<p>hello .. i was just wondering how easy it is or how tough it is to transfer into CMU for ECE. freshman in an EE major at USC (Southern California) with a 4.0 GPA, 2200 SAT, 800 math 2c, good ECs, good 11th and 12th grade record (not so good 9th and 10th grade)... got some research, a 5 month internship at Countrywide Financial Corporation in california (worked in IT and Finance departments).... in some good clubs, freshman representative for 2 clubs ... very good recommendations from high school and from college.... any insight on what my chances would be to transfer as a sophomore??</p>
<p>yayaya- that's the thing- there are people who hate CMU and people who love it. You're right in saying that it's a better school overall for engineering and I think your chances are fairly good to get in, though don't hold me to that- I'm not sure how CMU judges transfer apps.</p>
<p>As for CMU- I personally love it- the dorm life is just fine with me (esp. Mudge), the diversity is awesome, everything is just a great time, and if you aren't having a good time, there are plenty of ways to make it a good time- what with the variety of things to do on campus, and the fact that you'll be in the center of Pittsburgh.</p>
<p>So, I have to disagree with jumper- I don't think you'll be using 'hate' as much as they say.</p>
<p>That said, good luck with your app if you choose to apply!</p>
<p>haha nice try divinity. generally, the student body is unhappy. there are a couple of people (like divinity i guess) who do seem to like it, although to me, that points to a lack of social life in high school and thus no base for comparing how lame CMU really is.</p>
<p>I would more attribute a lack of social life to those who feel it necessary to attack others over the internet. </p>
<p>Get with it- there's plenty of social activity to be had at CMU- learn to look for it- I think you're the one who's sitting there complaining about having nothing to do and disliking it, while doing absolutely nothing to find something better to do.</p>
<p>seems like the people who are most unhappy at CMU have lots of time to post here...could it be that those we don't hear from who ARE happy there are too busy having fun to bother with CC???</p>
<p>soooo...if we understand you right, you're at home, too - far away from CMU...yet you're still complaining....</p>
<p>My point being those who choose to be happy and enjoy themselves can be proactive and find ways to do that anywhere...those who enjoy being (quite vocally) unhappy will do nothing to change their situation.</p>
<p>I'm glad your son likes CMU, but since you have no first-hand experience of what day to day life is like there, I find it misleading and inappropriate for you to be posting like you are a student. My posts are my honest opinion of CMU. I do not hate the school, I just want to warn incoming freshmen, not that they won't like it there, but that generally, most kids at the school are not happy there. This is a fact that has been backed up by on campus surveys. I can name from my personal group of friends 7 kids (all freshmen) who are transferring and at least a dozen more who thought about it. Yes, the school is not for everyone. Yes, kids can be happy there. But no, it is generally not a happy place. This is something that you cannot dispute. I am sorry if I came across as rude before. This is honestly all I am trying to convey because it really shocked me when I first got to CMU (very happily, mind you) but found that no one else was excited to be there. Most kids "settle" on CMU. Of course this does not include most computer science students and all of the drama students. The drama kids genuinely love it and I don't blame them, their program is amazing. The CS kids struggle through classes but know that it will be worth it in the end. For most others kids, CMU was just the place where they ended up, and with all honesty and sincerity, most (not all) are not happy about it. I hope you can see my message here.</p>
<p>EtoW - I think I've been quite clear in posting on CC that I am WAAAAY past student age. I actually have NO children at CMU, but am quite familiar with the school since about 8 years ago. It's unfortunate that you are so unhappy, but I can think of 5 relatives or friends of my kids who are at CMU in 4 different majors (none of them drama), who absolutely LOVE the school and the city.</p>
<p>So, we could go on and on like this.....as for campus surveys - and internet posting - I'll stand with the theory that these things are notoriously small and one-sided samples of the big picture - and those with the biggest axe to grind are the biggest respondents. Students who are generally happy with their situation do not bother to fill out surveys, etc. They are busy doing things, not filling out forms or sitting in front of a computer screen.</p>
<p>Again - sorry for your discontent - please take steps to change your situation.</p>
<p>Thanks for the cordial response. I will actually be transferring for next fall but I am glad that from your experience kids seem to like Carnegie Mellon. Again, I have nothing against the school, I was just explaining what the atmosphere felt like to me.</p>
<p>Completely understandable EtoW- and I know you are right- there are some people who are transferring and a good number of people who are unhappy but not transferring.</p>
<p>For all the prospective students out there- it's going to be like this at every college- there are people who love it, and people who hate it as evidenced here.</p>
<p>EtoW deserves the respect in that he's not sitting back and complaining. I'm sorry you really didn't like it at CMU, and I wish you the best wherever you are transferring to.</p>
<p>Thank you so much Divinity and I wish you the best of luck at CMU. I am really glad you like it because it is a great school, it just wasn't for me. Thanks again.</p>
<p>Wow... I cant believe that conversation just happened. I go to CMU and there are sooooo many opportunities for a great social life. The only problem I had was having too many friends to the point where there was just no way I could possibly keep track of them. It's just that there are soooo many extremely interesting people, quirky ones, cool ones, brilliant ones, artistic ones... in my personal opinion, from someone who has been to every state and spent some serious time living in other countries, cmu is unique in that aspect. People narrowly (and rather blindly) defining social life by an ever-presence of alcohol, football, anonlyd a frat-like lifestyle, please go elsewhere. I'll admit CMU is a nerdy school, and it always will be. But there is plenty of space for people who dont want to spend their entire lives playing World of Warcraft. Most people I see (and I would NOT say "most" of the population-- no way) who do not like CMU, need to seriously reconsider their own actions as well, instead of merely blaming their lack of a social life on this school.</p>