UChicago First Year Worried about the Future and Considering Transferring

Parents Forum
1

<p>Hello,
I am a First Year at the University of Chicago majoring in International Studies and definitely want to attend law school. I decided to attend UChicago because I thought that its rigorous curriculum would prepare me for the analytical thinking and writing necessary for law school. So far I have not been disappointed; the Core classes that I have taken have been amazingly challenging. However, due to the financial situation my parents struggled to put together my tuition for last quarter, and I was almost unable to register for classes for Spring quarter. Thankfully, they (my parents live in Nigeria and not the U.S. so times are even more difficult there) were able to send money in time for me to register late this week. Currently, I will graduate roughly $40,000 in debt and have already taken $13,500 for first year alone (perhaps even more, if my parents cannot rally funds together in coming years) even with a $10,0000/year merit scholarship from UChicago I will still owe alot after graduation.</p>

<p>This scare of registering late due to financial issues led me to contemplate the decision to transfer to a cheaper college. I lived with my aunt and uncle in Georgia during high school and have a permanent resident card, so will be counted as in-state student. I have been researching Georgia Tech and have become intrigued with their International Affairs major and International Plan program. However, I am worried that UChicago's prestige might be a pushing factor to admittance into T14 law school. Plus GA Tech is not exactly a liberal arts type of institution. I would like to attend NYU or Columbia law and specialize in international law, and I am aware that admission to these schools are very selective. After two quarters of course work, I have a 3.61 GPA and have become involved with various clubs on campus. I love it here, but I also tend to stress out and worry about money alot during my spare time. Does anyone have any advice or suggestions? </p>

<p>P.S. Transfer admission for fall of next year deadline was Feb. 1, but spring semester deadline is on Oct. 1.</p>

2

<p>I think that graduating $40 k in debt is a lot particularly when you’d have to take out a lot more debt to go to law school.</p>

<p>If you excel in a college – even a 2nd tier one – you’d still have a chance of going to the kind of top tier college that interests you.</p>

3

<p>LSAT and GPA are much more important for law school admissions than the prestige of the school. Georgia Tech is a fine school and will not hurt you in the slightest with respect to law school admissions.</p>

4

<p>You should go through school worrying where the next semester’s money is coming from. It will hurt your GPA, and prevent you from taking advantage of some of the opportunities that might otherwise be available to you.</p>

5

<p>Koolmaria, have you tried discussing your situation with the financial aid office, or with your academic adviser? Getting more aid might be a long shot, but it’s worth a try.</p>

<p>If that fails, maybe your adviser can suggest other options if for some reason you are not comfortable with Georgia Tech. I have no idea about aid policies for transfers, but other schools might welcome you as a proven commodity if you have a high GPA at a school like Chicago (not to mention, if you can get a strong recommendation from a respected professor there, without turning his name to mud for losing them a star student).</p>