<p>Right now I'm a freshmen at SUNY New Paltz. I'd like some advice on how to improve my chances for admission at UB. I'm aiming for either the Fall 2010 or Spring 2011 semester. </p>
<p>At my current university, I'm not doing amazingly well. I'm guessing my GPA for this semester with be 3.0, tops. I'm scoring mostly Bs and Cs in my classes right now. I'm hoping between finals and end of semester projects I'll be able to raise everything to straight Bs. This semester I'm taking 16 credits. I already have 23 credits on my transcript from APs and dual credit courses. I don't think I'm going to fail anything, but a few of more courses are more challenging than I originally thought. I'm also feeling incredibly homesick on top of the general adjustment to college life. </p>
<p>As for involvement, I'm working two campus jobs right now as a student assistant in the library and as a conversation partner with two ESL students. I'm hoping my experience will help make up for my less than stellar grades! </p>
<p>I've noticed on Taurus that most of my credits would transfer in to Buffalo as general elective credit (so it shows up as HIST** instead of an actual history course). Would it be better to attend another university for a semester or two to earn credit for actual courses? I've already put in an application at my local community college for spring 2010. While the course offerings aren't as extensive in history(my major), it looks like more of the courses offer transfer into actual classes. To be honest, I'd prefer being closer to home and I'd rather not live on campus(I would live at home for the cc). I'm not entirely happy at my current university, but I don't want to jeopardize my transfer chances to UB either. The classes are definitely better at New Paltz, but this semester has been emotionally draining. Would it be better to stick it out another semester here or attend cc for a bit? </p>
<p>What is it that you are dissatisfied with at New Paltz? What is it that you are looking for at UB? Is it just that you are homesick or does it go beyond that?
I think you should try and stick it out at NP and if you still want to transfer then work at getting your gpa up.</p>
<p>That’s interesting on the course transfer…seems like courses that satisfy SUNY’s gen ed requirement (ie. World Civ, if that’s what you’re taking) would transfer to another SUNY as the same course. When you are accepted at UB, your advisor can look into that.</p>
<p>Unless you absolutely have to work, I suggest giving up one of your jobs to focus on bringing your grades up. If you’re applying now, UB will have your first semester grades before decisions are made. Schedule your study time every day - even an hour between classes can be productive - and use the resources New Paltz has to help you. I think it’s important to get the study skills and time management habits ingrained now before the coursework becomes even more difficult.</p>
<p>LilyMoon - Being away from home is definitely part of it. Many of the people than attend this school only live a few hours away. Many are from Long Island or the city. I live around 5 hours away. My peers can usually manage going home on a regular weekend, I can’t. It’s harder and more expensive going home for me. I’d prefer to be closer (2 - 3 hours away at most) location so I have the option of visiting more often. Besides that, I’d prefer a different social scene and a bigger school. I’d also like to be in a more urban setting. I know UB is pretty suburban, but it’s easy enough to get into the city. The larger areas around here are difficult to get to without a car, and frankly, I didn’t see a whole lot when we visited them. NYC is very nice, but I haven’t found a chance to visit yet. I thought I wanted a smaller college, but New Paltz seems a bit too small now. Perhaps it’s a cultural difference, but I haven’t found a large group of friends yet. I’m civil with everyone and most of the people here are nice enough, but I don’t feel like I have many friends except for my two roommates. I’m very close with them. </p>
<p>I was originally going to stay the year, but I don’t want to stay if I’m not going to transfer a significant amount of credit. I’m also not sure if I even want to - I really underestimated how emotionally draining it is starting college in a new area away from my friends and family at home(at least for me). That was an error on my part! Worst case scenario, I think I could manage a full year. I really like my history department, and there are a few other courses I was thinking of taking. I know if I do that, I’ll need to make some big changes to my study habits. </p>
<p>sk8ermom - From my understanding, most of the Gen Eds will transfer in as elective credit with the GE attribute. It does seem like Buffalo has slightly different requirements, but I shouldn’t be too far behind with the GEs at Buffalo. It doesn’t look like anything with transfer into my major though, unfortunately. </p>
<p>I was thinking about working last night. The library position is tied to my financial aid, so I can’t give that up. Technically I could give up the ESL position, but I’ve been using that paycheck for my day-to-day expenses such as groceries. I also really enjoy the job so it’d be sad to see it go! I agree that I need to create better time management and studying skills. Like many students, I never needed either in high school and it’s really showing now! I like the idea of making a study schedule, I’ll try that. There’s still several projects and finals to go through so I’m hoping I can improve in time. </p>
<p>Thank you for replying! I appreciate a parental perspective.</p>
<p>I can understand you’re feeling homesick and missing family and friends. Many freshman feels this way. One thing to realize is that you have only been in college for 2 months. It is a huge adjustment and does take some time. The fact that you have a close relationship with your roommates is great. Many kids have not made any close connections at such an early point. Even though you will be closer to home at UB, you will have to start all over making friends and connections there. In addition, if you plan on going home often it will make it even harder to establish a social life at UB. This is why I think you should give NP more time. You may find that you can be happy there, especially since you like the History dept.</p>
<p>On a side note, my son is a transfer student at New Paltz. This is his second semester and he is still adjusting to the change. It is harder coming in as a transfer. However, he has met some really nice, down to earth people and likes his dept.</p>