Tough Decision

Parents Forum
1

<p>Hello everyone, I would like to get a little insight on a somewhat complex and tough decision, and I don't really see another section where I would get some mature advice. :P </p>

<p>I am currently attending Syracuse University, I am a freshman, although I have been on campus for a summer semester also. I like the academic side of the school, the campus is very nice, but I feel like there's just not enough to do. I find that I have a lot of free time, and not much to fill it with. I cannot live off campus/have a car until junior year, and that is something that depresses me. I am not that big into the fraternity/partying scene, from time to time I do go out and party, but I find it a little boring, I'm not big on the "woohoo it's college let's get drunk!" every weekend thing that it seems almost everyone loves. </p>

<p>I always like to be doing something, and I just don't feel like the city of Syracuse has much to offer activity wise. I have some good friends I hang out with daily and on the weekends, but I can't help but think of what other schools may be like in other areas. I know it's what I make of it, but I don't feel like I have much to work with.</p>

<p>So I was thinking of transferring to a Florida school for many reasons. I have been looking at UCF or USF, or possibly UMiami though I believe it would be more of a reach for me. My main reasons being:
1) I have family in Florida; aunts, grandparents, sister, nephew, my parents spend a lot of time in Florida, and my other sister plans to move to Florida in the short future, so I think I may end up living in Florida after graduation anyway.
2) My parents said that I could bring my car down, and potentially get a motorcycle (really want one:P).
3) The cost. My parents say not to worry about the cost, they are well off but are paying full tuition at Syracuse ($35,000 + room/board), I cannot help but feel bad. UCF/USF is around $20,000 for tuition, and I could become a Florida resident without much problem after a year (own property in Florida) which would drive the cost of tuition to around $4,000!</p>

<p>I am really unsure on what to do, there are things keeping me at SU, and things drawing me to look into other schools, specifically in Florida. I know that looking at the ratings side of thing, Syracuse ranks pretty well, top 50-60 on some (stupid) lists, and that concerns me that if I were to attend say, UCF, that I would regret it later in life when looking for jobs. An important thing I guess is that I plan on majoring in accounting and getting my CPA, and I am pretty set on it, and have been for years. *My question is, does it really matter where you get an accounting degree? *</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

2

<p>I’m not seeing what’s tough about this decision. It sounds like you’d much rather be in Florida. Is there a reason not to transfer?</p>

3

<p>Sorry I didn’t finish the post when I hit submit. Well looking at ratings Syracuse is decently ranked, but schools like UCF aren’t really close, and I don’t know if I would be selling myself short by transferirng.</p>

4

<p>I don’t know much about accounting, but I think if you’re a CPA it wouldn’t matter so much. If you were my kid, I’d say go where you’re going to be happier. Don’t expect there to be any less drinking, although you may well have more options for <em>other</em> things to do at least.</p>

5

<p>What’s keeping you in Syracuse? You say there are things keeping you there - are those reasons any more compelling than transferring? </p>

<p>If I was your parent, I’d want you to be happy. I wouldn’t want to be paying 35000 a year for you to not like where you are.</p>

6

<p>Forget about the rankings.</p>

<p>You don’t mention joining any clubs or activities – have you tried that?</p>

7

<p>Go to the business school forum in the College Majors area on the discussion homepage. Look for taxguy’s long, long thread about accounting as a college major. Many of your questions will be answered there. The only concern I see is recruiting as you graduate. Recruiters tend to visit schools close to them and if you want to work in the Northeast, you will have better luck attending school in that region. If you prefer the South, a Florida school may be a better ticket to that first job.
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/business-major/511865-everything-you-wanted-know-should-know-about-accounting.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/business-major/511865-everything-you-wanted-know-should-know-about-accounting.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

8

<p>I’ll offer the opposite point. There have to be TONS AND TONS of clubs and activities for students at Syracuse. It’s a huge university. At the very least, it has a fitness center. Start going there…you’re bound to meet some folks. You need to look at the activities and clubs that interest you…go to the student center and inquire. Most school have (they probably did this the first week of school) a “club/activities fair” where the groups give info and new members can sign up. Did Syracuse do that? Did you go?</p>

<p>Making friends in college and finding things to do are just like they will be at ANY new place. YOU (the student) need to seek these things out. If you sit around waiting for them to come to you, you won’t have “anything to do”. </p>

<p>Go check out some of the student organizations at Syracuse. At the very least, sign up for a couple of things. Look for a volunteering/community service group too (most schools have a chapter of Habitat or something like that). You may find that you can fill your time.</p>

<p>If you want to fill out a transfer application…go ahead. BUT make sure you have done your due diligence at Syracuse first or you may find yourself in the same boat where you transfer.</p>

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<p>You may also want to check to be SURE this is true. I don’t know the residency requirements in Florida, but in most places your FAMILY would need to be residing in that property for it to be considered for instate residency for tuition purposes. LOTS of folks own property in Florida who don’t live there (think retirement land or homes or condos). Do you think Florida gives ALL of their kids instate tuition? I doubt it.</p>

9

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<p>Niece, a recent grad from a directional U that never gets mentioned on these boards, is employed with a good firm that advertises on TV. She’s now a CPA.</p>