Should I Transfer?

Transfer Students
1

<p>I'm a Californian in the middle of my junior year at a small liberal arts school in Massachusetts. It has a good name, but it's not Ivy League or even very well known. Personally I can't stand the place. I've been accepted to UCR, as they were the only UC accepting mid-year junior transfers. I'm just not sure what to do. Here are the basic pros and cons:</p>

<p>Transfer to UCR:
PRO: live comfortably at home, have enough credits to possibly graduate early, still an opportunity to study abroad, pleasant weather, good food, great to be in CA again
CON: ride the bus an hour each way, many required classes, not generally recognized as a great school</p>

<p>Stay in Mass.:
PRO: on track/almost done with my major, better reputation than UCR
CON: hate this school, very unhappy here, no opportunity to study abroad, nasty weather, noisy/annoying dorms, 8hrs of air travel plus 1hr drive from home, been trying to transfer out for years</p>

<p>In conclusion, I'm not enthusiastic about either choice. I suppose it's the comforts of living in my home state vs. a better-looking degree. Or in other words, a not-so-great degree vs. sticking around in a place I hate. I'm not one to care about academic reputations and all that, however I can't help but feel a bit concerned that it might make a difference on a job application one day. Then again, it might not: I don't know what career I want yet and may end up not using my degree (history) specifically. Should I enjoy my last year and a half of college or just put my nose to the grindstone? Any thoughts would be appreciated!</p>

2

<p>I wouldn’t worry so much about prestige; I have been told that the name of your undergraduate school isn’t so much of a factor. But I guess it depends on your major and what you want to do after graduation. </p>

<p>I’m sure there are some places other than UCR (since you don’t seem to be happy with that choice even though all UCs are well respected) that accept senior level transfers? I would research this option and then use your judgement accordingly.</p>

<p>But if you definitely can’t stand it where you’re at, there is no reason to suffer 1.5 more years of it, especially if the outcome is not going to mean much to you. Best wishes.</p>