I need some much needed advice about college and transfers.

College Search & Selection
1

Thank you for taking your time to open this post.
I’m very lost about college. I’m one of the very few in my family to have gone to college. I say few, because only recently I’ve had a distant cousin admitted to A&M and my aunt has just finished a program to be a nurse assistant.
I’m just nearly finished with my aa in psychology at a local cc.
I’m looking for other colleges to transfer to, so I may attain my ba. I do plan for my masters.

I haven’t done too well in school. My grades fluctuate do to my full time job and living circumstances. Currently I have a GPA of 3.3
I feel like I’m an average student, but I know I could do better.

I was looking for opportunities to leave Texas and pursue school out of state. The more I look at tuition and board the more I turn back to Texas.
The problem is, I really do not like Texas at all.

Most students in my region would transfer to the local university formerly University of Texas at Pan Am, now UT of Rio Grande Valley.
To be frank, I’ve visited there more than enough times to know I hate that school. The academics are a real joke.

I’m looking for schools more left winged, green, big diversity in student (out of state transfers, multi cultural)
Urban or suburbs
Particular interest in psychology/social work/public affairs.

I really want to get the full experience of college, but the more I am looking at my expectations and qualifications, the more I feel defeated.

I’ve read many forums and posts here on college confidential, and I haven’t seen anyone in my situation so far.

As for family contribution, it is nonexistent. I make minimum wage, and my mother collects social security because of her disabled status.

Can anyone recommend me any Texas colleges I could transfer to? I really want to avoid the whole traditional Texas cowboy feel. I’m of minority and would like to feel welcomed. I’m looking for a school that is innovative and very involved with community.
Also good surrounding area so I can explore and get a taste of the real world.

Also, any real advice for out of state colleges? I have a professor that is so adamant that it is possible to attend out of state.

My dream college has always been in Seattle, UW, if that gives any clue to what I’m searching for.

2

Which Texas community college are you at? Many community colleges have articulation agreements with several four-year colleges. If you fulfill certain requirements, you can automatically transfer to a four-year college in the state. You should check with the student services office to see what options you have.

Texas has a vast array of colleges throughout the state. The University of Houston is a really diverse campus, and it is a university in transition - trying to become more of a residential campus. I checked it out (because of a faculty job there) and they seem to have a commitment to diversity and to serving the greater Houston community. Sam Houston State University is another pretty diverse public campus. UT-Dallas and UT-Arlington are both pretty close to the DFW area if you want urban lifestyle - UT-Arlington might be more accessible with your grades but you could try either. The University of North Texas is only 35 miles north of DFW. And there’s also UT-San Antonio, which is located in San Antonio.

Let’s be frank. It’s not impossible for you to transfer to an out-of-state college. However, with a GPA of 3.3 (which is good! just not outstanding, which is perfectly fine) and with a nonexistent family contribution, it’s unlikely to be feasible. Financial aid is usually best for first-time freshman. At the majority of colleges to which you could transfer academically, you wouldn’t get offered much aid. There may be a few out of state colleges that would offer some aid to a transfer, but they are more likely to be private universities and colleges. Even if you got admitted to UW, UW is very unlikely to offer you the money you need. If you are interested in moving to Seattle, check out Seattle University and Seattle Pacific University, but keep in mind that they are unlikely to meet your financial needs either.

Remember also that if you transfer, you’d only spend 2-3 more years in Texas. After you finish your BA you can move wherever you want.

3

I very much appreciate your response!

I attend South Texas College. I will be sure to check again with my college’s student center. I always get mixed responses; a reason why I decided to check with other sources.

I understand with my circumstances transferring out of state isn’t very financially obtainable. I appreciate your input and I will take into consideration the colleges mentioned.

I guess it’s a few more years in Texas for me! I’ll do the best with what I can.
Again, thank you.

4

You should consider the University of North Texas. Two of my coworkers in Yellowstone go there and truly enjoy it. One of them is a huge environmentalist, and although it’s not particularly a green school, she appreciates the ongoing effort to make it more environmentally friendly.

As juillet mentioned, nothing says you have to stay in Texas after graduation. I’ll add onto that and say that nothing says you have to stay in Texas during the summers.

5

To transfer to public Unis as desirable as UW is going to cost a lot of money. They aren’t going to give you need aid except for your federal Pell Grant and a loan. The aren’t going to give an OOS-er state funds. Transfers don’t usually get merit aid, except instate. There may be privates that would meet more of your need but it will be hard to find and you won’t know until you apply.

6

You have gotten good advice here on CC.

Your goal of college in Seattle is a long-shot, given your financial standing. Your most advantageous options are at public colleges in Texas. That being said, if you broaden your search you might be attracted to other schools in the Pacific Northwest and they might be attracted to your application and entice you with financial aid. Think about the U of Portland and Lewis & Clark College. L&C might be a tough admit. An easier admit would be George Fox University, not terribly far from Portland OR. GFU’s fine academic departments are under-appreciated. The school is committed to increasing the cultural diversity on campus. And that’s the caveat; GFU is a Quaker college whose Christian focus is integral to campus life more so than at other Quaker colleges. A similar option is Seattle Pacific University, a VERY LIBERAL Methodist college.