<p>About a year ago, I was accepted to UCSD and Miami of Ohio. Miami of Ohio offered me theirs Honors Program, which I felt it would be a good thing to put into my med school application. However, I wanted to go to UCSD so bad, but my parents could not afford it. After several discussions and fights, I had no choice but to take their advice and went in state by going to Miami of Ohio instead, which tore my heart because I was getting sick of being in Ohio.
I'm now in the middle of my second semester and to be honest, I had thoughts about transferring to another school. Maybe I might be having buyer's remorse or something, but I can't stand the rural setting of the campus. I wanted to go to UCSD for its diversity and its reputation as a UC school. But I feel that Miami of Ohio is nothing as close as UCSD. At this point, I don't care where I want to transfer, but I just want to be in a school set in an urban setting that is far away from the Midwest.
Maybe I might be thinking too much, but is it even worth thinking about transferring to an out of state school, knowing that my parents can't afford the tuition? Am I having buyer's remorse? Or am I just not happy with my life right now?</p>
<p>If you can’t afford it, don’t do it.</p>
<p>Maybe you can find a cheaper school to transfer to? UC’s OOS tuition is insanely expensive, but there are states that don’t tack on $30,000 for being OOS… sure, it wouldn’t be UCSD, but it would get you somewhere else. Don’t forget to factor in costs like plane tickets and housing when you’re figuring out if you can afford it.</p>
<p>As for if you should transfer… first question, why? Would going somewhere else fix your problems, or would you be just as un-happy there? Figure out what you don’t like at your current school, and try to look at the situation objectively.</p>
<p>The admissions process for transfers is different than freshman admissions, btw. Most schools only want junior transfers (applications due during sophomore year), and decisions depend heavily on your grades and coursework for your major. For example. at UCSD (chances are much worse for non-California CC students) you’d look at assist.org to figure out what your major’s pre-reqs are. But whichever schools you’re looking at will have their own sets of requirements.</p>
<p>Anyways, transferring is a long ways off, I’d imagine. Assuming you apply as a junior transfer, I’d suggest putting in apps for places you’re considering (and would be able to afford)… and decide when decisions come out what the best option is then.</p>
<p>UCSD is not in an urban setting. It’s also not affordable, so it shouldn’t be an option to begin with, but if you’re really looking for the city life, then UCSD probably isn’t a good fit.</p>
<p>Why are you unhappy at your current school? Is it just because you really wanted to go to UCSD but couldn’t because of finances? Perhaps, that’s what’s stopping you from being happy at your current school. Have you made friends? Are there activities outside of school that you enjoy and can participate in? How are the academics? Have you tried to make things work at your current school or are you so hung up about UCSD that you haven’t really tried?</p>
<p>Are there schools that are affordable and closer to a big city or urban center that you could transfer to?</p>
<p>Especially as a pre-med, I say a transfer is only worth it if your current school is so bad that it is affecting your well being and/or your grades. Otherwise just tough it out. You’d lose valuable teacher relationships for LORs as well as severely hurt your chances of having activities with longevity and leadership positions.</p>