Im a senior in hs, and a couple of weeks ago I committed to a college that I felt like was the best option out of the ones I was accepted to. It definitely would not have been a school I would have chosen to look at. I wanted to go to a school in the South, somewhere warm, and farther from home, but this school is only about 20 mins away from me (I’m from the Northeast.) My parents didn’t want me to go somewhere super far my first year at college and said if I wanted to go somewhere that far, it would be best to stay close my first year because college is a huge adjustment and then see if I still wanted to. Therefore, I didn’t apply anywhere too far, but after committing and seeing where everyone else is going, I really feel unhopeful about next year.
I toured the school I’m committed to twice and could see myself succeeding there and I know it was the best option I had, and it has an amazing program for physical therapy but not a nutrition major, which I would love to study. I just don’t know what to do or how to feel?
It’s natural to feel some insecurity about your choice. And this year of all years, there’s a lot of insecurity about the future. Until we know where Covid-19 is going, it may be good to be nearer home. You can apply to transfer in your 1st or 2nd year—just make sure you get good grades, and take note of the deadline for applications if you do decide you want something different. It’s very positive that you can see yourself being successful at the college you chose., and really, it’s not were you go, but what you do when you get there that counts.
I think that you should look at the “study abroad” options for the school that you have committed to. You could spend three or 3 1/2 years there, but also spend one semester or one year studying in a different country and possibly a different continent.
Frequently study abroad options have a minimum GPA requirement. Try to keep your grades up when you arrive at university. Of course this will also be important if you decide to transfer.
I would not commit to anything in the south unless you have spent a full July in the south. When it gets cold up north we can put on more clothes. When it gets hot in the south there is a limit to how far you want to go in the opposite direction, and it still doesn’t help.
Also, with the coronavirus situation we do not know what will be open in September. Attending a university near home might end up being a wise choice.
of all years to stay closer to home, this would be it. I was originally looking into studying nutrition at Cornell. I was given the transfer option…so I can go there next year.
You can always transfer next year to a college that offers your major.
A downside to the transfer idea is that transfers get lousy aid. On the one hand, if you’re full pay, it’ll be a good year to transfer since there’s going to be a lot of disruption in the coming year due to the Coronavirus and there may be more spots next year for sophomore-year transfers. On the other hand, the disruption is likely to dry funds and thus make transferring more difficult.
In any case, unless your parents have changed their minds and are okay with your going to a more Southern state, you’re starting at your college, so look into all the reasons it fits who you are. Did you apply to the Honors Program? To the living-learning community?
(Is it a good match for you academically or is there a mismatch? Are you worried it’ll be too hard, or that other students won’t care?)
