I just completed my first year of undergrad, and I’m considering transferring schools. It’s something that I’ve been toying with for a long time, but there’s so many factors involved that I just can’t make a decision. I was in the top 5% of my class at a rigorous public high school, and the large majority of my academic peers went to large public universities, especially the highly-ranked, research-oriented flagship university in my home state. I was accepted to these same large public colleges, but ended up deciding (on the last possible day) to go to a smaller, regional state school that was cheaper and offered me significantly more money in scholarships. I really enjoyed my first year at this university, but I have never been 100% certain that it is where I am meant to be and that I made the right decision. Even though some of my courses (especially the sciences) came with a bigger workload than I experienced in high school, the work was not necessarily any harder. I am still earning a 4.0 GPA, even as I’ve started to get into higher level classes. I don’t feel as challenged or stimulated as my hometown friends at the flagship schools do (according to what they’ve told me), and I don’t know if I just need to give it more time, or if I should look into transferring. I also feel like I am a little more academically in tune with peers at these more selective schools; even though I have made some great friends and met some very smart people at my college, I still feel like I’m missing out on the diverse and stimulating student body at these bigger universities. I still get jealous when I see my hometown friends’ college pictures, and when I see that seniors from my high school are going to the big schools as well. I want to feel the excitement and the vibrant energy that I imagine (and have witnessed) takes place on these campuses – a 180 from the lukewarm resignation I felt after making my college decision as a senior. My current school doesn’t have much school spirit, and a lot of people transfer to said flagship because they couldn’t get in initially. I don’t like the fact that my school is most people’s second choice, and I hate having to feel like I constantly need to justify my decision to go there. According to the multitude of websites and blogs I scourged, these are all signs that I should transfer. However, there are many cons to transferring as well – first and foremost, I am undecided in my field of study, so I feel like I shouldn’t transfer to a more expensive school in a more expensive city until I know for sure what I want to do. I also want to go to graduate school, so it makes sense to save money during undergrad. In addition, I want to study abroad and travel a lot in the future, so saving money makes sense in this regard too. Lastly, I don’t want to transfer simply because of prestige and reputation, especially if I feel like I haven’t explored every opportunity that my college has to offer. I am happy at my school, but I just wonder if I could be happier elsewhere. However, I’m terrified that I’ll regret my decision, no matter which one I make. Has anyone gone through something similar or have any advice to offer? Thank you in advance, and I apologize for the novel.
You will have to transfer next year anyway so spend the summer trying to figure out what your major is to be and then see if your current school has the opportunities you need. Your transfer applications won’t be due until after the new academic year starts so you will have a bit of time to see if you can find a satisfying and challenging curriculum at your current school. Get involved in research and challenge yourself with your courses. By November you will be better positioned to make an informed decision.
You seem confused: you don’t know what you want to study – but you want to go to grad school?
Continue taking gen Ed classes in the fall, and keep that 4.0. Start looking at your flagship, as well as universities that offer good financial aidbto transfers (there aren’t many of them. Vanderbilt is one.)
Don’t make the decision based on hearsay or pictures. Narrow down your possible major, check out upperclass research and other opportunities where you are, speak with profs. Some kids flourish as big fish in a little pond.
And research the other schools, including aid for transfers. Don’t go into this blindly.
As @xxraymancs points out it’s too late to transfer for next year. Go back to your school for the fall and continue to do well. 4.0 is excellent! Use the summer to think about what you might want to major in and to research what your current school, the state flagship you mentioned, and other schools with good transfer records offer. Note the deadlines and requirements for both Spring '17 and Fall '17 transfer applications at these schools. You might even make a trip to the state flagship and sit down with a transfer admissions counselor. Have him review your current transcript. Ask what you might do to optimize your transfer application. Were you accepted at this school initially? That would help - See what kind of vibe you get when you’re on campus (albeit during the summer)
Bottom line you will have saved money getting some of your GenEd courses done and thinking about the direction you want to go with your major. Once you know what you want to get your degree in it should make the decision easier. Either your current college offers that degree or it doesn’t. If you do decide to stay, definitely take advantage of opportunities to study abroad, etc. at your current school.
Good luck.
“cheaper and offered me significantly more money in scholarships”
That is exactly what you tell the nosy people who want to know why you chose X instead of Y. You are getting a solid start on your college education at a significantly lower cost.
Since you don’t know what you want to major in, stay where you are. Keep up that 4.0. If you decide to transfer next year after you do know what you want to major in, you will have a lot more options for targets than just your state flagship. And if you decide to stay at your current U for all four years, it is likely that the professors in whatever department you do major in will be delighted to have you and your 4.0 level energy and commitment, and ultimately will do everything in their power to get you into grad school (if you want to go) or help you get a good job (if you want that) after you do graduate. There is nothing wrong with opting to be the Big Fish in the Small Pond.
Thank you all for your comments! I really appreciate your thoughtful advice. I did some undergrad research my freshman year and am taking steps (emailing profs, etc.) to get involved in multiple research projects in different fields next year, in order to really figure out what I’m passionate about pursuing. Hopefully I can pinpoint a specific field and gain some clarity by early November, then I can focus on the decision of transferring or staying. I also appreciate the statement “there is nothing wrong with opting to be thw big fish in the small pond” - it’s reassuring to know that just because I’m not drowning in schoolwork and suddenly-bad grades doesn’t mean I’m not getting a good education or ‘doing college right’.
Thank you again for all your responses! To be honest I wasn’t expecting to get any, so this was a pleasant surprise!