lovelypenguin

I think I picked the wrong school. I'm currently at the University of Northern Iowa and hate the fact that it's a suitcase school. I really think that I should transfer ASAP, but would it be a good idea to transfer to a completely new school after one semester? Is that even possible?
Money-wise, I think my only two options are Iowa and Iowa State (in-state tuition). I can apply to both and make official campus visists over the weekends. I have best friends at both schools who would be more than happy to let me stay with them, but I don't want to ruin our friendship by going to school with them... after they already have a group of friends and I would be totally intruding.
Anyways, should I just go home after one semester at UNI? I could spend the spring at a community college to get cheaper credits? Should I transfer right away? Should I continue at UNI but also take a couple cheap classes online, in case all of my classes don't transfer?
Thanks!

happymomof1

If you think that UNI is a suitcase school, what makes you believe that U of I or ISU will be any different?

There is more "suitcasing" at the beginning of the semester. Once people settle in to their classes, and start facing exams, fewer of them will be able to run away on the weekends. So, I suggest that you plan (for now) to just stay put. Give yourself a change to get to know your university (after all you did choose it over U of I and ISU in the first place!), and give yourself a chance to meet some of the other people who are on campus during the weekends. If you still are miserable at winter break, you can re-consider the community college option for second semester. You would be able to withdraw from UNI and enroll at your community college on very short notice.

Don't try to take any additional online classes right now. You need to focus on getting good grades in your current coursework. As for transferability of specific courses, email the U of I and ISU transfer admissions offices and ask about it. They should be able to help you find out the answers to your questions.

Wishing you all the best!