About buzzard Expertise Experienced college admissions professional who has assisted hundreds of students and their families in finding the right college. Choosing a college is not a game that only a few people can win; there is no universal handfull of "best" colleges. It is possible for everyone to find a college that is the right fit for them.
Experience 10 years as a college admissions counselor; 12 years working for a national association of college admissions counselors; two children of my own in college Frequently teach "How to Choose Your College" programs.
Question I will be transferring to a 4 yr. university next fall and am trying to figure out what schools I should apply to. I am a Psychology major and am not your typical transfer student. I graduated in 1998 and have been working as an Admin. Asst. and started my own event planning company. These reasons have contributed to a less than perfect GPA (with a tough courseload) and I am just now to the point of having enough credits to be a Junior Transfer. I have about a 3.21 GPA and average test scores on the SAT and SAT II tests. My ultimate goal is to go on to Medical School and want to get into a great undergraduate program that will allow me the opportunity to compete for a spot at the top medical schools in the country.
Any help you can offer is appreciated.
Sincerely,
Christine Gray
Answer I'm sorry! I answered this question a few days ago, but didn't do it right so you've been left without an answer!
If med school is your goal, I have to be candid, your GPA is a problem. You really need to pour it on for the next four semesters! Also, you are going to need a great MCAT score. Are you familiar with the MCAT? In order to get a great score there, most students benifit from having had a number of biology and chemistry courses, as well as an MCAT prep course - at your college or from a test prep company.
As for choosing a college, you need to ask a lot of questions about med school placement rates. If you encounter a school with an impressive placement rate, you need to then ask this question: "What does it take for you to support my application to medical school?" Some colleges have a GPA requirement (often 3.8) in order the faculty members in traditional pre-med courses to write letters of recommendation for you. Those letters are crucial! You need to find a college that will work with you on applying to med school even if your GPA is not fantastic Not all schools will be willing. If you visit a college, ask for a meeting with the pre-med advisor.
Again, to be totally honest with you, you may have a hard time getting admitted to a "great" undegtraduate program and to one of the "top medical schools". Bear in mind that people who attended the lowest medical schools still become doctors and still practice medicine. I hope you prove me wrong... but this is what I have observed through the years.
