Should I transfer (from small LAC to big university)?

Transfer Students
1

<p>I am going into my second year at St. Mary's College of Maryland. </p>

<p>Reasons for Transfer:</p>

<p>1) It's unknown. It's got a good reputation, but I hate having to explain my school all the time. Also, I feel like in the long run, it will not benefit me to go to an unknown school, especially if I work abroad.
2) Rural, isolated (in Southern Maryland), dependent on cars, no nearby city.
3) Does not have my major (I want to study international relations, minor in Chinese. St. Mary's does not have IR, and their minor program is extremely limited to those who are mostly fluent, like me)</p>

<p>HOWEVER. I am incredibly happy there, I have made a home there and I have many friends and I am involved in many on-campus activities (orientation program, Model U.N., dance show, student ambassadors, theater, to name a few). I love it there. There has never been a time in this past year where I have doubted my decision to go to St. Mary's. I love it THAT much and I can't wait to go back soon. But I feel like, yeah I am having a great college experience now, but it has to end someday anyway, so I should get something where I reap the most benefits. </p>

<p>So I am considering applying to GW, BU, NYU, Berkeley, Georgetown, UNC-Chapel Hill, and William & Mary. My top choice is GW, simply because they have a great IR program, moreover they have so many campus events dealing with IR. There is so much more resources, programs, on-campus activities, a bigger alumni network, and it's in a city. </p>

<p>I believe I have a decent chance to get into all of the schools I listed, but do you think it's worth transferring? Also, my dad is putting a lot of pressure on me to transfer as well. </p>

<p>Also do you think it would be possible to transfer Fall 2013, if I go abroad Spring 2013?
As in, I spend Fall 2012 semester at St. Mary's.
St. Mary's has an intensive Chinese program at Fudan University in Shanghai, so credit transfer from Fudan to St. Mary's is not an issue.
Ideally, I would spend Spring 2013 semester at Fudan.
But then my credits would transfer from Fudan to St. Mary's to my next school. </p>

<p>Do you think that's possible?</p>

<p>Anyway that's a minor, side question to consider. </p>

<p>But most importantly, do you think it is worth transferring schools if I'm happy right now? What would be the intrinsic economic value of a degree from St. Mary's versus a degree from GW, Berkeley, etc.?</p>

2

<p>It sounds to me like the conflict is over the prestige factor of your school. You are very happy there. While it may not have the exact major you are looking for, it does give you an opportunity to study in China. You are involved in many activities, and you can’t wait to go back there.</p>

<p>I think it is a matter of values here. Many people here would say that how you do depends more on you than the college. Others will say there is value to name and reputation. St Mary’s is an honors college-and that is respectable.</p>

<p>There is also a difference in the focus of an LAC and a large university. The LAC has an undergraduate focus.</p>

<p>I don’t think I can answer the “is it worth it” question because nobody can predict how you will do or if you will be happy if you transfer. It’s a matter of pros and cons either way, and also a matter of your family’s values, finances and how much it matters that you are happy where you are.</p>