Would transferring for the 2011-2012 year be beneficial for me?

Transfer Students
1

<p>I'm enrolled at the University of Kentucky in the College of Engineering with a CS major. This will be my freshman year. I was informed at the advising conference last week that nobody has ever graduated from the Computer Science program on time. I believe this is due to a bloated curriculum that is almost impossible to realistically meet in 4 years, as it has most semesters requiring 18 credit hours of very difficult classes. If you fail a class, that's it, you're instantly looking at 5+ years. While I'm confident in my abilities, they seemed to be implying that the criteria for graduating in 4 years that was up on the site was faulty, in that it is impossible to always be able to enroll in the classes you need at the times you need them. While I realize this true for most schools to some extent, the active discouragement of pursuing a degree in 4 years is disheartening to me, as I will only have enough funding for 4 years, as I'm relying on grants and scholarships.</p>

<p>At an equal commuting distance from me is Eastern Kentucky University. Its curriculum for CS seems to be much more focused and allows for a much more realistic 4 year graduation attempt. Also, between the minimum I'd be getting from federal financial aid, EKU's transfer scholarship, which I intend to be eligible for (I graduated from high school with a 5.0 and don't expect college to drop me a full 2 points as long as I keep my wits about me), and the cheaper expenses at the smaller college, finances should be in order for such a transfer. An interesting side note to that is that my scholarship to UK is a fixed scholarship, with tuition rising each year, while EKU's is percentage based, meaning that tuition increases will hurt less at EKU. Additionally, I plan on moving west to begin my career, so in-state perceptions of the difference between the two schools would be less important than out-of-state perceptions.</p>

<p>In addition to these academic and financial considerations (a 5th year at UK would be very expensive), my friends and significant other are going to EKU, and being an introvert, I generally prefer making new friends in addition to existing ones, rather than starting from scratch, especially since I'm going to be rather wrapped up in keeping up with college work enough to keep my scholarships and to be eligible for more. I have to keep a 3.3 for scholarships at UK, 3.0 for EKU, and 2.0 to avoid academic probation.</p>

<p>In addition, if it is decided that EKU would be a better idea all around, then I have to convince my "more expensive = better" father of this and that I'm not merely switching schools to be with my significant other. This is relevant because EKU would require me to live either at home or on-campus, and I'd much prefer to live at home, given that choice, in order to have the peace to study and to avoid dorm drama.</p>

2

<p>Since you are in-state, why don’t you just pick up the phone and call EKU and ask if they have room for you still this fall? That would work much better than trying to match the coursework so you can transfer next year.</p>

<p>Try saying this to Dad:</p>

<p>Dad, I’ve learned that the four year graduation rate at EKU in my major field is significantly better than at University of K. Not only that, it is less expensive, and my living expenses would be cheaper too. This means I have a better chance of graduating on time and without a lot of college debt. If I can’t get in for this fall, or the spring semester, would it break your heart if I would take a year off to make money before going to college so I can start there next year?</p>

3

<p>Taking a year off would be rather pointless at this point, as I’m not paying anything to go to University Y. I have what amounts to a full ride between scholarships and financial aid at UK. The problem is that that covers 4 years, not 5, which would make that last year very expensive.</p>

<p>I’ve wished many times that I could just slam on the brakes and switch over now, but there’s the issue of financial aid and scholarship applications in that case, both of which are several months past due, so it’s more than just asking for dispensation to enroll in classes. I’m not even sure if it’s within their power to do so, as most of my financial aid is federal.</p>

4

<p>Federal aid should transfer without any problem. Pop on over to the Financial Aid Forum to look for threads on that topic. Merit scholarships issued by the individual university don’t.</p>

<p>Looking ahead to a 5th year, it is likely that you would be a full-time student, or would you be a part-time student paying much lower tuition? How could you pay for that 5th year? Is there any chance that your family could start stashing money away now since you have a full ride? Between their savings, reduced tuition from a less than full courseload, more earnings for you because you could work more hours at a part-time job, and some student loans, a 5th year might not be as expensive as it looks right now.</p>

5

<p>Heh, the odds of my family saving any money for college is pretty much nil. I was pushed to get a 4.0 high school GPA on the threat that if I didn’t get a full ride somewhere, I’d wind up not being able to afford a decent education, being deeply saddled with debt, or both, as my parents live paycheck to paycheck, between irresponsible spending habits and uncontrollable circumstances.</p>

<p>The big problem if I did switch now would be the ineligibility for EKU’s merit aid, for this year or next, due to them likely already having been given. Also I only have a de facto full ride at UK, not guaranteed. As tuition rises yearly, I risk dropping below the amount I need, which I barely am at now, considering living expenses. I had to nix getting an apartment, or even dorm, in favor of living at home for $85 a month including insurance.</p>

<p>Also, wouldn’t a 1 1/2 week window to apply with ACT score reports, AP exam results, and application forms be kinda chancy?</p>

6

<p>Pick up the phone. Call them. If you are really good, they might be able to do something for you. If you can’t get in for the fall, ask about spring admission, and about transfer admission for 2011. Get clear answers about your eligibility for financial aid/scholarships. Find out what classes you need at U of K so that you would transfer directly into the right department at EKU. Then you will have more of the information that you need in order to make an informed decision about your future.</p>

<p>Wishing you all the best.</p>