<p>I went to a local state school, transferred to flagship state school for sophomore year, mainly for prestiege reasons</p>
<p>...then transferred to USC (now junior year) because i thought International relations was my real interest, and my state school didnt have it. However, i was also accepted to UNC chapel hill at this time, and my family qualifies for their full need scholarship....</p>
<p>USC's cost is really somewhat challenging, since a parent is having trouble with employment. the UNC chapel hill need based aid would be fantastic for my family situation....</p>
<p>So timeline is: State->Flagship State-> USC->??UNC??</p>
<p>the big dilemma is that i want to go to law school, and i'm afraid that law schools will see me as a flaky candidate that hops schools all the time and be afraid to admit me. my gpa is about 3.8 overall. Additionally, my parents are somewhat fed up (as am I) with me swapping schools every year...I really dont know how they would react however, considering i want them to save money</p>
<p>Are you sure you’d be able to get need-based aid at UNC? Usually, aid for transfer students is limited to the point of being almost non-existent.</p>
<p>UNC-CH’s net price calculator indicates that it does give decent financial aid to out of state transfer students. (Public universities do tend to be decent with financial aid to transfer students, since they often accept many lower income transfer students from community colleges; UNC-CH is one of the few exceptional public universities that offers decent financial aid to out of state students.)</p>
<p>However, if you are now a junior, you may find it hard to convince other schools to accept you as a transfer, since many do not really want senior-level transfers.</p>
<p>Most schools have a residency requirement of some sort (that you have to complete x number of hours at the school you’re earning a degree from). Will transfrering delay your graduation date (and would the extra time cost any more, if so, making the lower cost a wash)?</p>
<p>“I ran out of money and needed to go to a cheaper institution” is a perfectly legitimate reason for a transfer. Do it.</p>
<p>Another perfectly good reason is, “I was uncertain about my academic goals, so I took a year off, and when I started again, I felt that University X was the best place for me.” Think that option through as well.</p>
<p>Honestly, it would be a red flag for me too, though a transfer for financial reasons might mitigate it slightly, That said, will all the credits transfer or would you have to do a 5th year? That would negate any cost savings.</p>
<p>I know another student who transferred four times, but I knew the underlying reason for her behavior. If that issue would have been addressed, she would have been able to save herself, and her family, the drama of the additional transfers.</p>
<p>Didn’t Sarah Palin enroll and re-enroll about nine times before she finally obtained her BA?</p>
<p>Once you’ve your first post-college job, I don’t think employers even consider how many years or schools it took to get your BA/BS degree. Professional school will look at your application on basis of your scores, GPA, and references. How long/where is not likely to be a major factor. Reassure your parents it’s all ok.</p>
<p>Go on ahead and apply. The way i took it with my kids was that I was right there and very involved with their app process while they were in high school for that first college. It was on me,and since they were not legally adults for much of that time, it was fine from any perspective. </p>
<p>After that, it’s on them. They can transfer, do what they please, but I’m done.</p>
<p>Now that’s a personal take on it. </p>
<p>I say go on ahead and do it. If you get accepted and get the money you are hoping to get, or it is doable, then fine. You don’t have to tell them anyways. The FAFSA and PROFILE are on line and just have to be sent to the college. If you decide to make the switch, then tell them. If you are declined or accepted without the funds, fine too.</p>
<p>I don’t think it’s going to look bad at all. For med school they will get the grades from the individual colleges. The only caution I have for you is whether you are going to get out with a degree before running out of some of your money options. The tap does not stay running forever. Most schools do have a two year residency requirements and all colleges have their own rules as to what it takes to graduate, and departments and programs have their specific rules too. Someone who school hops may find her/himself short on some courses needed to get a degree.</p>
<p>The main thing is, i HATE the west coast and living in los angeles. It is extremely uncomfortable for me to live in a big city like this, and i think chapel hill would be better…</p>
<p>What do you KNOW about UNC and how you’d fit in? What will you do if unhappy there? Didn’t you know USC was in LA? You need a better understanding of what you’re doing before you keep spending time and money. Particularly, you need confirmation if what it will take to graduate from the schools and majors you’re weighing. If you’re still undecided you need to work on that! There are counselors, internships and other opportunities to help you work this out. </p>
<p>Your folks will likely expect a plan from you before agreeing to keep spending on you.</p>
<p>USC’s highly segregated social scene and forced diversity is uncomfortable for me and I like UNC’s poli sci major better. Honestly the thing is, even if i dont like UNC as much or like it evenly its still a better choice logically…isnt it? id have 24k less debt</p>