I’m a second year cognitive science major hoping to go to grad school in some sort of health profession (right now I’m leaning towards genetic counseling). I have pretty decent grades (~3.4, depending on how you calculate it), but I’ve been having trouble deciding on what my plans will be for the next year. I’ve been thinking about this a lot, and asking different people, but maybe I need a more objective opinion. I have to make this decision by June 1st, as this is the date I must submit an SIR or decide not to. Here are my options-
Option #1: return to my current school
Top 40 private school on the east coast, and is the most “prestigious” on the list. However, it’s upwards to twice as much in terms of cost, and really far from home. The opportunities are supposedly good, but as it was my first semester I wasn’t quite sure how to make use of them. Not sure how much I like or dislike it so far, but the cost does concern me especially if I’m not particularly enjoying or appreciating it.
Option #2: return to my previous school
Mid-tier UC, still relatively far from home but at least it’s in state and cheaper. I have a good amount of friends that I know would at least hang out with me. I left because I didn’t like the culture of the school. I’m not sure if I made the right choice, or if I will in the coming weeks. Part of me just believes that I don’t like college at all and I’m doomed to be unhappy about it ):
Option #3: go to alternative UC
Both the UCs I’m considering transferring to are also mid-tier. I’ve already been accepted, so it’s just a matter of me SIR-ing, which must be done by today. They are both pretty close to home. One has less opportunities but has more people I know and more chances at me enjoying myself, and the other has a lot of pre-health resources and is in a “better” area.
Unless you really, really prefer option 3, I would return to the previous school (option 2). Then stop moving and stop considering moving, as three colleges in three years is more than enough. It sounds like you don’t care for your current school very much despite it being very expensive.
@CheddarcheeseMN I’m pretty torn between option 2 and 3, I’m just not sure what would make more sense academically and socially @MYOS1634 not as affordable as the other two options. Option 3 colleges do seem more fun, but I’m hesitant to say that they would suit me anyways
If Option 3 is affordable without debt and sounds better to you than option 2, then your real choices are stay at option 1 if it’s affordable (sounds like it’s a really good school with good support etc. and a better fit than option 2) or option 3 (you’ll still have a lot of the downsides from option 2 but you’ll be in a different environment where you may be able to minimize some of the downsides).
However, you wanted to transfer to that private college and managed to do it. I’d give it at least one more semester unless your parents are taking parent loans for you. (Federal loans would be ok since it’s your education and it does sound like the school provides a good education in an environment you want. First semester after you transfer it’s normal to find your way around, if you’re ready to use the opportunities available to you that first year federal loan would be well-invested.)