Good enough reason to transfer?

[DrStraggler]

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I have finished up my second year at university at a top 130 university in the us. However, in trying to support my education I work two jobs and often have to study past 1 every night. This hasn't really affected my grades as I'm at a 3.89 right now, but I'm just really tired and I don't think I will be able to come up with my tuition when mcat studying starts, forcing me to take some time out from UNi. However, my cousin recently encouraged me to apply to lower and unwanted schools in the hopes o gaining full tuition. I thought it was a long shot but recently heard back from hartwick college which has awarded me a full tuition but has only accepts 45 of the 70 credits I've earned. Should I transfer two years in? Or will it seem bad to adcoms that I switched so late, and to a lower UNi at that...

 

[DrStraggler]

Did not mean to the "unwanted" meant unranked lol excuse my bad grammar, on my iPad.

 

[ashylarry23]

I have finished up my second year at university at a top 130 university in the us. However, in trying to support my education I work two jobs and often have to study past 1 every night. This hasn't really affected my grades as I'm at a 3.89 right now, but I'm just really tired and I don't think I will be able to come up with my tuition when mcat studying starts, forcing me to take some time out from UNi. However, my cousin recently encouraged me to apply to lower and unwanted schools in the hopes o gaining full tuition. I thought it was a long shot but recently heard back from hartwick college which has awarded me a full tuition but has only accepts 45 of the 70 credits I've earned. Should I transfer two years in? Or will it seem bad to adcoms that I switched so late, and to a lower UNi at that...

have u taken the premed reqs/classes? those should be universally accepted by med schools so although those credits dont count toward ur graduation they will toward med app

 

[DrStraggler]

I've finished all of my reqs and they've been accepted as transfer credits

 

[JESSFALLING]

My vote is that you can get away with the transfer due to your justification - savings.

And, since your grades have been great, there isn't the risk of a sudden upward trend at the easier university, which could make them question your motives.

 

[Fivo]

I have finished up my second year at university at a top 130 university in the us. However, in trying to support my education I work two jobs and often have to study past 1 every night. This hasn't really affected my grades as I'm at a 3.89 right now, but I'm just really tired and I don't think I will be able to come up with my tuition when mcat studying starts, forcing me to take some time out from UNi. However, my cousin recently encouraged me to apply to lower and unwanted schools in the hopes o gaining full tuition. I thought it was a long shot but recently heard back from hartwick college which has awarded me a full tuition but has only accepts 45 of the 70 credits I've earned. Should I transfer two years in? Or will it seem bad to adcoms that I switched so late, and to a lower UNi at that...

Jesus christ. Really? top 130? Since when have there ever been 130 things that are considered "top" in any field? I wouldn't be surprised if another thread was made where someone claimed they go to a top 200 university. When will it end?

/endrant

 

[DrStraggler]

I'm not bragging that i go to a "top 130 school" I'm just trying to give perspective that I don't go to a great school currently so the rigor won't change much if I go to an unranked school. But thanks for the comment, bet you didn't do great on the critical reading section of the sat! Haha

 

[Fivo]

I'm not bragging that i go to a "top 130 school" I'm just trying to give perspective that I don't go to a great school currently so the rigor won't change much if I go to an unranked school. But thanks for the comment, bet you didn't do great on the critical reading section of the sat! Haha

No, I get it. You're trying to give the 'perspective' that you're going to TOP school. And I never took the SAT 🙁

 

[Doctor Strange]

Sorry, but I loled at the "top 130" thing. Seriously, though, I would transfer. Just keep doing well and medical schools will overlook the fact that you're in a school ranked lower than 130.

 

[DrStraggler]

I honestly don't get it, the us news ranks the top 160 or so schools in the us out of like 5000+. What else am I supposed to say?

 

[235788]

I would just stay put.

I feel like if you transferred, getting solid LORS would be difficult.

 

[bigloley]

Stay at your school, quit one of your jobs and take a student loan

 

[BABSstudent]

I have finished up my second year at university at a top 130 university in the us. However, in trying to support my education I work two jobs and often have to study past 1 every night. This hasn't really affected my grades as I'm at a 3.89 right now, but I'm just really tired and I don't think I will be able to come up with my tuition when mcat studying starts, forcing me to take some time out from UNi. However, my cousin recently encouraged me to apply to lower and unwanted schools in the hopes o gaining full tuition. I thought it was a long shot but recently heard back from hartwick college which has awarded me a full tuition but has only accepts 45 of the 70 credits I've earned. Should I transfer two years in? Or will it seem bad to adcoms that I switched so late, and to a lower UNi at that...

Here's what you do.

Step 1: Quit your job
Step 2: .....
Step 3: Profit!

Underpants gnomes aside, let's be serious. Sounds like you need to quit your job and take out a loan for school. Fill out the FAFSA and get government loans so you don't have interest while in school.

Then you should volunteer more. Sounds weird, right? Quit a paying job to go volunteer. However, hear me out. Volunteer hours tend to be more laid back and you can decide when to volunteer more and when to do it less. If you have a busy week, don't volunteer. Just had a ton of tests and have some time off, go volunteer. After you have done it for a while, you should apply for scholarships and stress your volunteering. Use the scholarship funds to pay off loans.

I made like $12 an hour while working, but if you break down how much I have made from scholarships into my hourly volunteering I end up getting like $19 an hour for volunteering. Plus volunteering looks good to medical schools. If you want to double dip, you can get a job as something that also gives back to the community and then use it in your applications for scholarships. It is a win-win situation my friend. You will get regular pay and any scholarship money added on top of that.

 

[Ignatius M.D.]

I honestly don't get it, the us news ranks the top 160 or so schools in the us out of like 5000+. What else am I supposed to say?

I think it's the actual number "130" that makes it sound kind of silly. Typically people say "top tier" if their school is ranked but not inside the top 25 or 30. Really it couldn't matter less, so don't worry about SDNisms.

I think that saving a significant amount of money is a great reason to transfer as long as you will feel comfortable at the school. If you're transferring to a less competitive uni then you will very likely not experience a drop in GPA, although a slight one is excusable in some cases (I was a transfer and know that it can be very difficult, although I relocated 1,000+ miles). I would not take a loan out as was suggested. Either stay and tough it out working on top of school or transfer. I too worked a lot during my years before I transferred, and know that it can be tough (though the school was much easier so my grades were much higher even with the work outside of school). Good luck.

Edit: You could probably still work and study for MCAT. I only studied a few mornings a week before classes + one half-day on the weekends, and I did OK. This would very depending on how comfortable you are with standardized testing though. Also, if you took-and studied for-it in the summer when you're not taking classes you would certainly be able to manage.