<p>I am enrolled at one university and am contemplating starting over at another one. This means my graduation would be delayed by three semesters, but I do not mind - I am not in a hurry and I love to learn. The reason I want to switch is that the other college seems to be a much better fit for me, but it is otherwise of similar (if not slightly better) reputation and academic rigor. The other university just appeals to me in every possible way, e.g. its traditions, campus, classes and school spirit. </p>
<p>I know this is my own decision, but I would love to get some thoughts and see if someone has similar experiences. You might say I should transfer, but that is not possible in this case since the school in question does not allow it. I can transfer one semester's worth of credits, I think, but that's it.</p>
<p>If it will make you happier and you do not mind the extra years (and possibly extra money?) going towards your education, then I’d say go for it. Just to save money, I’d probably try to transfer as many credits as the school allows! I know several people who transfer and end up basically ‘starting over’ since the credits don’t transfer as actual classes. They end up just fine – just frustrated that their graduation is delayed. But since you’re fine with it, I don’t see any problems here.</p>
<p>lullabies, thank you. It will cost more, but I will also learn more, right? I have no idea how employers would think about a job applicant who spent five and a half years at college rather than four, or even whether it would be positive or negative.</p>
<p>BrownParent, they only accept a certain amount of credits and no inter-university transfers.</p>
<p>I don’t see the need to worry about that. If they ask you, you could always explain that you transferred and the credits didn’t go through. But I’ve realized that many people do not graduate on time! At my university, at least, many students end up taking a semester or two more than the traditional 4 years – usually due to changing of majors and/or transferring. :)</p>
<p>If it costs more and you don’t mind getting into more debt or paying the extra years, I really see nothing stopping you! :p</p>
<p>When you apply, you can’t pretend that you haven’t been going to college. Your new school will KNOW that you’ve been in college because they use a service that tells them that.</p>
<p>You can’t just apply as an incoming frosh. You can’t just start over.</p>
<p>What are your parents saying about the add’l cost of more semesters?</p>
<p>warblersrule and mom2collegekids, thank you for your advice. Perhaps I didn’t express myself clearly, but the university in question only accepts students starting as freshmen and they furthermore state that students who are already in college are welcome to apply regardless of the number of college credits or semesters they have previously completed. </p>
<p>mom2collegekids, my parents do not finance my education, I finance it through loans and scholarships. </p>
<p>If you have any other advice, I would be very glad to take it. Thanks to everyone who posted so far.</p>
<p>Few colleges give much scholarship $ to transfers. Some notable exceptions are the service academies which would require you to start as a freshman but I don’t think you mean those from your description. How would you get the additional loans for school?</p>
<p>If you are an international applicant, you need to know that the likelihood of receiving sufficient financial aid as a transfer applicant at a US college or university is very nearly zero. Not equal to zero, but very near it. Go ahead and apply, but please don’t be surprised if you aren’t admitted, or if the institution is not affordable.</p>
<p>You need to sit down and crunch the numbers. How long is it likely to take you to pay off the loans that you are expecting to have if you graduate on time from your current university? What happens if you need more loans for the extra time at the other place? Will you even be able to borrow that money? </p>
<p>Again, if you are an international student, and the university you have in mind is in the US, you need to be dead certain that graduating from that university will help you find a job in your home country. The likelihood of you finding an employer in the US who will be able to get you a work visa with only a bachelor’s degree while not zero, certainly is very nearly zero. The only cases I have ever heard of where that proved possible were top students in Computer Science or Engineering.</p>
<p>Erin’s Dad, siliconvalleymom and happymomof1, thank you for your concern and advice. The college transfer (or act of starting over, rather) in question is financially possible and what I really am looking for is advice regarding whether delaying graduation by three semesters can be justified by going to a school which is a much better ‘fit’. I know it’s ultimately up to me, but I am just looking for some more input on this. Thanks for your help so far.</p>
<p>I’m not sure why you would lose so much credit in a transfer, but unless your family is rolling in money, I’d try to find a way to finish out where you are. Perhaps take a year abroad to minimize the time at your current school.</p>
<p>What is your probable major and what amount of loans (and what type) are you talking about? The primary reason I would say this is not advisable is because of the expense and potential for too much in loans.</p>
<p>Although I think transferring is justified in some cases, somehow your post seems sort of idealistic, romantic, dreamy about how much better the other school will be. What exactly is wrong with your current school, especially if the academics and rigor are comparable?</p>
<p>*mom2collegekids, my parents do not finance my education, I finance it through loans and scholarships. *</p>
<p>What is the source of these scholarships and loans? Some might have limits to how many semesters they’re good for. Are these scholarships from your current school or from a private source? If they’re from a private source then they might be only for 8 semesters, and if they’re from your current school, then you won’t have them when you transfer.</p>
<p>happy1, do you still maintain this belief even if I manage to largely fund my education with scholarships, or is it conditioned mainly upon everything being paid for through loans and other private resources? </p>
<p>intparent, my major is economics. The loan is low-interest and does cover the entire duration of my education even if I postpone my graduation by three semesters by switching schools. You are right about the romanticism and I am aware that I am prone to overvalue some aspects of switching schools. That being said, however, the move still feels somewhat justified. The differences are principally those stated below. </p>
<p>The other school has:
A slight edge in (in some regards, greater) reputation.
A considerably larger size. This also means a greater alumni network.
More traditions, and these appeal to me more.
A much more palpable school spirit.
More activities and student programs.
A nonsectarian stance on religion, whereas my current school is decidedly affiliated with a specific branch of religion, one which I am anything but a fan of, I might add. </p>
<p>Personally, however, (almost) everything just feels right about this other school. I have mixed feelings about my current school, even though it is considered a good one. I always struggle to justify to myself why I am attending one of two similar schools when I prefer the other one in so many respects. Maybe a somewhat suitable comparison is like dreaming of a school like Berkeley and then going to UCLA instead, or going to U Chicago instead of Columbia. Now these comparisons fall short in many ways, but hopefully you get the idea. </p>
<p>mom2collegekids, thanks for the heads up. The scholarships are from the universities and from private sources, and I am quite confident I can keep getting scholarships from the other school in question since I am very ambitious academically. The school in question offers many scholarships, just like my current one, and it is about as competitive as my current school. </p>
<p>Thanks again for all the advice. It is very appreciated.</p>