Transferring as a Sophomore
Hi guys,
I am currently in my freshman year in my second semester of college. In my first semester, I went to the University of Arizona as an engineering student and hated the school, culture, and academic programs. I transferred to a small school in my state to get my GPA up (the first semester was rough), reassess where I am academically, and figure out what I want to study (econ currently).
My older brother is a student at a semi-target and he introduced me to management consulting and I think I found what I want to do. I want to transfer to a better school next year, but I am not sure where yet.
My current list is UW-Madison, the University of Minnesota, the University of St. Thomas, Indiana University, and the University of Alabama.
My dream school is UW-Madison, but I don't think I will get in because of my first-semester GPA, so it is probably off the table.
I'm pretty sure I will get into the University of Minnesota, but it is honestly not my favorite school.
The University of St. Thomas is nice and has a great reputation in the MSP-Metro, but doesn't carry the national name and is relatively unknown outside of the upper-midwest.
Indiana University would be ideal but is expensive out-of-state and I don't want to go into 150K+ debt. I know the name it carries, so is it worth the debt?
And that leaves the University of Alabama. My best friend goes there and is in one of the top 3 frats there so that is why I am considering it. He told me if I come I will have an auto-bid into his frat. Will the Greek alumni network make up for the school's southern fratty reputation?
Any input on this would be helpful because I am not quite sure what I want to do right now and this entire situation of transferring is stressing me out.
Also, should I switch to finance over econ, or is it not that big of a deal?
Edit: Just to clarify, I am from Minnesota and only went to U of A because they offered me a ton of scholarship money and Arizona's pipeline to Raytheon.
I wouldn’t pay out of state tuition for any of these schools to get into consulting… just go to ASU or U of A
I am from Minnesota, not Arizona. I went there because of scholarship money and the pipeline to Raytheon.
Hey there, it sounds like you're in quite the jungle gym of decisions! Let's swing through some thoughts that might help you navigate this:
University of Wisconsin-Madison: Dream schools can be just that, dreams, but they can also become a reality with a bit of hard work. If your GPA is the only thing holding you back, consider explaining the circumstances in your application and showing how you've improved since. Admissions committees can be understanding about transitions, especially if you've shown a strong upward trend.
University of Minnesota: Not every school will give you the warm and fuzzies, but remember, it's not always about the name on the diploma but what you do while you're there. If they have a strong program and can offer good opportunities in management consulting, it might be worth another look.
University of St. Thomas: A great local reputation can open doors, especially if you're planning to stay in the area post-graduation. However, if you're aiming for a career with national or international scope, weigh how much the regional recognition will benefit you.
Indiana University: Debt is a serious consideration, and $150K is a hefty sum. Think about the return on investment. If the school's network and recruitment for consulting are exceptional, it could be worth it, but you'll need to be comfortable with the financial commitment.
University of Alabama: Greek life can indeed offer a strong network, but it's not a golden ticket. You'll still need to excel academically and professionally. The frat's network might be a plus, but consider if the school's academic and career services align with your goals in consulting.
Regarding your major, both finance and economics can lead to a career in management consulting. Finance might give you more direct preparation for the financial aspects of consulting, while economics provides a broad understanding of market forces and economic theory. If you're torn, consider a double major or minor to cover all bases.
Remember, transferring is a marathon, not a sprint. Take a deep breath, and don't let the vines of stress get the better of you. Keep your eyes on the prize, and you'll find the right path. Good luck!
Sources: Finance Degree Worth More Than Accounting Degree?, Career switch from journalism to finance...how to go about?, Why you should consider Notre Dame for undergrad, Leaving FAANG dev job for serious finance (Yes, you read that right), Best Undergraduate Double Major at a Non-Target B-School?
Try like hell for UW (especially with in-state tuition reciprocity), but UMN by a mile otherwise.
Unless money is truly no object, none of those schools are worth of the OOS cost (for consulting especially but also just in general if you look at the average outcomes).
As for St. Thomas, only consider if you don’t get into UMN (undergrad b school admission definitely a factor here though). Apply to it for sure for safety
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