<p>I'm having a real dilemma about transferring that I was hoping I could get some advice me on.</p>
<p>I'm currently a freshman in college and I applied as a transfer student to several colleges for fall semester. I was rejected by some of them, but am currently on the wait list for UVA. If I do get of the wait list, I'd be in the CAS and then try and transfer to McIntire, the undergraduate business school, because I want to work in investment banking. I really like UVA because after a year at my current school I realize that I want a good academic/social life balance in a college and believe that UVA can give me this option in a university. </p>
<p>However, my concern is that if I were admitted of the wait list. There is the possibility that I might not get into McIntire and would be stuck in a school that is not good for investment banking recruitment. </p>
<p>My other option is to apply to Cornell for Spring Transfer for the AEM major. If I got admitted, I'd be in the business program, be in an Ivy and also get a discounted tuition since I'm a NY resident. </p>
<p>However, my concern is that if I did get into Cornell, I'd loose the good academic/social life balance in a college, which I want in a college and I'd potentially sink into severe depression, which I went through at my current institution cause I'd start mid-way through the semester and have little chance to make friends, which I'm not that great at doing anyway. </p>
<p>Sorry for the long post and thanks to anyone who can offer me any advice on my problem.</p>
<p>it isn’t the schools fault if you become depressed. Real depression is not context sensitive. Be honest with yourself here. Almost any school can have the balance of social life/academic or whatever it is you are looking for. That is an issue you need to address yourself. Anyway, as far as the schools go, you have to play it my ear. That is what sucks about wait lists. You are on their time line. It seems to me that Cornell makes much more sense. Cheaper and a guarantee spot in your field of interest. The mid semester thing is all in your head. It isn’t like it is that much easier to make friends just because it is the start of the school year. Is it easier to meet people?Sure, but making acquaintances is not making friends. It isn’t hard to make friends. Be yourself, find people with similar interests and values and I know you will find yourself in a clique of like minded people you can relax and have a good time with. You can do that anywhere. It sounds silly, but the easiest way to make friends is to be…friendly. Talk to people, see what is going on around campus. It isn’t like you need to join the party scene to meet new people and make friends. I would say sort your priorities. What is the MOST important thing to you? Cost?Major?Social life?Location?</p>
<p>It is also pertinent to point out you have not been accepted to either of the institutions mentioned. Get in to the schools before anything else. Give yourself some options. Maybe more “social” schools as safeties?</p>
<p>You really need to talk to UVA to get a real sense if it will even be possible to get into McIntire–seems like a long shot after coming off the wait list.</p>
<p>In all seriousness, if your academic/social life balance is making you depressed, you may want to reconsider ibanking. There is no balance there, although the pay is good, all you do is work. I’m not saying you can’t do it, but just know what it all entails.</p>
<p>I agree with Redroses that you need to talk to someone in UVA or do a little research about transfering into their business school from the CAS. I’m not sure how it works at UVA, but I know a lot of universities prohibit transfer students from performing an internal transfer to the business school after being accepted to a different college within the university. So, if you get off the waitlist, you might want to check if this is even going to be possible.</p>
<p>I called UVA and they said that it is possible for me to transfer to McIntire even if I transfer to the CAS, so long as I fulfill the prerequisities. I guess I really value a school that can give me a good education and also a nice social scene, but its just that I’m kinda drawn to the prestige of an Ivy League degree.</p>
<p>College is your time to have fun and find out who you are. You are going to make sacrifices with whichever school you choose to attend. You also are going to make memories, friends, and get a great education at both schools. The thing you have to decide is if you would rather have the ‘fun’ and ‘social’ college experience, or work towards getting an impressive resume with a degree from an ivy league school.</p>
<p>Either way, I don’t think you can really go wrong. But if you are looking to have that social and fun experience, I would say choose that one now, because later in life it will be hard to try and get those experiences. After all, 4 years isn’t a very long time.</p>
<p>Best of luck to you and your decision! I hope everything works out well.</p>
<p>Have you visited Cornell? I have a lot of friends who go there and pass through it all the time, it seems really socially active. All of the Ivies in fact have really great social scenes. Besides I doubt that the UVA students especially at McIntire are any less hard working than those at Cornell, considering that it has previously ranked #2 in business school rankings. Cornell also places many students in the banking industry.</p>
<p>If you are concerned about feeling depressed or disconnected Cornell is also closer to home since you are in-state. Bottom line if you get into both I would choose Cornell, unless you have visited both and truly like UVA more.</p>