<p>Kinda weird for me - I came here and hung out with a ton of different people at first. In my hall, I had a kid I met at orientation, went to high school with my roommate, was friends with two other kids in my hall from elementary school. Never really hung out with these kids at the beginning of the year, but starting second semester or so we hung out all the time. A couple of them live together this year (I'm with some other friends from high school.)</p>
<p>Next year, I'm moving in with the kids from my hall + a kid from my high school that just transferred in + two girls that one of the other guys went to elementary school with.</p>
<p>I say that if you are unhappy here still by the end of the year, then transfer. To be honest, I am a freshman here as well and I am definitely thinking about transferring. Except I am from Michigan, lol. I think a smaller school would be more my fit though, and although everyone wants me to stay here, I don't know. The hardest part of choosing is that I would be passing up my full ride. :/
But really, don't let others tell you how to live your life, it truly is yours to live. Do what you want. You really can't help a thing like distance from home, which is a good reason to transfer. Might things get better later? You won't know. But no matter what you choose, I'm sure things will be okay. :)</p>
<p>I want to thank you all for your kind comments. Even got some really nice private messages. You are all giving me hope, and I am definitely going to try harder and "position" myself to be happier.</p>
<p>I feel the same way bro. I'm definately considering transferring to and was wondering if any of you guys could give me some insight or opinions.</p>
<p>I'm currently in my 2nd semester at UMich. I'm pre-business and planning on applying to the business school at the end of this year. Unfortunately, I will not know if I get into the business school until summertime. I'm happy the academics here, they are quite challenging and I ended my first semester with a 3.5. I'm expecting to better second semester but the business school is pretty competitive and difficult to get into. I don't know if I will get in...to be honest.</p>
<p>My backup major is Computer Science. Unfortunately, UM's Computer Science department is lacking, when compared with other departments. I just feel that if I don't get into the business school, my backup major will not be as strong academically as other universities. </p>
<p>I'm in-state, which means I pay only 10grand for tuition. I'm not totally happy with the social life here at UM. I feel "disconnected", as someone earlier put it I'm having trouble finding a group of people I truly like. I have no problem making friends and know tons of people here day but I just feel out of place....I feel like there are a ton of cliches and I don't fit in any of them. I like the campus also. What's killing me is my feeling of discontent, I don't have any close friends and can't find any people I really connect to and get along with. I'm involved in many clubs, and currently getting involved with the Greek society.</p>
<p>The dilemma comes down to this: do I waste valuable time applying for a transfer to another school (i'm considering NYU and CMU, which costs about 30grand more than UM) on the chance I do not make it into the business school? Someone help me make a decision.</p>
<p>zharry, Michigan is not always a straight forward fit. It is a large university, and some students require more time to adjust than others. The fortunate ones who take to Michigan like fish to water are fine from day one. Unfortunately, many students (myself included) require 2-3 semesters before they start fitting in. </p>
<p>Trnasfering out of Michigan to CMU if you intend on majoring in CS would be fine, assuming paying an additional $25,000/year doesn't land you into major debts. Transfering to NYU would make no sense. NYU is just as large as Michigan and its CS department is not as good as Michigan's.</p>
<p>just a little advice from another umich engineering alum here:</p>
<p>Many people feel the same way, after I graduated I asked many of my close friends at other schools, and they all said more or less the samething. It has more to do with the fact that you are in a new environment, classes are challenging--> thus, making time for social life is not easy. Parties and drunk kids on the Hill will make you feel like a loser sometimes, but realize that Michigan has 25k+ undergrads, those are a small percentage, and most people aren't that extreme. </p>
<p>Stick to the hobbies and clubs that you are involved in, be proactive in forming friendships, maybe ask fellow club members to hang out or something. You will have many acquaintances at Michigan, keep in touch with the folks you like, and you will develop close friendships. </p>
<p>Also, I think Michigan is a very good test swim for real life, you'll learn a lot.</p>
<p>Compared to the other departments at UM and their rankings. CS is ranked ~#20 out of 500 if I remember correctly. Most of other UMs departments are top 5 if not top 10.</p>
<p>Alexandre - Additionally, transferring to NYU would be because of the Stern Business school. </p>
<p>My true want is to major in business and my concern is that not getting into Ross will close doors in that department, forcing me to major in a not-as-good department. The reason why I came to Michigan was under the assumption that I could get into Ross and now i'm beginning to doubt my ability....</p>
<p>zharry, I would say that there is virtually no difference between #10 and #20 in any major ranking. Michigan's #15 ranking in CS is not bad at all. </p>
<p>Transfering to NYU for Stern if you don't get into Ross would make sense academically I suppose. But in terms of social fit and cost, I'd say NYU would be tough to justify.</p>
<p>I am so sorry you are feeling disconnected. I just transferred to Mich from Boston University after one semester as a freshman! Before people freak out, I always knew I wanted to go to a school like Mich and started my transfer applications last August. It sounds crazy, but I knew what I wanted and decided to go for it instead of "settling" for Boston. Even so, I made the crew team, loved my classes (and pulled off a 3.6) and still keep in contact with the friends I made there. I loved it, even though it wasn't the college for me. I made the switch for academics, smaller classes in the RC, dorm life, school spirit, less urban atmosphere and great sports. MAKE SURE you know exactly what you are giving up and exactly what you are trying to escape from... I would have been homesick at any college, but I can change that. I couldn't change the physical location of Boston University, nor could I start a football team that everyone loved and supported... You know? I know my situation is very unique and weird, but I guess my best advice would be to separate the "changeable" things to the "unchangeable" things. For example, would living in a different dorm/hall/area make things better? Would different classes/clubs/sports make you happier? If something that YOU control is making you unhappy, try and change it before jumping ship. If it's something that you KNOW cannot be changed - change where you are or how you look at it... Transferring might fix all of your problems, or it might create more than you imagined. So far, I've found it to be a mixed boat, but mainly very positive. When I'm feeling down or doubting my decision, I think of the reasons I came here in the first place. They always outweigh whatever I'm bummed about. Please PM me if you want to talk more!</p>