<p>I am entering my junior year this fall and I am planning on transferring. However, the school I am transferring to isn't as prestigious and isn't as "good" of a school as my current school. I've had multiple people tell me that if I transfer to a school that isn't as good then I'm just throwing my life away and ruining my chances of going to grad school and getting a good job. Is this true?
The reasons I'm transferring are because it would save tons of money and allow me to actually afford grad school, it has more internship opportunities, I can actually study abroad (at my current school the way my schedule works it's impossible for me to study abroad), and it's closer to home. I don't enjoy my current school, and I feel like I shouldn't stay somewhere that I don't enjoy just because it's prestigious and the campus is pretty. At my current school I have a presidential scholarship and am almost done with gen eds, and if I transfer I'll lose the prestige of that scholarship and I'll have a lot more gen eds to take. However, I feel like that's worth it because of the money I'll end up saving. To me it makes more sense for me to transfer even if that means that my school isn't as prestigious, but is everyone right that I'm throwing my life away? Is transferring a mistake?</p>
<p>You wouldn’t be throwing your life away. Is the school you want to transfer to still a good school? It sounds like you would have more opportunities there, and no one should put you down for wanting to save money, particularly if you’re planning on pursuing more education. Would you still be able to graduate in four years? When I was choosing schools, I chose a lesser ranked and less prestigious school than others I got into, but it was still a good school, had a good program in what I wanted to major in, plenty of opportunities, etc. You’ll likely be more successful at a school you’re happy at, but just make sure you don’t just think the grass is greener at this new school. Transfer for the right reasons (this school is a better fit for you, you would still have plenty of opportunities in what you would like to study, you would save money, etc), and make sure it’s something you could explain rationally and persuasively to future admissions committees or employers if they ask you about it. I doubt they will, but just in case.</p>
<p>You have excellent reasons for transferring. You aren’t “throwing your life away”, you are taking charge of it!</p>
<p>Don’t listen to the haters.</p>
<p>Have a great time at the new place!</p>