<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>Your cost figures appear to be way off. Without FA, OSS tuition is listed as 30,122 for 2013-2014. Total COA is listed as 45,806.</p>
<p>Assuming you are not classified as an independent student, I doubt it is possible that you will be able to qualify for in-state tuition.</p>
<p>you are right, I misremembered the tuition info with what I saw on U.S news… I was wrong… then the opportunity cost gets even bigger.</p>
<p>The real question is can you afford to do this. Based on your post, UNC will cost you $46-8K=36K more a year. If you enter as a Junior, that would add 72K to your undergraduate costs. Only you can decide if UNC is worth 72K or if the 72K would be better spent on grad school. As an OOS transfer student I wouldn’t count on much FA for senior year.</p>
<p>What are the reasons you want to transfer? Based on your post, it appear that you are hoping that the UNC degree will get you into a top 10 school. Your post seems to indicate that your school has good professors, a good professional network and is located in a good job area.</p>
<p>Don’t get me wrong, I’m not biased. It is an important factor that RU has a more convenient political and economic location.
Abt professors, I am saying that after two years, I established a fairly well network here at RU. I am sure UNC also has excellent scholars; I am just not sure whether I will be able to build up an equally helpful network too.</p>
<p>My reason to transfer is exactly what you just said. Yes, I do think a degree from UNC will better me off in terms of both the chance to get into a top graduate school and my future career.
However, just like you also said. I do not really know whether it worth or not to take that 72k debt only for undergraduate, and I also don’t know how much better it can be if I quit Rutgers and start all over again at Chapel Hill. Jesus, I am already 26…
I am lack of information to complete this evaluation.</p>
<p>I would take a realistic look at how much debt including interest you will need to do this. Then calculate your monthly payment and compare that to your future income after taxes. Add to that what you need to borrow for grad school. Keep in mind, that your unsubsidized undergrad debt keeps growing while you are in grad school.</p>
<p>Do you current have loans?</p>
<p>Yes, I started taking subsidized loan since fall 2012, $7000 each year. Chapel Hill offers sub-loan for around $3000 a year, which is far from helpful. </p>
<p>Oh, btw, I am an independent student. I gained my NJ residency based on my own asset, income and tax since I moved here from Cal two years ago. Assuming I bring my car to NC, change the registration, get an apartment, file NC tax next Feb… I may have a shot to be a NC resident, correct?</p>
<p>By the way, anyone knows the difference in academic difficulty between these two schools? I can handle Rutgers’ classes, based on my past, with an upper 3.8 level grade till graduation, hopefully. But, I completely have no idea about UNC.</p>
<p>I would check the Chapel Hill web site for the residency requirements. I would then contact the school directly to see if it is possible.</p>
<p>As much as I am an advocate for Carolina, it sounds like your best move is to not move at all and stay in New Brunswick. Although Rutgers is ranked somewhat lower (US News Overall 68, Poli-Sci 45, Econ 48 compared to Carolina: Overall 30, Poli-Sci 13, Econ 32 - ranking schools is tricky business), my knowledge of Rutgers is that it offers an excellent education. </p>
<p>It appears that you have found your niche at Rutgers and have excelled there. You should have a very good shot at a top-shelf graduate program as long as your grades remain at current levels and your graduate admissions test scores are equally strong. Depending on what you want to “do” in your career, your location offers the networking potential for some very high profile opportunities. For graduate school, you need to focus on your intended field of study rather than just gaining admittance to a top ranked school.</p>
<p>Transferring to any school will probably set you back a bit as far as hours go, and you must also consider any additional general education requirements needed to graduate.</p>
<p>Being a business guy and looking at the long term prospects for grad school and especially the economics of your situation, Rutgers makes the most sense to me.</p>
<p>I’m confused. Are you a wealthy independent student??? If not, I don’t see what the problem is. UNC is one of two public universities (the other being Virginia) that promises to meet 100% of demonstrated need. They’ve done it for me since I’ve been here and I’m an independent transfer student as well.</p>
<p>Smack28752, thanks 4 the advice…</p>
<p>Babytitan, yes, I am kinda wealthy, yet it really depends on how to you view my wealth… Compare to money issue, the real poin here for me is the opportunity cost. To be simple, I wanna go to a top grad, will this transfer togrther w/ extra 30k debt and 12 credits cut really help me that much to get into where I want, assuming all other variables remain the same.</p>
<p>Simple answer no. A 3.7+ gpa can easily get you into a top 10 grad school. Additionally, UNC (along with Princeton, Wake Forest, IU, just to name a few off the top of my head) is starting to become a leader in grade deflation. In fact, we introduced a system here where instructors can compare their grading practices compared to their colleagues, the goal being to make sure they aren’t giving out too many high grades. So, all grades will be ‘in context’ to that of your peers. Thus, even if you do stellar in a class, your achievement may be diminished if many others did too. Stay at Rutgers.</p>
<p>@baby-sorry to hijack the thread, but the grade comparison for profs you described-do students have access to that? I saw the email describing how to view the report, but the link said it was an unauthorized area. Did that go out by mistake because I’m very interested in viewing grade history for specific classes.</p>
<p>Some of that type of data resides at unc.blinkness.com</p>
<p>Helpful info babyt… I will take that into consideration. </p>
<p>I found this thread, together w/ the other two i posted swhere else, has become a predominantly pro-RU, nobody wanna say a thing abt UNC at all?</p>
<p>However bad UNC’s grade deflation is, where I came from was ten times worse. </p>
<p>2.7 average GPA in my old Honors Linear Algebra class !</p>
<p>2.5 average GPA in my old intro sociology class !!!</p>
<p>Canadian universities suck.</p>
<p>Hello Maxwine! As a recent alum (Jan. 2013) of Rutgers, I definitely think you should stay. You didn’t list any major reasons why you should leave. I understand wanting to go to a great graduate school to set you up for a successful future, but the Rutgers name is viewed pretty favorable. Even better, if your GPA/resume reflect that you were a good student, you stand a good chance of getting into the grad program regardless. At the same time though, if you feel as if it’s worth it financially to consider UNC a little more, continue to weigh your options. Good Luck with your decision!</p>
<p>Thanks J! U just graduate from RU? what’s ur major and what are u doing now? If u wouldn’t mind me to ask…</p>
<p>I think I may end up not move to NC. I’m now waiting for the decision of my transferable credit appealing. If UNC can cut me no more than 9 credits, I may still wanna go, although it doesn’t seem like to be the case…</p>
<p>Another vote for Rutgers from another UNC fan. If you’re looking for work in the NE or in grad school applications even out of the region, with the GPA and prof connections you’ve pieced together at Rutgers can’t imagine UNC will put you in any better light. Financially, UNC just doesn’t make sense either. These past few years NC has gotten much tougher handing out in state residencies to new arrivals clearly there to attend college - it would be a mistake to count on in-state tuition ever materializing.</p>
<p>This is really a no-brainer if the financial element isn’t a big issue for you. The post graduate world is very pretentious and status driven. As long as you can keep your grades up, a UNC degree is going to open up more doors for you at top academic progams than a Rutgers-NB degree. Rutgers is improving its reputation, but it’s not there yet. I’m biased as a UNC alum, but I also believe that most people would enjoy the all around college experience in Chapel Hill. It’s really a fun place to be as a college student. </p>
<p>The grade deflation stuff is really mostly a red herring. It’s talked about every 2-3 years, but very little is done about it outside of the efforts of a few easily identified professors. It shouldn’t really be a concern. UNC is a state school like Rutgers, so there’s a bottom segment of students who simply aren’t on the same academic level as the the top in state and out of state students. As long as you’re diligent about your work, you won’t have to worry about fighting a curve. </p>
<p>Historically, the UNC system has never made a big fuss about residency. Most people I know who have tried for it, had no problems getting it after 12 months. The current fiscal environment might make the system more critical of residency apps, but I haven’t heard of any problems. Recent studies have shown that 45 percent of out-of-state students in NC schools are employed in North Carolina three years after graduation, so there’s not much incentive for the state to go to great lengths to keep those kids out.</p>