<p>Hello everyone, I am a freshman at the University of St. Thomas (MN). So far, college has been incredibly easy, and most of my classmates seem like complete morons. My high school GPA was 3.7 and my ACT was 28, which I am well aware are solid, but not great. I also took AP Calculus AB/BC, AP Lit, APUSH, AP World History, AP Macro and Microeconomics, and AP Statistics while in high school. I realize now that I slacked off bad in high school and I am capable of a lot more. So far I like almost everything about St. Thomas, but the only thing that worries me is that my classmates will not push me to achieve my potential here. I also worry that the school lacks a name brand and it will hurt me when looking for jobs. What would you do in my situation? Should I give it until the end of sophomore year before I panic? Would the relative ease benefit me when applying to grad school? Any advice is appreciated, thank you!
PS-I am also going to UST for about $5000 per year so factor that in with the advice you give. Possible transfer schools so far would be University of Minnesota, UW-Madison, and Drake University. All of which I was previously accepted to. Any other suggestions are welcome (mostly midwest please)</p>
<p>It is completely your decision.</p>
<p>If the main reason are your peers, then definitely stay.
I am in a similar situation as you, but my high school stats are way above average than my class, but I decided on staying.</p>
<p>I was seriously thinking of transferring as well, but I realized the benefits of going to a school like yours. </p>
<p>Standing out is a lot better than just being a “number” in a more prestigious school. My ex who is a freshman at Duke isn’t really in any clubs and is just getting her ego crushed. While I am writing for the school newspaper(going to interview a Nobel prize winner in Physics next week too), participating in math competitions, going to participate in astronomy research, and even getting an interview from an actuarial firm (all while still a freshman), and most importantly confidence.</p>
<p>The bottom line is, just take advantage of your situation and make the best of it. I know I am.</p>
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EDIT:
You should search the previous topics I even started to see the desperation I was in lol</p>
<p>Wow that’s awesome! Thanks a lot for the advice. By the way, I am majoring in actuarial science so that’s a cool coincidence too. Have you passed any exams yet or did they just give you an interview without one? And if you don’t mind, what school are you attending? If you don’t want to say for privacy I totally understand. One of the reasons that is keeping me from transferring is that St.Thomas is well-known in Minnesota for actuarial science, and I am very close with the director of the program. I would feel like I let her down if I left also.</p>
<p>It is actually for a summer internship. If you the program you are in is very good, then why leave?</p>
<p>My college is on my profile.</p>
<p>The best way to meet peers that are also competitive academically is to join clubs and activities that suit your interests.</p>
<p>That is still very impressive you got an internship without any exams. And while my program is very well known in Minnesota, I don’t just want to limit myself to jobs in Minnesota. That is good advice about the clubs. I attend math club and there are a few intelligent kids there.</p>
<p>Thats definitely a sign of growth and maturity. Most schools are full of the same types of people, even at the Ivy’s. Whether you stay or go, keep your GPA as high as possible and prepare yourself for the future.</p>
<p>Note, you will be better off if you do transfer to an Ivy, UChicago, NWestern, Stanford etc.
And I doubt it would be too terribly difficult curriculum wise, from what you’ve said.</p>