Transfer to Columbia University?

[calvinhobbes]

Quick question. Does it matter what undergrad 4-year college you attend when applying to med school?

I currently attend a state school (a SUNY). Yet if I transfer to Columbia University for my junior year, and graduate from there -- will that raise awkard questions at the interview? Also, does it stand out more that you graduate from an IVY League school?

One more question: If I were to choose between these four classes: which would you recommend the most: Genetics, Human Anatomy & Physiology, Microbiology, or Intro to Molecular & Cell Biology

Thank you.

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[braluk]

graduating from an ivy might get some attention (there have rumors that adcoms have some formula where they add into consideration your school- its track record of applicants going to med school, how many of those students go to the med school you apply to, things about the schools reputation of competitiveness and difficulty- but to date, no such algorithm has ever been produced nor acknowledged). You'll probably get the standard questions of - why did you transfer? did you feel columbia was a better school and in what respects to SUNY? Explain. They'll probably ask things like that, but if you answer honestly and truthfully, it probably will be glanced over quickly.

HUman Anatony and Physiology- I've heard from numerous sources (from special masters program coordinators and various other students and the like) that physiology and biochem are rather difficult med classes and thus someone taking those classes and passing with flying colors are suppsoed to do well in med school. It seems A+P is a rather huge committment in med school- and thus might be very valuable if you do well in it in college.

 

[DoctorPardi]

Quick question. Does it matter what undergrad 4-year college you attend when applying to med school?

I currently attend a state school (a SUNY). Yet if I transfer to Columbia University for my junior year, and graduate from there -- will that raise awkard questions at the interview? Also, does it stand out more that you graduate from an IVY League school?

One more question: If I were to choose between these four classes: which would you recommend the most: Genetics, Human Anatomy & Physiology, Microbiology, or Intro to Molecular & Cell Biology

Thank you.

I've thought about transferring to an Ivy League school, but it was always a silly thought. I am paying much less for my education and living at home so it wouldn't make any sense for me to move, and it probably wouldn't do me much good. It might be different since you're in New York and could probably go to Columbia from home just as easily as going to a SUNY. Also I have no idea how much SUNY's are in comparison to Columbia. So that is up to you, I think ultimately Columbia will not provide you with any real advantage.

As far as what classes to take, I would definitely take physiology. As another poster has pointed out a few times (gooddoctor I believe) physiology makes up about half of what aamc suggests is fair game on the biology section of the MCAT. I don't know that anatomy is extremely useful on the MCAT, although it may be useful to know anatomical terms on a basic level, like proximal, distal, superior, inferior, midaxillary etc. Past that I would take molecular cell biology before microbiology.

 

[Centinel]

(there have rumors that adcoms have some formula where they add into consideration your school- its track record of applicants going to med school, how many of those students go to the med school you apply to, things about the schools reputation of competitiveness and difficulty- but to date, no such algorithm has ever been produced nor acknowledged)

Michigan acknowledges this. In a speech given on December 7, 2004, Robert Ruiz (Director of Admissions) said Michigan was "currently considering discounting GPA’s from certain schools."

 

[calvinhobbes]

Michigan acknowledges this. In a speech given on December 7, 2004, Robert Ruiz (Director of Admissions) said Michigan was "currently considering discounting GPA’s from certain schools."

Wow... what types of schools? Mine is a four year SUNY college. I mean, granted - there are not that many premeds at my school (not a really popular major in my school.) Would this hurt me?

 

[ChymeChancellor]

The only school I know of that actually gives you points for the school you attend is Northwestern... 😴

 

[CptCrunch]

I've thought about transferring to an Ivy League school, but it was always a silly thought. I am paying much less for my education and living at home so it wouldn't make any sense for me to move, and it probably wouldn't do me much good. It might be different since you're in New York and could probably go to Columbia from home just as easily as going to a SUNY. Also I have no idea how much SUNY's are in comparison to Columbia.

Undergrad tuition for in-state at SUNY Stony Brook = $4,350

Undergrad tuition at Columbia = $35,166

 

[etf]

lol, i actually tried to transfer to columbia after my first year, and they sent me THE EXACT SAME rejection letter they sent to me in high school. The ONLY change was the "number of applicants" - i.e. instead of "this year we got 10,000 apps" it was "this year we got 800".

 

[geno2568]

a friend of mine who was premed transfered from binghamton to Cornell

he went north, his gpa went south

he aint premed anymore

does that answer your question?

 

[xanthomondo]

if you transfer from suny to columbia, dont try applying to the suny med school lol

"why did you transfer out of suny undergrad?"

"because it sucked and i wanted ivy!"

 

[calvinhobbes]

a friend of mine who was premed transfered from binghamton to Cornell

he went north, his gpa went south

he aint premed anymore

does that answer your question?

I kind of figured something like that might happen...
Thanks for the input everyone.

 

[beponychick]

I personally would not do it. If you have a solid GPA from a SUNY and you do well on the MCATs, you will have a great shot at any med school. You do not want to take the risk of having your GPA decrease at Columbia. That would be a big, costly mistake.

Good luck.

 

[calvinhobbes]

I personally would not do it. If you have a solid GPA from a SUNY and you do well on the MCATs, you will have a great shot at any med school. You do not want to take the risk of having your GPA decrease at Columbia. That would be a big, costly mistake.

Good luck.

thank you!

 

[allthaticanbe]

if you transfer from suny to columbia, dont try applying to the suny med school lol

"why did you transfer out of suny undergrad?"

"because it sucked and i wanted ivy!"

LOL I love that answer

 

[Hednej]

The only school I know of that actually gives you points for the school you attend is Northwestern... 😴

You can't be serious. That's f***ing bs.
On a sidenote, who gets the most points?

 

[Dr. Pepper]

If you have a good GPA and have enough time to study for MCAT, then stay exactly where you are.

Geno's right: the change in difficulty will throw your grades off and you will probably suffer both academically and financially (and perhaps even personally due to a hit to your self-esteem).

The best thing to do is just go visit Columbia, go meet some people there, and get it out of your system.
-Dr. P.

 

[BrownianMotion]

hey there, I transferred from the University of South Florida to Johns Hopkins after my sophomore year and I'm glad I did it. Im not sure if its gonna be a plus or minus in this application cycle, but while at JHU, I had a blast, at a skool like JHU or Columbia you are surrounded by the best and if you keep friends that are happy to be there, you'll still have a lotta fun too. However, I must admit, my GPA at USF was like 3.8ish and my GPA at JHU is 3.3ish, but you have to expect that its gonna happen b/c the ppl at these upper level skools are true hardcore, i mean studying weekends (every) and stuff...

 

[Belfagor]

One more question: If I were to choose between these four classes: which would you recommend the most: Genetics, Human Anatomy & Physiology, Microbiology, or Intro to Molecular & Cell Biology

Thank you.

Genetics. Don't let anyone tell you to take physiology for the MCAT. Genetics is replacing much of the Organic Chemistry section, and most physiology requires only basic knowledge and no minutia.

 

[Dr.TobiasFünke]

Quick question. Does it matter what undergrad 4-year college you attend when applying to med school?

I currently attend a state school (a SUNY). Yet if I transfer to Columbia University for my junior year, and graduate from there -- will that raise awkard questions at the interview? Also, does it stand out more that you graduate from an IVY League school?

One more question: If I were to choose between these four classes: which would you recommend the most: Genetics, Human Anatomy & Physiology, Microbiology, or Intro to Molecular & Cell Biology

Thank you.

I transferred... i helped me out a lot. It does matter where you graduate from.

 

[pnasty]

The only school I know of that actually gives you points for the school you attend is Northwestern... 😴

how do you know this?

 

[Centinel]

Wow... what types of schools? Mine is a four year SUNY college. I mean, granted - there are not that many premeds at my school (not a really popular major in my school.) Would this hurt me?

calvin,

That's a good question. I don't know, but here is the full quote:

Does it matter what undergraduate institution you go to?
• YES!!
• They are currently considering discounting GPA’s from certain schools since there is a disconnect between GPA and MCAT (GPA is really good, but MCAT score is low)

 

[calvinhobbes]

I transferred... i helped me out a lot. It does matter where you graduate from.

where did you transfer?

 

[TigerLilies]

a friend of mine who was premed transfered from binghamton to Cornell

he went north, his gpa went south

he aint premed anymore

does that answer your question?

What was his major? Was it bio?