Transfer or gap?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Massachusetts Institute of Technology
1

<p>Hi everybody,</p>

<p>I got into one college(Ohio State) and I am wondering what would be most beneficial.</p>

<p>Here is some background. I have a 2.8 some odd gpa. This happened because I absolutely hate the high school system. It really felt like learning wasn't important.No one ever discussed ideas or anything like that, just what grade they got/wanted and stuff like that. Also the best way to be "successful" was to follow orders and tune yourself out. I would often start thinking about an idea and because I "had" to be working on some assignment, I could never follow it. I always had to do what they told me to do. I got sent to the office for asking why. There were a lot of other problems. </p>

<p>I decided to drop out of my magnet program to study physics and math on my own. I loved it! Most fun and progress I have ever had in my life.</p>

<p>I have been looking at the college structure for learning and I really like it. I love the freedom. Now I do like Ohio State's curriculum. I have talked to a professor and like him. There are things that I would enjoy if I went to OSU, but there are two problems.</p>

<p>1) I didn't get any financial aid or scholarships
2) I have heard from several people that the people there are "vapid" (direct-quote). There are a few who love learning, and are in that mindset, but those people are few and far in between.</p>

<p>I know I want to transfer after my first year so I have a choice. Say I know I will ace the OSU equivalent of 18.014, 18.024,(Pure Math - Calculus(using Spivak and Advanced Calculus by Folland)) 8.012, 8.022,(Honors Physics using Kleppner, Morin, krane, Morin and Purcell, Feynman, and Six ideas that shaped physics) and intro English.</p>

<p>What would be the better option.</p>

<p>Should I take a few courses at my local community college as a non-degree seeking student(and apply as a freshman) or go to OSU(apply as a transfer)(MIT isn't the only place I want to go, but one of top)? If I also do an internship?</p>

<p>Thank you for your time!</p>

<p>I apologize for my bad grammar, I know I have to work on that.</p>

<p>With my heart on my sleeve,
ManWithHeart</p>

2

<p>

This probably isn’t what you want to hear, but this isn’t going to go away in college–certainly not at MIT, where the classes are so hosing and some of them might not be classes you are very interested in (like the GIRs or possibly some of the requirements in your major). There are a lot of personal projects I’ve had on the back burner for a long while; even though they are very important to me I’m only now starting to hopefully finally have time and energy for them, the summer after my senior year.</p>

3

<p>Of course it varies by person and by semester, but a normal week sophomore year might include four psets, each of which might take eight hours, if not more. If you don’t like doing assignments that kind of life might not be fun for you.</p>

4

<p>I see what you mean and I have thought of that a lot. I actually embrace it, which may sound counter intuitive, given my earlier explanation. There is so much to this and I could write you an essay on it but I will try to But here goes, I actually never really have the problem with disliking a particular class. No matter the class I am trying to find the beauty behind it. I only say that I have found the beauty when I wouldn’t be upset if I were to make the subject of that class my profession. More often the problem would become I wanted to go into so much depth in every little thing. My mom often said you don’t have to write a dissertation about it. I couldn’t go in to the depths of 8 different classes, football, and still be happy. </p>

<p>I enjoy the assignments, but I always try to give each one incredible amount of thought. I hate doing a assignment as it was laid out without understanding how I was growing as a person, why it was the way it was, and how I can personally maximize the learning I can get. (From the assignment and other things I could do)</p>

<p>Rather I got so overloaded that I had to start doing assignments just to finish them, without having any real reason(except a grade) to do it. And I hated myself for it. For the first 3 years and a half years I didn’t think that I was overloading because I saw everyone else succeeding. I realized latter, most of those people were just going through the motions. Sure someone might enjoy the subject, but on a deeper level, they just listened blindly to the instructor as if they were always right. Often times they were right, but not always. I didn’t want to be a sheep.</p>

<p>Now in college, I would have fewer classes, but more in depth assignments, which is just so perfect.</p>

<p>Also I really mean this, (no superficiality) thanks for giving your insight!</p>

5

<p>For MIT, you’ll have more luck getting in as a freshman rather than a transfer. That said, it’s incredibly hard to get in either way, and putting life on hold for it may not be worth it unless you have good plans for a gap year.</p>

<p>While you definitely will get depth at MIT classes (and be able to take ~4 classes instead of 8), each assignment is not laid out specifically for you in mind. </p>

<p>You say you can find the beauty in any class, but then you say you have no reason to do assignments except for a grade. (If you want to go in-depth, why couldn’t you get through the easy part first?) You seem to blame your own failures on everyone else being “sheep” instead of taking ownership of what you did. You seem to be telling yourself the story you want, and it doesn’t seem accurate. </p>

6

<p>

Mmm… Still sounds like the middle of the semester at MIT sometimes.</p>

<p>My advice is not to put your life on hold for MIT. Apply. Do your best. If it doesn’t work out it might be for the best. I’m not sure you have an accurate perception of what life at MIT is like, and I think that if you do end up here you might not be very happy at all.</p>

7

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<p>It’s going to take a lot more than “taking a few courses” or “taking a gap” year to grow and learn from the situation you’re in.</p>

<p>I suggest you spend a few hours reading through this lengthy but valuable thread:
<a href=“Success Stories: Bad HS Record w/ Great College Record - Transfer Students - College Confidential Forums”>Success Stories: Bad HS Record w/ Great College Record - Transfer Students - College Confidential Forums;

<p>If you work your butt off in a community college (like studying till midnight every night, and engaging heavily and successfully in school activities), then four year colleges will definitely look seriously at you when you apply to transfer. It wont happen unless you prove yourself.</p>

<p>No guarantees you’ll get into the top schools, but you’ll be very happy with the colleges who will gladly accept you.</p>

<p>I say the above from first hand experience.</p>