<p>So I'm currently a sophomore at Syracuse University from New Jersey. I originally came into Syracuse having dual enrollment in the S.I. Newhouse School of Communications and College of Arts and Sciences -- Newhouse is the main reason I attended the university. This past summer, however, I realized communications was not what I wanted to do as a career. I haven't had the best college experience so far as I'm not much of a partier, and the party atmosphere is obviously very strong here (though I'm sure it is at Rutgers, as well). I have a good work study job that is really rewarding, but I don't do much other than work, school, and sleep. I've now settled on some sort of major/career in health care, and I think I like the idea of majoring in public health, with the intention of going to grad school for physical therapy. Both Rutgers and Syracuse have public health majors. Because I'm not having the best experience at Syracuse, I liked the idea of possibly going back home to NJ and attending Rutgers instead. Plus, though both schools have fairly reasonable recognition status when it comes to applying to grad schools, but Rutgers seems to be stronger in the sciences, whereas Syracuse is stronger with communications, architecture, and business. Rutgers also seems to have more internship/research opportunities concerning public health, but it's possible I haven't researched enough. However, if Syracuse is just as good/better than Rutgers when it comes to science/public health, it may be better for me to stick it out for my junior and senior year and avoid the hassles of transferring.</p>
<p>So my question is, which would be more advisable? Though Rutgers is much cheaper than Syracuse especially since I'd be considered in-state, I receive decent financial aid from Syracuse and I've heard that transfer students typically receive poor financial aid (don't know if this is true). I'm open to any and all opinions & suggestions!</p>
<p>You can call Rutgers’ financial aid office to ask if there are any differences for transfers.</p>
<p>Also, you can compare your current price at Syracuse to various financial aid scenarios at Rutgers. Or you can apply to transfer to Rutgers and see the actual financial aid offer before deciding.</p>
<p>I am currently a freshman at Rutgers NB thinking of transferring out. I entered as a public health major, which is very very strong at rutgers and there are great classes and opportunities, but I am now rethinking my major and I’m not sure rutgers is the best fit. Only thing I would warn you for any science major at RU is that the general courses are very difficult like Chemistry/ Biology, but luckily for public health you only have to take those two. Also all rutgers students must take expository writing, unless you AP out, which can be a difficult course depending on your teacher. Some teachers give A’s for the same type of writing that other teachers give C’s or even F’s. I have also heard some students transferring into Rutgers calculus courses are not accepted and have to retake it. I have even heard people being placed back into algebra after getting an A in calculus at their previous university. General classes screw you here, but once you dive into the major more it can be a really great experience and public health classes are great gpa boosters. I am paying full price at Rutgers with an income of 100k and my roommate pays the same with half my income, so you can see how the financial aid is done. The party atmosphere is real at rutgers as well. Party every night almost and depending on where you live is affected by it. College avenue is very very convenient in terms of nearby shops, food, train station and bus access. However, if you live here the party scene will be right in your face since all the frats are right across the street. Consider living on Busch or Cook/douglass, livingston is largely freshman or grad student populated. Overall, public health at rutgers is great if you just get through the gen courses. I’m not 100% set on transferring but I’m not a fan of the size and my potential switch in major makes it more confusing because rutgers also does not offer a lot of help for those that are undecided. </p>