<p>I blindly applied exclusively to a large state university as that was where I was expected to go and was the largest in-state University and would also offer me a de facto full-ride (between merit scholarships and 0 EFC financial aid). However, I then discovered that without taking out student loans, I couldn't afford the cost of living in that city, and my parents are downsizing significantly, so I wouldn't have anywhere to move to for summers in a dorm situation, assuming I could find a way to afford that. So, I'm commuting to college from 36 miles away, which is what it is for the time being.</p>
<p>There is a closer university that also offers my major (computer science), but is less well-known. If I receive their transfer scholarship, which is likely due to the 3.0 college GPA requirement (I need a 3.3 just to keep my financial aid), and 30 credit hour requirement (due to my AP testing, I will be a sophomore in Spring), the difference in financial aid from the smaller college entering as a transfer student would be about $1000 less per year, assuming that all of my institutional scholarships at my current school are for four years (I'm trying to discover this now). I'm trying to decide if this trade-off is worthwhile, and if the difference in notoriety of them is relevant. They are both identically certified, the differences between them seem to be solely in the amount of funding they receive and the amount of attention they get, as the one I'm currently enrolled in has a much more well-known sports program. They're both public institutions.</p>
<p>As far as credits transferring, the smaller school has a policy of accepting all credits from in-state schools. More obscure credits may be reassigned to elective credit status, but they're all accepted.</p>
<p>Obviously decisions like this are by their very nature rather subjective and vary from person to person as to the "correct" choice, but I thought I would check with some that are more experienced with such decisions to give me more things to consider and to get some perspective. Any questions or suggestions would be welcomed.</p>