Should I transfer to Michigan? What are my chances?

<p>Currently, I'm enrolled at Central Michigan University. I'm a freshman, and I'm studying to become a political journalist. I really like it there and I can see myself there for 4 years. Plus, my tuition is almost completely covered for my 4 years there.</p>

<p>The thing is, I probably should've been accepted to the University of Michigan. My teacher, who was writing my recommendation, got my letter in 2 months late, and because of that I missed the early decision deadline. I probably would've gotten in then. Instead, I went through the regular decision and was wait listed, in part because of how many they already accepted and a record amount of applicants.</p>

<p>I really, really love Michigan, and it has a great political science department and many great journalists have come out of the school. Even though I love Central, I think U-M would be a step up in terms of getting a great education and I have a shot at transferring. It's like 1 and 1a for me. A couple questions, though:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Would going to an elite school be better for me? I'll be happy at either place (slightly happier at U-M), but would that put me that much more ahead?</p></li>
<li><p>Is it worth paying so much more in money to go there?</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Again, I really like Central, but U-M would be a step-up for me. I'd get an even better education and I just love campus there. It's my dream school. And I have a good shot at transferring there, I think. According to my high school college counselor and some online "what are my chances?" things, I probably would have been accepted had my teacher gotten that letter in on time. Obviously, I don't have a college GPA yet, but I had a 3.9 in high school and had a 30 on the ACT. What do you think I should do?</p>

<p>bump</p>

<p>additional info: I’m in the Honors Program at CMU, will write for the paper, have a job as an intramural sports official, play intramural sports, am involved with College Democrats at CMU, and am in a improv club. Also, I plan on doing a lot of volunteer work. So I’m very active. </p>

<p>Also, should I transfer to UM, I’d switch my major to political science since that would really look good on the resume when I’m applying for a job as a journalist (you don’t need a journalism degree to be a journalist).</p>

<p>*2. Is it worth paying so much more in money to go there?</p>

<p>*</p>

<p>How would you pay for UMich? </p>

<p>What are your parents saying?</p>

<p>Why not stay where you’re at for at least 2 years and then transfer (if affordable)?</p>

<p>I’d most likely have to take out loans unless by some miracle I got a scholarship or two from U-M. Federal aid would only do so much for me.</p>

<p>If you’re happy where you are, and feel like it’s meeting your educational needs, why burden yourself with a lot of debt to go somewhere where the grass may be greener? Entry level jobs in journalism don’t pay all that well; it would seem to me that the last thing you’d need would be burdensome student loan payments.</p>