I’m a freshman transfer student currently at a fairly highly ranked college (I won’t disclose exactly what it is, but it’s top 20). There are a few reasons I’m transferring, but a major one is that I’ve decided I want to study physics, a program my current school is very weak in. So I sent applications, received answers, and now it’s between FSU and the University of Rochester.
Rochester has a pretty good program in terms of reputation and research opportunities, but there’s not much around the school (without a car) and it can get pretty damn cold. This, in addition to a fairly small undergrad population (~5000) makes me fear perceived isolation. Also, the lesser social scene won’t bother me too much because I don’t really drink/party.
At FSU, the physics program is still pretty decent (but doesn’t seem to be on par w/ UoR), but I have a few good friends there (and already have a pretty good off campus housing situation already). Plus, the weather is more bearable and the cost… lets just say there’s no comparison to Rochester, even with some scholarship money from UoR (in-state, bright futures at FSU).
I’m really having trouble with this decision because I can’t know now what the outcome of each school will be (both the experience and the opportunities after undergrad) and I fear making a mistake as it would be for another 3 years. In high school I worked hard to go to a top school and would have scoffed at the idea of staying in state, let alone going to FSU, so there’s also a psychological barrier I would have to breach (though I’ve gotten past the sunk-cost trap). It’s not that I would think myself too good for FSU, but rather that I would feel like I gave up a better opportunity.
Most people try to be neutral, but I’d prefer someone just smack me in the face and tell me undergrad between the two schools makes no difference, or to the contrary tell me that I’d be making a grave mistake by going to one or the other.