So I’m a freshman at Boston University studying computer science, and I absolutely love it here! I’m still applying to transfer though, to a select few universities that I would much rather attend (eg, Penn, Columbia). I am trying to decide whether I should apply to USC as well.
When applying as a freshman, I got rejected from USC. Now that I’m settled here in BU, I want to apply to universities that are much better in my opinion, and I’m not sure if USC is worth it. I don’t know anyone who has transferred so I’m not familiar with how big of a change it is and the trouble associated with it, but it does seem like an unnecessary move if the new college is only marginally better. However, had I got in to USC as a freshman, I would have chosen it over BU.
Any advice? Do you think the relatively small jump from BU to USC is worth it? Or do you think it’s a much bigger jump than I realize?
I know this can be a kinda vague and superficial question, but really any advice is appreciated!
I honestly wouldn’t consider it a small jump. On the west coast at least, USC is regarded as a top CS program (not Stanford or MIT tier, but still very good). I never really here much about BU.
I would apply. If you get in, come out and check out the campus.
If you are happy where you are, why are you transferring at all? It sounds like it is just to get more prestige, especially when you start talking about whether going from BU to USC is a big or small jump. That is not a good reason to transfer. You’ll need a much better reason than that if you want to be admitted to Penn or Columbia.
If you are happy, settled, and doing well at a university I’d think about staying put. Transferring isn’t always easy as many friendships are formed freshman year, you will be going into a new school where your peers are already settled in etc. Since you seem to be in a very positive situation now I would only even consider a transfer to a college that is a quantum leap above where you are now.
As an aside Columbia has a huge core curriculum so look at it and decide if you can complete the core and the requirement for you major and graduate on time.
@me29034 I can see why you’d think that, but I didn’t really want to get into my reasons for transferring out. It’s less about any negatives of BU, but about how the other university would be better for me. I would be lying if I said prestige doesn’t matter though, it does play a part in my decision. Prestige matters to me less for post-graduation life, but for the resources at my disposal and the type of people found there. After all, there’s a reason those universities are so well regarded, and I’m more interested in those reasons than just hunting for a better name.
That being said, do you have any advice/opinions?
Why exactly do you want to transfer? You like BU and you’re happy there. Why not stay where you are and take advantage of all your opportunities. If you want to go to graduate school, what you do is much more important than where you go, especially when it comes to how well you do.
Transfer apps are due Feb 1st, have you started it? I agree that if you are happy, why change, but big picture you cold be talking east coast/west coast and the contacts you make, which are obviously different at each school. But the other two schools are also on east coast so not sure of your exact motivation, so considering transferring in general… Where do you want to be when you graduate? Not that you can’t get a job anywhere, but there is something to say for being local. I believe the USC alumni network is as big as it gets; I have 2 recent graduates and the people they know - it’s amazing really. They are so willing to help each other. Not that this doesn’t happen elsewhere, but I know at USC it is very real.
I have a CS grad - and for him and his many close friends, the program and opportunities have been fantastic. But truth is, all these students were fantastic students and people. All over-achievers, they may have done great wherever. Are you in a good peer group at BU? Many of those can/will be your contacts after college. I can say that the CS program at USC is very strong and well regarded, at least on the west coast. Their job placement and start up opportunities after graduation was crazy good. One in the group was a sophomore transfer that merged in well. So the key to any successful transfer would be the ability to find a group - the right group - and fast. I think sophomore year is easier than junior year as groups can still be early and more open in their formation. Determine if you have the social skills (and guts) to put yourself into new situations.
I would be sure you aren’t just applying to see where else you can get in or just to see if you can “redeem yourself” (don’t mean that to sound wrong if it did) by getting into USC this time. I always ask this question…in 20 years, where do you want to tell people you graduated from? Are you happy saying BU?
After all this, while I think BU may be the place to say, especially since you are happy, I say go for it if it isn’t a strain time or money wise for you to apply. In the end, you can always stay. But don’t let applying distract from the great time you are having there. That is a risk, you have to assume you are where you are going to be and keep it positive there while remaining committed to that school and program. You then have months to consider it before decisions come in. But once Feb 1st passes, whatever you have done or not done, is a done deal. Good luck!
@OhWhatsHerName hit it right on the nail. Why is it that you want to transfer? Keep in mind that school ranking, especially when it comes to graduate school, does not matter.
Well, you’re at a rock solid school already. Sometimes when the grass looks greener on the other side, after you get there, you find that it’s still just grass. The problem with transferring schools that far apart is that classes don’t always transfer over. You wind up re-taking a lot of very expensive classes to get up to speed with the new school’s curriculum. That means more debt. I tried transferring schools in-state some years back because of a major program. I decided against the transfer because I would have lost 2 semesters. I can see a transfer if you want to go from Central Michican to U of Mich. The prestige factor can make a difference in certain majors. For your situation, you have schools that are mostly equal in prestige and cost. In my opinion, I don’t see a real benefit.
And BU has the alum network on the east coast.
Agree about the grass is greener thinking. You can get farther blooming where you are, making the most of contacts, prof relationships, research or intern opps, now, not dreaming. Not thinking you’ll restart from scratch, the wheels will be greased, everything will magically be better.