You can try out this university. You may surprise yourself. Most people feel homesick – but how homesick are you? Will you get over it? Often, these large universties have ways of making themselves feel smaller. Get to know the other freshman on your dorm floor – they’re probably as nervous as you are. Go to lunch or dinner with them. Ask classmates about (make up a question and insert it here – something that happened in class, what they thought of the professor, whatever), join a couple of club and attend the meetings. Give yourself that first semester and see how you do. It may work out.

If, however, it doesn’t, and you are miserable, definately look at transferring. It’s no shame – my first roomate did that. She realised that it wasn’t the right school, it felt too big, she was too far from home, and she went to a school much closer to her hometown. You have to do what works for you.

That said, you’re right – it’s not so easy to transfer within the U of C system. Go to the website for the UC you’re interested in, right now, and see what they require of transfer students. See how much (or little) time they want you to spend at your current school, etc.

Or… and you can genuinely do this – do not enroll at your existing college. People do this. If you honestly feel that it is not for you, that you will fail, that there is just no way, then do not enroll.

If you want to do this, first call the UC you want to attend and see if they still have any spots open for the fall. They might – some colleges have rolling admissions, and so long as they have spots available, will admit people right up to the start of class, or even after. Call admissions tomorrow. See what the possibilities might be.

If they don’t have spots, ask them if you can apply to be a freshman starting in January, and begin the application process. And then call the school you just visited and deny your acceptance and get your money back. Most schools offer 100% refund of tuition before a certain date. Ask them – they may even have this info on their website.

And do consider not going to a UC at all. They may all be too large for you. Perhaps a smaller college will be a better fit? Someplace where you won’t feel so lost, and some place closer to home. And a smaller college may be able to enroll you right now, or in January – you can transfer after this semester, or else maybe even enroll right now, depending. Again, if one appeals to you, call them asap.

You have a lot to think about. Don’t panic – you have a lot of options.

I worry a little about someone as introverted as you seem to be at any of the UCs. They are big, impersonal schools, for the most part, and you have to make a great effort to get to know people in order to be comfortable and find a place there. I was pretty independent, and I found it daunting. You may set for yourself a task of personal growth as well as the academic growth, because a school teacher who doesn’t talk to anyone they don’t already know won’t get very far!

1. Is where I’m transferring going to have what i want.

2. What are you gaining by the transfer?

3. How many of your friends are going to the University you want to transfer to?

The last question really is the most important. If the only reason you are transferring is to be closer to home, well, I’m goin to say tough it out. That feeling you are having is common, but dear, you have to break away sometime.

My Main question to you is WHY did you pick this university? You must have had your reasons.

If i were you, I’d get the transfer process started. Why waste a year? I’d see about transferring NOW just to see if it could be done. If so, I’d drop the hammer on it now. Look at what you will lose if you transfer now and at the end of the term.

It sounds like you just started, so you might be able to get out w/o any penalties.

You can transfer, but I would seriously try to stay at the state university. Wait to apply or decide until the end of your first semester. Also–try to go in with a better attitude. This is a part of life, and it IS going to be scary. But that’s okay. You are stronger than that.

Transfering is actually a lot of paper work and takes time to get accepted and costs money, stick to this one then see what happens

Good LUCK!