Ivy league vs. State school dilemma....transfer?

<p>Hi all...I'm sorta new to this website. I think that current college students or college alumni can provide very good input in my case.</p>

<p>I am enrolled in an ivy league for next fall (it's far away from my school), but I am not sure I will like it there because I NEGLECTED to VISIT (I know, this is horrible of me!!!). </p>

<p>I think I'll be happy at the state school because good friends are going there...I mean, I believe I'll feel comfortable at the state school......</p>

<p>Should I worry about this as much as I do? I've been obsessed about this recently and am not looking forward to summer/next fall? What should I think about to lighten my mood? Anything is welcome...</p>

<p>Thanks!!!!</p>

<p>Oh...one more thought...</p>

<p>At this point, it's very difficult to let go of high school, which contributes to my wanting to stay close by going to a state school. I realize this is immature, and I have to grow up, but it's really bothering me.</p>

<p>go to the ivy league school. it'll be a vastly superior academic experience, and college is for making new friends anyway. At the ivy league school, I guarantee you'll make new friends who will make you forget any doubt that you originally had about attending</p>

<p>You can stay in contact by using AIM, skype, phone calls, etc.... + more friends at your ivy league college.</p>

<p>Be a little more specific...what Ivy school vs. what state school? What do you want to study? What do you want to do after college?</p>

<p>CDK, how will that make a difference?</p>

<p>Well...I just posted a question about the Penn State Honors college. There seems to be a few large state schools that have honors programs that seem to rival the academic experience of an Ivy League school. That particular program has a 100% placement rate to medical and law school.</p>

<p>If the OP said they were going to go to Columbia (for example), yet was eventually interested in veterinary medicine...you might suggest that perhaps Cornell or Penn would have been better Ivy League schools, and possibly a large state school that has an affiliated veterinary school could be a very good choice as well.</p>

<p>In general, the more facts you have, the easier it is to make a decision...</p>

<p>If all the OP wanted was reassurance...OK...yes, just go to the Ivy League school....all will be fine....</p>

<p>Matters on the state school. My friends at UMass do no work, there is little to no intellectual discussion, research is limited, and the classes are really easy (I looked over a few of my friends tests). I miss my friends, but the experience at a top school is just much superior when it comes to preperation in your field and stimulating yourself intellectually.</p>

<p>matters what state school. anddd matters what ivy and how you THINK you will fit there after doing some research, its possible your a perfect fit</p>

<p>honestly, its very easy to stay in touch with HS friends if your willing to make the effort. dont go to the state school because all of your friends are going there. college is a time to branch out and make NEW friends.</p>

<p>i would personally pick most ivies over 90% of state schools. however, if the ivy was brown, columbia, or maybe cornell i would probably pick the state school if it wasnt a HUGE drop in quality because i just dont think i would like it at those schools.</p>

<p>You probably just have the jitters and end of year angst, and changing your plans right now would be a bad idea. You were accepted at the Ivy, and evidently can afford it, so go.</p>

<p>xover2, you are so vague. How can anybody possibly give you any advice? You aren't in high school anymore. You should learn that in life, if you aren't 100% specific, you will fail. Your case is not top secret, it is ok to give some more information. There are so many specifics your post is lacking:</p>

<p>1) Which Ivy League are you headed to?
2) What are you like as a person. What sort of environment appeals to you?
3) What is your intended major(s)?
4) Do you have any tentative career objectives?
5) What is your state school?
6) Are there any financial restrictions we should be aware of? Is attending the Ivy going to get you into major debt?</p>

<p>
[quote]
CDK, how will that make a difference?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>I don't want to speak for CDK, but I would certainly see how it would make a clear difference for most people, for the simple reason that the Ivies differ quality and the state schools really differ in quality. For example, if we were comparing Harvard vs. SE Missouri State University, somehow I think that's going to be a pretty short conversation. But if we're comparing Cornell vs. Berkeley, I think a legitimate case could be made for the state school, especially if Cornell isn't giving you financial aid.</p>

<p>Since you likely submitted your SIR and put in the deposit it's likely too late to change your mind now...you're just having buyer's remorse and scared of the new experience, which is expected.</p>

<p>The state school's registration and housing deadline has likely passed already...so this is moot.</p>

<p>I would suggest making a visit to the Ivy this summer...spend some time getting familiar with the area and dorms. The visit would likely calm some of your hesitation. Then, go to the school in the fall, make new friends and enjoy the experience...it's likely by Thanksgiving that you'll have completely tossed the idea of transferring to your state school out the window.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

<p>You need to visit. You need to visit. You need to visit.</p>

<p>Did you get that? You need to visit.</p>

<p>Yes, you should have visited beforehand. Your education is the most important thing you will acquire in your lifetime and one of the most expensive in both dollars and opportunity cost. People rarely commit to something this big and costly without seeing what they are getting, whether it's real estate, automobiles, etc.</p>

<p>Okay, you didn't visit beforehand, but that is now water under the bridge. Go see the school, spend more than just the typical three hour tour. Are they doing an admitted students' day (you probably missed it if they did)? Do they do any sort of summer orientation programs? If not, just call up Admissions, tell them your concerns, and ask for assistance setting up some meetings for you.</p>

<p>As many of the other posters have noted, it is difficult to give you advice without knowing some details; however, one pitfall of sharing the names of the particular schools tends to bring out the partisans for each and the thread becomes a bickering session. </p>

<p>So go visit to help prepare yourself for the upcoming adventure. Assuming that there is not a money problem, you have pretty much set your course for the Ivy League school. So, plan to attend there in the fall -- give it at least the first year, and then reevaluate. In all likelihood, you will decide to stay and it will be an easy decision for you.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

<p>Thanks for the replies...</p>

<p>I hope you guys don't mind that I was vague. I'm not familiar with this website, and I'd rather keep my identity safe.</p>

<p>But I will say that the ivy league is Dartmouth, and the state school is Indiana U. I turned down a full-ride to Indiana for Dartmouth, but am now doubting how prudent that decision was!!!</p>

<p>I hope to enter either medical school or something related to the sciences.</p>

<p>^ Oh man...hmmm. I don't think it was a wise choice to turn down a full ride at IU.</p>

<p>Are you going to paying full-freight at Dartmouth? Did financial aid come thru for you, or will you have to take out a lot of student loans?</p>

<p>My friend turned down Princeton, UPenn, and Stanford to go to IU on a full ride. I personally had tons of respect for him making that decision. </p>

<p>Considering you want to go to med school, if finances were at all an issue, the full ride seems to be the more sensible option to me. Then again, I'm not a prestige whore.</p>

<p>Ooh, full ride . . . mmm. That would be hard to turn down. But, that was the decision you made based on what you want and how you felt. Can't say that it was the wrong or right decision, or just one of two possible right decisions. Doesn't really matter, though, your course is set and it is one most would gladly accept. I say this assuming that the cost is not an issue.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

<p>Ya I agree that I can't say what was the right or what was the wrong decision, but it seems that you should have thought things through a bit more. Not even visiting the college seems like a recipe for disaster.</p>

<p>Good luck though.</p>

<p>Well, Im sure your parents knew you got a full-ride at IU and you chose Dartmouth...if you had their support, you made the right decision...go visit Dartmouth this summer...give it a chance, but if you don't like it, you can always transfer to IU.</p>