Should I transfer back to a college in my state?

Transfer Students
1

Hey there everyone!
I am incoming freshman at Penn State for the 2017 fall term. I am originally from Illinios and really liked Penn hence why I accepted to go there. I got some financial aid but I still have to pay a not-so-small amount out of pocket. At first I thought this wouldn’t be a problem since I had a scholarship but once I got my tuition bill I started to get a bit worried. This added with the expense of plane rides from IL to Pa, plus buying dorm essentials got me even more concerned. My brother recently had to undergo a leg surgery which took a toll in my mother’s income. -> To make things worse.

I am pursuing the pre-med track and THAT got me thinking of how much more money I will need for medical school tuition in the future. My mother does not want me to start taking out a bunch of loans this early on and suggested that I could get a merit/full scholarship if I come back and transfer to an Illinois school (such as UIUC) since I am an Illinois resident.

At this point I am at a heart break because I really like Penn but I might get more money in UIUC…here are the pros and cons of the situation. If anyone has any suggestions or what I should do please reply below. Thank you so much!

CONS:

  • I leave Penn leaving behind friends
  • I leave a school I like
  • I lose out on a program offered only at Penn
  • I have to undergo the process of seeing which courses are transferable and accepted at UIUC
    -I have to resign sports and clubs I will be attending.
    -I have to learn everything about UIUC like a freshman. (Where are things, what programs they have, what is their study abroad like etc etc.)

PROS
-I save money!
-No more plan rides, I can simply drive to UIUC.
-Dorming at UIUC would be easier since I can bring more things in a car versus a plane.

  • I get more money and possible close or full ride scholarship. LESS to worry about and I can start saving for med school.
    -I am closer to my family and my mom can actually go to my graduation without having to drive for 7 hours.
    -I have a lot of friends at UIUC. (Including my best friend.)
    -IDK if this a pro but I’m doing volunteer work at a hospital in PA and idk would that look good since I would have clinical experience in multiple places? IDK

If anyone could please help on what I should do! :(((((((

2

I doubt you’d get a full tuition or full ride at UIUC. The state is broke and UiUC is among the most expensive public Universities in the US. There are very few scholarships that cover that much anymore.
COA instate is 30k (general) to 35k (science, engineering, business). That’s what you should expect to be paying.
You can apply in the spring once you have your Fall grades.
For now, concentrate on doing well - what classes are you taking?
Are your parents taking parent loans for you or are they paying from income and savings?
What’s their rough income?
How much does PSU cost?
Are you in Schreyer?
What is your major?
You can’t transfer right now. Classes have started. Do your best, go to office hours, join study groups, do NOT party during the week no matter what friends/roommates are doing. Protecting your grades is paramount if you want to be able to transfer.
Once you have your fall grades, apply as a transfer to UIUC and other Illinois publics. Perhaps also some Illinois privates. You’ll see how much you get in scholarships then. If any college is cheaper than psu, do transfer (unless PSU turns out to be affordable in the end).
Check our AFrenchie36 on tumblr who is a premed at Penn State. Good advice and good stories.

3

Just wanted to say good luck. I hope everything works out well for you.

Side note: if you say “Penn,” people are going to think you mean the University of Pennsylvania, the one in Philadelphia. Penn State is usually “Penn State” or “PSU.”