<p>Right now, I'm a freshman at Ohio State University. There are a few things I really like about it - I like the engineering program, I like the language program, I like the percussion ensemble I play with (though that's outside of school). Everything else though... I just don't really like. I'm not a huge sports fan, whereas most people here are definitely sports fans. I like to ski a lot, but there's no skiing out here. I like to play music, and the music program here isn't the best. The marching band is good at what they do, but I definitely am not a fan of what they do. I've met a lot of awesome people off campus, but that doesn't really make up for not knowing anyone here at school.</p>
<p>It also feels like everyone's weekends plans are frats or house parties. I don't mind a bit of drinking, but I hate crappy beer and loud parties full of strangers. I'm sure I'll get "but not everyone does that", but it's definitely a large, large portion of the students. </p>
<p>So anyways - I kind of want to transfer. Unfortunately, the reason I came here was money. My first choice was CU-Boulder, but they offered $10,000+ dollars less than OSU did, which made my choice not really a choice. I'm from Washington, and while I could go to school there, the reasons I have for not applying there in the first place still stand - mainly the fact that they all run on the quarter system.</p>
<p>Now half of this was just getting thoughts out of my head - but also, for anyone who has made the decision to transfer in the past, what got you to do it? I don't know how happy I'll be spending the next 4 years here in Ohio, but I don't know if I want to pay a staggering amount of money to go to a school I might like better.</p>
<p>I think the things you like (school) outweigh those you don’t. You might think everyone at CU skis every day, or at least every weekend, but that is a really expensive activities and if you didn’t go there because of money you are not going to be skiing more than a few days per year. Is there a more mature drinking scene to be had (better beer)? Sure, but not for an 18 year old.</p>
<p>You can make things better where you are. Find more music that interests you. It’s there, you just have to find it. Get more involved in clubs in your major, not with your dorm. Find the social life you like.</p>
<p>It’s not skiing every weekend, it’s just that it’s there. I’ve spent the last 10 years of my life living in the Northwest, and Ohio is a very different place. I’ve been trying to find more clubs, but I don’t really know what my major is yet, so that makes it a bit challenging.</p>
<p>Whatever Colorado offered you as an incoming frosh will not likely be offered to you as a transfer, so that $10k difference could be greater. Did C offer you any money?</p>
<p><<< but I don’t know if I want to pay a staggering amount of money to go to a school I might like better. >>>></p>
<p>How would you pay the difference? What are your parents saying?</p>
<p>Colorado is also a big party school, so don’t see much difference there. Do you have the money to go skiing frequently? That’s an expensive sport?</p>
<p>What do you think that CU-Boulder has that Ohio State University doesn’t? I don’t think having skiing available is worth paying >$10,000 more.</p>
<p>You’re not a big sports fan. That’s fine. I’m not a sports fan either, but I’ve still had tons of fun at sporting events or with friends who are huge sports fans just from the atmosphere and the excitement. And I’ve also had fun in areas with tons of big sports fans without going to any games. You miss skiing, yes, but realistically, how much more would you really be able to ski if you went to CU-Boulder? Would you have the time or the money to do it frequently, especially if it costs much more to go to this school. </p>
<p>Are there any other ensembles that you could join so that you can play music that’s not the marching band? Are there any groups that get together to play off campus (you don’t have to feel limited to what the campus offers you) or even clubs that play certain types of music? Is there a theater program that does musicals? Maybe you could play in the orchestra. Do you know other people who play instruments? Maybe you could start a group. </p>
<p>At many, many schools it will feel like everyone is going to a party on the weekends, and whether this is true or not, do you think that will get better at CU-Boulder? I felt the same way at a school that has a reputation for being socially dead, but if you don’t want to do that, then don’t. It doesn’t matter that it’s a large portion of students. All you need is one or two or a handful of students to be willing to do something else, for you to go out with them on the weekend. Invite them to do something else, and even if it’s people who do go to parties at night, they could always go out to get something to eat or see a movie or whatever you want to do during the day. And even if there really is no one that wants to do something else, there’s nothing wrong with doing things with friends from off campus. Awesome people are awesome people, no matter where you met them or whether or not they’re going to your school. Having a social circle who doesn’t go to your school is just as great as having a social circle that does.</p>
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<p>Whether or not you decided on a major yet seems like a non-issue when it comes to joining clubs. Join a club that you like, and then try to get actively involved.</p>
<p>I would guess Ohio State has a ski and snowboard club with frequent trips into Michigan for skiing and generally one or two out west. You’ll have to look it up on your college website to see if one exists. There are alot of (very good) skiers in the upper midwest - the runs are just alot shorter and most of the Big 10 colleges have a club if not a team.</p>
<p>CU has its share of parties, frat and otherwise, but there is plenty of other things to do such as music. That’s why I know that stuff is also available at OSU too. You have to search for it.</p>
<p>Would I rather go to CU or OSU? CU of course, but the OP made the decision to go to OSU and he should give it chance. He likes the main reason he’s there, the education, so make it work.</p>
<p>Agree that there probably is a ski club (in fact, a quick Google found this link below). Now… the weekend trips are going to be to molehills (but you can still have some fun). But it looks like they have a spring break trip coming up.</p>