I am currently a student at a large state university in the Midwest. The school I currently attend has over 30,000 students.
I now know (haha, unfortunately about a year late!) that I will best thrive at a small private college. I am now back in the college search process, but need advice/help with ideas!
High School Stats:
3.9 unweighted gpa, 4.2 weighted gpa
27 ACT
various extracurriculars
College Stats:
3.79 gpa
I am looking for a college with 6,000 students or less that has strong academics and isn’t outrageously expensive. Would be nice to attend a college in the midwest, but I am open to places further away! I am looking into majoring in marketing!
Any ideas and advice about the transfer would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.
SUNY-Geneseo, though public, seems to otherwise match what you have described. Private colleges could be suitable for you if you are eligible for need-based financial aid.
How much will your parents pay each year? Transfers often get lousy aid. I can’t think of any small private univ that would accept your stats as a transfer and “meet need.”
Will your parents pay $55k per year for any school you pick?
If you need aid, do NOT cut ties with your current school until you see the aid pkg and your parents agree that it’s affordable. So, continue to register for classes for Fall semester.
How about Butler University? It is in Indianapolis and has about 4,000 students. I know it isn’t far away but the campus (in my opinion) is much prettier than other Midwest college campus. It is a bit expensive; however, they tend to give good amount of aid. I got a scholarship of $40,000 and my grades aren’t even as good as yours.
I think the student needs to clarify his/her financial situation before we all make suggestions. If he/she is attending his current school on FA or merit, then getting enough at a transfer private (considering his/her stats) would likely be impossible.
However, if parents will pay all costs, then there will lots of choices.
California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, CA, has about 4,000 students, they are ranked #15 in Western Region of US News & World Report. They are a private school but offer great merit scholarships. Beautiful campus, great school! Good luck!
Another suggestion here if transferring isn’t affordable: How about investigating your study abroad options for next year? You could potentially spend a year in a program that furthers your academic and professional objectives, provides the small classes and faculty attention that a smaller school would offer and puts you into another culture. (Perhaps a year at London School of Economics if the cost is doable?) And once you are in upper level courses in your major, you may find the huge size of the school is less onerous since you’ll be in classes that are smaller anyway.
With a 3.79 GPA (1st semester?), one could argue that you are thriving quite nicely at your present State U. What about the size of your current University that that presents an impediment to you successfully completing your degree?
If transferring isn’t an option are there things you can do to make the large school seem smaller. Look into getting into the Honor’s College or Living Learning Communities for sophs. If it’s an option, you might enjoy living in a theme house next year instead of a large dorm. If it interests you, join a frat/sorority. Look for ways to make things more comfortable for you.