I already posted this in the transfer forum, but I decided to post this here as well:
I am currently an in-state ME major at UConn planning on transferring to the following schools in fall 2018:
Boston University
Carnegie Mellon
Columbia University
Johns Hopkins
WashU in St. Louis
Pretty much my only reason for transferring is for better financial aid. But exactly how is it for transfer students at those schools, especially those with low income? I have been hearing mixed feelings (mostly negative) about the packages there, but should I set low expectations for myself? Is it true that they’re worse for transfers than for freshmen? I’m considering both need and merit-based.
Boston University is OVER $60,000 a year. The school does not guarantee to meet full need for all. It’s going to be costly.
Carnegie Mellon admits a very limited number of transfer students…and it is by department. They don’t guarantee housing for transfer students either. Your first hurdle there would be getting admitted to their competitive engineering program.
Here is what Columbia says. Again…gaining admission will be your hurdle.
Johns Hopkins, again limited transfers accepted but it looks like they meet full need.
Wash U…this is what they say…so it does not seem like theyngive a lot of aid to transfers.
All of these colleges require both the FAFSA and the Profile to determine need based aid awards.
How much aid would you need to attend these schools? You have picked some very pricey and competitive colleges. There are plenty of less expensive schools where you can get an engineering degree.
What was your FAFSA EFC for this year? What can your parents contribute. What aid did younreceive at UCONN and are you instate for UConn?
You say that the only reason for transferring is better financial aid, which may or may not happen. Yet your list of schools makes it seem that you are in search of prestige. Good luck but be prepared to stay at UConn.
@thumper1 Yes, I am in-state. For next year, I only received about 17.5k in financial aid (including 5.5k in loans). I’m not sure about my EFC, but I know our income is less than 50,000. But I don’t expect that we will contribute very much.
And btw, these are the only schools in which I am really interested in. There isn’t anything else that stands out to me. I still love UConn, so it’s like if I get rejected by or can’t afford any of these schools, I’ll likely stay where I am. With that said, I’ll still apply since there may be a possibility of good aid. Then again, I’m very doubtful about it.