<p>Hi all,
I am a transfer student to UNC from Rutgers NB. My majors are Political Science and Economics.
I am a diligent student at Rutgers. I will gain 72 credits by the end of this summer, and my academic performance is kept fine so far (3.9/4.0 GPA, PTK, Tau Sigma and a few other honors). Yet, my weak spot is my extracurriculum; I dont have a very nice list that can prove my diversity or uniqueness
I guess this is the reason why Ive been rejected by most Ivy schools and by GTown twice.
The reason why I thought about transferring was because I always plan to pursue some advanced level education after undergraduate, meaning going to one of those top schools like Yale, MIT, foreign schools like Oxford or others (u know, big-names, that kind of places).
UNC indeed is a wonderful place. I said no to Michigan, Notre Dame and WM because UNC really seems to be the best place for me in comparison, both academically and financially. Now the matter turns out to be choosing between going to UNC and staying at Rutgers.
My first concern is my prospect. Certainly, UNC has better reputation in both of my majors. Given that I really want to go to a big-name for graduate and beyond, a UNC student may be weighted a lot more than a Rutgerss one ---- UNCs pros: ranking, reputation. Rutgers pros: as far as I know, network (I get to know some widely respected scholars here, they are very helpful in terms of both academic and professional future), physical location (NYC, Phili, DC, basically more opportunities).
Then, different cost is another heavy part. I am a Jersey local, so I pay roughly 8k each year. If I go to NC, no financial aid for the first year, and the cost will be something around 25k. Then in the second, I may apply for a NC residency (not sure whether it is possible) and pay in-state tuition for some 12k each year if I still dont get any financial aid
---- the difference here is roughly 21k to 34k depends on whether I will get the NC residency or not. Considering that UNC will cut me 16 credits which essentially turn me back to a first-semester sophomore. I dont know if it still worth to transfer.
Other concerns like environment or living cost arent bothering me a lot, so I am not gonna discuss it here.
I am posting this thread because I really want to hear some advices from some real people, particularly those who are having or had similar experiences. I have to make a decision before next weekend, so any responses and any suggestions will be sincerely appreciated.</p>
<p>I don’t think UNC is that much of a jump in terms of prestige compared to RU. You will have a good chance going to a big name grad school from rutgers (many, many students do) as long as you keep your grades high and do some more ECs.</p>
<p>Furthermore, I don’t think its worth paying more AND losing credits. If you got into an Ivy or something it may be a different story, however I stick by my claim that UNC vs. Rutgers is a negligible difference in prestige.</p>
<p>Now if your major programs are substantially better at UNC then it is a more difficult choice. Also if you love UNC a lot more then by all means go there!</p>
<p>Poli major in CH is significantly better, but that’s all.</p>
<p>This is nothing more than a puzzle of opportunity cost… I’m not certain with that extra 30k and 12 credits cut will be offset by the higher possibility to get into a top grad sch if I transfer, holding all other variables the same.</p>
<p>I think that you would be well-served by staying the course at Rutgers. In terms of prestige and name-recognition, I am not too sure there is a substantial difference; I tend to believe those things are dependent upon who you ask and what region of the country you’re in. Save yourself the trouble – don’t incur more debt than you have to. At the end of the day, a graduate school is not going to reject you because you went to Rutgers instead of UNC.</p>