Praying4Luck

I go to University of Maryland - College Park, but I'm not sure if it's a good fit for me. My dream in high school was to go to a school in California or somewhere across the country. But then I realized that the best college, money-wise was Maryland because it was in-state. I have not enjoyed myself that much, though. Overtly, I think about my experience and it seems like I am having a great time...I have been out four days in the past week and still aced my Calculus exam on Friday. But there are some things that have really been bothering me.

For one, the school is huge. I have to power walk for 15 minutes to get to some of my classes. Also, my classes are all very large, and my teachers do not know me at all (I am worried that if I try to transfer, I could not get any recommendations).

Second, I am 40 minutes from my house. I chose Maryland because of tuition price, but I know hundreds of people here already. While that may seem great, my two best friends are the same kids from high school, but I'm a third wheel. I was hoping to reinvent myself at college, but I have just been around a lot of the same people from high school. Asides from that, I know the area so well...I was hoping to get out and explore the world rather than drive home every few days for on reason or another.

So I'm not sure what I'm asking except maybe advice on being a transfer student. The two things I'm worried about are: 1. Not being able to afford anywhere else because of less financial aid 2. Being a loner as a sophomore transfer student

Maryland is a good school and all but I'll risk a little bit of the prestige to have a better time.

invader71

How are you grades looking at Maryland right now ? I know the first semester hasn't ended yet but gou probably have a good idea. also what can you afford? Typically transfers receive Mich lower aid if any at all compared to freshman applicants. Is it fair to assume you would like a smaller school? What regions are you interested in aside from California?

Praying4Luck

I am expecting to get around a 3.5 this semester.

I'm looking Southeast like Miami and Elon. Doubt I'm going to be able to afford to transfer, but I'm still going to look. Those two are especially expensive I know, and I doubt my family could afford it. I could also stick around for 1 more year and then transfer Junior year. But by then it may not be worth it.

Maybe I'll just drop out this semester and reapply as a freshman or something haha.

invader71

I think you should stay and at least finish the semester since your grades are good and there is only about a month left for all of the time and money you spent unless you were attending Maryland for almost free. Also look into what would happen if you drop out this late in the semester because I think you will get a bunch of W's on your transcript without any credit but might not be able to reapply as a Freshman because you would still have a college transcript but I don't know exactly how it would be viewed. Provided that you had solid high school stats, I think I 3.5 at UMD would put you in a good position to transfer to Miami but it is quite expensive and they dont give great aid for freshman either unless you are an outstanding student. I can't really give you any info on transferring to Elon besides it is very expensive as well but I have a few friends there who love it.

As I don't think you mentioned it but what are you trying to major in? That will affect some of the suggestions and schools that you would look at.

Besides the weather of Miami, the school is going to be very similar to Maryland, it is a bit smaller but still fairly large.

Possible suggestions: College of Charleston, university of Tampa, New College in Florida, there would be alot of SEC schools except I think those would be much larger than you had wished for.

Praying4Luck

Oh I wasn't really serious about the dropping out thing since my parents would in no way pay for any new college if I dropped now :P

I was looking at Charleston though as well...I have one friend there who loves it. I am well above their averages though since I got a 2120 and a 4.0 in HS. But at the same time I am not an amazing student since I don't have amazing work ethic (not going to lie about it). Once I find a major that really interests me I will probably get back up on that 4.0 grind. I'm undecided right now, but I was going to get into the Business school at UMD if I stayed.

Thanks for the tips, and I'll have to apply and see what happens

invader71

Glad to hear you were not serious about dropping out

As for Charleston, yes I would definitely agree with you but if you find it a good fit, it would not hurt to be above the average especially grade wise. Perhaps look into the honors college/program there.

If you are looking at Business then Smith(UMD B SCHOOL NOT THE WOMENS COLLEGE) is a great school to be in.

If you are willing to go to the Northeast then take a look at Villanova and Fordham although the cost is expensive it cant hurt to try to negotiate financial aid.

Perhaps a school like Tulane would be of interest to you if that isnt too South for you and also look into Emory it may be a slight reach but great B school and in Atlanta.