Considering transferring to another school

Transfer Students
1

<p>So, I graduated from high school in the Spring of 2013, and I'm currently attending Ouachita Baptist University, a small liberal arts college in my hometown of Arkadelphia, AR. I made the decision to go here for a few personal reasons, but also because scholarship money worked out really well, so I'm going to college for free. </p>

<p>That being said, I've spent my 18 years of life living in Arkadelphia, and I want out. It's a small town of 10,912 people, according to our sign, but when the college students are gone during breaks, the town feels dead. There's not much to do here at all. I want to try living and going to school somewhere different.</p>

<p>So. I'm going to list some things I want in a college/city and see if anyone can help me out.</p>

<p>1) I want to go somewhere bigger and more lively. Not necessarily some massive city. But I think I would like a more urban lifestyle better than the rural lifestyle I've lived for 18 years. And I'm not into the party scene at all, so I'd want to go somewhere with more to do than go to clubs or go to huge parties. And I'd love for the city I live in to be pedestrian friendly. I want to be able to get around without a car, which you can't do in rural Arkansas.</p>

<p>2) I want to get out of Arkansas. I don't want to live somewhere rural. I'd prefer to get out of the Bible Belt entirely, for personal reasons. Obviously, though, out of state tuition costs are big deterrent for doing so.</p>

<p>3) I can't pay a lot of money to go to college. No student loans either. My dad is the librarian at the local high school and my mom is often too ill to work. She works when she can as a secretary for a local church, but her health keeps her from maintaining full-time employment. So my family isn't exactly rolling in dough here. My parents don't have the money to pay for my school. And I really don't want to incur any debt if I can help it.</p>

<p>4) I want the school to be good. This, I guess, should go without saying. But I thought I'd throw that out there. I want to major in English, so I'd prefer to go to a school with a good English program.</p>

<p>So I guess that about sums it up. I just want to consider my options. I feel like I'm trapped in Arkadelphia, and I want to get out if at all possible. If anyone out there can offer me some suggestions of schools/locations that fit my criteria, I would be extremely grateful. Just some advice would be helpful. Thanks in advance!</p>

2

<p>Where else did you apply the first time around? Were any affordable?</p>

<p>The colleges and universities that are most likely to produce excellent aid packages for transfer students are also the ones that are the most selective. If you are a potential applicant for one of them, give it a shot. Most other places reserve their good aid for incoming freshmen. </p>

<p>Most students end up with at least some federal loans. If you aren’t willing to take those on, it will be nearly impossible for you to get away from where you are now. You might be better off staying put, and getting your undergrad education for free. Take advantage of any internships, study abroad, etc. that will get you out of your current area for at least a few months, and start planning now for your post-college life far away from Arkadelphia.</p>