I ended up going to USD and I grew up in San Diego too. I want a school with better academics and a different campus culture. I recently visited Baylor in Texas to see friends and I really enjoyed my weekend there and there was a great vibe on campus but I am unsure if I should go there. Not quite sure exactly where I should apply. Here is some info about me.
UW High School GPA: 3.71
W High School GPA: 4.12
College GPA: 4.0*
Race: White
Gender: Male
Here is what I want in a college ranked most to least important:
Strong Academics
Strong Alumni Network
Campus Pride/School Spirit
Medium-Large Size
Somewhat Close Proximity to California (I want to bring my car)
Thank you for answering my post and offering to help. To respond to your questions:
I want to go to a bigger school with better academics. I have had negative experiences with the academics at USD. I also feel that USD has a community college feel and it can be socially dead on weekends and there is a lack of campus community. Many people head home for the weekends. I do not necessarily want to attend Baylor, but I found the game-day atmosphere and active campus community to be something that I want in a college. I felt more welcome there than I do at my own college. On another note, I also want to experience living away from home for some time.
I can afford another private university or OOS public
It’s unfortunate that you’ve experienced a miss academically at USD. I’m not sure it would necessarily be better elsewhere. USD is a highly regarded school.
Baylor is not close to California - and is very religious. So it differs greatly from USD.
If you want to be close to CA, you are really limited - why not look at LMU, Santa Clara, U of Pacific and other schools.
Then you have your UC and CSUs.
What about your academics is lacking?
I grew up in San Diego (Rancho Bernardo) - perhaps it’s different now but back in the day, USD definitely wasn’t dead on weekends. And was very well respected.
My kids go to a flagship and smaller regional school - and both are challenged academically. But I also think it’s partly on the student - if you want rigor, if you want challenge - go ask for it. Professors have research projects and love to challenge kids, etc. Also, check rate my professor reviews before registering for class.
I’m not sure you’re going to find a better experience elsewhere - but I hope for you that you do.
I currently attend USD and I have not had the best experience my first semester here. USD was not my first choice and I chose it because of the large merit scholarship they gave me and the fact that it is only 30 minutes away from home. I’ve been unhappy here for a while now because of the small size, social scene and overall feeling of not belonging here. What reinforced my feeling of unhappiness at USD was a recent trip to Baylor in Texas. I was out for a long weekend visiting friends and I had a ton of fun going to the football game and game day festivities. I loved the campus pride and community there and the overall medium/big school feel. I’m not saying I want to go to Baylor necessarily but Baylor does have some aspects of a college experience that I don’t have that I want. I am just not sure if I should stick it out at USD or whether I should begin to apply to transfer elsewhere. I am just concerned that I may not have given USD enough of a chance before deciding if I like it or not.
IMO, one semester isn’t enough time to decide. The transition to college can be difficult. I also think visiting a friend at another school just shows you the fun, not stressful, part of their school.
Are you involved in a club or activities at your current school? Doing well in your classes?
If you’re not sure I would say plan to not decide either way right now.
Stick it out for Spring semester. Do your best and get good grades (makes your possible transfer easier too). And also give USD a fair shake by really trying to get involved. Join clubs, try to make friends — ask folks to grab lunch together, try to connect with your classmates and professors (go to office hours).
If USD is still not feeling like home after giving it an honest effort and you’ve got some other schools in mind there’s no harm in sending out apps or reaching out to the admissions folks. Do some more visits. Do you have friends at the type of school you are talking about closer to where you want to be?
Transferring can be tough socially but if you have friends there that can make it a lot easier.