<p>I'm a current Freshman at Portland State University and following a pre-med track. I have been thinking that I want to transfer to Notre Dame, UW, Northwestern or at least a more traditional campus. Portland State literally has no social life and 90% of students commute to campus then go back home. The Median undergraduate age at PSU is 25. The problem is I have a tuition and expenses covered. I talked about transferring to my parents and they thought I was plain stupid. They told me that I would be in debt for many years. For instance would owing for example 40k a year at Notre Dame with the prestige and the experience I'm looking for would be worth it? Or hold for another four years skipping the whole college experience at PSU going there for free?</p>
<p>Do you guys know any schools who have pretty good financial aid package for transfer students?</p>
<p>I think that’s up to you. I mean a lot of people on these forums will tell you to do the more practical thing and stick with your plan now.. go to an undergraduate school for cheap, then try and get into a nice graduate school.</p>
<p>My parents said the same thing when I told them I wanted to transfer. It’s not smart, it’s too much money, you’ve got good aid where you are now, etc etc etc. But I truly wasn’t happy where I was now and if these are indeed the best years of your life.. I didn’t wanna lose em so of course I didn’t listen to my parents. Now personally I think it was totally worth it, best decision of my life, but that’s just me. Sure I’ll have more in loans to pay when I get out, but I’m getting the college experience I’ve been looking, and I don’t regret it at all.</p>
<p>The aid for transfer students does tend to be generally less than what a freshman would get but it does vary school by school. The private schools on your list tend to offer a lot more than state schools and won’t charge you more tuition for being an out-of-state student. </p>
<p>If you’re really set on transferring, and have gotten around all those things that say it’s a “bad idea” =p - it couldn’t hurt to at least prepare to transfer, write an essay, get letters of recommendation, and send out applications. Worst case scenario, you’re down a few bucks for the application fees. Best case, you get into a school with an acceptable aid package. Good luck in whatever you decide!</p>
<p>Right now you don’t like the social environment at your university, but the fact remains that your tuition and expenses are covered. Given the state of the US economy, and the possibility that it is about to go into a tailspin, I would vote on the side of caution. 40k a year in debt adds up to 120k for three years. That is one scary figure. Who, exactly, is going to loan you that kind of money over the next three years?</p>
<p>JayChou5o3- I kind of know how you feel. I have been at a CC for the past year and a 1 year and 1/2 (minus a summer at Columbia) and it is pretty miserable. I am transferring for next semester though :-D</p>
<p>If I were you I would definitely transfer for a couple of reasons. # 1 you are obviously unhappy with the social scene (or lack there of) at your school. College should be a place where you are comfortable and can learn more about yourself, and making friends is a big part of that. # 2 you are pre-med. Now I am not pre-med so I am not too familiar with the med school application process, but considering how competitive I have heard it is it would put you in a much better position if you were at a more well known school. Aside from obvious prestige you will have many more opportunities for vital research that will help your overall application. I understand what happymomof1 is saying about the economy and finances, but student loans are something many people undertake and believe it or not you will be able to pay it back! No, I am not being naive. I have many friends who graduated from Cornell and USC, with loans, and are now paying them back just fine/ already paid them off. Some loans have the options to postpone payment until after college, maybe this is something to look into?</p>
<p>The decision is for you and your family to make, but I really really urge you to transfer!!! I think you will be much happier. </p>