<p>Okay, so I am in a mental bind about what to do and where I should focus my efforts. Currently, I am senior about to graduate and I am attending Oregon State University next year. I plan on studying Business with my emphasis in International Business and Finance. Although, I am starting to sulk on my college of choice (and my HS academic performance lol), as my buddies are off to Stanford and Berkeley. </p>
<p>My HS stats:
GPA: 3.5 uw (full IB courses minus English)
SAT: 1800/2400 (I could improve this score)
Class President for 3 yrs.
Varsity Tennis and Snowboarder
300+ hrs. community service through key club and school leadership role</p>
<p>So this is what I'm thinking of now, either study abroad for 2 years (sophomore & senior) or attempt to transfer. I am looking at schools like Georgetown, Cornell, NYU, USC, Wash.U in St. Louis for transfer.</p>
<p>This could be conflicting because applying to transfer from Germany or Spain might be difficult (getting paperwork, letters of rec., complete mandatory coursework). </p>
<p>So basically I have to decide if I want to work my butt off and stay put just to have a shot at transferring or explore and stay. My dad is telling me to stay because I have a tuition scholarship at OSU and my mom says to follow my dreams and aim big.</p>
<p>I'm not sure what route I want to take and any advice or insight would be appreciated.</p>
<p>Go to OSU this fall. Do your best in your classes. Do your best to integrate into the university community. Make friends. Get to know your professors.</p>
<p>After you are settled in there, think about doing a year (or two) abroad. Maybe your career goals will change. Maybe they will stay the same. But just give yourself some time to let the situation evolve.</p>
<p>I can see both your dad's and your mom's points of view. But they are not in direct contrast. You can save buckets of money by staying at OSU instead of transferring to one of those hideously expensive private universities. The money you save can be used to pay for grad school, years abroad, years as a visiting student elsewhere, interesting summer unpaid internships - you name it. There are many ways to dream big, and it is easier to achieve some of those dreams if you aren't up to your eyeballs in college debt.</p>
<p>Wishing you all the best.</p>
<p>dream big for graduate school, stay at OSU for undergrad.</p>
<p>happymomof1 is right. Another thing to mention is that just about every school requires their students to STAY on campus for at least two years. By transferring and going abroad for 2 years will delay your graduation and build up debt. You'll just screw up the flow of your college career with a plan like that. I almost had a similar situation- only that I moved every single semester until my senior year (due to roommate problems, internships elsewhere for the summer, going abroad for one semester) and let me tell you, I am EXHAUSTED. It really gets VERY exhausting to move all the time. Now I am going to move again to my graduate school for my Masters, in which I hope, after all the moving, I can apply there for PhD and STAY there.</p>
<p>It may seem like fun to move around but after 3 times... not so much.</p>
<p>So I definitely concur happymomof1's suggestion- stay at OSU until you can find a very, very compelling reason to transfer and pay up more money.</p>
<p>I disagree, follow your dad's advice and transfer to a top school like Cornell or Berkeley. I vehemently agree that several who have not gone to these big schools have come up and are successful in life. However it is also important to realize how competitive the job market is and grad school admissions are. I'm not saying that you HAVE to go to an ivy to get a good job, but it will really increase your chances of putting your foot in the door.</p>
<p>That being said, get to know your profs, get good grades, get in involved in you college and transfer.</p>
<p>your dad's right.. i hv a friend in OSU and she likes there.. it's a decent school, and i understand you hv bigger dreams after that,,we all have!
if you really want to go study abroad,,well go study there and dont look back,,but if you want to transfer,,seriously,,dont go,,enjoy your freshman year,,join clubs,,improve your SAT,,and you really hv big chances to all that gret univs that you want.. </p>
<p>good luck!</p>
<p>Thanks, these are all good pieces of input.</p>
<p>happymomof that is true. After scholarships, grants, and work-study I'll be graduating with almost no debt. This will be really nice in terms of finances and take a lot of pressure off me. </p>
<p>ticklemepink you make a really good point. Maybe two exchanges is a little too much, considering the senior year abroad is mandatory for my major. I want to feel settled and comfortable at my school.</p>
<p>Then again, supindy I understand the power of prestige and name. Not only would I enjoy being distinguished but I think I will have better chance in the job market. I believe this is an especially good time for middle-lower income families to take advantage of the prestigious schools no loan/tuition grant policies. For instance "Cornell drops need-based loans for students from families earning under $75,000". This would be great for me because my parents income is ~$65000 and it seems basically all I have to do is get in. </p>
<p>So with this information I've accumulated this is my plan. I will go to OSU next year with academics being my number one priority. I'll send out my transfer applications both freshman and sophomore year and see what happens. And if I don't get in I won't be heartbroken, just try again in grad schools.</p>
<p>Just hope I get career opportunities after... or I could always join the Peace Corps :P</p>