<p>Hi guys,
This is my first time posting on college confidential, but I am a current freshman at Johns Hopkins majoring in biomedical engineering and applied mathematics and statistics. I really enjoy Johns Hopkins, the atmosphere is a little competitive, and Baltimore is questionable at times, not to mention far from home, but when I am on campus I enjoy my time. The only other qualm I find is that my major choices limit the freedom I have in terms of time to research and explore other interests I have in extracurriculars and classes. My dilemma, the reason I am posting in the transfer forum, here is mostly money based. My current FA package at Hopkins is good, but next year the cost could increase substantially for me due to familial matters. My family's income will not increase to compensate for the potential cost hike though. I will still be able to attend Hopkins, my parents have assured me of that, but the burden is still substantial. I will not be able to travel or do anything over the summer besides work since I have not saved up enough to pay for opportunities on my own.</p>
<p>My state public school is well-known however, and I get full tuition and a housing stipend at the honors college. This means I will essentially be paying for food and books. I graduated from high school early, and the "free" ride at my state school lasts five to six years. This would give me ample time to major in the equivalent (but less highly esteemed) majors at the school, and do many other things in terms of research, possibly another major or minor, clubs and traveling. It would allow me to go abroad and do a good amount of hiking, which is a passion of mine that doesnt really work in Baltimore. The school also offers a program where you are considered highly for the MD/Phd program after you finish undergrad.</p>
<p>After I graduate I plan to either take a few years to work in industry and go to grad school for a Phd or a MD/Phd after or just go directly to grad school. I want to live in my state (where the school is) and possibly work in industry, medicine or academia in the area. I am strongly leaning towards academia with research at this point (its a bit early, I know), and the state university would probably be my most likely employer. It is very expensive to live where the school is however, so a good salary is a necessity. </p>
<p>My question is this: Should I apply for the transfer to the honors college, save some money, possibly go there for grad school or to a "better" school for grad school and have a longer and more diverse undergraduate experience, or stay at Hopkins which is fun, albeit expensive, and be more confined but still within the best programs for my majors in the nation? What are the pros/cons that I havent seen? and what would a degree from Hopkins undergrad get me in terms of salary and grad school opportunities that a state school wouldnt? I usually make my own opportunities for the most part by the way, so research experience would happen at either school for me. </p>
<p>Also I obviously havent identified my state school, but it is a good school as far as publics go, around 10,000 kids, in a rural area closish to home, and has a good standing for biology since its med school is top notch.</p>