Hi everyone,
I am a freshman international student, currently enrolled in a Cal State school. I thought that the generous discount tuition at Cal State and my AP credits would help offset some of these financial setbacks, in lieu of COVID, thus I enrolled last fall. Ever since, my family has been egging me on to apply to other, more prestigious establishments; a campaign spearheaded by my Mom. My mom has been very supportive of me and the reasons behind my choice to attend Cal State, though she continues to pressure me into applying. Back home, a lot of merit is placed on the ranking of the academical institution, and I believe it is hard for her to accept that I am going to a public university, while some of my peers are attending Ivies. I told her before that the likelihood of attaining a full ride at my percentile is miniscule, and we would be unable to afford a standard full tuition for 4 years (SATs and ACTs-wise, not GPA; my slim scholarship potential is also compounded by my status as an international), though it doesn’t dissuade her. Furthermore, the Cal State system allows for me to graduate a year early, whereas if I were to transfer, I fear many of my credits would be lost and I would lose out on a year of instruction. Lastly, I feel mostly satisfied with the school, and am planning on going into grad school in the future. Should I persevere and try my luck, or should I finish and go from there?
What is your major?
For computer science, many of the strongest programs are at public universities and the “Ivy League” universities are not the strongest. In my experience (I have worked in high tech for decades) today most of the strongest graduates we are seeing are coming from public universities.
As another example (which will not apply to you) one daughter will be starting a DVM program in September. Two of the top three and five of the top seven DVM programs in the US (including the one she will be at) are at public universities.
In the US many of the best programs are at public universities.
If you graduate a year earlier from a less expensive school, then you will be saving money that could be used for graduate school. When I was in graduate school (at a private university that your mom would certainly approve of) the other graduate students came from a very, very wide range of universities. Most of the students I knew had gotten their bachelor’s from public universities.
Hi,
Thanks for responding! I am a PoliSci Major, with intent on going to law school. Since I am planning on pursuing law, I thought that saving money is best, though I think my mom has qualms about it nevertheless.
Stick to your guns. You sound like a very mature young adult. Your reasoning makes perfect sense. Tell your mom that after being in the U.S. things are more complex than others around her are making it seem. Assure her you feel very confident that your decision is the right one for you and then say that you love her but you are no longer discussing this but would be happy to talk about another topic, and try and change the subject! Good luck.
I’d stay where you are. Work hard for an outstanding GPA and LSAT score and shoot for a T15 law school 
to satisfy her appetite for prestige.
Plenty of people here would love to have someone pushing them to go to prestigious schools rather than the other way around.
The only way you’ll get scholarships as a transfer is through need based aid - merit aid is basically nonexistent for transfers.
As long as your taking gen-ends and not super specific classes (Ancient Greek Gardening Systems), most of your classes will transfer.
Other commenters haven’t made the distinction between public schools – UCB can not be categorized with say Chico state just because they are both public schools. Undergrad prestige plays a factor in law school admissions - at the least it feeds you to better internships, full-time jobs, and a stronger, more successful network.
I don’t think anyone here can make the decision on whether your family can afford to pay $60/yr vs. $20/yr. It’s your parents money - if they want to pay no reason to force them not to. You’re a freshman in college - I know plenty of pre-law freshman who now are in med school, business school, etc.
You’re making some compelling points, but at the same time you may not realize that most Ivies may be able to meet your demonstrated financial need 100%, and it is not at all clear to me that any of your credits will be lost, which seem to be the two arguments holding you back from trying.
Most Ivies don’t guarantee to meet need for Internationals. In any case, transferring in is very difficult.
But let’s back up a bit: where do you intend to practice law? Being an International, what is the pathway to practicing law in the US? And if it is back in your home country, why are you attending undergrad in the US?
a slightly different take here - why not apply to several elite schools and see what happens ? They probably won’t admit you but, you (and your Mom) won’t know that until you try - then, finish up at the CSU with sights on JD program (high GPA, LSAT and some relevant experience. (taking the full 4 years might help with GPA and experience)
Good luck.