stanford to columbia

[determined293]

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I am a freshman at Stanford and am going to get a C or maybe even a failing grade in chemistry my very first quarter. That combined with the fact that I am 3000 miles away from home and the fact that this "duck syndrome" and "Stanford bubble" sucks and makes everybody seem fake is starting to make me feel like I don't fit here. I come from a low income background and everybody here seems to have come from privileged private schools. I am hating my experience so far and to add insult to injury, I am possibly going to fail the accelerated chemistry class I am taking.

Maybe this is premature, but should I transfer to Columbia? I know the work won't be any easier but I might be happier since I would be in NY and closer to home. Maybe it would then reflect in my grades.

BTW, the chem I am taking is for people with advanced chem backgrounds i.e. students with 5 on the AP but I got a 1 on that test and my high school sucked at chem. I should also add I am PREMED ALL THE WAY!! what should I do especially if I do get the F??

 

[DAPI]

i am a freshman at stanford and am going to get a c or maybe even a failing grade in chemistry my very first quarter. That combined with the fact that i am 3000 miles away from home and the fact that this "duck syndrome" and "stanford bubble" sucks and makes everybody seem fake is starting to make me feel like i don't fit here. I come from a low income background and everybody here seems to have come from privileged private schools. I am hating my experience so far and to add insult to injury, i am possibly going to fail the accelerated chemistry class i am taking.

Maybe this is premature, but should i transfer to columbia? I know the work won't be any easier but i might be happier since i would be in ny and closer to home. Maybe it would then reflect in my grades.

Btw, the chem i am taking is for people with advanced chem backgrounds i.e. Students with 5 on the ap but i got a 1 on that test and my high school sucked at chem. I should also add i am premed all the way!! What should i do especially if i do get the f??

0/10

:troll:

 

[mcloaf]

I knew a lot of people who wanted to transfer 1st semester freshman year but ended up sticking it out and being fine, myself included. In truth, the beginning of college sucks for a lot of people.

Why are you in this advanced chem class if you got a 1 on the AP?

 

[docelh]

what exactly is "duck syndrome"?

Guy, you had no business whatsoever taking advanced chemistry at Stanford. You're clearly not respecting your competition nor acknowleding your limits. You should try to withdraw from the class and take this as a lesson learned on how to plan your class schedule (i.e., take it a lot easier than the people there).

I'm pretty sure a lot of the private school kids are at Columbia too. I don't think it will be easier there, but maybe you might like it better since the California vibe doesn't seem to suit you. I'm pretty sure Stanford has higher acceptance rate into medical schools than Columbia College.

Note: I don't think he's a troll. He's one of those borderline cases that got in and is totally overwhelmed by the competition. All the elite schools have these type of students.

 

[RogueUnicorn]

what exactly is "duck syndrome"?

pretending to be cool and chill but furiously paddling underneath the surface

I'm pretty sure Stanford has higher acceptance rate into medical schools than Columbia College.

uh... what makes you say that?

 

[TheShaker]

pretending to be cool and chill but furiously paddling underneath the surface

Best metaphor ever.

 

[docelh]

pretending to be cool and chill but furiously paddling underneath the surface


uh... what makes you say that?

The power of HYPS in this process is pretty well documented.

I mean, if you're going to transfer out of HYPS, go to State U.

 

[487806]

Yay! I posted on a troll thread!

Ok, I'm done here. Before the

 

[RogueUnicorn]

The power of HYPS in this process is pretty well documented.

I mean, if you're going to transfer out of HYPS, go to State U.

links?

 

[RogueUnicorn]

No.

Some may attribute it to the students, others attribute it to the schools. It's probably some combination of both. These schools do offer the committee letter though, as I'm sure other schools do the same.

90% acceptance rate at Harvard and Yale though. Stanford and Princeton are a bit lower.

Pretty weak for a "well documented" fact

 

[docelh]

Pretty weak for a "well documented" fact

I don't make the rules, so....

Regardless. I have the data, but I'm not going to post it on SDN. If you look around some of my posts, I've randomly put up some data from Yale.

 

[DAPI]

I think it's time to use the new emoticon!

 

[phikapdoctor]

Beat me to it.

 

[RogueUnicorn]

I don't make the rules, so....

Regardless. I have the data, but I'm not going to post it on SDN. If you look around some of my posts, I've randomly put up some data from Yale. I didn't go to Yale, but I did go to an HYPS undergrad.

I have tons of anecdotes of classmates who got into medical school with numbers that wouldn't cut it if they went to State U or even a lower Ivy. You don't have to believe me, but I'm not here to bust your bubble.

Do you have data for CC as well? I have no horse in this race, I'm genuinely curious of the veracity of your claims

 

[An MD Hopeful]

I am a freshman at Stanford and am going to get a C or maybe even a failing grade in chemistry my very first quarter. That combined with the fact that I am 3000 miles away from home and the fact that this "duck syndrome" and "Stanford bubble" sucks and makes everybody seem fake is starting to make me feel like I don't fit here. I come from a low income background and everybody here seems to have come from privileged private schools. I am hating my experience so far and to add insult to injury, I am possibly going to fail the accelerated chemistry class I am taking.

Maybe this is premature, but should I transfer to Columbia? I know the work won't be any easier but I might be happier since I would be in NY and closer to home. Maybe it would then reflect in my grades.

BTW, the chem I am taking is for people with advanced chem backgrounds i.e. students with 5 on the AP but I got a 1 on that test and my high school sucked at chem. I should also add I am PREMED ALL THE WAY!! what should I do especially if I do get the F??

OP, can you withdraw from the course before the grade ends up on your transcript?

If you know any students at Columbia, I would suggest talking to them to see what their experience is like in their premed courses. If they're just as hard as they are at Stanford, then it probably won't help you grade wise in transfering to Columbia. However, if you feel like you'll be able to do better near your home, then transfering could help. I would bet though that if you transfer, then in the future if you apply to med schools out of New York, be able to answer how you would be able to cope with moving away from home. Just have an answer ready about why you transfered.

 

[williamiv4]

I was in your same position 4 years ago when I was at Stanford. You're first mistake was taking Chem31x. It is a terrible course and I nearly failed it and I did get a 5 on AP Chem. It is too late to move down to Chem 31A but I would meet with the professor and go to every single office hour you can and ask every question you can without hesitation. It hurts your pride, but you can ask stupid Questions for the sake of understanding the material. If you make a sizeable effort you should pass. Stanford is not a fan of failing its students.
Something you should be aware of is that the chemistry department is notoriously terrible for undergrads. The TAs are bitter and the teachers apathetic. If you pass, go into your next class (likely Chem 33) with the attitude that you need to bust your ass and keep studying like crazy to make sure your prepared for the midterms and final. Also Heustis teaches some of the organic chem there and she is amazing so get her if
You can. Also try to take one Chen course at a time so you can put as much effort into it as possible.
Lastly, if you don't pass, it is not the end of the world, nor the end of your medical career. Simply retake it, or take the 31A and 31B courses. If on your mcat and future courses you show competency you will be fine.
As for the attitude at Stanford, that's a typical freshmen problem. People don't quite know to relax and be less pompous. It will go away and just try to find friends that you get along with and can help you through our tough times.
If your having more problems please feel free to message me. It took me awhile to fall in love with Stanford and I think it can still happen for you too.
Good luck!

 

[alamofire]

_

 

[OwlPower22]

As a recent Columbia College graduate, I say no. Columbia's pre-medical program is tough, and probably just as tough as Stanford's pre-med program. I come from a low-income, disadvantaged background too (first-generation, to boot) and I am well aware of the challenges of being pre-med in an elite institution. There are definitely ways to pull yourself out of that C in chemistry - tutoring, hours of studying, and tons and tons of practice problems. Go to office hours and ask questions. Never give up. I know it's easy to say, but I survived many tough science classes through sheer persistence (I was a Biology major).

To address your concern about not fitting in, I think if you become more open and try to get to know people better, you'll definitely find your niche at Stanford. At Columbia, I see a mix of students, rich and poor, and of all racial and religious backgrounds. I'm sure it is the same at Stanford. Perhaps what you are feeling is a mix of despair at your grade and jealousy of the more well-to-do students who have a significant advantage over you, academically and socially. I sometimes feel this way, but this gets pushed aside once you become accepting and open.

Anyway, feel free to message me if you want to talk further. 🙂

 

[cuculici1]

I am a freshman at Stanford and am going to get a C or maybe even a failing grade in chemistry my very first quarter. That combined with the fact that I am 3000 miles away from home and the fact that this "duck syndrome" and "Stanford bubble" sucks and makes everybody seem fake is starting to make me feel like I don't fit here. I come from a low income background and everybody here seems to have come from privileged private schools. I am hating my experience so far and to add insult to injury, I am possibly going to fail the accelerated chemistry class I am taking.

Maybe this is premature, but should I transfer to Columbia? I know the work won't be any easier but I might be happier since I would be in NY and closer to home. Maybe it would then reflect in my grades.

BTW, the chem I am taking is for people with advanced chem backgrounds i.e. students with 5 on the AP but I got a 1 on that test and my high school sucked at chem. I should also add I am PREMED ALL THE WAY!! what should I do especially if I do get the F??

Realistically you probably won't be able to transfer to Columbia if you fail a class. Transfer admissions is more competitive than the regular undergrad admissions since there are much fewer spots. On Columbia's website, they claim that you need a 3.5 or higher to even be considered (http://www.studentaffairs.columbia.edu/admissions/apply/transfer). If you can get a 3.5 this year despite a poor chemistry grade, go for it and apply. If not, you'd probably be better applying to a less competitive school closer to home.

 

[Sophocles]

The power of HYPS in this process is pretty well documented.

I mean, if you're going to transfer out of HYPS, go to State U.

???

Realistically you probably won't be able to transfer to Columbia if you fail a class. Transfer admissions is more competitive than the regular undergrad admissions since there are much fewer spots. On Columbia's website, they claim that you need a 3.5 or higher to even be considered (http://www.studentaffairs.columbia.edu/admissions/apply/transfer). If you can get a 3.5 this year despite a poor chemistry grade, go for it and apply. If not, you'd probably be better applying to a less competitive school closer to home.

Yeah, I have only seen a handful of transfers into CC. You better have a better reason and some damn good grades.

 

[supafly0]

My main question is how the **** did you get into Stanford with an 1 on AP Chem (joke of a test imo)?

 

[ComradeDoktor]

I am a freshman at Stanford and am going to get a C or maybe even a failing grade in chemistry my very first quarter. That combined with the fact that I am 3000 miles away from home and the fact that this "duck syndrome" and "Stanford bubble" sucks and makes everybody seem fake is starting to make me feel like I don't fit here. I come from a low income background and everybody here seems to have come from privileged private schools. I am hating my experience so far and to add insult to injury, I am possibly going to fail the accelerated chemistry class I am taking.

Maybe this is premature, but should I transfer to Columbia? I know the work won't be any easier but I might be happier since I would be in NY and closer to home. Maybe it would then reflect in my grades.

BTW, the chem I am taking is for people with advanced chem backgrounds i.e. students with 5 on the AP but I got a 1 on that test and my high school sucked at chem. I should also add I am PREMED ALL THE WAY!! what should I do especially if I do get the F??

Just to echo what a few people have already said, you may not have the strong academic background/study skills to succeed at a place like Stanford (or Columbia). That's definitely something you can fix. Take the easiest intro science classes you can find next quarter and look for tutoring on campus. I'm sure tutoring services at Stanford are going to be easy to find and really good. Once you survive a quarter or two like that with mostly A's, you can start taking the more serious science classes. I'm sure being frustrated with your grades isn't helping your perception of the social scene. Maybe when your grades start falling into place you'll see the rest of Stanford isn't that bad either.