to transfer or not...

<p>hi guys, i just very recently started thinking about transferring and wanted to get some advice... im currently a freshman and just finished my first semester of college. i grew up in a small suburb about 25-30 mins from boston, and decided to go to school in the city mainly because i liked being close, but not too close, to home, wanted to be around different types of people (hence my residence on the multiculturalism themed floor in the international dorm), and have boston as my playground. i love being able to hang out with my extended family more often because i live closer to them. there are also a ton of things to do which is nice for a non-party goer such as me and everything is easily accessible.</p>

<p>with that being said, i feel as if the academic atmosphere at my school doesn't really match what i am looking for. i pictured college as being academically stimulating and myself being surrounded by people who wanted to learn as much as i did. there are a good number of people who are smart and motivated here, but the general feeling i get from students is that they are only going to school to pass classes and ultimately get a job- not to actually LEARN. my school is known for the co-op program which has offered many amazing jobs to students but i feel it also makes people career oriented rather academically oriented.</p>

<p>that's why i've been looking into transferring, and the school i am interested in is almost the reverse of my current school- it is in a quiet suburb adjacent to my hometown, more prestigious/academically oriented, stronger in the majors i am interested in, but less diverse and less accessible to the city. i feel like my potential transfer school fits me better academically, but is lacking in other (equally?) important aspects, such as diversity and cultural stimulation from living in the city. i am also very, very interested in studying abroad and the study abroad program at potential-transfer-school appears to be lacking. meanwhile, the international experiences (internships, study abroad, faculty led excursions) are pretty good at my current school.</p>

<p>which pros outweigh which cons? would transferring be a good decision?</p>

<p>I'm on the fence, as part of me believes that because you are the sole provider of your own education as a free-thinking person, you should bear the onus yourself and take charge of your learning; and part of me thinks that because you're paying for an education, you should be entitled to one that fits your expectations. It's up to you: if you truly believe that your time there would be wasted and that you would be legitimately unhappy, I would transfer. If you enjoy the people and are dissatisfied by a few classes, wait it out a year and reassess yourself after giving more careful thought. The opportunities for internships, studying/working abroad seem superior by your own admission and it seems rather hasty of you to start looking to leave. Just remember: the grass is always greener in the Ivies et al.</p>