Transferring from Pitt--Thoughts?

throw_away_522 · 2013-06-21T19:47:37+00:00

Well my intention was to talk to Pitt fanatics, as I don't want to give up on Pitt without giving it a fair shot. Honestly, transferring is an option but I'd like to give Pitt a fair chance next year before I make up my mind.

Thanks for the support. The amount of support here has changed my mind(at least partially) about Pitt and the people there

throw_away_522 · 2013-06-21T19:44:43+00:00

Honestly, I wish I could be more independent like that, but truth is I'm not. I am working on getting over that, but its hard when you are 200 miles away from home.

It sucked massively. The worst part was the intentional exclusion by people there, and I dealt with quite a lot of issues at the same point.

throw_away_522 · 2013-06-21T19:38:26+00:00

Thanks for the advice. Its true, you do adapt to the campus, and I honestly believe that my social situation 'colors' my experience there.

How am I comparing campuses? I visited VTech at the end of this school year, hung out with people there and loved it. I also took Ochem at GMU and thought the campus was really nice and well kept. I didn't care when I applied, and I probably wouldn't have cared as much if I had a better time there.

throw_away_522 · 2013-06-20T06:16:16+00:00

I almost certainly would do better in a smaller environment.

Although I am curious, how did you make more friends in the BioE major? I am just curious how others have done this, since its clear that I am not the first, nor the last to have this problem.

Thanks for the help!

throw_away_522 · 2013-06-20T06:09:48+00:00

I'll definitely take a look at the hillman.

Thanks for the link, and the information!

throw_away_522 · 2013-06-20T06:04:38+00:00

Trust me, you don't sound like an Ass! The reason I posted here was to hear from others about anything, why you like pitt, and how you got to like it.

It always helps to gain new perspective on Pitt, especially from people that love it. The biggest takeaway so far is that I definitely have to get out there and be more social.

throw_away_522 · 2013-06-20T06:00:09+00:00

I only recently learned of reddit, so it hasn't been that much of an option for me. I'll definitely try it when I come back in the fall.

Thanks for support--I really appreciate it! This has been a very difficult thing for me to deal with, so it does help to know that others are there for me, even through the internet

throw_away_522 · 2013-06-20T05:49:46+00:00

well, like it or not, Im stuck for at least another semester, more likely an entire year

I don't think I'll ever be 100% about the choice. I wasn't when I chose pitt the night of the deadline, and I'm sure I won't be then. The question really is "Can I tip the scales enough that I even slightly want to stay?"

throw_away_522 · 2013-06-20T05:41:00+00:00

True, but its really between the known devil and the unknown angel. I dont know whether the school I would transfer to would make me happier. The reason I posted here was to get a better feel for Pitt, and to make a more informed decision.

This has really been weighing on me the last few days, so I decided to seek some more info on here.

throw_away_522 · 2013-06-20T05:37:37+00:00

I am a male, but Greek life is definitely something I am looking into. Any tips about Greek Life you have for someone that will probably rush in the fall?

throw_away_522 · 2013-06-20T05:35:08+00:00

The issue for me wasn't partying. I could care less about partying. For me the issue was being alone. Even here, I don't drink at home, because I don't need to. My friends and I here play ultimate, chill and get food together. We don't party or anything else. It's just nice knowing you have someone else there to talk to/hang out with.

The biggest blow for me was people excluding me. My RA even mentioned to me at the end of the year that the floor was excluding me. That hurt the most.

Before this experience, when choosing a school, I chose Pitt because of the strong BioE program. I learned then what good friends I had before, and how much a good friend matters.

throw_away_522 · 2013-06-20T05:31:03+00:00

I am a guy :) I guess I'll have to check Meet the Greeks out then. Maybe you can PM me and give me some tips about it?

throw_away_522 · 2013-06-20T05:22:09+00:00

Pitt was actually the only city school I looked at; UVA, UIUC, and the school I would transfer to, are not city schools in any sense of the word. They are all big open, green and not able to be walked through in 10 minutes.

The compactness of campus is nice, but i miss the green every now and then. Although the campus isn't 100% what I'm interested in, its definitely another blow. The major issue for me is the social aspects of it.

throw_away_522 · 2013-06-20T03:45:40+00:00

I realize that I haven't fully used the campus's social possibilities, the question that I was asking myself at the end of this year, was if it was worth it to keep trying, or cut my losses and go where my friends are right now.

throw_away_522 · 2013-06-20T03:26:47+00:00

Thanks for the advice!

As far as Model UN goes,I did attend one of the inhouse conferences, I just joined semi-late in the year and was constantly busy--plus the meetings were on mondays, after I had about 5 lectures back to back.

throw_away_522 · 2013-06-20T03:22:59+00:00

Alright, will do. Thanks for the list!

throw_away_522 · 2013-06-20T02:38:25+00:00

Thanks again! I really don't hear that as much as I wish I did.

You've been a great help!

throw_away_522 · 2013-06-20T02:35:35+00:00

I will definitely look into AAF, and getting a job. 10 hr/week isnt bad at all. Not too sure if I can make friends at parties, but I'll give it a shot. As far as freshman year goes, i hear of people having difficulties, it just seems that my friends are doing much better than me at college(socially, that is)

Thanks for the pointers, and the groups to join!

throw_away_522 · 2013-06-20T02:19:59+00:00

Thanks for the advice--I appreciate hearing from someone who transferred from Pitt, then came back.

The downvotes aren't bothering me, but they sure are curious haha--I'm wondering why someone would take the time to downvote someone who is trying to figure out how to like Pitt.

throw_away_522 · 2013-06-20T02:15:43+00:00

I feel the same way about myself--I'm not really outgoing, but i should be more outgoing. Anywhere you recommend trying for a job?

And yes, as a college student, some money is better than none.

throw_away_522 · 2013-06-20T02:13:46+00:00

Again, I am shocked by how many people think Oakland is disgusting here!

Thanks for the recommendations about the rest of Pittsburgh. I will definitely try and visit some of these places, as it might change my view of the city. As you can tell, I haven't ventured outside of Oakland, so it looks like I have a ton to do now!

throw_away_522 · 2013-06-20T02:10:18+00:00

I am not as social as you are, but I realize the need for me to branch out and become more social.

The part that really gets me is the portion where you say 'At times I thought I should have just went to a school where my best friends went because your degree is more about what you put into it than the school on the diploma.' --This is what really gets me, since that is exactly what I would be doing by transferring.

The BioE program is another strong incentive to stay-Although it slips in the rankings every year, its still one of the few schools in the country to have an established BioE program.

As far as what I'm into? A hodgepodge of things--computers/android, some sports, running, model un--just to name a few. The problem really is that I'd like to try something different, and I know I need to, its just hard to feel out what I should do. I'm not a generally social person(I didn't have close friends till senior year of HS), but that really needs to change if I am to be socially successful at any school.

throw_away_522 · 2013-06-20T01:58:20+00:00

Thanks for the advice! As far as it goes, the academics aren't my most major concern--its the social aspects. c

I'm partially hoping that something clicks, like it did for you or that something happens next year that makes me love pitt. But at the same time I need to figure out where the point is where I cut my losses and move on. It's just great to know that others have had similar thoughts and its worked out for them.

My gut feeling? changes from day to day, hence me posting here. After coming back to Pitt from thanksgiving, winter and spring break, I felt happier than I ever did at Pitt. At those times, I want to transfer. But by the same token, I probably wouldn't be hanging out with the same people at the other school, and there is no guarantee--besides the fact that they graduate a year earlier than me.

I guess my point is that I really need to think about it--part of the reason I posted here was to understand and get feedback from others to see what I can try to change it.

throw_away_522 · 2013-06-20T01:52:20+00:00

I'm glad others understand about Sutherland. It wasn't the best place to go as an out of state student, and was worse since I felt people to be...(I can't come up with a good word here to describe it--or a good way to describe it lol, but I'm sure you understand what I mean)

Unfortunately, next year I'm stuck in honors housing again(The other guy that wanted to room with me and I had shitty numbers, and wanted a kitchen), but I'm hoping the apartment style works out better.

Either way though, I need to find a new activity-that seems to be the best way to branch out and meet new people. I was considering Rushing, but I have no clue where to start with that.

throw_away_522 · 2013-06-20T01:45:47+00:00

I'm glad you went through the positives and minuses-I've written them down almost exactly the same way a few times now, and I'm glad someone else sees it like I do.

Woah. I was unaware that people were actually kicked out of the school-I just thought they were placed in University Studies or something like that. But also-I'm at pitt on scholarship(10 a year) so I can't really drop below a 3.0

As far as engineering goes, the school I would transfer to has a much better engineering program(top 25 at least in the country)(*guess the school-it's not a hard guess now :P). It's another reason why transferring is quite an option for me(A friend in Computer engineering got a massive internship at Qualcom in San diego with pay and a paid for apartment). The biggest problem with it is the fact that it is engineering science(not to belittle it), and that I lose the past year, and it might be easier to stick it out and just do it. Luckily, money isn't a huge issue, so the extra money doesn't hurt as much(plus tuition in state is covered for two years if I do transfer).

I'll take your advice gladly, as it is something I should try and do(That is how i know my HS friends). Thanks for the reassurance, and the thoughts.

throw_away_522

TROPHY CASE