<p>I am a freshman ECE major at Lafayette College. While Lafayette is recognized for its outstanding engineering program, it is not an Ivy League school. Both teaching quality and career options after graduation are far more limited than those enjoyed by Ivy League school students and graduates. Plus, I don't really like science classes at Lafayette. Although I do there reasonably well (GPA 3.85 after the first semester), keeping in mind that I don't really learn much (I've learned most of the stuff of CS 102, Chem 121, Phys 152, Calc 162 & 263 in high school, so I usually sleep during those classes, literally), it is disappointing.</p>
<p>This semester and over the summer I am conducting research with one of our math professors. This research might become a solid basis for future work in robotics field, if only we had an ECE professor intereseted in robotics... :-(</p>
<p>Another thing is that I've never been happy with my college choice (or should I say, the lack of choice -- I've been admitted to Lafayette and Cornell only; Cornell didn't give me any financial aid, so I couldn't afford it). I've been doing very well in my high school, and earned an International Baccalaureate diploma with 43 (out of 45) points, so trust me I've learned the IB stuff really well. And now when I have to sit in the classes and listen professor teaching stuff that I've been studying in high school, I feel that this college is just a big waist of my time.</p>
<p>So do you think that it is worth for me to try transferring to MIT for my junior year? If I have GPA of like 3.75 -- 3.90, research experience and a nice application, do you think it's possible to get in?</p>
<p>Oh, and I forgot to mention one more thing. I am most probably going to apply to MIT for grad school even if I stay at Lafayette for the next 3.5 years.</p>
<p>If you are truly unhappy at your university then you might consider transferring but here is some advice from my experience. First, you are only a freshman and typically you won't really get into the "real" engineering classes until you are a sophomore--don't judge the education based on a semester or two of work. </p>
<p>Next, even though the Ivy Leagues are great schools, that doesn't mean they are the best. In fact, many state of tech schools have much stronger engineering (keyword--engineering) programs then the Ivy Leagues. </p>
<p>Finally, transferring to MIT is very difficult. Impossible even. Only a handful of applicants are accepted each year and competition will be VERY fierce. </p>
<p>What does matter however is your college experience and if you aren't happy then you should go somewhere you will be. Yet keep in mind that if you excel at your current school and continue your research, there is no reason you can't get into any graduate school, including MIT.</p>
<p>I think nshah9617 gave great advice. Wait until you get to your actual engineering courses before you decide to transfer. If you are still unhappy, then go ahead a transfer. MIT probably will not be possible, but there are plenty of other schools you can go to instead.</p>
<p>
[quote]
there are plenty of other schools you can go to instead
[/quote]
Well, I don't think so. See, I am an international student with almost nonexisting finances, so I am thinking about MIT, because they consider applications without taking finances into account (even for internationals) and then award as much financial aid as you need when they admit you. Unfortunatelly, I don't know of any other engineering school, which would have the same policy. :-( Do you?</p>
<p>Most schools have need blind policies in their transfer applications and if anything, you can write about your current circumstances and try to garner a scholarship. It doesn't hurt to try and at least this way you'll have more schools to apply to.</p>