Stay at decent state school or transfer to top tier public university

I am in a bit of a dilemma. I am currently at a decent state school, which I don’t love but don’t hate either – my experiences, both academically and socially, have been extremely mediocre. I was recently accepted to a top 5 ranked public university, which has better academics, more research opportunities, and is located in a great city; however, I am nervous to go lol. Idk if I should stay at a mediocre place where I have a few friends and would graduate with a high gpa, or move across the country to go to a much more highly ranked uni where i might not do as well and possibly be very alone haha. So what should I do: play it safe and stay, or take a risk that could possibly be one of the best or worst decisions I make? Lol (I have like a day left to decide, which is super awesome!!!:slight_smile:

Are you in state for both?

I’m in state at my current college and would travel across the country if transfer

Cost and debt effect?

The cost for both is similar, although transferring would be slightly more expensive. Also, I could prob graduate in 4 years at both schools.

You really need to make this decision based on the academics first and then your fit with the university. If you have a hard time making friends at your current school, that is not likely to change at a new school. Conversely, if you make friends easily, you should not be worried about being able to meet people at the new university. Consider the goals you have for your career. Will the new school give you better opportunities?

I chatted with a prof (who attended very highly ranked colleges for his grad and undergrad education) and he kind of persuaded me to stay, although he was just playing devils advocate with me. The transition would probably be pretty stressful and I think I could graduate with a pretty high gpa and get a decent amount of research experience where I am. I plan to go to grad school right after, and my prof told me that my current school is reputable/ good enough for me to be just as competitive of an applicant as if I were to transfer. Already having some regrets because the prestige would be nice, but I’m already doing well + am comfortable where I am.

There can be real advantages to you as a “big fish” in your current pool. It will probably be easier for you to get the research experiences, and hence the strong grad school recommendations.

It is hard to know what to advise without more information such as the name of the two schools and what your major is. If you are in a major where graduate school is likely, even if only a Master’s degree, then the “prestige” associated with your Bachelor’s degree will matter even less than it would otherwise (which is usually very little). Getting into a top graduate program from an “average” state flagship will require very good grades and would be easier with strong references, but it sounds likely that you have very good grades and already have a good relationship with at least one professor.

“I plan to go to grad school right after, and my prof told me that my current school is reputable/ good enough for me to be just as competitive of an applicant as if I were to transfer.”

Based on the little that you said, a Bachelor’s degree where you are plus a Master’s at a bigger name university sounds like a very good plan.