Should I transfer? Need some advice

Nyriki
Mon, 14 Apr 2008 07:51:33 +0000

Hello, all.

This sounds a bit silly, but I do not know if I should transfer because I cannot tell if the root of my problems is me or the school.

I have barely made any friends. I feel that the campus lacks much in diversity, not in terms of race or geographical origins (most people are from nice, tiny, suburban towns), but in terms of interest. Frat parties are popular and the only source of entertainment that many people seek out.
I feel trapped on the campus because there is really nothing to do. Many, many students go home on weekends and it leaves the place very deserted. I am not allowed to have a car on campus, and I cannot afford one right now either way. There is nothing close by and the transportation system is horrible.
I have decided to change my major to Anthropology or concentrate more on studying the Chinese language, but my school offers neither. Only one professor teaches Chinese and he sometimes doesn’t go up to the intermediate level. Anthropology is only a minor.
The school also barely has any prestige and its funding is being cut by the state. I also barely receive any financial aid and as a freshman I was denied merit aid because I had an average SAT score (1200/1600; 1890/2400), despite having great extracurriculars and grades.


Now, I was feeling depressed during the summer after my senior year. Am I making the school seem worse than it really is due to my mental state or is it really the environment that is making me feel worse…?

Would transferring be worth it, especially since schools are barely generous regarding financial aid to transfers? And also many of the credits may not transfer, and so I would have to spend time taking gen ed courses at the new school and probably be forced to graduate in more than 4 yrs, which is a problem because I also want to study abroad.

Advice, anyone?