<p>Hello all, I have something I'm really struggling with and I'd appreciate your guys opinions or advice.</p>
<p>I just completed my first semester at the University of Southern California. I went there due to its academic prestige and its location in LA. I come from a small town in the Midwest and a low income family; I was able to attend USC due to its generous financial aid.</p>
<p>I like the school but its hard for me because I'm a first generation college student and the majority of kids there, albeit intelligent for the most part, come from wealthy families. I'm not into class warfare or any of that jazz, it's just harder to relate to them when my money situation is preventing me from pledging a fraternity or doing many of the other things I'd like to do but can't afford. It's also hard going four months without seeing my family and friends; most of them stay local and can't afford a 500 dollar flight for a visit. </p>
<p>The school I'd most likely transfer to is the University of Kentucky. I'm a huge fan of sports and have been a passionate fan of theirs for as long as I remember. The school is about 3 hours from my home so it's far enough that I don't always have to come home but can still see my friends and family once or twice a month. There's also a girl ive dated off and on for four years who I really have feelings for that will be going to school in Nashville; She really wants me to transfer but i dont want that to be the sole reason. The political science program at USC isn't very distinguished as well so I don't feel like I'd be dropping off much there.</p>
<p>I just feel like I'd be copping out by transferring from such a renowned university to a local state school. I'm looked up to a lot in my town and my family for going so far and I feel like I'd be letting them and myself down by transferring, but at the same time I think I might've jumped the gun by going so far away instead of letting myself mature both socially and emotionally at a closer college. </p>
<p>My goal is to go to Harvard Law School and I don't want this choice to hinder that. I made a 3.85 at SC this semester so academics aren't an issue. I'm just wondering if transferring to a lesser renowned school would hurt my chances.</p>
<p>Sorry for the long winded and unorganized post but this has been weighing on my mind pretty heavily after coming home for break. Any advice is appreciated.</p>
<p>I think you should give USC more time. Fall frosh semester can be an adjustment. </p>
<p>No matter what, if you do decide to apply for a transfer do not cut ties with USC until you’ve seen your UK aid pkg. Aid for transfers is usually bad, especially for public univs. You may find that UK isn’t affordable for you. </p>
<p>Edited to add… I see that you’re an Indiana resident. UK will not likely be affordable for you since you depend on aid. You’ll be charged OOS rates and be given very little aid.</p>
<p>I’m out of state. But I’m hoping with scholarships and financial aid I can get close to full cost. I had a 4.0 in high school and got a 31 on my ACT. That is a good point though will certainly be a big factor.</p>
<p>Most good merit scholarships and good FA are ONLY offered to incoming frosh…not to transfers. They’re offered to frosh because schools want the best incoming freshman class because it helps with rankings. Transfers don’t do much for the school. </p>
<p>Very likely all you’d be offered is federal aid, which isn’t much at all.</p>
<p>[Net</a> Price Calculator (estimate the financial aid you will need) | Student Success](<a href=“Home | Student Success”>Home | Student Success) indicates that for an Indiana resident with $0 parental income and $4,000 student income, the net price at University of Kentucky will be $24,400 to $27,400, discounted from an OOS list price of $33,300 (the $8,900 in grant aid includes $3,000 in scholarships, so allowing for the possibility of not getting the scholarships – the rest is a $5,550 Pell Grant and $350 institutional grant).</p>
<p>If $9,500 per year is all you can afford, then University of Kentucky is way out of reach financially.</p>
<p>If you wish to transfer, the most likely possible targets are public universities in your state of residency Indiana.</p>
<p><a href=“Net Price Calculator”>Net Price Calculator; with the above parameters indicates that the net price for IU Bloomington will be $4,738 to $13,738 (it listed $9,000 in scholarships to get to the $4,738 number).</p>
<p>I agree that you should give USC more time.</p>
<p>USC has 23% pell grant recipients. That’s the fourth highest in the nation, and 2nd among private universities after Columbia. There are plenty of USC students who don’t have tons of money, and i’d imagine several more who are first generation college students.</p>
<p>LA is an expensive city and can really suck if you don’t have at least some decent income coming in (look into work study jobs if you haven’t already.) That being said, USC is adjacent to a pretty low-income area in Los Angeles. There are probably plenty of low-cost places in the area that you could go to. (Yelp will be your friend here.)</p>
<p>Try joining a group if you want to make good friends. You’re surely not alone.</p>
<p>Thanks for the research Ucbalumnus, that really sucks. Haha I got into IU with a full ride as a freshman but wasn’t a big fan of the school. Do you guys think UK would make any exceptions or provide any additional merit to a student with a 3.85 (likely higher after next semester) at a top 25 university and an ACT in the 97th percentile? Vanderbilt would and Centre College would be my only other two options.</p>
<p>Thanks for the input beyphy. I did work study this semester and certainly didn’t want to imply that I was the only low income kid. Like you said, LA is really expensive and if you don’t have money or a car there’s really not much to do. The area around campus is also pretty sketchy not gonna lie. All that said I really like the school, the location, and loved all of my classes. Money and distance are the two biggest hindrances.</p>
<p>You don’t like the USC social scene with a lot of students from wealthy families, but Vanderbilt may not be an improvement in this respect. While USC has 23% of students using Pell Grants, Vanderbilt has 15%. IU Bloomington has 21% and Kentucky has 25%.</p>
<p>Okay perhaps I state my thoughts inaccurately. I have no problem with the wealthier kids and don’t believe money should be a determining factor when judging people. What I mean is that it’s hard to thrive in a college where the social hierarchy involves those in the Greek system and other expensive clubs while I’m spending about a 1000 a year on travel for only two trips home a year. I’m not one for excuses it was one of my pros for considering a transfer.</p>
<p>Actually there’s plenty to do in LA. Things are going on all the time, including right now as we speak. What’s different about LA compared to other cities is that is isn’t immediately obvious that a bunch of things are going on at once. Since it’s so big, and everything that’s going on is spreadout throughout the city, it seems like nothing’s going on. But i can assure you that plenty is happening. </p>
<p>Into bicycling? There’s a huge group of bicyclists that ride around the city (e.g. Wolfpack hustle) Into bowling? go to the nearest bowling alley and play there a few times a week. You’ll make friends with the regulars and perhaps can join a bowling team. The same could be said with other sports like basketball, or even ice skating (there’s a rink in Culver City.) Like coffee? There’s ton’s of coffee bars throughout the city, regular bars, clubs, etc. The list goes on. </p>
<p>LA has plenty to offer. What you need to do is find where you fit in within the city. (for me its generally arcades, and lately it’s also included going to the movies a lot, and eating at a bunch of Asian places.) That’s not the easiest thing to do, but once you find your place within the city, it becomes much more enjoyable.</p>
<p>As far as the point of the car is concerned, the bike is the new car in the city from what i’ve seen. Plenty of places within the city are being filled with bike lanes. UCLA has a bike sharing programs that will allow students to borrow a bike for a quarter for very cheap. I’d imagine that USC has a similar one, and if not bikes aren’t that expensive.</p>
<p>Im sorry but you really cant find anyone in your situation? No one of equal socioeconomic class? That is so hard to believe. Also, a very poor reason to leave such an amazing school for UKentucky. What the heck. If my friend asked me this, I’d honestly say suck it up. Who cares…</p>
<p>Well over half the students at SC are receiving financial aid. A large percentage are Pell Grant holders and many are the first generation of their family to attend college. Your perception is not reality. </p>
<p>Have you looked at club sports, hiking groups, Catalina Island outings (free on the SC boat), Visions and Voices cultural/artistic events (free), campus concerts by Thornton and performances from the School of Dramatic Arts? All of these are free or of small cost. It appears you have not really studied the campus calendar to see what is happening on campus.</p>
<p>Give a thought to joining a service organization. You might find congenial friends in a type of group devoted to helping others. There are about 80 religious affiliated organizations. These are another option where fellowship and social activities are free or low cost.</p>
<p>Since your grades are very good have you checked with your academic counselor about the large numbers of continuing student scholarships available? There are hundreds. Many of these are from alumni or memorial scholarships. Some have a service component in the requirements. A list can be found on the USC forum. Use the search function.</p>
<p>Many students are homesick after their first semester away from family and high school friends. Give the university more time and consider following up on the suggestions posted in this thread.</p>
<p>Thanks for all of the suggestions and advice!</p>
<p>After being reminded of the crappy financial aid at state institutions I’ll be applying for admission at Vanderbilt for next fall. 3 hours from home, quality institution, and still get to live in a big city. From what I understand they have a financial aid program that doesn’t include need based student loans which would result in even more money saved and would be friggin sweeet.</p>
<p>That being said I’m looking forward to my next semester at SC and that Cali weather. I’m well-off either way and am certainly grateful for my many blessings.</p>
<p>How much does it cost to pledge a fraternity? I’m surprised that it’s a barrier. I don’t remember that being a barrier for me, and I was flat broke as a student and had to eat leftovers on the day that we didn’t have meals.</p>