So, i have until Dec 9th to make my decision but I was accepted to rice University, super happy and all that, very hard to get into. But, some of my credits are not transferring and it might cost me an extra semester, is that worth it? I am an electrical engineering and physics double major. Also, the main reason for transferring is cost. CWRU costs me a lot more than they told me it was going to (financial aid lied to me and told me a different amount from what it was supposed to be), and Rice is almost completely full-ride. What would you guys do in my situation? I am not sure if the extra semester would end up costing more than what I am paying now. Do you know someone I can contact to see if I can make a plan on graduate on time (May 2028). Sorry, this email is a mess. I am just so lost on what to do, and need some input!
If it was me, I would be eating BBQ in Houston. Almost full-ride is worth the extra semester in my opinion.
Almost full ride??? An extra semester is worth it, IMO
Go to Rice! Congratulations on the almost full ride. EE/Physics from Rice will take you very far!
Plus, there may be a way to take a couple of courses this summer and add an extra one to a different semester and graduate on time.
Well you say Case is costing way more than they said - I wouldn’t assume they lied. Many parents NPCs may not have used proper #s they they find in checking docs via IDOC.
If Rice were $20k and CWRU was $50k, you’d make up the money and then some.
If one semester more costs more than you are paying now, then the costs aren’t that far apart. Ahd you knew the cost and still enrolled.
So which is it ?
The other risk is you literally rally lose 6 months of income. Some think Dec is not a good time to graduate because there is less recruiting so you may struggle to find a job. Others think it’s great - less recruiting but less competition.
There’s also a social aspect - as you’d likely start again after making friends - which you’d have to leave.
Two fine schools. Only you can decide.
No wrong answer but no doubt Rice on the cheap is a wonderful opportunity. And you took the opportunity to apply - so there was a reason.
Congrats.
So first of all, I would make sure that you know exactly how much Rice will cost. If CWRU’s aid was a different amount than what you expected, is it possible there may be some wrinkle in your situation that may complicate Rice’s aid as well? Do you have firm financial aid numbers from Rice?
You may be able to squeeze your degree into an even 4 years, even with the transfer. But… I will say that an extra semester isn’t necessarily a bad thing right now, if the cost isn’t too high. If the extra semester bumps you from spring graduation to mid-year graduation, that means you get a whole extra summer for internships, which might help with job hunting after you graduate. The job market is difficult right now for new grads, and every bit of extra experience could help. (If you are planning on grad school right after college, this might not be as relevant.)
I am planning on applying to grad school once I graduate for a physics PHD or EE PHD, but that is a topic for another time, I am confident I will go for some PHD directly after undergrad. I hear that graduating in the (mid-year?) can have a strong impact as most programs dont accept in the mid-year meaning I may have to take a gap semester? Maybe I am wrong on this, you made it seem like it is very easy to find top programs that accept mid year. Though maybe I misinterpreted you.
My comment was about internships and job hunting. If you’re planning on grad school, that would be a different situation, if you don’t like the idea of a gap semester. (Having gone straight to grad school myself, in retrospect it might have been useful for my mental health to have had a break during a gap semester, but that’s personal preference.)
Either way, you will want to double-check the exact costs at Rice to verify that it really will be cheaper. 
Even with the extra year, I would still transfer to Rice ASAP. Use transferology to see which CWRU classes are known to transfer to Rice.
Yeah the only real reason, I haven’t done this idea, is that I would be giving up the opportunity to do a REU or internship over the summer. Do you think it is possible to do both? I could not really find anything on the website As most internships go from May - August leaving really no time for the summer courses.
I am not sure how I would feel about a gap semester, but would want to keep both doors open for sure, do you think I would be limited in the amount of (top) PHD programs, I would be able to apply to? Saying it took me a extra semester that is.
Why do you plan to get a PhD?
I think you need to make sure your financial aid from Rice is firm…and will also carry over to an additional semester, if needed. Then, crunch the numbers.
I’m a huge fan of CWRU but if the cost is onerous for you and your family, then that is a consideration for you.
I plan to get a PHD to do something in experimental physics or something in avionics (maybe astrophysics) but I understand that field is hard to break into.
So when you map it out til 2028, which is cheaper? Staying at CWRU or Rice?
Who should you talk to about graduating on time? A transfer advisor and perhaps a EE advisor.
If you are a 2nd year, if I have that right, an internship would be awesome but it’s not assured as it’s hard for 2nd years to get them.
I would not think a transfer should impact your ability to get one. Right now, your resume/application will show CWRU as you are not at Rice. If you are lucky enough to get one, are in good standing and are transferring, no one will care. But Rice isn’t in the picture now for a resume opportunity - in regards to informing companies/organizations.
I can not be sure, I know Cwru tuition will rise the next following years, and my financial aid will get a little better. But, I can not be sure on the cost of Rice University’s extra semester
That’s a fair point too - and you should be able to ask up front.
Is Rice’s price locked in until you finish or only until you finish four years total.
You should ask.
Is the Rice name, on paper or in US News, better. Yes.
Will it matter whether you go to industry or get a PhD - unlikely.
If the cost of CWRU wasn’t an issue, would you have applied to transfer or are you happy there?
In some ways, I wonder why you went to CWRU to begin with - you could have found a cheaper, late option to pivot to up front. Doesn’t matter now - but I’ guess I’m wondering - how much of this is money vs. - I got into a perceived better school? Any other choices besides Rice?
No, and I definitely think if I went back to myself, I would not have gone here. It is, unfortunately, just not something I can afford with the change in price. I got into a few schools. But this is by far the cheapest and most prestigious. If cost was not an issue, I do not think I would have applied to transfer.
Then it’s really just the math equation - so make sure Rice cost will stay until you complete your undergrad education and then compare the two cost wise.
That should make your decision for you.
Rice should easily be able to answer that question for you on how long the aid will last.
Yeah, it sounds so easy like that but I feel in my mind its more complicated. Transferring again might have a bad reflection on me. I feel like my reasons are valid, but I am not sure if people other than me would see them like I do.
Will the “almost full ride” at Rice continue to an extra semester if you need it?
If you know which Rice courses you will get credit for, you can go through the Rice degree requirements (overall and for your major) to see if you can make it fit without needing an extra semester. Also, it may be less difficult to do with one major rather than two.