<p>First of all I apologize because there have probably been lots of threads like this, but I am really in need of advice.
Last spring when I was picking colleges I was completely lost. I applied to a number of Jesuit Catholic schools on the west coast, and also my state university Oregon State. I ended up getting a pretty good scholarship at Seattle University. I was deciding between Oregon State and Seattle University. When visiting I was not completely thrilled but the scholarship seemed to draw me in. So I settled on Seattle U, even though I was still not super excited about it.
So a few months passed and summer orientation arrived. The moment the orientation started, it hit me, I had a gut feeling this wasn't the place for me. I had a break down in the car ride home and told my Mom how I was feeling and that I didn't want to go. After lots of discussion she convinced me to come here mostly because "it would be disappointing to give up the scholarship."
So now I've been here for three weeks and I still have the same feelings. My major is computer science. The more and more I look into it Oregon State's engineering and computer science program seems to be very superior.
I must admit that my girlfriend goes to OSU, however, I am trying to look at my situation without factoring in my feelings for her.
Am I being silly to consider transferring to OSU? At this point I really can't see myself spending four years here... Even with the scholarship it doesn't seem worth it, OSU would still be cheaper. Has anyone had a similar experience?</p>
<p>What aspects of Oregon State’s CS curriculum seems inferior to Seattle University? When I was considering transferring, I spoke with my geology professor about the curricular inadequacies of the school and he agreed. I suggest you do the same with your CS professors. Talk to them about your concerns, see if there’s any workable solutions, and if not, then you might want to transfer. </p>
<p>Remember that an enormous number of students switch their majors from what they went in with to something completely different. Often this switch happens between the second through fourth semester which means that three weeks is premature to consider switching institutions. If you do decide to stick with a CS major, OSU’s gen ed requirements are fairly lax and the school loves to award transfer credit (I actually looked into the school for its Wave lab), so you don’t have to fill out a transfer app until the second semester giving you plenty of time to decide if SU is the school for you.</p>
<p>During that time, keep an open mind to what Seattle University offers. Since it’s only your third week, you’ve probably been exposed to around 2% of what the school offers its students. Plus there’s the entire city of Seattle which provides incredible opportunities for social and academic engagement.</p>
<p>OSU is cheaper overall, cheaper even after scholarship, better overall, better for your major, and your girl is there. Normally I’m inclined to say tough it out in transfer threads, but for you, I say go for it.</p>
<p>@whenhen
OSU’s program seems to superior, not inferior. The engineering program here at SU seems to be an extremely small part of the school. At its heart it is a liberal arts school. Also the CS program at OSU is ABET certified, while SU’s isn’t, which some big companies like Google and Amazon look at. As for switching majors I am pretty committed to CS at this point. </p>
<p>If I’m feeling the same way come thanksgiving/christmas break would it be crazy to transfer to OSU for winter quarter? The application deadline is December 9.</p>
<p>Do it! Go ahead and apply for a transfer and then make up your mind when the time comes. What do you have to lose?</p>
<p>@navaltradition @whenhen @Apollo6</p>
<p>No matter what I tell my Mom she thinks I simply want to do it for my girlfriend, however, as I have shown you guys I mostly want to do it for me and my academics. How can I get through to my mom?! She doesn’t think I’m giving it a fair shot here…</p>
<p>Why does your mom want you to attend the OOS school over your in state option with the ABET certified computer science program?</p>
<p>You aren’t giving it a fair shot, you have only been there 3 weeks. If you are the type to have breakdowns and that kind of drama, I can see why your mother discounts your arguments. Look, if you stay everything will be fine. You will get a more intimate and personal education, and likely have interactions with profs that you won’t get at state U.</p>
<p>In this case, though, you have a good argument that transfer seems better for your major, so show her that. (Though it is mystifying why this is looked at after enrolling!) Show her the ABET info, though that isn’t the main importance in CS as in Engineering, the department reputation is most important. Print out the course offerings and you will see more at OSU. But CS program is something to get started on right away, so likely in this case it is preferable to transfer so you are not getting behind. But if your mother wants you to finish freshman year, then transfer for fall, and it will be fine. Enjoy your experience now and make the most of it.</p>
<p>I feel like I’m in a similar boat as you, chicken. I’ve decided to wait it out until Thanksgiving and then decide if I want to apply to transfer or not. I’m not thinking of transferring any earlier than next year, though, and those deadlines are in March, but if you’ve already been accepted at OSU, as long as you’re not flunking in your first semester it seems pretty likely that they’ll let you in.</p>
<p>Basically, there’s still plenty of time no matter what you end up wanting to do.</p>
<p>@BrownParent</p>
<p>Thanks for the great advice.</p>