Transfer Back? UGA or KSU

Transfer Students
1

<p>Where do I start?
For the first 3 semesters of college, I was enrolled at Kennesaw State University in Georgia as a business economics major. This last fall I became obsessed with the idea that I needed to go transfer to a "better" college. I was maintaining in a 3.87 GPA, but I felt guilty, as if I hadn't really earned these grades, because all of the classes I was taking required hardly any studying or work, (although most of these classes were gen ed and some business core). I decided to transfer what I perceived as the best school in the state that I could get into, the University of Georgia. I was accepted and transferred there for this spring semester. I knew I would be living in a dorm, despite the fact that I knew I really didn't like living in dorms from experience in them during my freshman year. I was commuting in fall 2012 and loved it. </p>

<p>This whole semester at UGA I've felt like I've made the wrong decision. Overall, I would describe my mood as miserable. I'm constantly studying and have little free time do to some intense calculus and accounting classes (business req's). There's been many times when I've felt completely overwhelmed. Despite doing well in all of my classes so far, I keep wondering what my upper level classes are going to be like, and if I can even handle them. On top of this I'm having a hard time figuring out my major. I feel ashamed to say that I feel like I could handle everything if I could just commute from home, where I'm most comfortable, but this is impossible because of UGA's distance from my house (2 hrs). I already know that I would be rooming with a very good friend of mine If I were to stay at UGA. However, this really isn't enough to sway my decision, because I know I need my privacy and I'm positive that I would be most comfortable at home.</p>

<p>I've talked to my parents at great lengths about what I should do, and they've said that they will support whatever decision I make, which I'm really thankful for, but I'm still indecisive. Although, they have told me that I will need to get student loans soon, because Georgia's Hope scholarship doesn't pay for the housing I need if staying at UGA.</p>

<p>I think the crux of my problem is that I believe UGA is such a better school than KSU and I feel like I'd be better set for getting a job. If I could just sway the stigma that I've created in my mind that I wouldn't be successful coming from Kennesaw, I know I would choose to go to KSU in a heartbeat. The only goal I have is to move out of Georgia and get a job in NYC (sound's cliche, I know). I just feel like UGA would give me a better chance with this. But would I take advantages of my opportunities there I'f I'm not as comfortable? I know I really need experience, i.e. and internship, in order to get a job upon graduation. </p>

<p>I'm trying to seek any guidance in my decision on whether I should stay at UGA or return to Kennesaw. I'm still able to sign up for classes from KSU and have even lined up a schedule. Registration at UGA starts soon. </p>

<p>Is it worth going somewhere for the next couple years where I'm not very happy and will need to take out student loans, just for the so-called prestige and "opportunities?" </p>

<p>I'm not sure if I'm just depressed from being away from and if this feeling will pass. I did have similar feelings when I was living on campus at KSU, but felt fantastic when commuting, despite wondering if "I could do better" in term s of school.</p>

<p><em>Whew</em> Sorry, I know this is a lot, but I'm just trying to outline the whole situation.
Any incite is greatly appreciated.</p>

2

<p>You clearly are a better student when you are commuting.
You cannot commute when you are at UGA but it’s possible at KSU.
Hence, problem cleared, go to KSU.</p>

<p>You ask about your job prospects depending on the schools tough and I will use my magic moronic new england student trick on this. I heard of UGA and not of KSU but I cannot really say how UGA stands for potential recruiter in NYC. You should look carefully at how the alumni network will help you out.</p>

<p>In my perspective now, I am not sure that UGA will make that much difference compared to KSU when it comes to find a job in NYC. As you get way better grades at KSU, I think you should return there.</p>

<p>As you know, perfection is in the eye of the beholder. You can get a near perfect GPA from a KSU and be happy or get a lower GPA and be unhappy. Your happiness matter as much as your self esteem and your GPA, you’ll be way better when you’ll be looking for a job out of KSU than UGA.</p>

3

<p>I don’t think there’s much comparing the University of George and that state school. I wouldn’t recommend transferring back. Transferring more than once looks odd to employers already, and that’s something you’ll have to explain at almost every job interview.</p>

<p>Also, your reasoning for transferring sounds odd and more psychological than anything. You don’t sound very sure of yourself, and self-doubt shouldn’t hold you back from succeeding… I honestly think you’d be happier if you sought counseling or therapy about the feelings of being overwhelmed rather than simply trying to transfer again. Transferring is a big deal and you should be in the right state of mind, and making the decision for the right reasons before you do. </p>

<p>But with that said, I’m not sure if your undergrad degree will make a big difference. As a New York native, it’s my (admittedly uninformed) impression that the majority of “good” investment, analyst, and accounting jobs in Manhattan have so much competition from all over the world, are so highly specialized, and are so established and high profile, that almost everyone that works in business in NYC went to grad school (the only real exception to the rule being those who went to law school with an undergrad in Business from a prestigious school). I mean, with the cost of living so high I can’t imagine anyone in NYC with only an undergrad degree in Business other than those who own their own business or those who are just taking time off before grad school to get experience. I may be wrong in this, as I’m no expert, but I’d suggest you research a bit whether you’ll be going to Grad school as that should factor heavily in any transfer decision.</p>

<p>Hope that helps.</p>

4

<p>Thanks for the replies.
Ah, but of course they oppose each other.
Sonybd, I do think you’re right in regards to this being something mostly psychological. This decision has lately become all I think about. I’m going to try and seek a counselor to see if that helps. I’ve already tried other ways to help decision process from speaking to my parents about to making a pros and cons list. After looking at the list my parents seemed to think that it was obvious that I should stay at UGA, which I find confusing, because they told me back when I was considering transferring to UGA that I should try out KSU for a while longer. I tried to point out on the lists that I had stated that I would be more comfortable commuting to KSU, despite having the opportunity to room with a good friend at UGA (this apparently is not recommended). The explained they know that I would not be able to shake the feeling that UGA is a “better school” if I go back to KSU, and that I would continually be thinking “I should have done this/stayed”. I know I was certainly thinking that when I transferred to UGA.</p>

<p>Telayl, I’ve certainly thought about how the differences between each school might be irrelevant out of state, it’s just that when I was at KSU I got this thought stuck in my head: “This school isn’t good enough.” Looking back I realize this was childish, and I think I made a hasty decision. However, I did research extensively about both schools, and UGA really does appear better academic-wise in regards to stats ranging from its freshman profile, job placement, and business school ranking. When I choose to transfer I guess I wasn’t thinking about exactly what my goals are; probably because I don’t really know them.</p>

<p>I feel like if I could realize that I could succeed at either school, it would be an easy decision to go where I seem more comfortable, which would appear to be KSU.
Also, knowing exactly what I want to major in would help, because I’ve been taking classes that pertain to a business related degree. Although, I don’t know what career I’m interested in (marketing, information systems, international business, etc.)
While at KSU earlier this year, I became really worried about KSU’s Coles business college rankings in comparison to UGA’s Terry college of business. KSU isn’t even ranked on a national scale.
If I was in a arts/science/humanities related major I know it wouldn’t matter much what school I went to as long as I did well.</p>

<p>Sonybd, I have been thinking about if I will go to grad school/ get an MBA. From what I can tell most admissions to MBA programs are concerned about one’s GPA, GMAT scores, and experience. One’s undergrad school doesn’t seem to hold much weight, unless of course it’s something like an Ivy. While I feel like I can get a higher GPA at Kennesaw, I’m worried about the “rigor” of the classes and how it will prepare me for an intensive MBA program.
If I can get into a good MBA program down the road, will I be able to handle it?
My dad says once I have a few years of experience under my belt after college, it’s not really going to matter where I went to school. I believe him, but it’s getting the experience that concerns me. What college will help me get a “good” job out of college?, because what this job and my experience with it will be the basis of my resume when applying to other jobs.</p>

<p>Well, there I go again. If anything, people will be able to deduce that I am an indecisive person/over analyzer/ worrier. However, writing this and getting all of this out of my head (for a little bit) does help.
As always any incite is greatly appreciated.</p>

5

<p>I’m having kinda the same problem tigerwoof.
I’m a current student at KSU (this was my second semester) and I’m applying to UGA. I really like KSU because I’ve met a bunch of awesome students here and have learned a lot about life; however, I am, like you, worried about becoming successful after college. My major is international business… And also, like you, I would love to find a job in NYC or Boston or some big city after college.
My brother keeps telling me that a degree from KSU and a degree from UGA are about the same and that I will have an equal chance of succeeding from both universities. As much as I would love to believe that, I just feel like UGA would be a better bet…
My biggest problem is the money though… UGA is 3000 more than KSU and I’m already taking out loans for KSU for what the HOPE doesn’t cover. At UGA I would have to take out the extra loans for housing as well until I can find a job… Don’t know what to do about the money issue. What woudl you do?</p>

6

<p>Also, If I were you, I would stay at UGA.
I know that I am not able to feel the frustration that you felt at UGA, but you pretty much said that you really like being at home and the commuting to UGA was a big inconvenience compared to commuting to KSU. It’s cool, I’ve met a lot of people at KSU who also like sticking at home, but I feel like one of the reasons that people at KSU might not have a higher success rate is BECAUSE they are in their comfort zone, at home, where they have everything they need. </p>

<p>If you want my advice, I would really advise you to stay at UGA. It’s a good experience and really, life is what you make of it. If you don’t like a certain thing, change it up and make it to where you do like it. For example, if you want more privacy, get a separate room. If you’re tired of commuting everyday, come home on weekends, etc.
With all due respect, how do you plan to move to NYC when you can’t even move 2 hours away from home? And like the post above me said, if you have to explain to a job why you transferred colleges, they aren’t going to like the idea that you couldn’t handle being away.
I would love to know what you decided as I know that this response was a little late.</p>