HELP: Should I Consider University of Georgia???

College Search & Selection
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<p>I've honestly been spending an unhealthy amount of time ruminating on what exactly made me decide to go to Georgia Southern when I got accepted to Emory and had an extremely good shot at a full ride to Mercer University. I also wonder why those three schools were the only ones I thought to apply to. I've been wasting a great deal of time wondering how things went so wrong during my senior year, and now that transfer application deadlines are looming within the next few months, I'm looking to remedy my stupid senior year mistakes.</p>

<p>But first things first: I don't hate Georgia Southern. I'm not even sure that I dislike it. I've been doing pretty good in the honors program, and I feel like I've sort of established a presence there, if that makes sense. I just can't stand waking up with this feeling of regret every morning, this feeling that I wasted four years of working my butt off in high school so that I could go to a school where everything is named after some football coach from the seventies and all the bars are mixed in with the dorms. It just isn't what I expected college to be; actually, it's exactly what I expected life at UGA to be like, which is why, after a lot of ambivalent trips to their admission webpage, I decided not to apply. </p>

<p>At the moment, I'm working on my transfer applications for Emory, possibly Vanderbilt (because if I had the stats for Emory, I may as well see where else they can get me), possibly UNC Asheville (because I'm a liberal arts student and something about that school just really appeals to me), and maybe (but probably not!!!) some public schools in Tennessee since we're moving to Chattanooga in February. I'm wondering if I should add UGA to the list, though. I kept telling my parents, halfway jokingly, that we should move to North Carolina or Virginia instead because they have excellent public universities, but I guess I stupidly overlooked the fact that I live in a state with a "public ivy." I honestly thought that UGA was just where all the snobs from my old high school went to party (I honestly don't know a single nice person who goes there, but that could just be because nice people were a rare breed in that high school). I didn't realize that it has a lot of the things that I was looking for in a school, like a good creative writing program (one of the things that turned me off to UGA was that their majors page didn't list creative writing anywhere; as it turned out, though, it's part of their English major), high rankings on a national level, and beautiful, old architecture. That last one may be shallow, but I am a sucker for historic landmarks and pretty much anything with some bricks and pillars. I guess I just wanted that stereotypical collegiate atmosphere...but the football thing still worries me. One thing I dislike about GSU is how football seems to be put above everything else; I can only imagine that it'd be ten times worse at UGA, since the dawgs are actually a nationally renowned team (don't expect me to know the names of the conferences or anything!). I also really don't understand how UGA is considered a "public ivy;" to be frank with you, I know a handful of dumb people that go there. That probably sounds awful, but I can name several sub-par students who got accepted there. </p>

<p>I'm just afraid that UGA would be nothing more than a larger scale, marginally better version of GSU, and if that's the case, then I don't want to go there. I'm also kind of afraid of becoming one of those people who transfer from GSU to UGA, which I realize is extremely shallow, but people on campus seem to really resent that, for whatever reason. I don't know...I just get this bad vibe about UGA. I just feel like it's so...stereotypical to go there if you live in Georgia, or something. That's probably a ridiculous attitude to have. They also have horrible dorms, and Georgia Southern's dorms have spoiled me (although I shouldn't even worry about that since my parents won't let me live in a dorm there next year, anyways). I just...I really don't know. I've been going back and forth about this for quite some time, and I'm really tired of it. I'm honestly the most ambivalent person on the planet. I'm sort of wondering if I should transfer at all, because maybe subconsciously the only reason I want to is because I'm ashamed to tell people that I go to GSU, because people almost always ask me why I didn't go somewhere better. But at the same time, I feel like my peers and I are just...different. God, I hope I don't come off like I'm trying to be precious, or something. Because I'm not. </p>

<p>I don't know. I think I mostly just regret that I'm not a rich kid who spent their junior year summer break being chauffeured around the country to various college campuses by their rich parents. I feel like I was cornered into GSU, and I feel like I've been slighted. I don't know. This post got really long...so yeah, any advice would be extremely appreciated.</p>

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<p>So, you like your school, you’re doing well. You really have issues with UGA for some reason so I’d really put that to rest. Don’t even apply. You have way too many gripes with the students and culture there to ever be happy. There’s this odd paradox of being insecure about GSU, and yet feeling too good for UGA. I think you need to try to move forward from holding bitterness over college visits not made two years ago as a hs Jr and start looking to your future. </p>

<p>If Emory is a financial possibility then I think you should definitely apply again. With your families upcoming move oos have you spoken with the registrar at GSU to see how long they will extend instate rates? Some will let you continue with instate until you graduate. My kids schools give you one years grace only. Also, you don’t automatically become eligible for instate when your family moves. This varies, especially since you don’t live there. Generally there’s a 12mo wait minimum. If you are considering looking in TN inquire at each school to see what their individual policy is.</p>

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<p>Aleyna I know what you are saying but you don’t make decisions so that others could approve you. If its is time to move out of GSU then its time to move out of GSU. Who cares what others might think or how you’ll be treated in UGA. Do what you think is right and leave the rest.
Out of UGA, Vanderbilt, and Emory, I’d say the latter two are great schools. So if you get into either one of the two and have the money to finance your education as well, forget UGA.</p>

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<p>You say you are not a rich kid who is chauffeured around. How will you afford Emory? Can your family afford Vandy? Vandy meets need but have you run the Net Price Calculators at each? Transfers get few to no grants. Don’t cut ties to GS until you know if you can afford any other school.</p>

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<p>My dad checked with GSU and you sort of get grandfathered in if you already were in-state, if that makes sense. Also, Tennessee is one of the only states that lets you qualify for in-state tuition right after you move there, which I guess could be a good thing. I just haven’t heard very many great things about their public schools. (Another thing I’m concerned with is being a six hour drive from home. I wouldn’t worry so much if I had a car, but I don’t.) </p>

<p>Anyways, as for Emory and the possible Vandy, that all rests on what kind of financial aid I might get. I have no idea for Emory because I didn’t apply for financial aid last year because of <insert really="" long="" story="" here="">.</insert></p>

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<p>Applying to a school is not a definite commitment, but not applying is a certain “no”. If you have at least a small interest in UGA, then applying leaves the door open. In the end, you will not be just comparing schools, but also comparing costs. If you are receiving the Hope scholarship in GA, that is significant and could apply to UGA. </p>

<p>Football is certainly big, but it isn’t all year long and you don’t have to be involved in it. Would you qualify for the honors program? Also, UGA is very large with many different clubs and student groups to find friends and peers in.</p>

<p>It is common for in state students to be less than enthusiastic about their state school, since they usually know someone they don’t like there. The unknown is sometimes more interesting. However, there are all kinds of people at all kinds of schools.</p>

<p>Since you are in Georgia, you can take some time to visit UGA and check it out if you wish to.</p>

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<p>UGA may not extend instate since she won’t be a resident when she starts, even though GSU is grandfathering her. One is continuing her original instate status, the other is asking for instate status upon transfer even though her status would be oos. UGA may offer instate but It’s something to check in to.</p>

<p>The immediate instate status in TN opens other options to consider as well. I wouldn’t be so quick to dismiss these. Your original ‘regret’ is not making a broader, more in depth search the first time. You feel as though you may have missed some opportunities. I’d look into some of these schools more closely before you decide they aren’t worth an application. As Pennylane points out, applying makes the school a possibility not a commitment. Not applying shuts the door.</p>

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<p>if I may ask, if you got into Emory as a high schooler, why are you limiting yourself to transfer just to one of these schools? Might you break out of the Georgia-Tennessee perimeter and try something new geographically and culturally?</p>

<p>Love your writing, btw. It speaks of you.</p>

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<p>I didn’t even think about not getting in-state tuition for UGA. Huh. I’ve been looking at Tennessee schools (my parents are really pushing UT Chattanooga either because they miss having me at home or don’t want to pay for housing or some combination of both), but I get the impression that none of the public schools are really well-regarded or anything like that. I guess UT Knoxville is supposed to be pretty good.</p>

<p>jkeil911- Thanks! As for breaking out of the Georgia-Tennessee perimeter, ideally, I’d love to do that. If I could go to college anywhere in the country, I’d honestly probably just go to the College of Charleston because I love that town and their campus and the fact that you can live in old houses instead of dorms. But uh, I don’t have a car. Theoretically, I suppose I could get a car, but I’d sorta have to get a license first…I realize that it’s really dumb that I don’t have a license at 18 and that I’m really limiting myself, but I hate driving. There’s a long story attached to that, but it doesn’t have much to do with transferring schools, so we’ll save that for another day.</p>

<p>I actually wanted to apply to UNC Asheville, which, obviously, isn’t in GA or TN, (and it’s only three hours away from Chattanooga, so the drive wouldn’t be bad for my dad hah) but I wonder how bad OOS costs would be. I also wonder if a lot of honors programs work the same way my school’s does, where they wave OOS costs for anyone in honors, regardless of what state their from. That would really help me out a lot, but that’s wishful thinking.</p>

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<p>OP, I do not know about the financials, or OOS tuition for UNC Asheville. Another very nice liberal arts college to add to your list to consider is Sewanee, College of the South. The location is good for your family.
Costs are in the range of Emory, but the financial aid aspect is hard to predict. You can always apply and compare the financials later.</p>

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<p>I was definitely considering Sewanee, mainly because of their location and their English program, but the required dressing up for class and large Greek life is sort of a turn off for me.</p>

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<p>Or you could run the net price calculator and then decide whether to pay to apply to Sewanee.</p>

<p>OP, you could go away to college and not have a car, couldn’t you? Thousands of students do it. And you don’t like driving, so… And students are always hitching rides home with other students. And air/rail/bus transport is always cheaper than a car. What’s the hang up?</p>

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<p>That is true. I don’t think my parents really see it that way, but I could talk to them about it!</p>

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<p>Maybe they WANT you to get your license! Or maybe they want you to stay within Dad’s driving distance to keep you close. Or maybe they’re concerned about losing you to some Yankee. </p>

<p>You’ll find that there are any number of ways to get from campus to home and back again. Some schools will run holiday bus service btw the campus and large metro areas. But kids generally put these things together themselves, too. Students will tend to make friends with at least one kid from their neck of the nation and so forth. </p>

<p>However, if you’re going to look outside your perimeter, you will have to do a lot of research quickly, narrow it down to a couple schools, and then visit them. That’s a tall order while classes are going on and for someone who doesn’t drive.</p>

<p>If you’re looking for small English programs outside the perimeter but still relatively nearby, there is URichmond, Kenyon, Grinnell, UVA, William & Mary, Carleton, Davidson, Washington & Lee, Oberlin, Wheaton (IL), Knox, Earlham, and lots more.</p>

<p>Inside the perimeter, there is Agnes Scott if you are female. Those are the ones that come immediately to mind.</p>

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<p>I wouldn’t exclude UGA from consideration. As previously mentioned, a lot of people view their state flagship as an extension of high school because a large number of graduates from their high school might attend. However, there are 34,000 students (including grad students) at UGA. You’ll have opportunities to find your own crowd. You can find a circle of friends who don’t care at all about football. UGA is a well-regarded state flagship and has been getting more selective in recent years due to the Hope Scholarship (and the economy). Its honors program is one of the best in the country and you noted that their writing program is strong. Athens is a great college town - especially known for music. </p>

<p>What you need to do is figure out the finances. Will you be able to keep your Georgia resident status? If you have the Hope Scholarship (and wouldn’t lose it), you probably should give consideration to the Georgia schools (UGA or staying at GSU). Chattanooga is so close to Georgia that many people working there live on the Georgia side - I don’t know if your parents already have chosen a place in Tennessee and if that is even an option.</p>

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<p>First of all, you should not feel “slighted” in the least. I’m guessing that your hard work in HS allowed you to earn the merit aid which allows you attend an honors program at a four year college without amassing a ton of debt. That is nothing to sneeze at – in fact many people would be grateful to be in your shoes. It sounds like you are doing well at GSU and the fact that you have already feel comfortable there and have “established a presence” is something you should not walk away from without thought. Plus being grandfathered in at in-state rates is a huge bonus. It is easy to think that the grass is always greener on the other side, but that is not always the case. </p>

<p>That said, it doesn’t hurt to apply to schools you really believe would be better fits (UGA does not sound like one of them to me) and see what happens. But as others have already noted, private schools might be hard since transfers rarely get a lot of merit aid (those monies are generally allotted to students who come in as freshmen). It also may be hard to get into honors programs as a transfer so that is something you should look at before you apply.</p>

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AND Georgia Southern gets a major + towards my decision.</p>

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<p>Ha, I guess having the bars right next to the dorms is actually pretty smart; nobody has to drive, so there are less DUIs and drunk driving accidents. </p>

<p>Happy: Thanks for your reply. That’s honestly probably what I needed to hear. I keep telling myself that I need to transfer, and while maybe I would be happier in a more intellectual environment, I shouldn’t dismiss the fact that I’m not unhappy now. I just have an interesting way of torturing myself when it comes to choosing things, and I guess college is no exception. What I mean is, I’m the type of person who goes to a restaurant and, after agonizing over the menu, gets her food and wishes she had ordered something else. I don’t know…I guess having that ultra ambivalence for something as important as choosing a college is making things a lot more difficult than they should be.</p>

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<p>If you want a more intellectual environment, why don’t you apply to Davidson?
UNC-Asheville and CoC are both good choices too.
You could apply to Centre College, Rhodes, U Richmond, Agnes Scott
Plus add Kenyon for the quality of the English dept.
You could add Southwestern, Wooster, Allegheny, Austin, Hendrix, if you’re willing to venture further out.
BTW, you don’t need a car. Some residential colleges actually don’t want freshmen to have a car so that they focus on what’s going on on campus. You just need to make sure there’s an airport nearby or “rideboards”.
I agree that at UT Chatanooga you’d get a culture similar to GA Southern (I remember how hesitant you were about GSU after your overnight visit).
Contact UGA to see if you’d still be considered “in state” with your parents in TN. You may want to check out Georgia State, too.</p>

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<p>aleyna- I missed the part about merit scholarship? Is this a reason you chose GA Southern? If so, that may be a considerable value.
It is a plus that you are happy and doing well where you are. It isn’t unusual for students to have thoughts about taking another path. I think it’s a good idea to consider the options out there for you. It might lead you to a place you would prefer to be, or also confirm that you are fine right where you are.</p>