Hey there,
I am a 2nd year transfer student who applied to a bunch of reach Uni’s.
My GPA was a 3.38 and I have a 32 on the ACT.
I got into University of Michigan-AA, Kings College London, UCD, UCSB, UCSC, UCSD, and UCR.
I was not expecting this. I am incredibly conflicted on where I want to go. My parents keep on asking me every day and my answer seems to change depending on my mood. Thats how close it is.
Anyways, I have narrowed it down to the following.
UCSB[Would be UCD, but they suspended my application for a missing art class): Pretty decent chemistry department, I’m a neurobio but I guess thats done through the same college. I’m an introvert so I dont know how well I will fit into the party scene. Its fairly close to my home city which is both a blessing and a curse… I just started dating a really sweet girl but I dont know how much I should let that influence my choice.(20k)
Kings College London: Highest of the three by prestige. A cool looking Uni in the heart of london with a very rich history. As someone raised in Southern California. I dont know how large the culture shock would be. This is probably the school I’ve been leaning towards the most. ($30k)
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor: I was not expecting this one at all. Met none of the admission req’s and submitted my transcript late. Still got in to LSA as an undeclared. Considering changing my major to mathematics so that undeclared bit could be really important. Seems to fit most with my geeky personality. ($46k)
Although money is a factor, I come from a fairly well off family and can attend any of these without enormous dept.
What, exactly, do you mean by “without enormous debt”?
Do you mean no debt at all?
Do you mean only the standard federal loans ($6,500 sophomore year, $7,500 junior year, $7,500 senior year)?
Do you mean the standard federal loans and some PLUS loans for your parents?
Where are you transferring from, and why do you want to leave there?
Every college/university has a “party scene”. Whether you join it or not is up to you. Don’t let an institutional reputation for parties keep you away from an otherwise good match.
I don’t think I would have any debt unless something went seriously wrong financially.
I am transferring from Community College because I’ve been here for two years and want to continue to get a 4 year degree.
What do you see yourself doing after you complete a 4 year degree? Do you know where you want to live ultimately?
I would go with Kings College on a YOLO theory. What a fantastic opportunity! My wife spent one year at Oxford and one post-grad year at the University of London, and they were the definite high points of her college years.
What do you want to do with that neurobio degree? Grad school? Then take a look at the websites of the bio/neurobio departments at each of these universities, and see what the programs offer. Read the professors links to find out about their research projects, and to get an idea about whether or not you could participate in research there.
I would second @AboutTheSame’s vote for KCL- but you were admitted to a program and changing subjects is hard- and harder after you start the course. Have you read the course details for KCL carefully? You have no course choices in the first 2 years; in year 3 you choose from 3 options.
There are a lot of other differences- you are expected to be much more independent than in the US- but first be sure about the course.