Should I Transfer?

Transfer Students
1

I know this sounds pathetic, but I’ve always had a hard time choosing between things. I’m hoping that you guys can give me some advice about my situation.

I’m currently majoring in Computer Science and am attending one of the state schools.
I received a merit scholarship (full tuition for 4 years). I was accepted Fall 2014 but due to personal reasons I began taking classes this Spring. So this is my second semester.
The only reason I chose this school was because they gave me full tuition. Last semester I was awarded the Academic Excellence scholarship. (that went to room and board)

The reason I want to transfer is
a) the atmosphere of the school doesn’t fit me
- I actually like studying… People in my school, not so much
- Professors can’t teach. Classes are too big that the professors can’t handle the students well.
b) lack of alumni connections/job fairs
c) I didn’t have a choice when I first entered the school

Reasons I shouldn’t transfer
a) I’ll graduate college without debt if I continue here
b) According to my dad, “Get good GPAs and go to grad school”
c) I don’t know any professors who’ll write me a recommendation letter
d) “in computer science, it’s not important which college you graduated it’s your ability to work in the field” my dad’s friend

I’ve talked to my parents last semester about how I had a hard time at my current school, and my parents are now ok with me trying to transfer. I was diagnosed with depression this summer. I think that’s what got them to agree?
I don’t know what I want to do. I know a 4 year merit scholarship is a great thing. It’s easy to get good grades at my current school.
But at the same time, I don’t want to stay here. I feel like a loser. I got into better schools but this school was the only school that offered me full tuition and room and board was affordable. My family had a hard time until this summer, so I had to come here. My parents had to use my college funds so there wasn’t much I can do. But now we’re ok.
About the tuition for the school I transfer to, I’m working part time. I’ll get financial aid. My parents can afford 20k, so rest of the money I’ll manage with scholarships and stuff.
I see all my friends who went to the college of their dreams and I’m just stuck in a state school I never thought of going.

I just don’t know what to do:( What’s the best decision I can make here?
Is where you went for undergrad quite important? Or should I save up money and apply to top universities for a master’s degree?
Some of the Fall 2016 transfer deadlines are coming up soon… I’ve been thinking about this for weeks and can’t make up my mind.

2

You are still a freshman, and it’s important to remember that not all four years are the same. Next term you move up to more challenging classes and your professors figure out who are the achievers in their subject- which is when you start to develop the relationships that will lead to LoRs, contacts, etc. (btw, few if any first years- even in LACs- know professors well enough to get meaningful LoRs). As you get into higher level classes, and get to know the other CS majors you will find your fellow travelers: the other people who are interested in their studies. Without even knowing what uni you are in, I guarantee there are plenty!

Graduating without debt is a huge, huge thing, especially if you might be headed for grad school.

This is just the opposite of being a loser! fyi, I know many many smart people who got into top-tier schools who are in their state unis because of finances. There is NO shame in that: you have made a smart, mature decision. Choose your courses for next term carefully.

Looking at your reasons to transfer, (c) is just silly and (a) will change.(b) you can do something about by using your summers well: are you applying to any REUs? Have you started looking for paid summer internships? There may not be big jobs fairs, but I am certain that there is a Careers center of some sort, and they will have all kinds of info on places to look.

So, as you asked for opinions, imo you don’t have compelling reasons to go and you have some good reasons to stay. You might have to be a little more active in advancing your own cause where you are- reaching out to profs (going to office hours, etc), looking for summer internships that will get you the contacts that you need, putting together course schedules that are interesting and challenging, finding the other students who are there to learn- but those things are do-able, and are good practice for adult life.

If you were my kid I would be proud of you for having done well enough to get that sort of full merit scholarship, for understanding the hard reality of our family finances, and for looking for how to make the best of the situation. Save your money for grad school.

3

You are at a state school and it is probably fairly large and has graduate programs. This means that there are plenty of serious students at the school and you just need to find them. It is likely that Freshman classes will be large but upper division courses will be significantly smaller and more challenging. If there are graduate programs then there are research opportunities with faculty and that is how you get letters of reference, not from the instructors in a large first year class.

All that being said, if you really are depressed and it is because of your university instead of some other reason, then you have to find help somehow and maybe leaving is an option. However, make sure that is it not because you have isolated yourself and not made the effort to find the kind of students you can relate to and get along with. Maybe there is a robotics club or you could join the ACM student chapter.

4

It is rare for me to offer advice like this, but personally I think you SHOULD transfer.

You don’t describe what kind of person you are - just that you like studying, and that you don’t fit in where you are currently. You need to go somewhere where you can be you! Your college years should be a time of exploration, both academically and personally, and the people you’ll meet may (hopefully) be with you for the rest of your life!

I am going to suggest a rare school that is for rare people, but that offers a fantastic value. It is a small liberal arts college but part of a public system, and with great merit aid for out of state students - New College of Florida. The math and science program there is very strong, and there is even a “big data” graduate program there now. Your chances of getting into a graduate school of distinction will be very strong with a degree from NCF, and you actually WILL know and work with your professors on a high level! There are probably other options out there as well - I would definitely look at the smaller LACs.

Full disclosure: I was a transfer student to New College years ago, and it was a great move for me.

Good luck, and don’t let the people saying you should just stick it out prevail!!