<p>I am unhappy at my current school for a laundary list of reasons, and was considering transfering to Pitt for just the spring semester and put in a few applications for the fall of 09'. I may take only 9 or 12 credits in the spring and work, and take a few summer courses. However, I do not want to attend Pitt for the next 3 years (variety of reasons).
Would it hurt my transfer chances for the fall if I transfer just for the spring?
I currently have a 3.5, and feel I can pull a 4.0 at pitt, or end with a 3.75/3.8ish if I return to case. I'm in 2 clubs, play a varsity sport (d3 so not really a hook), nothing too interesting, 3.8 hs gpa and 2040 sat.
I definetly will apply to CMU for fall 09', and am still finalizing a list of schools (less than 8,000, solid social scienes, good quality of life, off campus housing for sophmores, safe campus, within 4 hrs or in PA, limited forced diversity, english proficient prof's, somewhat caring/friendly administration, FA).</p>
<p>Basically should I try and stick it out and return to case for the spring/will going part time at pitt in the spring hurt my transfer chances?</p>
<p>I transferred twice. It didn't[or I don]t believe] hurt my application. I explained my reasons for doing so in my essay. If you have reasons for doing so, cover them there.</p>
<p>The only issue I would tell you to look at is cost. If you are planning on spending one semester at Pitt and trying to go somewhere else[assuming the school you are now at has given scholarships or the like where it is cheaper for you], I would not transfer for Spring but apply to all for Fall. I had started local for the first semester, but I could not stand the commute. I applied to publics for Spring and privates for Fall, but that was only because I could not get residence at where I was.</p>
<p>At least of the people I know that have done this, it was either they started out at CC, moved to a lower tiered state school, and then to the state flagship, or started at a mediocre OOS school, transfered to a lower tiered in-state school, and then to the flagship. Going from private to solid (but not top tier) public to top tier private seems somewhat uncommon, and for good reason. Private institutions can be a bit more discriminating in who they choose to let in. And, if you're looking at school number three, especially when all were four year institutions (meaning no obligation to transfer out for a BA) it sends a certain less than positive message about you. You'd need a seriously good reason to transfer to CMU, and explain why Pitt didn't meet expectations much like Case, for it to not bite you in the ass.</p>
<p>That said, as somebody who also escaped the hell that is Case, I'd love to know in greater detail your reasons for looking elsewhere, if you don't mind sharing.</p>
<p>I am a history/poli sci/econ major, and the course offerings are extremely limited, and the prof's seem fairly mediocre. There are very few classes in hsty/posc departments/
The administration is very unhelpful, and would not allow me to switch SAGES (before classes even started) because the prof's inability to effectively speak English is not a legitimate concern.
FA- I was offered $3,000 for work study, applied to over 10 positions, and was unable to get a job until the spring semester. Plenty of other freshman where offered positions and were less qualified.
The campus, the dorms and the food.
Crime rates are extremely high, despite the fact there are 3 seperate police organizations patrolling the area.
The cost: the recent stock market tumble has taken over $10,000 out of my college fund, and may not be recovered, and Case has not been very helpful with this situation nor the work study.
The actual student body is a bit different than I would have imagined, as it seems each ethnic group seperates itself from the rest of the students and creates race based cliques. Maybe this happens everywhere, but it just has a bad feel. And there is also constant drama between a pro Palestine group and campus Jews, and both sides really need to grow up.
I'm not a huge school spirit person, but no one goes to sports games. There was maybe 200 students at the football playoff game, which is kind of sad.
I can't live off campus next year at case, and I don't think I can handle another year in dorms after my roommate experience and living with over 40 girls, most of whom are stuck in high school and meddle around in your business.
This may sound stupid, but I was not pleased that my econ professor is a European liberal, and was constantly preaching gov economic intervention despite the fact that our book and economics in general condones such actions.
Overall I just am not that happy at case, I've met some really awesome people, but I feel as though I am forcing myself to like the school, but maybe the issues I have with case exist everywhere.</p>
<p>BTW, I live about 20 minutes from Pitt, so if I am considering taking 9 hrs in the spring an summer and commute to Oakland.</p>
<p>Sounds to me like moving to Pitt will save you money and let you take a lighter course load while you figure out where you'd like to finish your degree. As long as the commuting isn't too awful in bad weather, it could be a very good choice for you.</p>
<p>Lots of students change schools multiple times, you just don't read about them here at CC. If you opt to go to Pitt for a semester or two just because of the money, you will not be alone. These are tough economic times.</p>