Hello! I am about to start my Sophomore year at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and I’m having thoughts about transferring. I was drawn there in the first place by the cheap instate tuition, the fact that my sister goes there, the very good dining options and it seemed like a big fun campus with a lot of things to do. I thought i was going to like it but I was pretty miserable there last year and I can’t really explain it but it just did not feel like a good fit. Some reasons i believe are responsible for this are: It’s a huge party school and there is not a ton to do besides party, the winter’s are very cold and snowy, my academic advisers were very unhelpful, I am a huge sports fan and not many other students went to the games, it is located in the middle of nowhere with not much to see and the dorms are old and outdated. I also love to play soccer and when it snows it becomes pretty difficult. So my question is: Do you think that those are valid reasons to transfer or should I stick it out and try different ways to get more involved?
FYI: I have already applied and been accepted to my major(mechanical engineering) at the University of South Florida which is cheaper than UMass even for out of state. I thought this would be a better fit for me because it has a diverse student body, new dorms, a beautiful campus, a more lively location, great weather for outdoor activities and better sports teams. Has anyone done a move like this before? Is it worth the hassle of traveling to and from campus? Thank you!
USF is cheaper.
The weather is better.
You have already been accepted for your major.
Why are you asking about transferring or not instead of just packing your bags and heading there?
I live in Orlando. USF is currently a “hot” (pardon the pun) school, and it’s become much more selective than it has been historically. This has even become mildly controversial. UCF has also been soaring, though I raise my eyebrow at a school that literally doubles its size in a decade.
FL has for decades been a hot spot for people in the northeast, who have always thought of FL (not CA) as the ideal vacation spot, retirement spot, and target to aim for in terms of life and career. There is a huge transplant population down here, with a large contingent from NYC, Philly, and MA. Sure, come on down!
I read your post multiple times looking for reasons why you should stay at UMass. Couldn’t find them. Be free!
I was going to suggest you take classes at some of the other 4 consortium schools and make the best of UMass, but by the end of your post I felt like you want to go and you CAN go and it’s affordable and you’re in. So IMO, go.
Your first paragraph is sad. Your second paragraph oozes happiness. Seems there is nothing to gain by staying and a new experience awaits in FLA. These are the years you have flexibility to do such things and financially it works. Go. Good luck!
You should transfer. You’ll never succeed if you don’t like where you are. I would encourage you to look at the University of Central Florida. They have arguably the best engineering program in Florida and are considered to have one of the best in the Southeast. Their grad school for it is ranked in the top 50 nationally and the program is a feeder for NASA. It’s in Orlando which has much more to do than Tampa and is a perfect place for an engineering major. The student body is incredibly diverse, the campus has a very modern and cutting-edge feel to it, and opportunities for internships are amazing. Our football are just coming off a national championship after being undefeated last year and the school is known for having a very happy and active student body.