transfer or stay?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>So I've been having an internal dilemma for some months now, trying to decide what to do these coming months regarding transferring to a better/hopefully OOS school. I wasted a lot of time/classes last year figuring out what I wanted to do; finally realized a passion for Econ beginning of this year and have been stacking my schedule with lower-div requirements for the major. some background:
-I'm currently a second year at UCSC
-3.4 GPA ..:(
-one Withdraw my freshman year 2nd quarter; accidentally enrolled in an upper-div anthro class and didn't realize until it was too late, so now I'm stuck with a fat W; I plan on explaining this in additional info)
-proposed Econ major & planning on double majoring with Math</p>

<p>some extracurriculars:
-Global Medical Brigades (volunteer last year, executive this year)
-plan on starting the Global Business Brigades next year if I stay
-College Senate (last year)
-will rejoin if I decide to stay</p>

<p>high school stats if relevant:
-3.4 GPA
-2140 SAT / 32 ACT</p>

<p>where I'm interested in:
-USC (CAS)
-NYU (CAS)
-UMich
-URoch
assortment of other reach schools at this point on the East Coast</p>

<p>Basically, I'm struggling to decide if it's worth applying to transfer given my weak stats. I haven't found a reason to be motivated in school until this most recent quarter, so my grades aren't stellar (nothing below B). I came to UCSC with a few friends from my hometown in SoCal, which I deeply regret, and my primary concern is breaking out of this comfort zone I've landed in.
I also feel that Santa Cruz(awesome town, love it to death) simply isn't as serious of a place as I'd like it to be. I plan on going into something finance related, and don't believe I'll have a serious shot coming from UCSC. I'm working on internships for this summer; hopefully should land one with my mom's company, which I hope bolsters my resume.
I was planning on applying to USC Marshall and NYU Stern and pursue Business Administration, but I want something more quantitative, and I know won't be accepted into either regardless. So now I'm hoping for CAS and both to pursue Econ &Math.
At this point, I'd like some thoughts on whether I should stay at UCSC, do MUCH better in less competitive environment now that I'm serious about school, and graduate with something like 3.7-3.8 and hope for the best after, with my extracurriculars & internships. OR transfer to USC (Number 1 choice) and work my ass off in Los Angeles without the safety net of friends. Same thoughts apply to East Coast which I'd love just as much.</p>

<p>Thanks for taking the time to read and post your comments <3 It really means a lot</p>

2

<ol>
<li>A 3.4 GPA in college is good. It’s above average, even. No frowny faces required.</li>
<li>A “W” grade means precisely nothing to anyone. People drop classes in college. No additional explanation required. (If it had been a WF that would have been different)</li>
<li>You didn’t waste time figuring out what you wanted to do. You were getting a liberal education.</li>
</ol>

<p>I think you’ll do fine at UCSC, especially now that you’ve found your academic niche. I would not transfer if it’s because you think you’re doing poorly or have wasted time, because you’re not doing poorly and if you want to maximize the return on the time investment you’ve already made, you’d do best to stay at UCSC (or at least in the UC system). </p>

<p>Now that I think about it, my advice on transferring would be based on whether you feel like you are more likely to accomplish your academic goals if you left for another university. A sufficiently crappy social scene that makes you too miserable to focus on your work would be a reason to leave.</p>

<p>Whatever you decide, good luck.</p>

3

<p>Can you afford to attend the OOS schools?</p>

4

<p>You say you’re worried about having a “serious shot” at jobs, but I think it’s more about what you do than where you went to school. You’ve got a 3.4 GPA- which IS good- and it sounds like you’re involved in some activities that relate to your major, and you’re trying to get internships. If you’re happy at your school beyond that, you should stay. You’ve already decided that you’re going to focus on your academics and you’ve got some solid activities that will build your experience. Plus, if you transfer, it’ll be harder to focus on academics because you’ll have to devote some time to making new friends, joining new activities, learning the campus, etc.</p>

<p>Good luck, whatever you choose!</p>