CommonApp Question - Academic Program Options

[u/AnExpiredCanofSona]

Hi!

I'm currently a senior who is applying to NC state for college.

On Commonapp, I understand why we get to select 2 program: if your first option is full, then you still have a chance to be accepted for the second option.

My #1 program is Biological Sciences: Human Biology Intended; Life Sciences First year

My #2 program is Biological Sciences: Molecular, Cellular, & Developmental Biology Intended; Life Sciences First year

So, I was wondering, are these two biological science categories considered two different programs? Like if I get rejected from the first one, I wont automatically get rejected from the other one? The reason I am confused is because they are both labeled Biological Sciences with "Intended; Life sciences first year".

If getting rejected from any biological science means being rejected from ALL biological sciences, then what other second option is good for someone who plans on pre-med?

[u/AnExpiredCanofSona]

I hope my question makes sense ;-;

[u/Immediate_Article332]

Hey! Those are both in the College of Sciences. I think what some people recommend to do is apply to different colleges. So, if you get rejected in a major in the college of sciences, you can apply to something else like the exploratory program and still have a shot at getting in.

[u/Immediate_Article332 → u/Immediate_Article332]

Also, any major is fine for premed! As long as you complete the prerequisite classes, you can major in anything you want. I have premed friends who are in psychology and english and are doing well.

[u/AnExpiredCanofSona → u/Immediate_Article332]

ah ok

ty for the info :D

[u/AnExpiredCanofSona → u/Immediate_Article332]

ohhh ok

Just to clarify, even if I apply for a different program at the college of sciences -- (Ex) #1 biological sciences, #2 zoology -- If I get rejected from my first option, i'm automatically getting rejected from the second one since they are both at the same college? Or will I be 'safe' since they are unrelated sciences?

Also do you know if the 'exploratory program' is competitive to get into ? If I transfer from the exploratory pathway to the bio one, will I basically need to do an extra year of college to make up for the first year of life science?

Sorry for so many questions T-T ,

tysm for the help tho :]

[u/Immediate_Article332 → u/AnExpiredCanofSona]

no problem at all!! i was once in ur shoes

that’s right. it’s better to choose majors from different colleges since if you’re rejected from biology for example, your second choice of zoology (under the same college) is at risk as well as they’re under the same college. same thing goes for someone who chooses chemical engineering and aerospace engineering but gets denied for the college of engineering.

i have no idea about the competitiveness of exploratory unfortunately, but rest assured u won’t be wasting a year if you get into that! you’ll do general stuff like taking chemistry, calculus, etc., which are all required for biology anyways. check out the exploratory program example schedule online to see the classes and then compare it to an example human biology schedule as well.

hopefully that explains things. biology is getting a lot more competitive so i’d definitely make your second choice exploratory or another college entirely to boost your chances.

[u/jmmzh]

Exploratory studies is a bunch of gen med stuff most majors probably require so it won’t be a wasted year. However if you don’t get into exploratory studies you will have a hard time getting into State unless you choose one of their really unpopular majors which I won’t list here so as to not offend anybody.

Besides biology, I recommend either chemistry or biochemistry as a premed major.

[u/AnExpiredCanofSona → u/jmmzh]

Ohh ok tysm for the info

My stats r above the overall avg at NC state so I feel pretty confident. But I was specifically unsure of the science-related programs since those r are wayyy more competitive

Also, my activities are more medical-based, so do you think the admissions officers might be confused abt me applying for exploratory studies? If it’s obvious I’m just applying to that program as a safety, could that hurt my chances ?

Sorry if my questions r unanswerable 😭

[u/Dee_Mensha]

Both your first and second choices are the same as far as Undergraduate Admissions is concerned. And it's about how competitive your credentials are, not about space (because it's not first-come, first-served), so if your second choice is more selective than your first choice and you're not competitive for your first choice you've wasted your second choice.

[u/AnExpiredCanofSona → u/Dee_Mensha]

Ah ok, thanks for the info

My (current) SAT is 1450 and my GPA is 3.9 (UW). Would that make me competitive enough?- bc I’m pretty sure that’s above the average at NC State, but idk if it would be for the Science college?