<p>Anyways, I have been through my 1st 2 full weeks of college at UCR. But I've been debating a major question, which is "should I transfer or not?", cuz that was my original plan before going to UCR.</p>
<p>But after getting adjusted to UCR, I've been able to look into different opportunities. So I'm in the honors program & they really seem like they wanna get to know you & help your time at UCR. And the director already knows me now because I've been talking to her a lot recently. Also, I'm extremely interested in a club & I've already secured a research assistant position for next quarter. And I've also been looking into studying abroad next year too. And one of my TAs knows me by name & face also! And I got my 1st response paper for my literature class & I got a perfect score! </p>
<p>So my main question of transferring, is it worth it to apply to another campus? I was thinking if I did choose to transfer, I would apply to UCLA or Pitzer. And If I do, then should I try to apply after 1 year? I think that would only be ok for Pitzer because it's a private school, & I'm gonna assume that I would have to wait 2 years to apply to UCLA. But some friend told me that A's at Riverside don't mean as much as A's at other colleges, which I guess could be kinda true. But I don't know who to believe! So I'm not sure if A's at a certain school weigh any more at other schools... I was just thinking that I could do really well @ riverside, & be at the top of my class, rather than be just a regular student at UCLA or something... But I'm not sure what's better for me. </p>
<p>And if I did go to Pitzer, would it be worth it to apply there & study there but then apply to graduate school? And it's a private school, so that's just more money... And I just think there's more opportunity for me to stand out at Riverside. So what do you think I should do? I know that there's still time for me to decide, but I just want to decide so I can start planning & working on my application.</p>
<p>Please help me with your opinion on what I should do! Stay or move?</p>
<p>A high GPA from riverside doesn't mean much as an average gpa from ucla if you're trying to enter the finance/business world. However, a high gpa from riverside means a lot if you're trying to go law school/medical school or any other graduate level programs versus a low gpa from UCLA. </p>
<p>If your overall goal is to go to graduate school after a BA, stay at riverside and pull down consistently high grades while taking a heavy courseload.</p>
<p>Its true what they say, As from riverside is not much. Just as a comparison, my friend at UCI used to have multiple choice exams(4 choices). Here at UCLA, my econ professors like to give 10-14 different choices.</p>
<p>But GPA is GPA, most people are ignorant enough to ignore(not know) the rigor of some academic programs.</p>
<p>I'm with JPNguyen regarding the question of what you want to ultimately do.</p>
<p>You listed a bunch of signs that you should stay and if I were you I would plan on staying for now. It sounds like everything is going well for you and you are right where you should be. Not everyone is that lucky.</p>
<p>I'll tell you right now that a lot of the time what is expected of me at Cal is not a whole lot different than CC. With that being said, I think if you transfer you might not find that the grass is not greener at all. In fact, you might be inclined to think UCLA is overrated and kick yourself for leaving UCR.</p>
<p>Lastly, I think those of us here might put too much emphasis on prestige. I know this isn't scientific, but I have a close relative that started, owns, and operates a company that now has 250 employees in SoCal. It might be different from company to company, but he said it doesn't make much of a difference where a person got their degree from. What he wants to see as an employer is a good vibe from you in an interview, motivation, good work ethic, honesty, and good work experience. It's all about attitude man. Trust me, he couldn't care less if you went to CSUN, Stanford, UCLA, Cal Poly, Loyola, UCR, w/e. Where a degree is from means equally little if you're impressive in an interview, and it also means nothing if you come across as a retard. Put it this way...remember filling out your UC application and being able to tick off a few things like EC's and work experience that helped make your app more full? After you graduate, your degree becomes one of those things you tick off. It is not a giant insane deal (unless you're trying to teach at a top tier university or join a giant law firm).</p>
<p>To make my long story/rant short, I wouldn't take that unnecessary and unneeded risk if I were you. Don't mess up a good thing.</p>
<p>Glad you're having a great time at UCR. Keep it up.</p>
<p>"I think those of us here might put too much emphasis on prestige."</p>
<p>Pretty much this. I never understood why people held UCLA and CAL in such high regard. They're top tier UC's, but they are not Stanford, Yale, Harvard, Princeton, Dartmouth, etc.</p>
<p>You're gonna get a great eduation at any UC, but this whole UCLA/Berk idol worship is unhealthy...</p>
<p>My2cents:
Stay at UCR. Continue to be a big fish in a small pond. You'll be better off this way.</p>
<p>I don't see the point in trying to transfer to Pitzer, honestly. If you get good grades your freshman year/first quarter of sophomore year, apply to UCLA as a transfer see what happens. If you get in, you can decide whether to go or not. In the mean time, focus on getting the most out of UCR. </p>
<p>As far as standing out goes, it's a wonderful opportunity to get mentoring/attention from professors. You should take full advantage of that.</p>