<p>I currently go to Rutgers University New Brunswick as an in-state student, however I feel like the party scene is just way too prevalent and the school itself is just way to big. I'm looking for a school that has parties, but people hang out and don't always drink. Also perhaps where the Greek life isn't so prevalent. I'm a freshman right now, but am considering applying as a transfer to a smaller school (1,500-10,000 students). I'm interested in studying civil engineering. Out of high school I had a 3.8 and a 1950 on my SAT. I was accepted to Tulane, Oxford at Emory, American and several other schools out of high school. I was considering schools like Colgate, Tufts, and Brandeis for fall 2015. Although, I am aware Colgate and Brandeis do not offer civil engineering. I was wondering about transfer friendly schools that are similar to these schools and what type of stats they would be looking for. Also any general advice about transferring and financial aid. Thanks :)</p>
<p>How much can your family afford? As a transfer student you won’t get much FA unless you attend a school that tries to meet need and your family is low income. </p>
<p>my family income is about 100k so not a low income, but what about chances for merit aid as well? </p>
<p>I have known of a lot of good outcomes for Engineers who transferred to Clarkson University.</p>
<p>In general there is less merit aid available to transfers than to freshmen so you need to be very careful. And have you tried everything to find like-minded friends at Rutgers (ex. look for clubs that you are interested in, maybe ones geared to engineers, maybe see if there is a wellness type of dorm) – it it is such a big school that a person can usually find some people who will be good matches for them as friends.</p>
<p>I have tried to join several clubs, however, clubs are so huge it gets difficult to be involved because there is competition to take part in club activities. I have made a few friends, but the overall bigness of the school is a turn off for me, which I didn’t expect to be a problem coming in. </p>
<p>Investigate low-cost options, such as South Dakota School of Mines & Technology. It offers all the traditional engineering disciplines and has a very strong reputation nationally in the profession. Many national technology and engineering firms recruit at SDSM&T (Kiewitt for one; a large civil engineering company). You stats likely make you an automatic admit. At present the schoolis expending much effort to attract additional numbers of female applicants. It’s a small and tightknit school where the students report that they work extremely hard but are very satisfied and happy on campus. Campus life is full of recreational activities. I know SDSM&T parents who tell me that their daughter has campus friends from Pennsylvania, Virginia and New Jersey. SDSM&T isn’t for everyone (Rapid City can seem like a very small town) but it’s a great education at a cost bargain of approximately $21,000 per anum.</p>
<p>Incidentally, the Women in Engineering chapter at SD Mines is very active. You can find more information about support for women STEM students at the SD Mines website. There’s a lot going on.</p>