Should I transfer?

So, I don’t like the school I am currently at. The only reason I am here is because of force (parental) and that it met my financial need. But now, I am conflicted. The school is a nice school. But it’s not what I depicted college life to be. It’s a huge commuter school. Everyone goes home on the weekends. I wanted to do music classes but I cannot do so because the school doesn’t offer it. I would like to join an ensemble, model UN etc. But the school don’t have it. Also, they didn’t have my major but they are now getting it. But I fear that when I transfer to CC and start to apply to other 4 year universities I won’t be accepted no where and I’d be force to come back here. The school is ok. But not exactly what I want. I also dislike their grading system. Currently my mother doesn’t know that I am leaving the school after this semester because I am scared of her reaction. (She legit threatened to take everything away from me if I did not attend) And she’s the only person I have at this point to be honest.

SN: It also doesn’t help that I have no friends.

And the schools I am looking at are: Harvey Mudd (Dream), Haverford College (Dream), University of San Diego (Dream), University of Miami, University of Houston, San Diego State and Rice that’s really about it. Also, I know some of the schools listed doesn’t offer Model UN.

Also if you could recommend some schools that’d be great!

What is your desired major? Without that it is not clear which schools might fit your requirements.

Are you a resident of California? Can you afford your transfers?
It does make a difference. Transfers don’t get a whole lot of aid.

What the other responses said is important. Also, do you have a high transfer GPA? Some schools try to incentivize transfer students with high merit scholarships.

@“aunt bea” No, I am not a resident so I guess I should rethink schools in California?

@xraymancs I am hoping to go into IT or CS. I am not sure which yet.

@philbegas Currently no my G.P.A is not great but I hope to change it when I transfer to community college.

So are you going to transfer straight to a different 4-year institution or to a community college first and then to a 4 year?

@philbegas sorry for the confusion but I am going to a 2 year next. Then I am going to attend a four year afterwards.

If your mother isn’t going to be happy with your decision where are you going to live during the 2 year / how are you going to pay for it?

@philbegas I am still trying to figure living arrangements out. I am hoping for my Fasfa and Grants to cover my education at CC.

Yes, I think you really need to think this through. Once you transfer, the money is gone.

You cannot be considered “independent” until the age of 24, so you have to rely on Mom’s financial information in order to use the FAFSA application unitl you are 24. FAFSA only uses the financial information to see if you qualify for a PELL grant or loans. That’s it. The university that you attend covers the rest of the fees.

If you transfer, you will not get much financial aid to cover your living expenses. (not in California anyway).
Typically you get the tuition part covered, if that, at the CC. CC’s typically don’t have on-campus housing. You would be on your own for that.

Most California universities accept junior level transfers, and most California public universities (SDSU) do not provide a nickel of aid to OOS students. So paying OOS high fees is expected (SDSU =$40k per year, USD $60K+ per year).

You may be able to transfer to a private university (Mudd, USD), but their monies are typically targeted for entering freshman and their fees are really expensive. Check the NPC’s (net price calculator) for each school you hope to attend on the financial aid web pages for each school.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_community_colleges_in_the_United_States_with_campus_housing

If OP wants to go to CA they could consider going to a CA CC and applying for a TAG program, but as @“aunt bea” said it’s unlikely you’ll get any fin aid.

She would still have to pay OOS fees at the CC and at the 4-year, because she would be coming to California for educational purposes and the fees charged would still be OOS after TAG.

Paying to go to a CC in California would be expensive plus housing is ridiculous.
Then paying fees at a UC/CSU would still be expensive.

Oh yea, I’m not saying they should do it, but I wanted them to be informed!

@philbegas @“aunt bea” thank you guys! I also currently added St. Joseph University to my list. But I am going to heavily consider what both of you guys say. I would be happy to keep you both updated if you’d like.
:slight_smile:

Great! Let us know where you end up.
St. Joseph offered both of my daughter’s good scholarships. But they chose other schools.
Good Luck!!!

You have not mentioned your current school or the State you live in but like others have said, focus on private schools that give good financial aid to transfer students and which have both CS and IT programs (not all do) or smaller public universities in your state. You need to get your mother to buy in though since you will not have a lot of ability to borrow money for college independently until you are 24 years old. Transferring to a CC is a good idea if your grades are not doing too well so make sure you really improve in the next two years and then look for universities which give scholarships for Phi Theta Kappa members.

university of san diego… and harvey mudd? they are so different…
did you mean university of california san diego (UCSD)?

university of san diego (USD) is a catholic private school. i dont even think they have a CS or IT…

one thing you could do if you’re really set on a school in california is to move there and do your community college there. you’ll end up becoming a california resident after a few years (2 i think? dont quote me on this) and qualify for residency price. and you’ll get access to the agreements that those universities have with the local community colleges, something that you might have a harder time with out of state. ive met a lot of people who do that and are from out of state, many are veterans but some came here w/o being veterans. ive also met many people who have to retake a bunch of classes because their other school’s credits weren’t accepted at the school they wanted to transfer to, so it’s best to just do it all here from the start if that’s what you plan to do.

and if you keep up a decent GPA and become a resident, you might qualify for many of the transfer pathways there are for students to get admitted to SDSU or UC schools (don’t know of any for USD because i’ve never checked but im sure there’s something. at the least you will have guidance counselors who are knowledgeable about attending there than counselors who are out of state)

as for your mother, it sounds like a very abusive relationship to threaten to take everything away from you if you don’t attend HER desired school. why is this? did she attend that school, did she want to attend that school, is she paying for it and just wants you to succeed? there are always other paths to success, it is never linear. ive met so many people from all walks of life who return to get their start at community college to transfer so don’t be afraid of doing so. you definitely won’t be alone in that boat that’s for sure.
and the “she’s the only person i have left” thing…is that something she’s made you believe (abuse) or is that true? try talking it out in a logical manner… pros and cons… show her you’re serious about transferring. make a power point talking about why your current school isn’t right for you, and what you plan to do about it, and what the options to success are for your other plans. don’t just say “i want to transfer” without showing her you know exactly how you’re going to carry out that plan. without showing her you’re serious and are actually putting in due diligence, she isn’t going to take you seriously and she’ll just reject it. do your part to gain her trust. you’re an adult.

@xraymancs Forgive me for my ignorance but would I have to pay for being apart of an honor society? And I live in Philly.