<p>Hey all,</p>
<p>I'm in a bit of a predicament regarding transferring schools and was hoping to get some advice from this forum.</p>
<p>Currently, I'm a freshman at a very small (1,500 undergrads), private, liberal arts school in Pennsylvania, about 40 minutes from the town I grew up in. During my junior year of high school, I had anticipated going very far away for college; however, during my senior year, a variety of influences (mainly family, and a person I was dating at the time) caused me to change my mind and stay closer to home.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, I'm just not happy here in Pennsylvania. I've always wanted to get out and experience living in another part of the country. I feel that if I don't do it now, I may end up getting stuck here in PA forever.</p>
<p>I was just recently notified that I was accepted as a transfer student to the University of South Florida, my number one choice school that I had applied to. Although I'd love to attend USF, there are many considerations influencing my decision.</p>
<p>Cost is the number one element. At the school I'm at now, my tuition is, for the most part, covered, due to an academic scholarship I received. The only thing I take student loans for, basically, is to dorm here, which is about $10,000/yr. USF, on the other hand, did not offer me such a scholarship. Therefore, I would be looking at roughly $19,000/yr in student loans. Is it even possible to get student loans for that amount of money, let alone for three years? If so, where can I turn?</p>
<p>Another strong element is that I currently do have a lot going for me at my current college. I'm highly involved in a lot of different organizations and have a strong network of friends that I absolutely adore. Would it really be worth it, going to FL, and leaving all of these things behind? Plus, I have a suite-style single dorm room reserved for myself next year. Who knows what I'd receive as an incoming transfer to a huge, out of state university.</p>
<p>Basically, what I desire the most about USF is the climate, culture change, bigger school (more to offer?), and the distance from home. I feel trapped staying here in PA, especially being within an hour from my home town. My ultimate question, however--is the change, and getting away from home, really worth it?</p>