Confused College Freshman Needing to Transfer! PLEASE HELP!

<p>I'm really the most confused about my life than I've ever been right now.</p>

<p>I'm a college freshman going to by dream school, which is 2 hours away from home. I love how it is such a small school (short walks to class, small classes). And the fact that it is all womens helps me concentrate better. Altough I am happy that I get to major in fashion marketing (which is hard to find in a lot of schools) and I love all my classes, I just don't think I can be here any longer. </p>

<p>I'm not connecting with anyone here, probably because I am a minority and I don't really have a lot in common with anyone. Not really having friends here makes me miss all my best friends at home. I have a suitemate that smells so bad and is so messy. I had money and expensive gifts stolen out of my room from someone I thought was my friend, but no one believes me. I got clothes taken out of the dryer before it was done drying.</p>

<p>The biggest issue I have of all is affording this school. It is a private 4 year institution. I have an EFC of 0 and I have to pay nearly 7,000 a semester, which is RIDICULOUS! I have scholarships from the school and loans, but it really doesn't help at all.</p>

<p>I am having a really hard time deciding what I should do for next semester. One option is to go to a community college back home which is $88 a credit - amazing! BUT BUT BUT... I don't have a car and I don't have my license so I will have no way to get to my classes. I wanted to go a state university (living on campus) for my generals and then transfer to this private school in my home city (which is cheaper than the school i'm at now, but the only thing is i have to downgrade my major to fashion merchandising)... but that is an issue too because the state school told me that if I am not planning on getting my degree there then I will not qualify for financial aid. </p>

<p>I really have no idea what to do right now. My mom doesn't make a lot of money and I don't want her spending half of her salary at this school I am going to now. It's not worth it. Especially if I am not happy here.</p>

<p>Please feel free to give me any advice... I need it, and would appreciate it a lot!!!! Thanks!!!</p>

<p>whoa whoa whoa! dont jump so fast to conclusions! the last thing you want to do is leave your dream school! dont climb down the ladder go up! look up some schools that you want to look at. dont go to community. also dont get fussy over the petty things. laundry taken out before its dry? that happens all the time here, of course i play dirty and turn off the dryer which had my clothes in it, so the person has wet clothes. but you should find a way to cope</p>

<p>yes but i had to put in more money to dry them again and they never dried and i had no more money to completely dry them so my clothes and towels started smelling like mildew... it's just everything about this school except the size and classes itself that is causing me discomfort. i hate the atmosphere and it really isn't my dream school anymore, i may add. and money is still the biggest issue.</p>

<p>thank you for the advice though. i will keep in mind to not have to downgrade my education.</p>

<p>I think I somewhat feel where you're coming from; money problems can be incredibly stressful, and it makes you stress about other, smaller things more than you should (ah, displacement). If you're really not happy at your current school and it's costing you more than you're willing to pay (even with loans? So are you or your mom paying for this out of pocket?), then you might want to consider transferring after all. Usually I would say give it a year, but since it's costing you more money every semester...</p>

<p>About the money: Are you contributing (do you have a job)? Maybe that would help enough that you can stay comfortably? Also, talk with your mom before deciding anything; if she thinks it's worth it, then try not to feel guilty or anything. You'll pay her back. </p>

<p>"but that is an issue too because the state school told me that if I am not planning on getting my degree there then I will not qualify for financial aid."</p>

<p>They might say that, but they have no way of knowing your intentions when you apply. I mean, I'm going to a state school right now, and I went in knowing I wanted to transfer out a year later. Just don't tell them; plenty of people go to schools and only realize they want to transfer afterwards; as far as the school will know, you're one of those people. </p>

<p>Although, I don't see why you want to go to the state school and then another private school; why not just transfer from where you are now to the other private school, cut out the middleman? </p>

<p>Good luck, and don't stress!</p>

<p>Yes, after the financial aid it is 7000 out of pocket. I got a 9000 scholarship from the school but it didnt make much of a difference because they just put it into my financial aid award and took other stuff out.</p>

<p>I have a work study job and I really don't have time for a second job because I am busy from 9 to 5 every weekday and then the rest of the time I am doing projects for class.</p>

<p>I do want to apply for the state school and not tell them that I am a non-seeking degree student but I am afraid that they won't let me choose the classes I need for the private school because I am still a freshman. The reason why I am trying to go to a community or state school first is because I am trying to find the most economical way possible.</p>

<p>Thank you so much for your feedback though! :)</p>