Help Me Be Realistic

Transfer Students
1

<p>Hi everyone. I need some help determining what possible colleges to transfer to. I am currently a 2nd semester sophomore at Purdue University. I've been looking at a bunch of schools but I realize now that most of what i've been looking at are unrealistic for me (UCs,w&m,unc,uva). :( Here is some extra info:</p>

<p>The main reason for my transfering is that I really don't like the things I'm doing as a computer graphics major. I was never that interested in cg in the first place. They just aren't exciting and don't challenge or interest me much anymore.</p>

<p>background:
I was never really struck with such a strong interest to learn and academics until this past semester. So I feel like i've wasted a lot of time not doing what I want to do and also that I'm running out of time in terms of ability to transfer (and make my dreams come true). It used to be that when I finished my homework I would sit around and watch tv or play video games late into the night, drinking and smoking on most nights. Now I get up in the early morning to sit in the library for hours each day reading books that genuinely interest me, quit smoking, only drink some on the weekends. So in a large sense I think I've gone through a really important step in starting to actually live my life, something that most people never do. So bare with me, the academic realm is a whole new world to me. And in all respects, I'm a late bloomer.</p>

<p>Academic interests:
In terms of academics, I've gone through a complete shift in what I want to do. I've become very interested in applied psychology. now I'm asking for anyones advice on what college I should/can get into. </p>

<p>high school gpa: 2.9
SAT: 1690/2400
AP Exam: computer science 4/5</p>

<p>current college: Purdue University -- West Lafayette
major: computer graphics technology
gpa: 3.4
recs: I can probably get two professor recommendations</p>

<p>Extra:
computer technician for purdue economics (10 hrs/wk)
Volunteer at Imagination Station (3-5 hrs. a week)
Indiana Poll Worker
10 year 4-H member...
10 years cub/boy scouts...</p>

<p>Also i was considering either taking classes this summer to boost my gpa or do study/volunteer abroad. Which one do you think would help my application more?</p>

<p>Thanks a bunch to anyone that takes the time to read or reply :)</p>

<p>EDIT: some extra criteria for a school:
-if possible, smaller than purdue (20,000 or less. smaller seems better for me)
-if possible, near a small/medium/large urban area (i have a calling for the city life)
-if possible, not horribly expensive. i have about $35,000 total to spend before loans. I might have to spend 3 years at another school b/c some credits won't transfer. I'm willing to take out loans if need be.
Thanks</p>

2

<p>Why are you not considering staying at Purdue with a changed major? I ask because transferring may be the right thing (I did, my son did), but it is an adjustment in itself. As you say, it may cost you in time and money as well; so have you given serious thought to staying?</p>

<p>SOME of the UCs might be realistic - Santa Cruz? Santa Clara University? Maybe Tulane. American U. I'm just casting about really, looking at the size/urban criteria you mentioned, as well as the locations of some of the ones you considered and dropped.</p>

3

<p>I think that because you'd be applying to start as a third year student, you still have alot of options open to you that wouldn't exist as a freshman. This is because your HS record will now essentially become a trivial concern at best. Some that might do:</p>

<p>--- Case Western (I hate it hear, but it seems to match your wants)
--- College of Charleston
--- Drexel
--- Hampshire (Open curriculum ensures a timely graduation) (Not urban, but close to a bunch of other colleges, so it'll feel somewhat less isolating)
--- Kenyon (They seem now to especially favor science applicants of some sort)
--- Northeastern
--- University of Rochester</p>

4

<p>Oh and what about Clark U in Worcester (and near Boston)?</p>

5

<p>hey thank you two for responding</p>

<p>
[quote]
Why are you not considering staying at Purdue with a changed major?

[/quote]

That is a very good point. But here's two reasons why I dont want to do this. for one it is because i don't like my major and want a college more focused on social sciences rather than engineering. The other reason, which i didn't really mention, is that ive lived at purdue in west lafayette my whole life. I've known purdue campus since I was 10 years old. My father, being a professor here, wanted me to go here because its such a good value (1/2 tuition). But at this point I feel like i need to "fly the coop" in order to progress in my own life.</p>

<p>My brother is actually going to Texas A&M for his phd and so transferring down there is a possibility as "a safety school". Even though it doesn't fit all my criteria (seems like a&m is a carbon copy of purdue in terms of stats) it would be cheap cause I could get in-state tuition and feel like I could progress more in my life (ie. learning and being on my own).</p>

<p>What do you guys think??</p>

<p>gprime - these look like mostly private schools. Aren't these schools going to bust my bank budget fairly quickly?</p>

6

<p>What do you think about Florida State? It's a big school but Tallahassee is a cool college town that has some size to it but isn't huge and Florida is far removed from where you are. I think you might be able to get in as well with a 3.4</p>

7

<p>That's true, those are mostly of the private variety, and therefore would likely require you to take out some money. On the other hand, the cost would be somewhat offset, as certain schools like Northeastern and Drexel have major paid co-op programs. </p>

<p>The list I suggested was of the private variety primarily because those are the schools I'm most familiar with. But I'm sure there are a number of publics that would do just fine, including UCSC, as Andale suggested. Another might be Grand Valley State (MI) or to a lesser extent Indiana State - Terre Haute.</p>