Transferring to a Tennessee School (sorry for length)

Transfer Students
1

I am currently a freshman at Mississippi State University and I am looking to transfer back to TN, my state of residency. I’m looking into University of Tennessee-Knoxville, University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, Middle Tennessee State University, and University of Memphis.

I have two main reasons for transferring.
1.) Money. Going to an out of state school is a lot of stress for my family, especially because my parents are paying for my education.
2.) Comfortability. MSU is great academic wise but it is more of a party school than most would think. People go out, drink, and party every day of the week here. Also, it’s hard to get involved if you’re not greek (which is more money than i can afford). I also feel as if the people here are only there to socialize rather than to succed and get their degree.

Personally, I’m looking for a University where I can grow as a person. Academics are very important to me but I also would like to go to an institution that I can offer me many things to get involved in like greek life (at an affordable price), sga, clubs, etc. I also would like somewhere with a good city or town nearby. I didn’t like Starkville because there was absolutely NOTHING to do. I am slightly introverted but I will go out and have fun every now and then on weekends. I consider myself to be adaptable and a big or small campus would suit me either way. I’m currently majoring in public relations and would like to stay within that major.

The only cons of each are as listed below.

UTK:
• expensive tuition
• six hours from home
• party school?
• would have to find housing/roommate

UTC:
• smaller campus?
• underdevelped program for my major
• 5 hours from home

MTSU:
• i’d have to find housing/roommate
• huge campus, slightly overwhelming
• i don’t know a single person there lol

Memphis:
• 30 minutes from home
• hard to find housing
• i know almost everyone there (too comfortable?)

ANY and ALL help with my situation would be extremely appreciated. Thanks so much for your time, guys!

2

If you want to party, you can find that anywhere. If you don’t want to party, you can find that anywhere too. So I wouldn’t put fear of a heavy party atmosphere at the top of your list. Likewise, clubs can be found, or founded if need be, on any campus.

Your concerns should be cost, the quality of the program for your major, and the strength of job placement or grad school placement after graduation. If the best combination is in Memphis (and at 30 minutes from home, you might be able to commute and save even more money), then so be it. Take the opportunity and don’t look back.

3

Have you visited UTK and UTC? I was a student at UTK a looong time ago (my daughter is looking at colleges now, to give you perspective) and I have taught at U of M. I don’t know much about UTC, except that I like Chattanooga as a city. I didn’t like UTK because it was so big, people were football-crazy, and parking was insane. BUT, they have some very good programs, and depending on what you are studying, I can almost guarantee you will get better instruction than UofM. As an instructor at UofM… I was very unimpressed with the student body. Some of them seemed to be operating on a 5th grade level, to be honest. Their 4-year graduation rate is around 13% and 6-year rate is just under 40%. That’s pretty bad.

All this said, have you considered ETSU? My daughter went to governor’s school there, and the campus is small and professors were great. It may be just what you’re looking for.

4

Also, don’t rule out private schools based on sticker price. They often offer great financial aid. There’s no harm in applying to Rhodes and seeing what they offer you.

5

Your major, and the net price at each school?