<p>i realize that there's a transfer board here but all the posts seem focused on admissions prospects, while I have a more of a "college selection" question.
About a year ago, I was accepted to Cornell U's engineering school, and my state school, Rutgers University. Of course I wanted to go to CU, but unfortunately the only financial aid I got was "prestigious merit scholarship" (i forget what it was called, had an irish name) worth a measly $600. Rutgers came free of charge. My dad let me know that he had saved $100,000 dollars for me, and that's all the money I'd be getting from him. If I spent it all on college, so be it, but it could come in handy later...
To make a long story short, I was convinced to come to Rutgers because it would be a much better "value" than Cornell. To make an even longer story short, I've spent a year here so far and, while I don't exactly love the place, I'm not desperate to leave either. I decided not to go for engineering (too hands-on), began a bioinformatics curriculum and found that bio wasn't interesting, and now want to do Computer Science. I've found classes here, for the most part, to be pretty easy. I hear a few of the higher-level courses in CS are tough, but not many. The bus system's a *****, but I can live with it. There's plenty of opportunities for undergrad research, and I could do a senior thesis if I want. Also, as long as I don't majorly screw up, I could spend a fifth year here and get a master's.
My question here is, should I worry that my school is not academically rigorous/prestigious enough? If I try and transfer to Cornell, or a place like CMU (very competitive to get in for comp sci, I know) will I really have infinitely better preparation and become a thousand times as well-educated and competitive, etc etc? I'm probably looking at grad school here (probably master's but PhD's a possibility..) so keeping that in mind, will I have a much better chance coming from one of these places than from Rutgers?<br>
My point is, it just seems too easy to graduate from here without working myself to death or spending a dime, and having a hundred grand in my pocket to boot. Should I be worried? Are these tougher, "elite schools" truly worth $42,000+/year more than Rutgers is? And if so, any specific ones in mind?</p>
<p>Stay at Rutgers, get an excellent gpa and your master's, then go to a good grad school for you doctorate.</p>