Transferring, Issues, Life, etc.

Applying to College
1

<p>So I'm currently a freshman student at UC-San Diego, and have been here since September 16th. A school of 20,000 + undergraduates, the weather's temperate, the beach is maybe 3 minutes away, and the academics are stimulating. It's incontestably a top UC and it shows. </p>

<p>However, before I actually came to UCSD, I was dreaming of a completely different environment. I envisioned myself at a small, reputed liberal arts college back east with ivy-covered walls, rigorous academics, and top-notch professors. I applied to two, arrogantly assuming I'd get into both and was rejected by one and waitlisted at the other.</p>

<p>Undeterred, I tried everything within my power to get off that waitlist. I sent letters, e-mails, writing samples, had others write recommendation letters, was in consistent phone contact with the Senior Associate Dean of Admissions, and I even made them an original DVD movie showing how much I wanted to go to their school. </p>

<p>They put me on a summer waitlist and from April to August, I was having atypical sleep cycles, a never-before-seen case of acne, not eating well, and I was simply rude and ornery at home. Life was miserable for me. </p>

<p>So as you can imagine, when I heard the final word in August, heartbroken was an understatement. </p>

<p>Now, after almost 2 months here in a city 1.5 hrs from my house (a HUGE initial deterrent for me) I know that I am ready to leave. I've made good friends and have a solid routine going for myself, but it just doesn't feel right. </p>

<p>I'm hoping my grades are adequate for a transfer as a sophomore next year. I might try to apply to two other schools for good measure. One thing I haven't mentioned is that money is an issue, as I have a twin brother who's also in college. So even if I do get in and the financial aid package isn't sufficiently generous then I can't go.</p>

<p>Anyway, the main purpose of this long-winded post is to see if I even should transfer, as UCSD will be very good for me monetarily (half the price) professionally (worldwide UC recognition and more opportunities to build up my 'international' r</p>

2

<p>Considering how strongly you feel about it, I think you should transfer. Otherwise you will have regrets all through your life and you can't do anything about! So transfer even if means taking on a bit of debt. Money can always be earned, but we have only one life to live the way we want to.</p>

<p>About using the contact, why not? I think you should use his influence after applying.</p>

3

<p>How do you envision a small LAC and how is that different than what you are experiencing at UCSD?</p>

<p>Alot of times, what we are picturing never manifests itself -- reality can be a real bummer. </p>

<p>UCSD sounds like it has what you want, you enjoy it and you can afford it -- you are just having trouble giving up that dream. I can imagine that you are thinking that thirty years from now you might be wondering how your life would have turned out had you graduated from another school.</p>

<p>My suggestion would be to stay at UCSD and bring to that school all the things that you pictured at the LAC that are missing for you. If you are wanting more individual mentoring and personal relationships with professors, take the time and effort to nurture those at UCSD. If you want small discussion groups with peers -- start or join clubs, study groups and/or activities. If you want smaller classes, talk to professors and students and try to find times/classes that are smaller than the typical large intro classes. If you want to go away from California and experience the rest of the world, look into studying abroad for a semester or a year.</p>

<p>just my thoughts and what I would advise my son if he were in your situation.</p>

4

<p>CollegeBound2007 -- I always find it interesting when people are given advice about doing something so that they won't regret it later on. Life is full of regrets no matter what. If the OP transfers and incurs debt, after graduation he might be regretting the debt load he took on, the loss of the prestige of UCSD, the loss of opportunities that UCSD provided that he didn't get at the small LAC.</p>

<p>I don't advocate doing something just so you won't later regret it -- take it into consideration, but don't just jump in.</p>

<p>Decisions always involved at least two options, often many more. What you want to do is exam which option is likely to leave you with the least regrets. From personal experience, I can tell you that incurring debt is almost always regretted more that just about anything and the consequences are not fun.</p>

5

<p>OP says he is ready to leave, obviously he is unhappy. I'd say the decision is fairly clear-cut in this case, except that some debt may be incurred if he transfers. I am too young to have experienced bad consquences of debt, but isn't it actually an investment to take on this debt? (If he were to go in debt to buy a fancy car, it is bad.) If he is disciplined in his spending habits, debt is no problem at all once he starts earning money.</p>

6

<p>we all dream of things we want --but we don't get. the OP didn't sound unhappy -- he sounded like many other college freshman. He is wondering what would be different if his life took another path. He recognizes that UCSD has what he needs and wants and he is doing well and has made friends. He feels like he would "fit" better at another school. He may be wrong -- many students have posted that they do not "fit" at the school they thought was perfect for them.</p>

<p>As far as regret for incurring debt -- my guess is that you will find out the hard way about that. You life does not always turn out he way you envision. Many, many adults on this board have made decisions we regret. A job after graduating from college is not guaranteed -- I know many people with college degrees that drive buses, work at call centers, work in bookkeeping and other low-paying jobs. that money does not allow them to do much besides pay off student loans payments and rent and the basics. the loans impact you lifestyle choices for many years, including marrying, raising a family and buying a home. It can also impact job choices -- you may have to take a higher paying, but less opportunity to move up job so that you can make the payments. Someone with little or no debt could take a lower paying job that will lead to a great opportunity. They are more flexible in what they do after college. You can say it will never happen to you -- you are fantastic and will get a great job, just keep in mind that the people in those low-paying jobs thought the same thing.</p>

<p>OP -- please keep in mind that Financial Assistance is usually much less generous to transfer students than to freshman. You won't know until you see the FA offer, but expect it to have more loans and work-study than a typical freshman would have.</p>

7

<p>Yes, I am also seriously considering both schools' study abroad options, which are plentiful within the UC system. Bowdoin has no self-sponsored programs and it costs twice as much for the same experience. </p>

<p>Just another thought I need to keep in mind but fail to recognize.</p>

8

<p>Listen to hsmomstef, my little crow-boy.</p>

9

<p>It can't hurt to apply, right? Yes, if you get in, you will have a decision to make, but you might as well keep your options open for as long as possible. When you're a freshman in college, those couple of months can make a huge difference. </p>

<p>I understand that logic behind staying at UCSD. Financial issues are tough to ignore and there are no gaurentees that Bowdin will live up to your expectations. However, I've heard cases specific to both schools that are definitely partial to Bowdin. I know several kids that have gone to UCSD and really disliked it, transferred out and been very happy with their decision. Everyone I know who has gone to Bowdin has had a really great experience. It definitely does seem like your typical New England liberal arts college. </p>

<p>So, yeah, I say go for it and see how you feel in May when you have to make a decision. By then you will have spent almost two semesters at UCSD and you will be able to better assess the pros and cons of leaving. Oh, and use your contact. I don't think it can hurt.
Good luck.</p>