<p>I really need advice. Im currently attending penn state university park campus. I really did not want to go here, the choice was purely financial as I was given a lot of aid here, and because I had siblings who wnt here so I thought I could transition easier. To be honest this place just does not feel like home to me. I've made some friends, gotten involved but I know in my heart I will never love it here. I chose this school because, due to the financial aid, I could afford to take summer classes and study abroad which are both important to me. But I'm starting to realize you only go to college once, an idk if I want to go somewhere I will never love. This place is to big, an it's in the middle of nowhere. I really wanted to go to Pitt but didn't think it was worth the extra cash. Now I'm debating whether r not I should look into transferring. I really am in a tough place right now and any advice is appreciated.</p>
<p>all depends on the numbers and your ability to cope…</p>
<p>not liking the Sandusky school eh? what a surprise ;)</p>
<p>As a transfer you will get little aid from most schools. Have you talked to your parents about your feelings? Could they afford Pitt?</p>
<p>How do you know Pitt will be a better fit?
How much difference in cash outlay there was when you applied as freshman? As a transfer, you will pay more.</p>
<p>My advice: give yourself some time. Many, many freshmen question their choice of school in the beginning. Most adjust, and you could be one of them. Graduating without debt, and with fun summer classes & the experience of study abroad is a HUGE gift. It’s something you will never, ever regret. Penn St may be huge and seem overwhelming but that can be a good thing: it means your odds of finding people just like you are better than at a small school. It means you’re at a school you can grown into, instead of growing out of. So keep talking to people, checking out organizations or intramural/club sports. Look at the next several months as a period of free-floating adjustment. Checking out the scene, getting to know other students and the campus. Try not to make judgments. Yet. If you still feel seriously out of place by January, it might be time to think about a transfer. But my hope is you’ll find both friends and a niche at Penn State. In the meantime, think April in Paris, or winter in Switzerland during semester abroad. And good luck!</p>
<p>Penn State started classes on August 27, so it seems that you’ve been there for just 2 weeks.</p>
<p>Perhaps you are letting your pre-conceived notions - namely, the fact that you didn’t want to go there - affect your perception of the school? You say you have made some friends and gotten involved, but haven’t provided any hardcore reasons why you are unhappy at Penn State other than some nebulous idea of “only going to college once.” I also think that you should give yourself some time to adjust and really settle in. Like katliamom said, most freshmen have second thoughts in the first few weeks, even if the school they are at was their first choice. It usually goes away.</p>
<p>I graduated from college over 4 years ago. I also chose my college partially for financial reasons. I graduated without debt and was able to study abroad, too, because of my choice. I never regret it, and I don’t think I ever will. Honestly, when you look back at college, most of it will be a blur - there will be some moments that stand out and some friends that you will retain, but eventually you will move on with your life and make new friends and new memories. It’s far more valuable to be debt-free and have the kinds of life-changing experiences (like studying abroad) then it is to go to your “first choice” just because. I keep thanking my lucky stars that I chose my undergrad and left with very little debt. So many of my friends have huge debt burdens before they even start life!</p>
<p>*
So its come down to the wire and its either penn state or pitt. I think I would like to be in the city enviornment of pitt over the college town of penn state, plus I plan on doing something in pre med. The enviornment at pitt fit me better. The flip side is I can go to penn state for about 10k less a year (my mom works for psu hershey med) so obviously that is a big factor. Also, I have an older sibling there who I love and would help me adjust. The thing about penn state is I dislike the vibes I get from there; I dont want to go somewhere dominated by drinking and football. The people there dont seem as friendly as pitt students did. *</p>
<p>Penn State is affordable because of your mom’s employment with the PSU system. It doesn’t sound like you’d get aid from UPitt (especially as a transfer student).</p>
<p>What are your parents saying about paying for UPitt or elsewhere? If they won’t pay, you may not have any choice.</p>
<p>PSU just started…it’s too early to make a decision.</p>
<p>I agree with all the posters who say you need to give PSU more time. All over the country, freshman are wondering if they made the right choice, don’t feel at home (why would you? you just arrived!) anxious because they haven’t found ‘their group,’ afraid the grass is greener at the schools they turned down. By spring, most of them will be happy with their choices. If you are part of the very small minority who aren’t happy enough at PSU (note that I didn’t say ‘ecstatic’ - just happy enough) to stay, then you can think about alternatives over winter break and apply to transfer in the spring.</p>
<p>Give it time. Give the semester a chance. If you ultimately decide to transfer to Pitt and you can make it work, that’s your decision and I’m sure you’ll have a great four years. But you shouldn’t put yourself through the difficult and expensive process of transfering unless you’re absolutely certain. Even if you stay at Penn State for a year, and then transfer, you will have saved lots of tuition and you’ll still get three great years at Pitt. In the meantime, you can apply for some outside scholarships to help you pay if you do transfer.</p>