<p>Sorry for the "clever" title, haha. I'm currently a freshman at Michigan St U, which is pretty much your typical B10 public school, but a little bigger. I don't think I hate the school, but I do hate my experience here, some of which is my fault, some of which is the school's. Long stories short, I want to switch it up completely, but MSU has offered me crazy need-based grant $ and it's hard to turn that down. I'm considering community college in the fall and maybe going somewhere new in the spring or junior year. To me it seems like I am totally out of luck when it comes to going to a school out of state. Because need-based aid is hard to estimate, even with averages, I can't just apply willy-nilly to every school that looks friendly. So, question:</p>
<p>Do any members have experience with transferring out-of-state (or going out of high school) while still bearing costs in mind? I want to know things like how happy you are with your decision and whether you think the difference in costs is worth it.</p>
<p>If it helps, I would be looking at about $10-15 more per year depending on how much aid the new school would offer. My stats are a 34 ACT, 3.4 high school GPA, and a ~3.0 after freshman year (like I said, this year did not go well...). </p>
<p>You may already now this, but aid at out-of-state publics is almost universally quite bad. Also transfer students are eligible for much less institutional aid than incoming freshmen.</p>
<p>Not good news, but something to seriously consider.</p>
<p>Don’t transfer. It’s highly unlikely you’d ever get the aid you’d need as a transfer student.</p>
<p>You’ve evaluated your situation at MSU. Spend your energy figuring out how to have a better experience there. Join a new club, make some new friends, take a fun class, etc.</p>
<p>Agree with Mom, also look for some charity work. Helping people who have serious problems will likely put your life in a better perspective. Can you tutor low income kids?</p>
<p>Stay where you are! It is doubtful you will receive as good FA as what MSU has given you. Sometimes freshman year does not meet your expectations, and kids immediately feel they should transfer, but this same kid may not be happy at their new school. </p>
<p>Meet new people through work study job, volunteering, community service etc.
Sophomore Year a student may feel more comfortable and at home, but not always!</p>
<p>Your HS stats (ACT etc) are not generally relevant when it comes to transferring. Any merit aid based on HS stats is reserved for freshmen. </p>
<p>Most schools do not offer high scholarships to transfer students. And most OOS schools do not promise to meet full need for OOS students. It is not likely that an OOS school will be affordable for you.</p>
<p>“Crazy need-based grant $” is nothing to take lightly. You’re in a great position, so find a way to make it work. </p>
<p>There are wonderful groups/people/experiences there, just waiting for you to find them. You can definitely have a great experience at MSU. Make it work for you, you won’t regret it.</p>
<p>If you don’t like the school, get your apps out for transfer. Research the schools that have aid for transfer students and give it a try. You certainly won’t have these alternatives just fall in your lap. I know a number of kids who transfered and got aid. If you are a good student with a direction, there are colleges that would want you as a transfer. At least see what else is available to you.</p>