I recently started college at the College of Saint Rose and I was really excited but I don’t feel like I’m being academically challenged… I don’t have a lot of work and when I do I do it easily and get A’s. I’ve never felt like the smartest person in the room and I do now and I can’t tell if that’s a good or a bad thing. I want to get a high GPA to get into law school, but I don’t want to waste money on an education that doesn’t challenge me. Any advice?
What is your major?
I asked for your major because CSR is known for education and has recently started putting efforts into a few other majors since the downturn in the economy.
First I think you have to ask yourself if you like your classes, the people, and the school in general. If you do, that counts for a lot. Secondly how are your finances? Did CSR give you a lot of money or are you getting nice financial aid? If so, that counts for a lot too.
It’s true, CSR isn’t the most highly ranked school in the Capital District but it is a solid institution. A high GPA from CSR will be important for law school as well as smoking the LSATs. If you are looking for a transfer locally that will be higher regarded for law school, and give you more challenge, I would suggest Siena. They have a strong Political Science major as well as other departments as well. They also give good merit money. My suggestion would be to make an appointment with the admissions office bringing all of your transcripts from high school and college. Working directly with them will get your better results and tell you what you need to know should you deicide to transfer. Siena is expensive though so maybe you’d be better off creating a transfer path than jumping ship right away. (maybe you aren’t even interested in Siena. I’m just mentioning one option that wouldn’t be too disruptive to your current surroundings. There are many options) Siena is recruiting very heavily right now. This would be the time to talk to them. Good luck!
I’m a transfer student at UAlbany, and considering transferring to CSR. Although, im concern as to why you want to transfer. You should be happy that the classes are small. What is your major? Freshman classes are tend to be easy and somewhat challenging.
political science
i dont mind the class size, but im a political science major.
What about costs? What’s your budget? Is CSR giving you a scholarship and what’s its coat before any loan?
My guess is that SUNY Albany would be affordable (do you qualify for Excelsior?)
What’s your current GPA?
Other colleges you could transfer to with a good reputation for political science would include Hobart-and-WilliamSmith, St Lawrence, Marist. Would you be okay going out of state?
What were your test scores and GPA in high school? How many AP/honors?
Is this your first semester? Your first semester is usually the easiest in terms of work (most cases where people complain college is too easy).
im not concerned about budget until I narrow down my choices. I believe my GPA is around a 3.8. my test scores were all high, combined SAT was a 1220 out of 1600. I had about 6 AP courses.
It’s worth sending an application to the colleges I listed already. You can try to add SUNY Albany honors (check out deadlines and apply soon), and depending on budget Fordham and American (at these two you’d likely be full pay).
There’s a mismatch between your academic qualifications and CSR - especially for a humanities/social science major.
DO discuss budget with your parents - transfers get lousy aid.
Take higher level of classes and work on research projects with your professor. Maybe you are smarter than you thought in Poli Sci.
I’d also suggest taking harder courses and doing projects outside of school. However, you can always try transferring.