Hey everyone, I just had a quick question about a big decision that has been pressing me for the past few months. I’m currently a freshman at Oberlin College, but I’m seriously considering transferring to a state school from my home state of Massachusetts: Umass Amherst. I’m a pre-med student and I’m really hoping you guys could give some insight on how a decision like this could impact my application process to Med School.
I’ve made some great friends at Oberlin and I’ve had a lot of fun moments, but I just don’t think that the school is a perfect fit for me. I was on the verge of applying to transfer during my Winter Break but decided against it, but now that I’m on Spring Break I had a long time to really reflect on how I felt about the school, and I don’t feel any joy about returning their in a few days. (I know this is a last minute decision, but Umass’s final deadline for transfer students is April 15th)
There are 2 main issues with the school that I’m encountering: the distance from home and, more importantly, the price to attend the school. With regards to the distance from home, I know that freshman often struggle with homesickness their first year and I figured I could “tough it out”, but I noticed this past week the toll that the distance takes on both me and my family. I’m an only child and both my parents are devastated when I have to leave, and after both breaks I was crushed to have to fly back to Oberlin. I know that getting comfortable being away from home is a valuable skill to have, but I see myself going to Med School and finding a career close to home so I don’t know if it a skill I necessarily need to develop.
The other factor in me wanting to transfer is the price it costs to attend Oberlin. Transferring to Umass Amherst would save me nearly $100,000 and considering how much Med School can cost, this would be invaluable. Umass Amherst if a terrific school and I’m very upset with myself for not considering if in high school. It has a lot of amazing opportunities and I know I could excel there.
Overall I feel as though being closer to home would make me happier and I know this could benefit my studies. I would also be saving a ton of money, which would be incredible for my parents. However, I know that Oberlin is a stronger school overall and I’m nervous that transferring to a state school from Oberlin could raise a red flag to Med Schools when applying. I don’t want to come across as “quitting” from a more difficult school in my application process, and I just was curious to hear what you all think with regards to this.
Thank you so much for reading this, this has been a very rough past couple months emotionally, and I would love any insight!!
“The other factor in me wanting to transfer is the price it costs to attend Oberlin. Transferring to Umass Amherst would save me nearly $100,000 and considering how much Med School can cost, this would be invaluable. Umass Amherst if a terrific school and I’m very upset with myself for not considering if in high school. It has a lot of amazing opportunities and I know I could excel there.”
I think this answers your question. Aside from being happier, the cost savings is HUGE and would help with the costs of med school. I say follow your heart and transfer.
Thank you so much for your responses, it’s great to hear that Med Schools would understand my reasoning, and saving that much money would be incredible. I’m feeling better and better about this decision!
It’s a great skill that’s not only good to have, but also better to develop earlier in undergrad NOW than once you’re in med school or doing your internship/residency where you’ll be subjected to high/higher workloads and working hours.
There’s also no guarantee the med school or the medical internship/residency you’ll be admitted to will be close to home considering the increasing competitiveness of med school admissions across the board. Especially if home is in the greater Boston area considering how competitive and coveted positions in many Boston area hospitals seem to be with med school graduates.
When I had medical interns/residents as post-college roommates in the greater Boston area, their lives seemed to mostly consist of working long shifts and coming home to sleep. Their working hours/schedules were so long and arranged such that I’d be lucky to see them awake once or twice every month.
“Transferring to Umass Amherst would save me nearly $100,000 and considering how much Med School can cost, this would be invaluable. Umass Amherst if a terrific school and I’m very upset with myself for not considering if in high school. It has a lot of amazing opportunities and I know I could excel there.”
Perfect reasons for transfer. No one will hold this choice against you.
Now, consider the logistics: would you have space in a dorm or would you need to find an apartment with roommates? How easy would it be, can you check out that situation now during break ? Would you be able to apply to the Commonwealth honors college (now or after a semester)? Which of your classes would transfer? What about ap credit?
Learn about all this now.
Transferring sounds like a no-brainer but make sure you’ve worked it out ahead of time.
Do the transfer! Sounds like a good decision to me. It was not a waste to go away for freshman year- you had that experience that no one can take away from you. You obviously learned a lot outside as well as inside the classroom- you have had the away from home/comfort zone experience. You can easily choose the major you want at your instate school, save a ton of money and do well to get into a medical school. I see no red flags with a transfer to a public school at all.
btw, I’m a physician and even though my experiences were eons ago some things still hold true. Your instate public medical schools will not hold it against students who go to the more affordable instate options at all. There will likely be plenty of other premed intention students- fine, you will get in if you should. I see your point about being happier and therefore doing better. Plus saving money, getting to go home more often. Win-win situation.
@wis75 Thank you so so much for your response!! That just confirmed my decision to transfer, I have definitely learned a lot this year and being away from home was a good experience, but it taught me that I want to be closer to home both for college and when I do find a job down the road.
Thank you so much to everyone who took the time to respond to this post, it means the world to me and I hope to be loving college at Umass in the fall!!