I have been accepted to all the colleges I’ve applied to for my preferred choice of major (Biochemistry), which includes UIC, SIU, ISU, and more, but my #1 choice is UIUC, who rejected me for both biochemistry and my second choice major (biology), BUT I was still admitted as an LAS Undeclared major. A part of me believes I got rejected because of my late regular-decision application, and the spots were likely all filled, but maybe I’m being delusional. Anyways, my choice is between UIC and UIUC, but my parents and I are much more comfortable about me attending UIUC, and after some research, I learned that if I do well in general chemistry and biology classes my freshman year, I may have a chance to talk to an advisor to apply for the biochemistry major again. I understand this could be a risk to accept as my path is not determined, but if I play my cards right, I could get myself on the right track. I just need some advice from others on what I should do?
(If you need more information to conclude thoughts, let me know :))
You may want to contact the department at UIUC for what the criteria are to be admitted to the desired major. Various pages on the subject are vague on what the criteria actually are.
I agree that the information available on the website is quite vague. Most if not all of the life sciences majors in LAS require “departmental approval,” and it’s impossible to determine how difficult this is to get. If I were in your position, I would want to know that I had a “safety” major in mind, that would be acceptable to me and that I had assurance of being able to access. Some risk with regard to my most preferred major would be acceptable as long as I had a fallback, but there would have to be a fallback that I’d be satisfied with.
I think it’s unlikely that LAS Undeclared students have only minimal options in terms of majors to declare. While there would be no realistic expectation of being able to switch into impacted majors in other divisions of the university, like engineering or computer science, it would be unethical of the school to admit students LAS Undeclared if their paths forward within LAS were going to be severely restricted. But, I wouldn’t take an information vacuum combined with a general sense of how it should be as an adequate approximation of due diligence. More information - in writing, not just off-the-record reassurance - is called for here.
You might talk to an advisor about an assured path - and if there isn’t one, then see what majors are closest that would interest you that you assuredly can get into.
That’s really your choice - studying what you want somewhere vs. your desired school - but is it desired if you have to worry every day about being able to transition?
What is ISU - Iowa State or Indiana State?
What is the end goal (after college).
Why do you prefer UIUC vs. UIC or the others? Finances? Campus life? Something else?
Dang - I missed one!!! Like when they say UW and you ask - is that Wyoming?
Yep - totally makes sense.
Perhaps the student wants to be at the main flagship - but then it’s a question of risk - are you willing to attend a school where you aren’t assured of studying what you want.
Not sure of the student’s stats, budget, or willingness to look elsewhere but there are other low cost schools (with merit) that are flagship level that might make sense if the student were interested - so they can get that UIUC like experience with the major they want.
I would contact UIUC and ask about the exact criteria for obtaining your desired major.
You indicated that you were also not accepted under your second choice ….biology. Is there a chance you can get this major? I would ask for the criteria. Would you be ok with biology at UIUC over biochemistry at a different school?
If it remains unclear as to whether you can get your top 2 majors, you will have a decision to make …which includes staying at a school where you may not get to study what you want (noted above). What are you planning to do with a degree in biochemistry or biology?
Biology is a major that typically accepts a lot of students and is not a competitive entry compared to nursing, engineering, etc. However…once you are in the major it becomes competitive, as most students are going after some type of competitive graduate program, med school etc. Although you can get an entry level job with a biology degree, it is really a major that requires additional schooling. Is this your plan?
I think there are several things to consider here. Good luck getting answers to your questions!
Thank you! I want to go into pharmaceuticals I wasn’t 100% sure until senior year though, thus I did not have enough good science classes on my application (if I was sure before, I probably would have enrolled into AP Chem) I wouldn’t necessarily mind going into Biology, but Biochemistry would be preferred. And I’ll go check up on the criteria :))
OP here, I forgot to mention that I have also gained more credibility after I already submitted my application. I recently started working a job as a pharmacy technician (as I intend to go into pharmacy) as well as obtaining a title as an Illinois State Scholar and becoming student of the month. It is unfortunate that they happened much later than when I submitted my application though. But I was wondering if you guys think the experience would help me if I reapplied for Biochem.
Yes, I want to be a pharmacist :)) and I currently have the job as a pharmacy technician, which unfortunately did not happen until after I submitted my application. But after my experience in the environment, I am sure that I want to go into pharmacy, which requires a Biochemistry or Biology degree.
Yes, I want to be a pharmacist :)) and I currently have the job as a pharmacy technician, which unfortunately did not happen until after I submitted my application. But after my experience in the environment, I am sure that I want to go into pharmacy, which requires a Biochemistry or Biology degree, and pharmacy school.
Personally, I would attend the school that would allow me to study what I wanted in order to move ahead in my career/area of interest. Right now it is unclear if UIUC will allow it. I would ask.
I emailed UIUC about the requirements to switch to my preferred major and they seem very feasible to me. But I will think on it a bit more. Thank you so much for your advice :))
Thank you!