I’ll try to make this quick; I’m a community college student who finished his associate’s with a 3.8 gpa I’ve been out of school for a year because I realized I don’t know what I want to do. I’m looking to finally transfer in fall 2017 and study biology. Admittedly I still don’t have any specifics on what I want to do, but I do think a biology major is in the right direction to introduce me to fields of interest.
UVA and WM are unrealistic reach schools and unless I can get a waiver I probably won’t apply to them. I’d like to keep my options to public schools. The main thing I’m looking for is pretty vague; I just want to learn and want opportunities to learn, so exposure to specific fields and research is pretty important. I’m a first-gen college student and didn’t really grow up in an education/college-centric environment so what I know about different schools is pretty limited; that’s why I’m here asking you guys 
So basically, universities in virginia with strong biology majors that are reasonable options and preferably public. UVA/WM unrealistic (mentioning them because I’m pretty sure they’re the strongest, but I need other options)
Did you go to a VA CC? The guaranteed transfer GPA for UVA is 3.4 Your GPA is much better. W&M has a similar agreement:
http://cdn.vccs.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/UVA_VCCS_GAA_Final_Dec2013.pdf
Many schools in VA have Biology programs. Virginia Tech, VCU,JMU, CNU, George Mason, ODU, Longwood, UMW, Radford, Norfolk State and VA State. Did I miss any publics? You should google these schools and see how they fit you and check the financial aid calculators for each. Most of our state colleges cost roughly the same but W&M and UVA are slightly higher. You should check the college financial aid websites because I know a couple mentioned small scholarships for transfers from CC’s. I just can’t remember which ones. Good luck.
edit: I forgot UVA/College at Wise.
the GAAs at wm/uva have a lot of really specific course, credit etc. requirements that mean you usually have to plan to follow them before you sign up for your first semester. I had actually been in the W&M GAA but decided against going because I was lost at the time; big regret but I just have to move past it. It’s my dream school but I have to be realistic at this point.
I’m just wondering if there are any schools known to have particularly good undergrad biology majors