some special magic to your application.

UCLA Career Center > Menus > MainNavBar > For Students > Resources, Reports, and Media > Med School Stats

 

[BigJasper]

Don't even go there with "hot" in the summer, I live in Vegas. 🙄 You simply stay inside more in the summer months.

Now as for your other point...granted these only show the number of accepted students who replied to the questionnaire (see below), but I don't see a ton of "famous" medical schools listed here. The majority of UCLA med school students go to mid and low tier med schools...and some even end up in the Caribbean. If you have an amazing enough application to get into Stanford or Harvard from UCLA, then you could still get in from UCR if you had an equally amazing application. UCLA is not going to add some special magic to your application.

UCLA Career Center > Menus > MainNavBar > For Students > Resources, Reports, and Media > Med School Stats

So basically a great applicant from UCLA and a great applicant from UCR are both weighed equally?

 

[Toutie]

So basically a great applicant from UCLA and a great applicant from UCR are both weighed equally?

No, probably not. UCLA would probably give you a bit of an edge. BUT...are YOU going to be a great candidate? You want to be a doctor, your goal should be to go to medical school period...not to go to a 'famous" school!

If you are boning for a "famous" medical school, keep in mind the top 10 schools will be taking less than 1500 people combined each year. Are YOU going to be among those 1500?

I'm not telling you not to transfer to UCLA, but I don't think its going to make the difference you are hoping it will. Personally I loved going to UCLA and would recommend everyone go there, it's a great school. But you have to do you. You applied to transfer, you were accepted, you think it will help you, so what's the issue? Go! In the end you will end up where you end up depending on how good your overall application is.

 

[gyngyn]

UCR saves 25 seats for its own students.
A good UCR applicant is very likely to get at least one acceptance.

 

[BigJasper]

UCR saves 25 seats for its own students.
A good UCR applicant is very likely to get at least one acceptance.

Thank you gyngyn. Do you think I should just settle for my fairly good chances at UCR SOM or transfer to UCLA in the hopes of striving for an even better school?

 

[gyngyn]

Thank you gyngyn. Do you think I should just settle for my fairly good chances at UCR SOM or transfer to UCLA in the hopes of striving for an even better school?

UCLA generates more pre-meds than any other school. This is a verifiable fact and could account for their prominent presence. We know little about applicant outcomes, though. A relatively small number report their outcomes back to the school, so what is on the website suffers from reporting bias and lack of verification.

 

[BigJasper]

UCLA generates more pre-meds than any other school. This is a verifiable fact and could account for their prominent presence. We know little about applicant outcomes, though.

Mr. gyngyn do you personally think its worth it to transfer? At this point a lot is ambiguous and I'm unsure if going to UCLA would increase my odds at more competitive schools.

 

[gyngyn]

Mr. gyngyn do you personally think its worth it to transfer? At this point a lot is ambiguous and I'm unsure if going to UCLA would increase my odds at more competitive schools.

If you are likely to perform better at UCLA, transfer.
Merely transferring to UCLA from UCR is not likely to make a big difference to Geffen (or other schools).
It will make a big difference to UCR's medical school if you stay, though.

 

[hubbsbubbs]

• I believe I am FAIRLY capable (haha), and am confident my GPA won't drop by TOO much if i transfer.
• I will be behind 1 year in research compared to everyone else at UCLA since I will enter as a junior.
• I will be behind in extracurriculars and leadership compared to everyone else.
• However, I believe UCLA has much greater resource compared to the school I attend now, so I think I can still catch up with a little time.
• Maybe a gap year is required?
• If I stay at my current school, through historical trends I really don't see myself attending my dream schools.

Thoughts?

Recent UCLA grad here. These reasons are not enough to warrant a transfer imo. If you love the school and know that you would be happier here, succeed, and better prepare yourself for med school then transfer. But if it means letting go of established relationships with PIs, leadership activities etc. that are meaningful to you then reconsider.

I don't know what the premed community is like at your school. But at UCLA it's fairly competitive/can break people

 

[BigJasper]

Recent UCLA grad here. These reasons are not enough to warrant a transfer imo. If you love the school and know that you would be happier here, succeed, and better prepare yourself for med school then transfer. But if it means letting go of established relationships with PIs, leadership activities etc. that are meaningful to you then reconsider.

I don't know what the premed community is like at your school. But at UCLA it's fairly competitive/can break people

Mr. hubbsbubbs could you tell me how competitive the atmosphere is at UCLA? I think I can handle it but I'm not too sure.

 

[hubbsbubbs]

Mr. hubbsbubbs could you tell me how competitive the atmosphere is at UCLA? I think I can handle it but I'm not too sure.

Uh I only have experience with a few schools, but it's quite competitive, partly because there are so many premeds and curved classes are not always forgiving. Again, only transfer if you think you'll be much happier. I don't think the name will improve your chances at med school acceptance

 

[BigJasper]

Thank you everyone for all your input. After much consideration, I have reached my decision to attend UCLA this Fall. I definitely enjoyed my time here at UCR, but I have realized that I do not feel challenged on a daily basis and believe that working with as well as learning from the world renowned professors at UCLA will help my further my education and development into a worthy medical school applicant and hopefully, future doctor. In addition, it has always been a goal of mine to participate in AmeriCorps operations, and I believe living close to LA will be convenient for me in that regard. I may have to take a gap year in order to build relationships and get involved again, but I believe it is worth it.

Thank you SDN! I look forward to your future insight once I matriculate!

 

[Toutie]

Thank you everyone for all your input. After much consideration, I have reached my decision to attend UCLA this Fall. I definitely enjoyed my time here at UCR, but I have realized that I do not feel challenged on a daily basis and believe that working with as well as learning from the world renowned professors at UCLA will help my further my education and development into a worthy medical school applicant and hopefully, future doctor. In addition, it has always been a goal of mine to participate in AmeriCorps operations, and I believe living close to LA will be convenient for me in that regard. I may have to take a gap year in order to build relationships and get involved again, but I believe it is worth it.

Thank you SDN! I look forward to your future insight once I matriculate!

Congrats on your decision. Wishing you much success.
From an old Bruin to a new one. 🙂

 

[AttemptingScholar]

Thank you everyone for all your input. After much consideration, I have reached my decision to attend UCLA this Fall. I definitely enjoyed my time here at UCR, but I have realized that I do not feel challenged on a daily basis and believe that working with as well as learning from the world renowned professors at UCLA will help my further my education and development into a worthy medical school applicant and hopefully, future doctor. In addition, it has always been a goal of mine to participate in AmeriCorps operations, and I believe living close to LA will be convenient for me in that regard. I may have to take a gap year in order to build relationships and get involved again, but I believe it is worth it.

Thank you SDN! I look forward to your future insight once I matriculate!

You definitely put a lot of thought and time into this decision and made it with all your resources. Congratulations on the switch and good luck!