<p>I am considering doing the opposite of what many of you aspire to do. I am considering transferring from Rice, a decently prestigious engineering school, to University of Maryland, College Park.</p>
<p>I do understand that Rice is a better engineering school than UMD, but socially I think I would be much much much happier at a larger and more diverse school. Also, I have discovered that the biological resource engineering department at UMD is larger and appears to have more research opportunities than the bioengineering department at Rice.</p>
<p>Right now, I am a freshman and have a 4.0/4.0 at Rice. My mom and brother think I am insane for wanting to transfer but understand that I am the one who gets to make the final decision in the end. </p>
<p>How will my decision to transfer affect my admission to graduate schools in the future? If I excel at UMD academically, is this really such a horrible decision regarding my success in the future? My understanding is that University of Maryland, College Park HAS a GOOD engineering school, even if it isn't one of the top ten blah blah ivy leage universities.</p>
<p>I welcome any suggestions, comments, etc. However, please don't pull the typical textbook response that automatically assumes more prestigious schools are always the better choice. </p>
<p>and....THANK YOU for reading my BOOK of a POSTING!!!</p>
<p>Well I think as long as you suceed academically at the college you attend you will stlll have a great chance to gain admission at any graduate school. I mean, at UMD, if you keep up your grades and excell with your proffessor in your desired field, there is no reason that Graduate Schools will penalize you for transferring.</p>
<p>Besides, if UMD has more opportunities for research, transferring there would, in my eyes, be a sound decision. </p>
<p>Now of course, I have to ask; Why don't you like Rice Bioengineering?
I'm practically doing the opposite that you are; transffering from State Bioengineering department to Rice. Any comments?</p>
<p>The decision for me is based not so much on academic factors but more on social life and student diversity. It seems that at such an intense academic school, people are either studying their butts off or partying hard core. Extracurricular activities are close to non-existent. </p>
<p>People are so competitive that you feel guilty for taking a break from studying. The atmosphere is insane and unhealthy. I would rather go to a school where academics can be a top priority along with maintaining a (semi)wholesome social life and pursuing non-academic interests. </p>
<p>I'm not saying transferring to Rice would definately be a bad decision for you, but I think you really have to weigh out some important factors in your life before you take that leap =)</p>
<p>Ironically, I think that is one of the core reason why I initially wanted to transfer to Rice. My current Bioeng. Department (at University of Houston) has pretty good academics but the social life is non existant. </p>
<p>I had some friends at Rice who commented on social activies such as NOD, the Baker 13 and the myriad of residential college activities.
Yet, I also know that Rice is incredilbly competititve; especially the Pre-med sector.</p>
<p>rachel, a couple years ago when my son was accepted to Johns Hopkins, I talked at length to my neighbor's daughter, who worked there. I asked her if she thought my son would like Hopkins.</p>
<p>Off the record even tho she was affiliated with JHU and she had great things to say about the school, she advised him to consider the honors program at UMd. He's a social kid and she thought it would be a better fit for him.</p>
<p>Well I think there are some obvious similarities between Rice and JHU. My S didn't go to JHU or UMd honors, but I think he would have picked UMd honors over JHU.</p>
<p>If you can get a 4.0 at Rice you can do it at Md. And I think a very high gpa in your major presumably in the honors program would be just fine.</p>