The Transfer Experience...?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Southern California
1

<p>okay everyone, this is a question for pretty much anyone that knows transfer students at usc. my story:</p>

<p>it has been my dream since i was a little girl to go to usc. however, because of personal issues and lack of motivation my freshmen and sophomore years of highschool, i had only a 3.0 average each of those years. this year, my junior year, i finally started to work and got my average up to a 3.9. however, this only brings my cumulative average up to a 3.3. i took the january sats and got a 2130. the person i am today would probably meet the standards for usc. however, the person i was at 14 and 15 is probably going to hold me back from my dreams.</p>

<p>now here's my dilemma:
i really want the full college experience that a big school has to offer. i can get into relatively competitive and enjoyable state school and have the big state school experience. yet i feel that in the back of my head, i will always be wondering what my life would be like in my favorite place in the world, los angeles. it makes me wonder if i should just go to a smaller college, dedicate my freshmen year in really excelling academically and not really root myself in the school, and then transfer to usc as a sophomore. however, i wonder if i transfer will i really have the full "usc experience"? I know that usc is really big on fraternities and sororities, and i do like the idea of having a network of people i really connect with and can party with. if i transfer, will i still have the ability to be part of this? will i pledge with a group of younger girls? how hard is it to adapt as a transfer student? does everyone kind of bond and solidify theyr friendships freshman year? how hard is it to get into the swing of your major? i would really like to major in television production and minor in theatre. </p>

<p>the summation of my fears lies in one question;
if i give up a year in the pure pursuit of going to my dream school, will the experience fulfill all of my great expectations?</p>

<p>or, should i just go to a lesser school and try to make the best of things?</p>

<p>i know this is a personal decision, but any real and honest insight would mean a great deal.</p>

<p>thank you,
rachel.</p>

2

<p>I had a similar situation. I choose going to a community college over UCSB so that I could transfer into USC in a year. I am now in my sophomore year and I am really happy. It is hard though because you do miss out on the freshman experience. I made a lot of friends with the people in my building and am involved with a lot of activities in school. Joining a sorority will be no problem as a transfer. I know a lot of girls that got bids from "top houses" as sophomore transfers. and fraternities really don't care, you could probably be a senior. I know a kid that got a bid as a second semester junior from a top house. When I rushed, I met a lot of transfers in the houses. They didn't seem to mind. Now after a little bit of adjusting, I do feel apart of USC and not like some transfer. I am really looking forward to the rest of my life at USC.</p>

<p>Academically, I am taking major classes as a sophomore. I took it easy first semester with 12 units, but I haven't found it too difficult. school is school. You are going to make a hard decision. To me, UCSB vs. a year of cc and 3 at USC was easy. If I had to choose between Berkeley or UCLA and transferring to USC, I would've not picked USC. How do you even know if you got rejected?</p>