<p>I have applied--and been admitted--to three schools for the fall semester. However, I am starting to realize that I truly don't know if I want to enroll at any of them. There are a few different schools that I am VERY interested in, but was unable to apply before the fall 09 deadlines, as I didnt have enough credits to relieve me of the need to afford my H.S. stats. I currently have 51 credits. As such, I can take 3 summer classes and meet the 60 credit requirement in time to apply to these universities for the spring semester. </p>
<p>So, what I am wondering is:</p>
<p>Would transferring in the spring put me at a disadvantage socially (i.e.meeting people, getting acclimated to the school's culture, all that kind of stuff...) </p>
<p>What other things should I consider before deciding to transfer in the spring?</p>
<p>If I decided to wait another year and enroll in the fall, I would be entering as a 22 year old (albeit, i'll only have been 22 for a week or so) junior. Is this a pretty 'old' age to enter as a junior?</p>
<p>Or, should I possibly attempt going to one of the schools I was admitted to? (U. South Car., Clemson, U Georgia). Clemson seems like it would be great--I just don't know if I could handle living in the middle of no where. It seems like there would be NOTHING to do outside of the college!</p>
<p>What would you guys do in this situation? I would greatly appreciate any advice or comments!</p>
<p>Well what are the schools you are looking at that you missed the deadlines for? Transferring in the spring is a bit of disadvantage as there is just more activities set up in the fall for new students (due to size of transfer/frosh incoming). But since you’re 22 I don’t think you’ll be too shell-shocked to find things to do. Most clubs/organizations will have recruitment in fall and spring. A big thing you need to think of is what will these other schools give you that a South Carolina/Clemson/UGA doesn’t.</p>
<p>I think if you’re not feeling the school, you shouldn’t attend. You want to get a good degree, but you also want to enjoy doing so. If I were you, I think I would look into Clemson- ask around, go visit if possible. If you don’t care for it, wait another year. </p>
<p>USC wouldn’t have mattered, you only need 30 before your HS GPA is thrown out. Although USC and UCLA are a bit higher I don’t think it’d be worth it to wait and try in the spring. You really need to ask yourself is there a big difference bettwen what a USC can give you over a UGA? Also other factors that will come in will be what you’re looking for at your school. I’m going to make some assumptions based on your choices that you want a school with a good sports program and a good greek system (what I wanted and ended up looking at every school you have).</p>
<p>Your assumption is pretty much accurate. However, I also want to be in a state/city that I can see myself enjoying. I recently realized that I want to attend a school that is located in a busy/urban type environment (UF being an exception). As such, Clemson certainly appears to be unsuitable for me. Essentially what I want is a college town atmosphere in a major city. Any suggestions? I am pursuing my undergrad purely as a means of attending law school, so bear-in-mind that the undergrad university I attend truly isn’t all THAT significant in the big picture.</p>
<p>My main concern is whether it would be more sensible for me to enroll to the university–assuming I find the right one in time–in the fall , or in the spring of 2010. Both options seem to have their ups and downs:</p>
<p>If I enrolled mid way through the year, I fear that I would be putting myself at a social disadvantage (maybe not? If anyone can provide any insight on this matter PLEASE do so).</p>
<p>However, If I wait another year and enroll in the fall of 2010, I would be arriving at age 22. I feel that this would make me a pretty ‘old’ junior–which could also possibly put me at a social disadvantage (again, I don’t know and would appreciate any comments). I CANNNOTTT decide what to do!</p>
<p>To make matters worse, I literally have like 3 or 4 days to decide!</p>
<p>If a want to go greek then the earlier the better. If your going to be pushing 22 by going in the spring or 22 if you wait until the fall '10, then the less chance fraternities are going to see the benefits of having you in the house (typically they want freshman who will be around 3-4 years and will be able to bring new girls from their dorms to their houses). The fall is always the better time to enroll. There are more activites such as club fairs and the pledge classes are larger due to the amount of new students (frosh/trans). While pleding in the spring isn’t bad, fall is better, particually since I don’t think any sororities have new classes (unless it’s a deferred rush by school rule). Fall is always the busier semester for activites between the parties and football season. Springs are usually more dead with less parties/smaller pledge classes/no football/midway through basketball/lots of people study abroad in the spring. While there will be less fairs in the spring, due to your age you probably aren’t going to have trouble finding things to do and not feel shellshocked. If there are clubs your interested in I’m sure they are open for new members in the spring and greek houses will likely have a spring rush. You will just need to be a bit more proactive on your side. </p>
<p>As far as a urban campuses I don’t believe they hold anymore things to do than a rural campus. At USC it’s fairly quiet over the spring, I can’t really speak for Clemson or South Carolina, but UGA seems to be just as active. I’m a city kid my entire life, and I choose USC since it’s in LA, but the majority of time is spent on campus. If you plan on working during school then a city will yield more jobs, so thats the main reason for a city campus. If you want to go to a urban campus b.c you think it’ll give more opportunities post grad, then thats not a good reason. Alumni from a rural school likely work in nearby cities. I wouldn’t dismiss a college b.c its campus is rural, they must have things to do. I doubt they would have 15,000-30,000 odd students with nothing to do. A rural campus can be better due to affordability, since you have law school costs to consider. </p>
<p>I think you need to look and see if UF/UCLA/USC can give you something the others can’t give or don’t have. It seems like other than slighty more prestige, they all have the same things you’re looking for at S.Carolina/Clemson/UGA. If dream is to live in CA post grad then obivously USC/UCLA are going to be better than a Carolina based school. </p>
<p>If I were you, unless you think you will be unhapy at clemson/carolina/UGA then go to one of those schools. Fall is a better time to enter as a transfer due to opportunities. Going greek will be easier the eariler, you prob don’t want to be a 22 year old pledge and likely the fraterities wouldn’t either. It’ll be cheaper at those schools, and allow you to have a lesser financial load entering law school. Since you plan on entering law school then not having the prestige of a USC/UCLA won’t matter as much. I personally like to deal with concrete things and you have three good schools on the table. You can’t predict is you will get into USC/UCLA/UF a semester or year from now. If I were you I’d go to UGA. It’s about 30 mins outside of a major city in ATL. You will have a good greek system, where you can be a pledge in the fall when there are more things to do and the sororites have their new classes. It will be eaiser to convince a house you will be an assest at 21, than 22. Plus UGA has a pretty good law school should you decide to continue there. The money you save will help when you have 3 years of law school costs. And since you are going to law school, should you choose you can switch to a more urban campus for law school. </p>
<p>HOWEVER, if a USC/UCLA/UF is a dream school and you will always look back and regret now trying to go to one of those schools then wait. Visit the campuses at the schools you have and if it doesn’t click don’t go.</p>
<p>honestly you are having trouble with this dude. I mean you got into these schools you can apply again for the spring for these schools and see what happens. Do what matters to you the most. I would do the spring because it seems you have your eyes set on that</p>
<p>If you are applying for the spring, find out what your options are for your residence. Try to get on-campus housing for the first semester. That will make it a lot easier to meet people.</p>
<p>If you wait to start in the fall a year from now, find out if your age will qualify you for graduate student housing. At some universities it will. Yes, you will still be an undergraduate student, but you will be living with a slightly older crowd who are likely to share more of your social interests.</p>
<p>I am 22 and I am applying as a soph transfer From what I have heard, your age does not matter, so don’t take that as an imp criteria. Think about what you really want. How uncomfortable would you be at a suburb kind of place? </p>
<p>@happymom
Is that possible? That sounds good :)</p>
<p>Back in the last century, I knew older students at both Iowa State U and at Cornell U who lived in the grad student dorms. It is definitely worth asking about. Also, wherever you end up there is likely to be a club for “non-traditional age students”. Be brave, and go to their mixers.</p>
From what I have heard, your age does not matter, so don’t take that as an imp criteria. Think about what you really want. How uncomfortable would you be at a suburb kind of place? </p>