@SouthFloridaMom9 Oh ok I see, thanks. That’s actually a pretty good analogy.
also,
3) because top schools have top financial aid for lower-income students and generally cost less than instate public universities for families who make less than 75K
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because some students have a particular bent, or interest, that is better served elsewhere than at your public university
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because some schools have stronger networks, resources, opportunities, etc=> top 25 or top 50, but you’re not in a position right now to apply to them. You’ll be able to apply to a higher-ranked university if you keep doing well at UVM BUT your FA package may well make that “top 50” university unaffordable.
But there’s no difference between attending UVermont and FSU (same ranking, same reputation one in the North one in the South), what will matter is how well you do, whether you stand out, find activities that complement your studies, apply for and are taken on in a research lab (at first you’ll do boring tasks and your ability to withstand boredom and repetition will tell your supervisor a lot about whether you can be reliable for more complex tasks which can be boring and repetitious too).
Ok, so the TCC2FSU deal won’t work.
I think you need to consider you’ll stay at UVermont for 2 years, with a transfer application to many universities, including UF and FSU (both are FL’s flagships) plus USF (since it’s far enough your mom would consider you’re “experiencing college” etc.), plus other universities where you’ll try your luck in the hopes of getting a good FA packages.
^^yep! I was just trying to simplify.
@poppyguy I am in a hurry, but I wanted to share my ds’s path bc he is at a lower ranked flagship. I wrote a bit here if you are interested: http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/discussion/comment/19131337/#Comment_19131337 (if you go to that thread, read xraymancs post as well. UG physics courses are pretty standard. Our ds had top schools accept his physics courses from a directional university b/c they used the exact same textbooks as the top school.)
It is not the school name that will make or break yours or his grad school applications. It will be what you have done as a UG student. What do you outside of the classroom? It is YOU that makes your UG experience. Own it and make the most of what you have. Make yourself shine where you are. Get to know your professors. Seek out research opportunities. Do what you can to excel now.
You don’t have to go to the FL school 10 min from you, unless commuting is the only affordable way.
But there are several good FL options, explore them, like I said you might even qualify for a transfer scholarship, saving even more money.
If I’m not mistaken, you have to complete at least 60 credits (or have an AA degree) to be able to transfer to a Florida 4-year Institution. The best bet for the OP is to attend a local CC for 1.5 years and then transfer to one of the State 4-year Universities. If, if the OP can “cleanly” sever his ties with UVM NOW and enroll at a local Miami-Dade CC then that might his best option. UVM was a bad choice from the beginning, when he could have gone to FIU (and dorm if so inclined) at a much lower cost.
It is not clear to me how the OP parents are paying $19K-$24K per year at UVM, given their income and the fact that he qualifies for ~100% Pell Grant. I doubt the rental property is generating such high net income to cover UVM tuition. Maybe the OP’s parents are taking out a Parent Plus loan that he is not aware of?
OP, if your choices are to stick with paying for UVM for another 1.5 years, or lose the tuition payment you pre-paid for 2016 spring semester, please consider carefully. How much have you already paid toward spring 2016 semester? And weigh that against how much total you will save by switching NOW.
Don’t return to UVM in January without looking at the big, overall financial picture.
If you really have to have 60 credits to transfer into a Florida school, you are having to commit to thousands of dollars of your parents’ hard-earned money to keep you at UVM for 1.5 years.
Cut your losses and make the switch now to a local cc in preparation for transferring to a FL university.
When are you to start back at UVM? Can you call FIU, UF, FSU, Eckerd and inquire what their transfer requirements are and if you would qualify after 1 year or 2?
@Jamrock411 I just checked and yeah UF requires me to be junior standing basically
I just checked USF though and I can still transfer there as a “lower-level transfer.”
I agreed with my mom that we’re going to finish this year at UVM, and I will simultaneously apply to FL universities this year also.
So, I plan to retake the SATs in March.
I think quitting Vermont now is too abrupt and my family won’t agree to it. But we also don’t really want to do another year. We will if it’s necessary, but for sure I won’t stay for the third year (I’ll try to transfer by then)
@mommdc I go back Jan 19
And thanks, I will. Idk if they’re closed now so I’ll just try looking up online first
Do you think I can call each school about financial aid? Like if they will understand my situation and take me as a transfer with scholarships
I would email the transfer rep directly. Type “admissions staff” then look for “area” and beside states you’ll see: first gen, international, transfer… and the person’s email.
People who answer the phone are typically student employees. They won’t hav the answers you need.
If a school offers transfer scholarships there will probably be a process to apply for them when you apply for admission. Do your research on the schools you are interested in and might be accepted at.
Ask the schools if they will even accept an SAT taken while you are in college. I’ve never heard of that (since the SAT is designed for HS students). Let us know if they say yes.