About a month ago, I accepted my admissions offer to Cal Poly SLO. A big factor for me was being somewhere sunny and warm (seasons affect my mood a lot!) and I’m a pretty outdoorsy person so I was excited about the prospect of so many nearby hikes, beaches, trails, etc. I didn’t get to do an official tour due to COVID, but i did visit the campus twice. The first time, I didn’t really like it all that much (campus wasn’t pretty, not much green space, etc) and the second time I liked it a bit more, maybe because at that point I had done more research and I was telling myself I wanted to like it because it was in a great location, closest to the beach, etc. I was also worried I wasn’t going to get accepted which made me want it more, if that makes sense. Anyways, now that I made the decision I’ve been struggling with the gut feeling that I made the wrong choice. Honestly, if Cal Poly wasn’t in the location it’s in, I doubt I would have chosen it. I’ve been reading/hearing that it’s pretty conservative, lots of “rednecks” and sorority girls partying and not a lot of diversity. and it’s hard to change majors which is another worry for me.
I’m really worried that I made the wrong choice but I already made a deposit and it’s past decision day, obviously. Univ of Utah and Univ of Vermont were two other top schools and I really liked them both when I visited, but the prospect of it being so cold for 6 months sounds kinda sucky and I feel like I’ll be depressed. (also, between these 3 schools, money isn’t an issue.) But, Utah and UVM both seem to have more like-minded people and they’re more outdoorsy, etc. I kind of want to call Utah and/or Vermont and see if I could possibly get my spot back, because I don’t want to regret going to Cal Poly without giving switching to Utah or UVM a shot. and I don’t want to have to go to cal poly and then hate it and transfer. But I also could like it and I know I can find like-minded people but just overall, the vibe isn’t what I’m looking for and I’m wondering if it’s too late to switch - or if I shouldn’t switch, because I don’t want to regret not being in California. ugh.
It wouldn’t hurt to call admissions at Utah and VT and find out. Then you at least know if it’s worth considering.