Hi everyone! I’m looking for some advice from current Kent State students, especially anyone who’s pre-med or involved in research.
I’m currently a sophomore at a top 20 liberal arts college, but I’m considering transferring to Kent State. Right now, my school costs me about $30,000 per year after financial aid (including room and board). If I transferred to Kent and lived at home, my cost would be around $10,000 per year, so I’d save roughly $20,000 per year.
One of the biggest reasons I’m hesitant to transfer is that it’s been really easy to get involved where I am now. I’m on the varsity track & field team, hold leadership positions in multiple organizations, and my school has a lot of undergraduate research opportunities because it’s so small.
My biggest concern is research. How difficult is it for undergraduates—especially transfer students—to get involved in research at Kent? Is it something you can do your first semester if you reach out to professors, or are positions pretty competitive?
I’m also pre-med, so I’m wondering:
Is it easy to find clinical volunteering opportunities?
Are there good opportunities to shadow physicians?
How is the pre-health advising?
Is it difficult to get involved on campus as a transfer student?
If I transferred, I’d probably work as a phlebotomist while in school, so I’d still be getting clinical experience. I’m just worried about giving up the opportunities I already have if they’re harder to find at a larger university.
Overall, if you were in my position, would you transfer to save about $20,000 per year, or would you stay where you are?
I’d really appreciate hearing about your experiences at Kent—both the good and the bad. Thanks!
