Transfer questions

[medicalmnt]

I am currently a sophomore at GMU but I want to transfer to VT the start of my junior year Fall '14.

I have taken/planning to take most of my classes at GMU by this Spring for my major (orgo 1/2, gen chem 1/2, calc 1/2, stat, english 1/2, physics 1/2, cell bio, genetics, psych, general education classes).

I spoke with the UG chemistry department chair at VT and was told I would need a couple of classes to take over the summer and I could start VT this Fall and double major in B/A Chemistry and B/S Biochemistry.

Also my school GPA would be restarted (but my entire GPA would be fine for med-school apps), which would allow me to join the more prestigious honor societies with a new GPA.

Pros:
would double major with no changes in courseload
going to school known for science (virginia tech) instead of political science (gmu)
VT medical school (possibly volunteer/shadowing/orderly job spots)
always wanted to go to VT
rent with friend at VT apartment is the same as the $ for gas I pay commuting to GMU
VT was my #1 school since HS


Cons:
currently tutoring with GMU organizing for underprivileged kids
plan on being a learning assistant for a class I took during the fall (recommended by prof.)
have a feeling I could get a 3.6-3.7 gpa if I do what I keep doing at GMU.
commuting


Is there anything else I should consider?
I know majors/school doesn't matter at all when applying to medical schools and there "is no" difference if I was a UG at the medical school I am applying to.

Fall '12 GPA = 3.4
Spring '12 GPA = 2.8 ouch
Fall '13 GPA = 3.72

I'm almost 80% sure I could pull off a 3.7 or 3.8ish GPA every semester at VT but.. knowing I could get 3.7ish at GMU and there is that 20% chance so.... I'm not too sure about this transfer as I was before winter break. any advise from transfer students?

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[Reckoner]

I am currently a sophomore at GMU but I want to transfer to VT the start of my junior year Fall '14.

I have taken/planning to take most of my classes at GMU by this Spring for my major (orgo 1/2, gen chem 1/2, calc 1/2, stat, english 1/2, physics 1/2, cell bio, genetics, psych, general education classes).

I spoke with the UG chemistry department chair at VT and was told I would need a couple of classes to take over the summer and I could start VT this Fall and double major in B/A Chemistry and B/S Biochemistry.

Also my school GPA would be restarted (but my entire GPA would be fine for med-school apps), which would allow me to join the more prestigious honor societies with a new GPA.

Pros:
would double major with no changes in courseload
going to school known for science (virginia tech) instead of political science (gmu)
VT medical school (possibly volunteer/shadowing/orderly job spots)
always wanted to go to VT
rent with friend at VT apartment is the same as the $ for gas I pay commuting to GMU
VT was my #1 school since HS


Cons:
currently tutoring with GMU organizing for underprivileged kids
plan on being a learning assistant for a class I took during the fall (recommended by prof.)
have a feeling I could get a 3.6-3.7 gpa if I do what I keep doing at GMU.
commuting


Is there anything else I should consider?
I know majors/school doesn't matter at all when applying to medical schools and there "is no" difference if I was a UG at the medical school I am applying to.

Fall '12 GPA = 3.4
Spring '12 GPA = 2.8 ouch
Fall '13 GPA = 3.72

I'm almost 80% sure I could pull off a 3.7 or 3.8ish GPA every semester at VT but.. knowing I could get 3.7ish at GMU and there is that 20% chance so.... I'm not too sure about this transfer as I was before winter break. any advise from transfer students?

It sounds like you would be way happier at VT. I say do it. If you don't mind me asking, why are you having doubts about your GPA there vs. at GMU?

 

[medicalmnt]

It sounds like you would be way happier at VT. I say do it. If you don't mind me asking, why are you having doubts about your GPA there vs. at GMU?

just one of those notions I got from HS that UVA/VT was much harder than any other school etc.

 

[Reckoner]

just one of those notions I got from HS that UVA/VT was much harder than any other school etc.

I doubt they're "much" harder. Like any school, the difficulty depends mostly on which professors you take classes with. Other things to consider:

The double major isn't going to affect your chances, but I guess it's nice to get two degrees for the price of one.
At a school as big as VT, there should be plenty of opportunities to get involved with new ECs.
Is there a difference in cost? Is it significant?
I think you can spin the transferring experience into a nice story for med school admissions: "After moving from GMU to VT, I realized just how important a school's 'fit' is to my happiness, and it's one of my top priorities as I consider medical schools. I believe your school is a good 'fit' for me because blah blah blah."

I still say go for it if you're not happy at GMU!

 

[knv2u]

I cannot find the average grade distribution for George Mason, but I can say that VT seems to have a fairly low GPA overall (implying it is a harder school). Someone brought up UVA. I went to UVA, and know of several transfers from George Mason to my school (including those with a 4.0). Those students were very happy when they ended up with 3.3/3.4s at UVA. YMMV.