Should I transfer after sophomore year?

Transfer Students
1

<p>Ok so here's my situation. I am currently a Sophomore at Virginia Tech. I came to VT as a computer engineering major (great engineering school). I found out that engineering (especially computer engineering) wasn't for me. Despite this I did pretty well, I pulled a 3.86 gpa (3rd in my major) my freshmen year. First semester sophomore year, I started to really get into my major and found out that I don't like it, ended up with a 3.55. </p>

<p>My favorite class was econ and I started doing some investing. I've always been interested in working in business so I am now about to start my second semester of my sophomore year as an econ major. The problem is, the econ/business program is not as strong as the engineering program here. But I honestly love it here, and I find it hard to imagine me transferring to anywhere else. Saying this, I AM a econ major and I do realize that I may be able to get a better job easier if I go elsewhere, so the benefits may outweigh the costs in the end. I also plan on getting an mba at a top school later. </p>

<p>I guess my real question here is whether or not I should transfer. I'm thinking about applying to a couple top schools to see whether or not I can get in. My SAT scores were decent but not great (1340/2000). My college gpa is 3.74 for computer engineering. My college extra curriculars are nothing special, I honestly spent most my free time here socializing and getting adjusted to college life. What is your guys opinions on this matter? I'm certain I could fairly easily get into a school that has a stronger program then here, but if I'm going to transfer I need to be going to a top tier school in business. What do you guys think? Is this the right mindset, should I transfer? Or just stay where I'm at and work hard to be near the top of my class w/ good extra curriculars?</p>

2

<p>I recall when S was looking at VT a few years ago, being told by several engineering and former engineering students that Tech’s business school had recently established programs in quantitiative analysis and decision making specifically to attract students who had transferred out of engineering but wanted a more quantitiative rigourous program. Program would be several years old now and have some actual graduates if it’s still there.</p>

<p>I would think a >3.5 cum GPA at Tech as a CS/engineering major is NOTHING to sneeze at and will count much more vs. SAT and HS GPA. If you want to look into transfering and stay in state, look at the UVA Commerce School (entry is competitive for all students and harder for transfers); it is one of the top-ranked undergrad programs in the US. Also evaluate the econ and finance-related majors offered at W&M, and non C-school at UVA(don’t know if straight econ is at C-school or College of Arts & Sciences). Dean J on the UVA forum has probably posted information on applying as a transfer if you want to try UVA.</p>

3

<p>Thanks for the info, I’m acually out of state coming into VT anyway though (I’m from WV). I have definitely considered UVA as an option. My problem is just leaving all the people I’ve met here at VT ( I know I’ll have to leave in a couple years, but it still hurts) . And I like change, but I feel like I am finally starting to settle in and ready to get involved on campus. Is that little extra prestige/education worth abandoning everyone/everything I know at tech?</p>

4

<p>bump10char</p>