<p>Hello I am currently a Freshman at the University of Arizona. I have been thinking of transferring ever since I got to the UA. Until very recently I have been 100% ready to transfer. It is only now that I have thought otherwise. I am hoping to transfer to either Washington State or USC... USC being my stretch.</p>
<p>Some reasons for me wanting to transfer:</p>
<ol>
<li>I never wanted a degree from the University of Arizona</li>
<li>I want to experience a new and exciting place.</li>
<li>I want to be back in a place thats not hot all the time (I have been living in AZ for more than 10 years now and miss the cold)</li>
<li>I want to prove everyone wrong who says transferring is a bad idea.</li>
<li>I am not doing as well in school as I could be I got a 2.8 my fall term and am looking at either a 2.8 again or a 3.0 and I feel a fresh environment can truly help my academics</li>
<li>I want to get involved in ways the UA does not have such as for WSU the ski team or for USC the upgrade of academics and reputation.</li>
</ol>
<p>But here are some of my reasons not to transfer</p>
<ol>
<li>I am scared about transferring from a school that I dont mind at being (from a social stand point)</li>
<li>Cost cost cost of WSU (If i get into the strech of USC cost is not an issue because my father is a professor there.</li>
<li>I will not know A SOUL at either school.</li>
</ol>
<p>Are my reasons for transferring valid or should I just tough it out and enjoy my time at the UA the best I can.</p>
<p>Any help you guys can give is greatly appreciated!</p>
<p>EDIT: Ive been accepted to WSU but im still waiting to hear back from USC.</p>
<p>It definitely sounds like transferring is the right decision for you.</p>
<p>Don’t let the fact that you don’t know anyone there deter you. I don’t know anyone at my current school, or the school that I am transferring to. You can always meet new people.</p>
<p>I don’t think you’ll get into USC with a 2.8, unless your dad is some rockstar professor his department is petrified of losing…and in that case you’d be accepted on his merits not yours, so no way to predict chances.</p>
<p>With that said, it definitely sounds like you have solid reasons for transferring, especially if you dislike Arizona so much its affecting your GPA. Although 1 and 4 are kind of odd reasons to transfer… And you should also probably ensure Washington has a good program for what you think you might study. It has happened where students get buyers remorse when they pick a major and the program is terrible or non-existent when their previous school had an amazing program they weren’t aware of at the time.</p>
<p>Also, the reasons you list for not wanting you transfer shouldn’t dissuade you. Often it’s actually a benefit to be thrown into a new environment where you don’t know anyone. It builds your confidence, social skills, comfort around new or different people, and challenges you–all arguably more valuable in the real world than some classes I could name.</p>
<p>These are my honest thoughts about your reasons:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>A degree from UofAZ and WSU are pretty equivalent; USC is more valuable in some people’s minds, not in others.</p></li>
<li><p>Valid, but more of a luxury than a necessity.</p></li>
<li><p>Ditto.</p></li>
<li><p>Not a valid reason. Like most things in life, it’s better to do it for your own reasons, not as a reaction to other people.</p></li>
<li><p>I think you’re rationalizing your grades.</p></li>
<li><p>Ski team, see 2 & 3. Start getting better grades where you are before you start coveting an upgrade.</p></li>
<li><p>Change is always scary, even when you want it.</p></li>
<li><p>WSU is not worth a significantly higher price than UofAZ.</p></li>
<li><p>This is one of the downsides to transferring. And while many people do it successfully, finding friends as a transfer is more challenging than as a fr, particularly at a school where many students move off campus after fr year.</p></li>
</ol>