<p>Yes, I know, it sounds insane. I've been pondering the possibility of transfer for months. Long story short, UCLA isn't the right fit for me. I'm going to skip writing my whole life story and just say that I am not happy here. My friends always ask why I even considered attending UCLA. It all started with the fee waivers. I had an extra, and decided to apply for funnies even though I had no intention of attending. Then I got accepted… I sent in my SIR on the last day, not convinced UCLA was right for me. However, my mom wanted me to "try it out for a year." Well, that's exactly what I did, and it's just not working. </p>
<p>Anyway...</p>
<p>I'm an adventurous, laid-back person looking to get the most out of my experience elsewhere (both education and life-experience wise). I love to hike, bike, swim, you name it! Right now I feel trapped in this little corner of LA with limited access to the true outdoors (I don't have a car). What colleges would foster my outdoor lifestyle?</p>
<p>P.S. don't tell me I'm crazy for leaving. That won't help anybody.</p>
<p>UCSD? My son can walk to the beach in 15 minutes from his dorm, hike in nearby parks, surf, ride bikes to many nearby outside activities. He turned down UCLA for UCSD, partly for that same reason, so I understand!</p>
<p>collegevetting: That’s kind of what I’m aiming for without a huge drop in prestige (family pressures). I’m planning on appealing to UCSB and UCSC as well as applying to Boulder (but out of state tuition there is a little too crazy). Are there any colleges with relatively low tuition you know of out of state?</p>
<p>takeitallin: That does sound nice, thanks for your suggestion!</p>
<p>Two years ago my older son chose UCSB over UCLA (for similar reasons) and has never looked back. He’s very happy and although I had trouble making sense of his decision at the time, I see now that he made the decision that felt right to him. Good luck to you!</p>
<p>University of Montana. Don’t exactly know the prestige though. I think University of Idaho might give Californians some kind of instate or modified in state tuition, but it isn’t as highly ranked as SB, or SC. I know other ways to get prices lower, but the merit stuff, etc. I know about is geared at freshmen because that is what my kids are applying to be. Maybe someone else will know about tips for transfer students on that side.</p>
<p>By the way, I transferred from UCSB to UCLA a million years ago – grew up in LA and after two years which I loved, Santa Barbara seemed a little small. Strategically, I was also trying to create a cleaner break in y record when I decided to settle down and aim for graduate school as well. I still look back a UCSB as my ‘college years’, to be honest. </p>
<p>You might also look at Univ. of Oregon. They do offer a tuition break to California residents as well as some good scholarships. It is a great university with a lot of opportunities, beautiful setting with many outside activities, gorgeous campus… You do have to like rain. There are a lot of Calif. residents there also which makes getting back and forth on breaks a little easier. </p>