Soooo, I am a sophomore at Florida Southern College. I’m planning on transferring back home in December, to University of New Hampshire.
I’m happy and sad about this. I have never stopped feeling homesick since i left home. I thought that sophomore year would be less difficult as far as homesickness than freshman year was, but I constantly want to be home. I want my support system back and the comfort of being home. When I’m in Florida I just feel like there’s too many things to do and everything’s uncomfortable and I’m alone and it makes it hard to focus on school. If I was home my horse would be a pressure taken off my shoulders because he would be with my trainer who I’ve known forever and I wouldn’t have to worry. I could go home when I needed to. I could get a job. I am a pre-vet student, and the biology program at FSC is not very strong. They only have one animal science class. UNH has a ton. UNH is cheaper.
I’m panicking that I won’t get in. I have a 3.2 GPA at FSC which is not really the best compared to my typical school records. I’m just doubtful because I’ll have to leave my friends. I’ve grown to love my friends here and I have best friends who I’ll have forever. I can’t help but feel sad about missing out on the next two years with them. I love my professors at FSC even though I don’t like some of their teaching styles. I guess I’m just anxious about leaving the comfort of my current school even though I know the best thing for me is probably to go home where I’ll be happier.
Any advice is welcome and appreciated to help me understand if I’m making the right choice or not.
“I am a pre-vet student, and the biology program at FSC is not very strong.”
This is a good reason to transfer. UNH is a good university in a very attractive location.
“They only have one animal science class.”
The small number of students who I have met who are pre-vet have taken a LOT of animal science classes, have done programs where they look after animals (big ones and little ones), have reached inside cows many different ways, have helped baby cows being born, have given vaccinations to large animals, and so on. Having one animal science class is not much.
“UNH is cheaper.”
A very important consideration for a pre-vet student.
“I have a 3.2 GPA”
This may be sufficient to get you into UNH. However, it is going to be tough to get you into veterinary school. My suggestion is that you work very hard for the rest of your undergraduate studies. Always pay attention in class. Sit near the front if you can. Always stay ahead in your homework. Do you homework the day that it is assigned or the next day at the latest. That way you have picked up a bit from the homework, and will pick up a tiny bit more during the next class. Seek out help where you need it. You should try to pull this up if you want to attend veterinary school.
A 3.2 college GPA could very well get you into U New Hampshire. It will not, however, get you into vet school. If you really want to be a vet, and you feel that you’ll do better at UNH academically for the reasons you mentioned, then you should transfer. You must raise your GPA, or your dreams of vet school won’t happen. Do what you need to do to raise that GPA.
Welcome to the world of adult decisions! Every and I mean EVERY time you make a choice in life there will be pros and cons. You usually can’t have your cake and eat it too, so to speak.
Try for the transfer. If you get accepted, then you’ll actually have a decision to make. In the meantime focus on doing the best you can academically as this is the only factor that will make a difference for your academic future.
There’s nothing wrong with UNH (my own daughter applied there and almost won a competitive scholarship), my understanding is that it is quite strong for pre-vet.
Apply to transfer then see if you have the choice. There will be gains and there will be losses, no way around it.
UNH has an excellent acceptance rate into vet school (I think it is over 85%). If you can get into the program go and do well! The world is so small now (travel & communications) that you will be able to keep your friends. It won’t be the same as living close to them but this is what life is all about - it’s a journey. For me, I love that I have a patchwork of friends from all the squares of my life.
If you don’t get in, then you stay at FSC where you have stated that there are good parts to.
If you get in, you still get to decide later. You don’t have to make a choice now.