<p>Hello! I'm currently in a bit of a predicament, and I'm hoping someone can give me some advice.</p>
<p>I've lived in a small town in Arkansas my entire life. I graduated from high school in 2011, and I was accepted to Hendrix College in Conway. It seemed like a perfect fit, and I was absolutely thrilled. However, I went through some health issues that forced me to stay here and attend a local university. I ended up doing poorly during my first semester, taking the next semester off, and re-enrolling last fall. I've since retaken the classes I failed during my first semester and expect to finish this semester with a 4.0.</p>
<p>Honestly, I'm pretty miserable here. I feel as if I'm not being challenged as much as I'd like to be, and I can't relate to most people who attend my university. I'm considering transferring, but I don't know much about it. I'm not so worried about finding a place I like well enough and getting accepted as I am about financial aid. My family has very, very little money to spend on my education. I'm pretty sure I could qualify for need-based assistance, but I just don't know my options. Of course, merit scholarships would be great as well.</p>
<p>I'm thinking of applying, at the very least, to Occidental and Rice, because from what I understand they both offer pretty good deals for transfers. Occidental seems great as far as the programs I'm interested in and the general atmosphere, but obviously that would be a HUGE jump for me, and I'd kind of like to start a little less far from home. Rice is closer to the part of world I'd like to be in, but I'm not sure I could get in with my credentials. I've also heard they aren't a big humanities school.</p>
<p>Are there any other schools I should look into, especially in this area? I made a 32 on the ACT, and I was a National Merit Finalist, although I'm not sure how relevant either of those things are. Should I try to stick it out here? I have a feeling it's probably a lot more practical in the short-term, but I think I'll probably regret it if I do. </p>
<p>Thanks in advance for any tips.</p>