<p>Hi! I'm a freshman at Tufts looking at Bio or Cognitive Science, and I'm thinking of transferring to Rutgers. </p>
<p>I feel like I don't fit in at all here: Tufts students are hyper-involved overachievers, and I'm managing/recovering from two lifelong mental illnesses without medication. A high level of function for me is below average here, which is very discouraging, although so far my grades are okay. More practically speaking, the biology department feels neglected, the school is suffocatingly small for how much it costs and how isolated it is ("minutes from Boston!" sounds good until you realize there is -nothing- on campus), and the whole thing just feels like a joke. The CogSci program, however, seems strong, and Daniel Dennett does still teach here (although his lectures are actually kind of awful). I also haven't given up the idea that I might one day be able to take advantage of the high-achiever opportunities here as well.</p>
<p>On the other hand, I'm from NJ, so based on the Rut's calculator I could get a full ride there. I'd be closer to home, closer to friends, on a lower-pressure campus. Their bio department is a big deal and they also have an interesting CogSci self-designed major. I'm also very interested in joining their marching band. I've been to the campus, I know people who go there, and I like it a lot.</p>
<p>So should I hold out at Tufts and work on getting better? Or should I transfer to Rutgers, considering their bigger science resources and lower-pressure environment?</p>
<p>IMO, you can get what you need academically from both of these fine schools.</p>
<p>From what you’ve written, I’d say go with Rutgers. Other than some ranking points, it sounds like you’re going to be much more comfortable and happy there, which iMO usually results in doing better academically as well.</p>
<p>Please make an appt. with a counselor at Tufts. [Counseling</a> and Mental Health Service - Tufts University](<a href=“Health & Wellness | AS&E Students”>Health & Wellness | AS&E Students)
It sounds like you really need contact with someone that can help you sort this out (face-to-face counseling, group support group, etc.). The counseling center is there for you anytime! If your mental illness has been something you’ve dealt with for a very long time then this is something that you need to learn to manage whether it be at Tufts or Rutgers. Your happiness is what’s most important! I wish you the best :)</p>
<p>Watch the video about counseling at Tufts. Did you know that 1 out of 4 students at Tufts has been to the counseling center? This isn’t unique to Tufts either. What you are going through is common and I really hope you will talk to someone there today.</p>
<p>Jkiwmom - it’s good that you recommend the counseling department here, I’ve been working with them for a few weeks now and so far they’ve been very helpful!</p>
<p>My concern is really that nothing would change if I went to Rutgers. Here, I don’t get involved because I’m anxious about it and because I don’t want to make my anxiety worse with stress. But I’m also getting depressed because I have very little human contact and I’m not doing anything besides school. I’d have the same problem at Rutgers.</p>
<p>The other thing is that I have a very hard time making friends. That’s a function of my anxiety, so I don’t know if that would make transferring a bad idea, or if it just means worrying about being a “lonely transfer student” is irrelevant, since I’m lonely here too. The whole “sense of community” associated with small liberal arts schools really only serves to make me feel more broken and excluded for not being a part of it.</p>
<p>No I see what you’re saying! My counselor actually just told me that Tufts is one of the top 10 most stressful schools in the US, so it makes sense to recommend the less stressful school! I’m just not sure I should give up on Tufts, rather than trying to acclimate to it - I worry that transferring to a big state school (even if it’s partly for financial reasons) will look bad to employers.</p>