<p>I've tried liking it here (3 semesters and counting). I even tried studying abroad (this semester). Though honestly, I've been thinking of transferring since first semester of freshman year.</p>
<p>I'm thinking of transferring to my state university. The application is straightforward and doesn't require recommendations, only school records. Even the resume/ECs and essay are optional. I definitely can't do much better than my current college, so I'm essentially transferring "down" prestige-wise and otherwise. Noticeably down (even though the state school is fairly good for a state university).</p>
<p>Basically, if I transfer I will have wasted 2 years of private school tuition. And two years of social and academic effort.</p>
<p>Is it worth it? (The wasted tuition money, the prestige drop, the disappointed parents.) Or should I try to make the best of things (aka be semi-miserable until graduation).</p>
<p>Only you can decide that, as there are few objective components with which we can help. Weigh the consequences of staying and leaving, and the choice will be clear to you. (Also, assess your motives for transferring and be honest and objective with yourself, inasmuch as you can.) Personally, unless you are severely limiting your professional options and cutting yourself off from a vastly superior education, I would say go with your gut and transfer.</p>
<p>If you're not happy there and you'll be happier at another school you should at least apply so you have another option- then worry about whether to do it or not once you get the decision.</p>
<p>Well, I wouldn't say that the tuition would have been "wasted." You had the experience of this school, you got the credits, you learned something (academically and otherwise). So don't think of it as a waste.</p>
<p>You haven't really given us insight into why you don't like your current school - is it social, academic, geography....? </p>
<p>I have known students who decided to stick it out "semi-miserable." Varying reasons. Sometimes they felt the program and reputation of their current school would serve them well, even if they weren't experiencing the "best years of their lives." Sometimes they didn't want the dislocation that a transfer experience might entail. So, it is an option to stay where you are. And things might get better.</p>
<p>You could also look at the (I imagine) large tuition savings that would come of a transfer. Would that savings go to your parents (who might appreciate it, even if disappointed)? Would it be savings you could use for other forms of enrichment and/or grad school? </p>
<p>Do your parents know that you are miserable where you are? As a parent, I can tell you that we worry if our kid wants to transfer, but we also worry if they are miserable. In the end, most parents will support you and swallow their own disappointment if you need to make a change. </p>
<p>Is there anything you can do to remedy the situation where you are?</p>
<p>I think there is no right or wrong decision. How much you will "lose" by not having the prestige degree depends on a number of things (your field, the specific school, the state school you might move to). Remember that the prestige factor is mostly good for cocktail party conversation and that first job search. After that, your career depends a lot more on job performance than where you went to college.</p>
<p>Lots of rambling, I know. Why not go ahead and submit the transfer app? You don't have to make a final decision until a few months down the road. See how things feel then.</p>
<p>Well, now that you have listed the two schools, I have to say this: not much of a drop in "prestige" imho. Just one opinion. But UMCP is a fine school. So is NYU Stern, but I don't consider it a huge drop.</p>
<p>It's not an infrequent occurrence. My daughter has a friend who was at Cornell, was miserable, and transferred to UConn, where she is much happier and there is far less financial stress on her family. The key is to be happy and do well wherever you end up. I wouldn't sweat the prestige factor -- not that big a deal unless your goal is to get into Harvard medical school, Yale law school or work on Wall Street.</p>
<p>"I wouldn't sweat the prestige factor -- not that big a deal unless your goal is to get into Harvard medical school, Yale law school or work on Wall Street."</p>
<p>Actually I'm a finance major who dreams (or used to) of working on Wall St.</p>
<p>Consider contacting both schools' Career Centers and finding out what firms recruit from the school and what kinds of placement rate, beginning salaries, etc. seniors in your major have had in the past. It may tip your decision one way or the other.</p>
<p>Do you still want to go on Wall St. after graduation? What kind of life style do you wish to lead? What fields of finance do you want to get into? Personally, right now, I would say stay, but if you think it's too much of a burden and/or you are too miserable, then you should transfer. Evaluate your well-being.</p>
<p>The main problem is I'm disappointed that I had to turn down other good schools and offers to go to Stern. So if I leave now, I would have passed up those opportunities for nothing.</p>
<p>Oh, and I'm too lazy to redo essays/recs/reapply.</p>
<p>What do you not like about Stern that makes Maryland seem more desirable?
If you want an easier route to higher level finance (and you believe you can make the best of things) I would stay at Stern. However, if your "career" isn't your main priority (as in you don't mind the extra work it may take to get into certain positions from UM) then transfer. Send in the application anyways, and try to maximize your enjoyment of Stern so you feel comfortable with both.</p>
<p>Though I don't attend NYU or Stern, I have many friends that do and I bet the problem is one, or a combination of the following:</p>
<p>1) It's insanely cut-throat. Basically a Wharton w/o the added prestige.
2) The curves are tough, and courses are hard
3) There is NO campus/campus atmosphere
4) It's basically a pretty miserable place-- you feel like a commuter student to a building every morning.</p>
<p>I went to NYU, so I understand that it is not for everyone. Is truazn ^ right about any reasons for the transfer? Or is it something else?</p>
<p>My S is also considering a transfer down. He is at a prestigious private school now and is considering a transfer to a state school too. Personally, I don't care where he goes, just that he is happy. I don't feel it is a waste since, at least for me, happiness comes before prestige and I am not all that convinced that a prestigious college gets you any much further. It really is up to the individual. There are many successful people who went to colleges at all levels.</p>
<p>I also don't feel it was a waste financially, since he had the experience and will be more well rounded for it. I went to two colleges and it has helped me to see two different college experiences and perspectives. I feel I've benefitted from the experiences at each.</p>
<p>Go with your gut feeling and do what you think is best for your overall happiness.
Good luck!</p>
<p>perhaps a semester off would give you some time and distance to make a good decision? I am in a similar situation as you and I am thinking dropping out this semester and taking it off until sep.</p>
<p>yeah, truazn pretty much nailed it. it's mainly the atmosphere issue and the types of people I keep meeting. these were my initial complaints/dislikes about stern, but it's been so long that I almost forgot about some of them.</p>
<p>if you truly want to work on wall street, you know yourself that you're going to have to work extra hard to find a job, and even harder at a state school. the job market is incredibly tough this year, and it can be miserable this time of year when everyone is moping around jobless...</p>
<p>You know its easy to say, if i you want to work at Wall St. you should be stick with NYU because it is more prestigous. If you stay at NYU you might have plenty of options opened, but if you transfer to Maryland you never know what kind of options that might open you up to. Who knows, you graduate apply for your dream job and it just so happens someone is from Maryland by chance.</p>