<p>I am a freshman attending a small state school. After a year of trying it out here, I have decided this school isn’t for me. As a first generation college student, my parents aren’t too familiar with giving college related advice and are not sure what to say after explaining my dilemma. Hoping a few of you parents can chime in.</p>
<p>My plan was to transfer to the state flagship for the Fall but this plan now seems unrealistic after receiving my financial aid award a few days ago. The state flagship will require my parents to take out somewhere between $12,000+ (in addition to the $5500 in unsub/subsidized Stafford loans) in loans for this upcoming school year. My parents have a bad financial history and 1) doubt they’ll pass the loan and 2) do not want to burden them with having this huge loan in their name should they pass the loan (as much as I want to attend the flagship).</p>
<p>After receiving my financial aid award from the flagship, I decided to keep the option of coming back at my current school open. My current school will require me to take out about $8000 (including $5,500 in unsub/sub Stafford loans) in loans. However, I do have personal problems with the school. It lacks the resources and facilities that I feel is very important to me. I’ve also come to the conclusion that a smaller school isn’t for me – as I originally thought. </p>
<p>Another option I have also looked into would be to go back home to attend my local college. Class availability is VERY limited here. Organic chemistry, which I planned to take during sophomore year isn’t offered here so it would push me behind schedule. Until a couple years ago, this college only gave out associates degrees and certificates but now currently offer three bachelor’s degrees. (This college is listed as an unranked regional college on the U.S. news website). Going here would eventually require me to transfer somewhere else because it does not have my major but on the plus side, I will save thousands of dollars. If I do go here, I plan on only staying for a year or so. </p>
<p>I am at a lost and don’t know what to do. If I transfer from my current school to the lesser known regional college close to home, will it hurt me because I’m “transferring down”? The regional college is still considered to be a community college by many around here (including me). Any general advice you’d give me if I was your child?</p>
<p>I would not transfer to the local college no matter how unhappy you are at your current college since it will require you to transfer yet again in order to obtain the degree you’re interested in. </p>
<p>Medical schools will question the multiple transfers. Repeated transfers may make you look unstable (in the eyes of the adcom). </p>
<p>Also with each transfer there is an increasing risk that your previous coursework won’t be accepted by the new school–and this may end up adding 1 or more semesters to your anticipated graduation date. Bad news if money is an issue–which it apparently is.</p>
<p>If you simply cannot abide your current college any longer under any circumstances and the finances at the state flagship are unworkable, would you consider taking a leave of absence from your current school so you could work, earn some money and have the time to research schools that might provide both a more amenable situation and workable financial aid.</p>
<p>What exactly are you looking for in college? What facilities/resources is current school lacking?</p>
<p>BTW, if you’re a rising sophomore, you will be eligible for $6500 in federal loans for next year.</p>
<p>Thanks WowMom.</p>
<p>The thought of leaving school for a year or so to work has been considered. Just don’t know what my parents will think about it. Having a discussion about working vs going to college with my parents in the past, I can totally see my mother being against it.</p>
<p>Everything is too slow in pace for me here (rural location). I’m looking for a college with more things to do, especially at night. I came here with the thought that “nothing to do” will keep me focused but after staying here for a year, doing “nothing” has actually burnt me out a bit and is driving me insane.</p>
<p>Aside from the above, my current college lacks very simple things that I feel every college should have. Library hours are VERY limited. Tutoring services are understaffed. Both of these irk me especially when I need them most. Lack of campus life, etc… A sense of academic stimulation is also lacking here to an extent. </p>
<p>Re: federal loans and $6500, they seem to have given me only $5500 total for next school year. If I contact them and inquire about taking the full amount, will they usually give all $6500?</p>
<p>You can ask the school. If you have sophomore standing, you are eligible for $6500 in federal loans. The loans will be unsubsidized unless you have demonstrated “need” based on the COA and your family’s EFC. </p>
<p>I’m not sure what you ought to do. This is a discussion you need to have with your family as every family’s situation is different.</p>
<p>Remember–medicine is a goal and reaching it is what’s important, not how fast you finish.</p>
<p>One the issues w/r/t transferring will be FA. The best FA is typically reserved for freshmen and transfers often get lousy aid. It may be possible that you won’t be able to make another college work financially. That’s a possibility you need to be mentally prepared for–what you will do if you can’t find another affordable college.</p>
<p>Thanks WowMom, I’ll try to keep these things in mind over the next couple weeks. Won’t need to make a final decision until then.</p>