To Transfer or Not to Transfer...

Transfer Students
1

Hello! I am a current sophomore at Oxford College of Emory University that is considering transferring after this year. For those who don’t know, Oxford College is a tiny two year liberal arts college where students, after their sophomore year, automatically go to the main Emory campus in Atlanta, GA where they finish their undergraduate degree. Thus, I would be transferring before getting to the main Emory campus. I am considering transferring for the following reasons:

  1. I have really struggled to connect with the other students at Oxford and don't think that this will change when I move to Emory. (of course, this would probably continue if I transfer)
  2. Emory is expensive... and transferring could save me and my family a good bit of money
  3. Originally, I was planning to major in neuroscience, but now that I am considering public health I don't know if an Emory degree is worth the money
  4. I would like to go to a school with more school spirit and less of a negative vibe.
  5. Emory has a relatively small list of course offerings and I would love to be able to explore areas such as nutrition science that would be difficult to explore at Emory
  6. I am not really looking forward to living in Atlanta, although I recognize it has lots to offer with regards to entertainment and research opportunities

I am not sure if I will apply to transfer for the following reasons as well:

  1. I am afraid that majoring in public health at another university will not give me the benefits Emory's human health program would (research opportunities, easily getting into graduate school, etc.)
  2. I have not yet lived at the main Emory campus and I realize that I could like it a lot more than Oxford College.

If I decide to transfer, I will most likely transfer to UGA (since I’m from GA) or to the University of Florida since both have good public health programs and would be much cheaper to attend than Emory. Please let me know your thoughts on whether transferring might be a good idea, especially if you have experience in public health, know Emory or another university I might transfer to well, or have experience transferring to a new university late in you college career. Thanks!

2

To me the main issues are how much debt you will end up with, and what you want to do.

You are talking about very good universities in each case.

You might want to get your transfer applications sent in, and then decide when you hear back.