How important is the budget issue? What can you afford - i.e. can you afford Pitt or others?
Many have far less aid for transfers than first years.
Not all but many - so if you are putting in apps, you need to research. The schools you applied to last year may not be affordable as a transfer.
But you noted your family’s influence above.
While you are going to school, they are paying the bills - so their input does matter. That’s always a tough one to manage. Other than noting you are going to school, not them - it’s a tough one to get past - but you might show them the Pitt career report for engineers which is quite strong.
Is engineering for you do you think?
Some kids choose a school based on budget alone - they don’t have a choice.
Is that you? I know you said prestige too - and as you’re learning, in engineering, short of a few schools, that doesn’t matter much. And a US News overall College Ranking doesn’t speak to strength of engineering either.. And I agree, no one looks at Vandy as an engineering powerhouse - but no one looks down on it. It’s a great school and I’m sure the program is very strong. Vandy’s is tough - you can see “engineering” but the school salary ($80K) stays fixed - so their website is no bueno. But no doubt they place well - and in areas of interest to you (not just consulting). But honestly, the career issue isn’t an issue for a few years - and that’s not really the issue anyway. But you might use it to sway your family - that you’ll do fine from Pitt. And the COL there is much cheaper than Nashville.
But budget does matter - and perhaps that’s why you are really there?
And if you’re a football fan - you’ve really stepped up over PItt - especially this year although Pitt is doing well too.
I do think there are many like you but Vandy has a high freshman retention rate. There’s a reason - so I do think you can get on track with the school. It’s still very early and it’s hard for an 18 year old to be away from home for the first time. On the flipside, if you went to PItt, and went home on weekends - that’s not good for the college experience either!!