did i just ruin my life?

Transfer Students
1

<p>Okay here's the deal: I had a strong high school record. (1520, salutatorian, etc.) I had thoughts of taking a year off after high school, but applied to seven schools anyway thinking that I'd just defer for a year if I took the year off. I was accepted to all of them, and senior year went so well that I decided to just keep on going and headed off to Cornell for engineering this fall. The semester did not go well - due to emotional issues, not because of academics/the school; although I do think another school would fit me better (I don't have any specific ones in mind). I've always been a girl who loved math and science (and foreign language) and disliked writing English papers and the like. I'm not positive engineering is for me (which was part of the problem at CU - classes are so specific), but I know I'll probably major in engineering, economics, math, etc. I'm having trouble deciding if I should go with liberal arts and a math/physics degree or a technical degree. </p>

<p>I'm going to spend this semester either working full time, working a bit and taking a class or two, or maybe taking a semester of classes at the local university. The class option seems like a waste of time since my high school record shows I can handle academics fine, but I kind of want to take a few random ones to explore areas like economics, linguistics, computer science etc. Working would probably benefit me more, not money-wise but socially. </p>

<p>Anyway, I'm getting really discouraged because even though I only completed three college classes at CU, I have to apply as a transfer and I won't get much financial aid - I also want the true freshman experience that I haven't really had yet, and I want to start my major from the beginning and graduate knowing that I completed four full years at whatever college I go to. I feel really bad that I turned down good offers last year (free ride to my state U, RPI medalist, huge scholarship from WPI). It doesn't seem like there is any money for transfers and it even seems harder to get into some selective schools as a transfer than a freshman. I don't understand why I can't just apply as a freshman and start over - it feels like all my options are gone just because I took three classes! btw, if I work this semester will my college want pretty much all that money as my contribution? In other words, it would be pointless?</p>

<p>Any suggestions on what to do? Schools to check out? I feel like I changed from a highly wanted student at a lot of schools, to someone who would be a burden to accept. (And I know I didn't ruin my life, whatever happens will happen, and I'll make it - but I seem to be lost right now).</p>

2

<p>I'll tell you my story. I had two bad years at Cornell, and I finally got real about it during my last semester there. I was clueless in most of my engineering classes and at the end of two years I had a 2.0. The only thing to do was quit school or transfer to a school that was not as good as Cornell. So I transfered to a small state school near my home. I didn't get any good finaid offers so I took out a loan for all of the tuition. After a year of hard work and somewhat of an enlightenment in my engineering classes I got a 3.5 GPA (everything is more clear here than at Cornell). As a result this year I was able to get some scholarships that helped out a lot. This school doesn't give out grants like Cornell.</p>

<p>As far as starting over as a freshman, you may want to talk to some people at the schools you are interested in. I knew a guy who transfered to Cornell and started over but he must have gotten permission from Cornell to do that.</p>

<p>Don't worry about completing a full four years at one college. Many students transfer and spend time between multiple schools. I would have loved to spend 4 years at Cornell but something called "life" happened and I had to leave. My college experience has definitely not been the typical experience but I can't worry about it too much since I am closer to the end than the beginning.</p>

3

<p>Talk to RPI if you want to go there, I know someone who won the medal but decided to go elsewhere, however RPI said that if he changed his mind he could transfer there and still get the money</p>

4

<p>Don't worry so much. Some kids are just not as ready to attend college right away. I should have been one of them, but I foolishly when straight through my post-secondary schooling. It sounds as if you will make an excellent student when you take time to choose what you want to do. Trust me, emotional maturity is just as important as your GPA. There are too many kids graduating from college who are still too young to 'make it' in the adult world. It is more than likely that you will become a better student because of what you have experienced outside the classroom, not despite it.</p>

5

<p>Thanks for all the advice. I'm taking some local core classes right now that will transfer anywhere, and sort of planning my next step. It's weird, not only are some kids not ready for college (like me), but some of my friends are so set on the four year track that they can't even comprehend why I'm doing this.</p>