<p>So, I am now attending one of the top 20 universities in the US. I got a full tuition scholarship and get by being about $15000 a year. I have enjoyed myself pretty well so far, but it is hard to stand out here because everyone is so smart. One of my friends here recently told me that I would be happier at a state school. I came from a high school where I was the top student, so I would feel more like that at a state school. However, I did not enjoy high school, so do not really now. He said I would have more job opportunities and personal relationship opportunities because I would stand out more against the average students there. </p>
<p>Also, do you think I would be happier there? Should I consider transferring back?</p>
<p>No I don’t think you would feel happier there. I went to a state school (one of the UC’s) and came from a small liberal arts type high school. I hated the state system. It does not incorporate any personal relationship opportunities. That is why I am now transferring to a private college. The state system has large classes (my calc class was 800 students) and there is no financial aid available except for loans. You might be happier at a less rigorous liberal arts college</p>
<p>I wouldn’t transfer. I’m at a middle tier UC school, and I’m bored out of my mind. Most of my college classes don’t feel harder than my high school APs, and it’s difficult for me to relate to the people I go to class with. Most professors at research universities don’t care that much about teaching and getting to know students, and even when they do you’re in classes of 450 people which makes it impossible to stand out anyways. At this point, I would rather be average and be surrounded by people I can relate to than be top of my class and mentally isolated. If you really want to transfer, try Berkeley or UCLA, but don’t go lower than that.</p>