<p>Hi,</p>
<p>I am a Canadian student at Vassar College. I am in second year and am considering transferring to UBC for third year for many reasons, one of which being that my tuition is going to keep increasing over the next two years and it is starting to be a bit excessive. I also find many aspects of Vassar stifling, even though it definitely has its positives such as small classes and easy communication with professors. I would also like to go to Medical school, probably in Canada, after I graduate. So my question is, do you think it would be a better idea to transfer to UBC or stay at Vassar and graduate with a potentially more prestigious degree?</p>
<p>This is actually complex question, especially given the desire to attend medical school. I am assuming you are Canadian or you would not be able to attend med school there.</p>
<p>The most difficult aspect of this switch is your GPA at UBC. Vassar and UBC are both well reputed schools, but you now know the routine at Vassar, you are going to have to learn a new style of class & grading at UBC. It will be a transition in the first term of your junior year, if you jump into heavy science classes and med school pre-reqs, you risk endangering your GPA by not adapting quickly enough.</p>
<p>Will you be able to find opportunities to shadow physicians and to participate in ECs in Van right away? When do you plan to apply? Are you taking a year off after graduation and then applying or will it be the summer after junior year? Will all your Vassar credits fulfill requirements at UBC or are you delaying your completion></p>
<p>All that being said, you should go the place where you will be the happier, more engaged student, the better you feel, the better you should do. Go where you will excel in grades and in well-rounded ECs.</p>
<p>Thanks for the reply. Yes, I am Canadian and yes, it is a very complex situation – lots of factors to consider. I am definitely worried about being able to transition to UBC academic culture quickly enough. I also have some good opportunities here in terms of shadowing doctors etc. However, it is also very difficult to get into biology classes and science classes in general at Vassar, and I feel like I would have broader choice academically at UBC. Furthermore, being in a city definitely would offer more volunteer opportunities and extracurricular possibility, though also more competition for research and shadowing experience. It’s difficult because I feel like my situation is very unique and therefore it is hard to get advice from people who have gone through similar things. Anyway, any more advice would be greatly appreciated!</p>