Got in! Now need to decide...

vs1988
Sun, 05 Oct 2008 19:58:12 +0000

I’m looking for some advice and guidance as to whether I should transfer. At first I thought it would be an easy decision, but now I am not so certain.

Background:

I’m currently a junior majoring in English at Marist College. I applied to transfer to the University of Connecticut for the Spring 09’ semester. I enjoy the small class sizes here at Marist, as well as the awesome professors, the beautiful, well-kept campus, and the on-campus housing (currently living in a 3-floor townhouse with 9 other guys.)

What I don’t like, and what prompted me to apply to transfer, is the social environment. I have made a few great friends here, but I don’t feel that I fit into this school socially. I’m Asian American, and had a few incidents last semester with kids taunting and hurling racial slurs at me. There is also not much in the way of ethnic diversity here, and many kids come from wealthy families and tend to act very spoiled, obnoxious, and selfish. Also, the cost is another factor: my family is paying around 24,000 a year right now with FAFSA financial aid, a Stafford Loan, and Marist scholarships. The tuition is slated to hike 2,000 dollars for next year.

From what I know of UCONN so far, they have a much more racially and economically diverse student body, and thus have a wide range of academic and social resources geared to different populations. Big interests there for me are the Asian American Cultural Center and Asian American Studies Institute. UCONN’s English department has a very solid reputation, and has a wider range and breadth of courses than Marist does. I’m also originally from Connecticut so I would qualify for in-state tuition. The full cost for a year without any financial aid for UCONN is about 18,000 dollars. It would also get me closer to my girlfriend, who goes to college in Boston (although she strongly emphasized to not let her be a factor in my transfer decision). Another problem with transferring to UCONN is that I will most likely have to either take summer/winter courses or stay an extra semester. UCONN only has a 1 year residency requirement to graduate, but I don’t know if all of my courses will transfer or count towards my major requirements.

I find myself at a difficult crossroads because this semester, for the most part, has been shaping up to be enjoyable. I haven’t come across any discrimination or racism, and I really like the guys I am living with and have become good friends with them. I also landed a job in town as an EMT, and am starting up a new club on campus with a few friends.

Given this, I don’t know what to do. I know nobody can make that decision for me but me, but I’d really appreciate some guidance with this.

Also, as far as financial aid goes, will FAFSA give me no financial aid if I go to UCONN, since it is much cheaper than Marist? The full price per year for UCONN is 18,000 dollars. I’m currently paying 24,000 for Marist right now with financial aid/scholarships (full cost for Marist is 37,000 dollars).

I’m trying to schedule a tour of UCONN for next weekend. They need a decision by October 16th at the latest.