<p>I currently attend ECU and majoring in MIS. </p>
<p>I am very worried that my school's reputation (party school) will not be well received and hinder my chances of internships. I do believe that with a my gpa (3.7), I will be able to transfer to NC State (which has with a better reputation) and increase my chances of getting internships. </p>
<p>The only thing keeping me from doing this is the networks that I have built and the clubs that I have involved myself in. Being a 2nd year, I am a vice president of one club and an officer in 2 other clubs. </p>
<p>Will extracurricular and GPA outweigh a school with a better reputation?</p>
<p>I’ll be curious to hear others’ responses. My son is in the same boat. He is considering transferring mid-year freshman year. He is applying to University of South Carolina and Univeristy of Maryland. He is an engineering student. He knows UMD is a better engineering school, but thinks he may be happier and have a more well rounded experience at USC.</p>
<p>Being an older adult, I look back and think about the same issues the two of you are facing. You don’t want to “miss the boat” by making the “wrong” decision now. However, being happy, involved, AND getting good grades academically is important, as well as, going to a big name school. </p>
<p>I wish you luck in your decision making. I think just the fact that you are thinking about it, makes you a smart, sensible young adult!</p>
<p>Most of those kids who are out partying aren’t going to graduate at all. You, however, probably will. And, if you keep up your GPA, you could well graduate with honors.</p>
<p>If you are concerned about getting internships, the people you need to be talking with are your advisor, and the other faculty members in your department. Do students from your university regularly get good internships, or don’t they? Where are those internships? Do they lead to permanent employment or not? Are the internships that students get, and the kinds of jobs they get after graduation, ones that you would want?</p>
<p>I agree with happymom that the best way to evaluate your prospects for internships is to look at what has happened with those who have gone before you, in your major with a good academic record like yours. Look at who recruits at your school for permanent employment (or internships if that type of recruiting happens at your school). Talk with the Career Services people at your school with specific targeted questions about employment success of students such as yourself.</p>
<p>Use the Career Services or alumni network databases at your school to id some alums who are employed in the field(s) you are targeting. Contact them for informational interviews (by phone or in person). My experience (on the receiving end of such contacts) is that such alums will be <em>more</em> than happy to talk to you and offer opinions on this issue. It is a valid concern and shows how serious you are about your education and future career -might even be the start of productive networking contacts leading to internship/job.</p>