<p>I currently go to South Dakota State University (SDSU) and I am completely miserable over there. The school is a terrible fit for me. :((socially, academically, location , EVERYTHING) Out of HS, my original plan was to attend my local Community College (CC) which has an articulation agreement with my state flagship, the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities--which is also my dream school. That way I wouldn't have to worry about getting into the UMN-TC and still apply to other colleges..and still have the UMN as my "back-up". But due to family/personal issues I wasn't able to attend my CC as much as I had wanted to.</p>
<p>I just finished my first semester at SDSU, and final grades haven't been posted up yet but I'm guessing that I will get a 2.5-3.0 gpa (I know it's terrible). But next semester, my schedule won't be as intense and I'm aiming to get 3.5+ realistically speaking (but I'm aiming for 3.7+ ). I'm going to work twice as hard to raise my gpa. So I want to finish my freshman year at SDSU and and then transfer to my local CC, Normandale and finish up my sophomore year there. After my soph year at CC I want to transfer to the UMN-TC but I will still apply to other colleges on the side, just so I can have more options to choose from. </p>
<p>Also, even though SDSU is "affordable" and I'm getting tuition reciprocity b/c I'm a MN resident, it's still a bit of a financial burden on my mom who's paying around 4k a semester (my EFC=0). If I go to my CC, my financial aid will cover my tuition and books completely and I won't have to worry about getting accepted to the U of MN. I can suck it up and become an RA next year, and save 2k, but I don't think it's worth it sacrificing my happiness for another year :/</p>
<p>Any advice would be highly appreciated ! Thanks :)</p>
<p>bump…I really need advice :/</p>
<p>Another side of this is…should I finish up my sophomore year at SDSU? as much as I don’t want to. Commuting everyday/ 3+ times a week to a CC would kind of be a hassle.</p>
<p>-I was also thinking about applying to Syracuse University, but I have 2 more semesters to raise my gpa…which is definitely do-able.</p>
<p>If you are truly miserable, it could make more sense to transfer to your CC for second semester. Do the math and see if that could work for you.</p>
<p>When you are home for vacation, pop by the community college, and learn more about where their students transfer.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>looks like you are ready to go. good luck.</p>
<p>At the CC here in NJ admissions is not selective. If you have a HS diploma you are in, subject to placement testing. They do take transfer credits if you received a 'C" or better. What I’m saying is that if you really really hate it, you could probably start there this January! Why waste time and money? If you plan to transfer to a 4 yr that has an agreement with the CC, then you know your course there should transfer. Look into it today! They might still be open before shutting down between xmas and new years. Obviously, things might be way different out where you are.</p>
<p>My son is transferring from a small LAC to a medium State U this Jan. He hated his first school. He had a tough time getting in and I think he was one of the last accepted because his SAT’s weren’t great and his first semester college grades not in yet (also not great–I hope part of the reason is that he was unhappy and didn’t care). If he didn’t get in he had a back up school and CC was also on the table.</p>
<p>Just saying you can transfer in Jan. I don’t believe that suffering will build character so why stay, especially if it costs more and you are SURE your feelings won’t change.</p>
<p>My son and I both felt so much better once the wheels of change were in motion and headed in the right direction.</p>
<p>First of all, thank you for the replies.</p>
<p>This morning, I called Normandale CC and they told me that if I wanted to start my spring semester there, I have until Dec. 29th to decide/ get everything in (transcripts, placement tests, registration). I also have to move everything out of my dorm as well (which isn’t a ton of stuff).</p>
<p>The only pros of me staying is that I will get my driver’s license (extra driving lessons from a friend + b/c I ca borrow a friend’s a car to the DMV, over here my mom won’t let me use hers lmao) and I have an on-campus job. But that doesn’t matter, because I can do the same here (return to my old job, go to the DMV near my house, NBD).</p>
<p>But the main thing I’m worried about is that my mom won’t approve me attending a CC for the spring…I haven’t asked her yet. I’m so scared to ask her if I can for spring semester. I hope she doesn’t flip out. I’m sure she might be fine with it if I attended a CC next fall semester…but I’m not so sure about now. I also have to get my FAFSA fixed too, if I go to a CC next semester. </p>
<p>From the very beginning, I knew in my heart that going to a CC was the right decision, and I still know it is…because I don’t want to take the risk of completing my degree at SDSU.</p>
<p>If you’re miserable, spring transfer is a better option, like Njfootballmom said. The better you do at CC, the less your SDSU grades will matter. If possible, I’d retake the SAT to increase your chances of admission at other schools.</p>
<p>^ I totally agree. The only thing now is that I have to move out of dorm and complete my registration at my CC. Next fall I plan on retaking the SAT or ACT so I can increase my chances of admission to other schools as well. </p>
<p>@Smorgasbord: I haven’t made anything official yet, but do you think I can still pay for my CC with the pell grants I have? I haven’t applied for aid yet (oR changed my FAFSA form) However, at my CC and according to their website it says:</p>
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<p>Should I add my CC to the list of schools on FAFSA? 
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<p>I don’t much about the financial aid process, but I believe that once you leave a school, you have to terminate your aid and go through an exit interview if you took out federal loans. I don’t believe aid rolls over from one school to another; I’d ask the CC’s financial aid office.</p>
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<p>A few hours moving in/out is better than a few thousand dollars spent to be unhappy…</p>
<p>When son left his school only a few weeks ago he had to meet with the Dean, or someone in their office and I think sign a paper or 2. I think it was mainly to ask why he’s leaving etc (so they know what people don’t like). They then notify all the departments that need to know. I do see a charge for next semester because he did pick classes, but no bill was mailed yet. As soon as I see his grades posted I will call them. I don’t want them to close out his email and account access and stuff before we see the grades!</p>
<p>IF you are leaving, you need to go online to your FAFSA and correct it. According to the new school we just had to make them be first on the list. So, redo that part of the FAFSA, the rest doesn’t have to be redone because it is the same school year. Depending on the cost you may not get aid/loans. The cost of attendance is probably lower and I would think financial aid would expect students to have some “skin” in the game. I don’t know costs out your way anything. If mom agrees maybe she has a credit card you could use for this semester…the school could tell you if they think you’ll get aid.Just noticed she is paying 4k/semester…CC has to be cheaper.</p>
<p>For Son’s new school I did have to make a payment, but if it gets overpaid (when loan is applied) they will refund us the overpayment. Son’s loans were posted as “awarded” within a few days of starting the process. It will be a headache, but the people at the CC will help you through. So, let mom pay it and if the loan/aid comes thru she can be paid right back!</p>
<p>Mom shouldn’t complain if you will be happier for less money. She should be happy you are not just taking her money and partying and getting bad grades. You want to do the right thing. I had a bit of hard time accepting that mine wanted to transfer and if he went to CC I would have been a little disappointed, but that is mainly because he plays football and CC would have meant the end of that. Some people think CC isn’t “good enough”. That’s funny because Son1 went to CC. Got a associates degree in business and now will get a BS in a dual concentration (sort of like a double minor). Son 2 will get the same BS degree, but won’t have the AS in business like S1, so Son1 who went to CC actually will have slightly stronger credentials!</p>
<p>I also think that the idea that my “plan” didn’t work out was part of my disappointment in the transfer, “failure” is hard to accept and guiding him to the wrong decision was partly our fault. (we didn’t want him at the school that is close to home and the next choice was a small school-bad idea)</p>
<p>Now we are all happy. He didn’t have to go to CC and gets to play football, but as the process went on I realized that even if he landed at CC it was better than being miserable like he was, and paying a lot more for it.</p>