Advice Regarding Transfer

College Majors Engineering Majors
1

<p>Hey guys, </p>

<p>I've browsed these boards for a long time but never really have had the nerve to post. However, I'm having a little dilemma that I'd like to get some input on. Towards the end of this summer I set my sights on transferring out of my current school. I applied to several different schools, not really expecting much. However, to my surprise I got into all of them. My top two choices are IIT (Illinois) and RIT, and while they are ranked higher than my current school (which is probably in the top 150 or so?), I know they aren't exactly MIT or some or very high ranking school.</p>

<p>Right now I'm attending my state university, and it's significantly cheaper than both these private schools. At the very least, assuming that I can finish my degree within another two years, I'll be about 40k in debt from either of them, whereas my family can afford to send me to the state school and I likely be able to graduate debt free. </p>

<p>Initially, I was rather silly and told myself that if I got in I would go, regardless of the debt that I had to take because I wanted to get away from home and have the whole "college experience". However, when I got my financial aid offer last week and saw the real amount I'd have to take a loan for, the cloud of debt that I could be taking seems quite real, and quite scary. Now I've started to think that maybe I should forgo this notion of trying to transfer for undergrad and save my money for grad school instead. A 40k loan for undergrad seems really hefty, and I don't know how how wise it would be, when I'm also thinking about attending grad school. By the way, I'm majoring in EE, if it makes a difference.</p>

<p>I suppose what I was trying to get at is I was hoping for input from others about what I should do. My friends and family are telling me I should go and just do it because it's what I've wanted for a long time, and I know that they just want me to be happy, but I also want some impartial advice on what the wise thing to do is. I've heard quite a bit that it doesn't really matter where you go to school for undergrad, and if anything, I could try to get into a better program for graduate studies. I'm just not quite sure what I should do, or if maybe I'm just having cold feet right now, but would just like some advice from those who already have been through it and can help me see clearly through this situation! :)</p>

2

<p>What year are you in? Will you still be on track to graduate at the same time at these other schools?</p>

<p>I was looking at a 60k loan at my dream schools vs 10k loan at the state school 15 minutes from my house. In the end, I transferred to the cheaper one. I just couldn’t get my finances together to go to the more prestigious school even after a scholarship. So far I have no regrets and have grown to love the school I’m at. </p>

<p>Are you happy with your current school? Do you plan on grad school? It’s better to keep the debt low if possible.</p>

3

<p>What are the job placement success rates of the different schools (your current one vs. possible transfer schools) in the types of companies/agencies which interest you? I would factor that in to the decision.</p>

4

<p>Don’t take the transfer lightly. I did somewhat, and it was much harder than I had anticipated. I went the opposite way, though: less expensive (but more prestigious) state school. I’d be lying if I told you I was as happy as I was at my former school, but the opportunities are infinitely better here. I’m actually going to have to turn down co-op offers that I have received; whereas I couldn’t find a co-op to save my life at my previous university.</p>

<p>Definitely look at the difference in research opportunities, especially if you are interested in grad school.</p>

5

<p>Is your current school a state satellite campus or a state flagship. In either case, it might have recruiting rivaling that of IIT or RIT.</p>