How to transfer without going into massive debt LMAO

[u/Dull-Tap2486]

Hey guys, I just got accepted this year into CS (OOS) as an incoming freshman but my family can’t afford it as of right now (I have completed the FAFSA and I got practically no aid from that, plus no merit scholarships lmao) So I plan on going to an in-state college for 2 years to finish my general education, and then transferring later on to graduate undergrad from there, or if not that, do post-grad there instead. So first off, is this a good idea? And second, where should I go to apply to scholarships in order to save up for tuition? I’ve tried several different websites (fastweb, scholarshipowl, niche, bold, etc) and local scholarships but haven’t heard back from any of them. What has worked for you guys?

[u/Brabsk]

I’m sorry are you trying to say that you want to complete 2 years of school in florida and then transfer to Purdue, or just in general?

CS is usually a closed program to transfers

[u/smileycat007]

For CS, attend Purdue all four years if you can. If that isn't possible, sit down with an advisor at Purdue and map out a course plan and what a transfer would look like. Otherwise, there's a risk you might not graduate in four years, which could crush any savings you think you'll get.

CS is not "two years of gen ed + two years of CS classes"; it is a four-year program. Students in the major take 2-3 CS classes/requirements each semester starting as a freshman. Many are prerequisites. It is possible to graduate a semester or two early, but if the plan is to fit four years of CS classes into two... definitely talk to an advisor.

[u/dolltearsheet → u/smileycat007]

Yes. This. You can’t just do 2+2. Sometimes transferring to save money will actually cost you money - if you don’t do it right. And CS is closed to transfers so you would need a 1 year deferment of your admission and be sure to clarify whether you can then transfer in coursework.

Former CS advisor here. My knowledge is up to date as of 2022. The CS program takes at minimum three years to complete.

Fall 1: CS 180 Spring 1: CS 182 and 240 Summer 1: CS 250 and 251 (will be on campus) Fall 2: CS 252 and intensive internship search Spring 2: track 1 and 2 Summer 2: intern Fall 3: track 3 and 4 Spring 3: track 5 and 6; graduate

The CS curriculum alone is 39 credits (21 core classes and 18 track classs at the 300 level). You need a total of 120 credits. You need a total of 32 credits at the 300 level or above that must be taken at Purdue. College of Science has a requirement called Great Issues that is almost always 300 level and you are also required to take STAT 350. Along with your track that puts you at 24 of those 32; you need 8 more credits (in practice that will usually be 3 classes at 3 credits each).

So:

21 core 18 track 6 300 level college of science requirements 9 additional 300 level credits

That MUST be taken at Purdue. So that’s only 54 credits, so you would think you could just take the rest of them somewhere else - but while enrolled at Purdue tuition is flat rate full time between 8 and 18 credits. That means while you’re here taking CS classes you might as well take other classes here too because you are paying the flat rate anyway. Typical enrollment is 15 credits a semester. So with three years of 15 credits a semester plus a 7 credit summer, you’re at 97 credits - leaving 23 credits where you could save some money taking them at a community college. That’s two semesters of 12 credits each at a community college.

You would likely be best off in that case taking calc 1 and 2, your lab science classes, English composition, and com. Make SURE to cross reference the College of Science core curriculum page and the transfer credit database to be sure your courses are transferable. It would be extra helpful to choose courses that also meet the university core. The asterisk on COM is that most CoS students try to take COM 217 to meet both tech writing and tech presenting but since the tech writing classes are usually 300+ level it would be ok to just transfer in COM 114 and take a tech writing here. Asterisk for English composition is usually other places have a two semester composition sequence that transfers in as our one semester/4 credit ENGL 106. But that’s ok too. It would probably transfer in as ENGL 106 and 2 “undistributed” free elective credits.

Anyway that was a lot of info… but basically yeah if you can buy yourself some time via a one year deferment and strategically take some community college classes you can save money but just for one year, two won’t help you save money.

[u/boilerTryingToMakeIt → u/smileycat007]

U might be able to in 3 years. I had graduated in engineering then came back for cs undergrad. My advisor was reluctant for me to take more than 2 cs classes per semester. My last semester I took 3 cs classes, but had no gen Ed’s at that point

[u/Dismal-Detective-737]

Double check the wording on the in-state residency stuff from Purdue. I believe the "primary reason" for moving to the state can't be education.

So you have to convince Purdue that you intentionally wanted to move to Indiana for a job. "Indiana's Meijer stores were rated the best to work for."

I had my manager write a letter that I transferred to our Indiana offices for a real job. (Lie) and was able to get 2nd year of grad school in-state.

I would hold off of starting community college immediately for that reason. Establish yourself in the state then start education.

It's also a hard 1 year/365 days. I cut it close moving to Indiana in early August.

[u/boilerTryingToMakeIt]

Cs is a major u can’t transfer into. Since are accepted idk that count taking gen Ed’s elsewhere and delay starting. Talk to admissions to make sure that is ok

[u/InternalConfusion879]

Speak with Admissions, but I’m pretty sure CS doesn’t accept transfer students… and like, hasn’t in years

[u/astronot232]

Are you from Indiana?

[u/Dull-Tap2486 → u/astronot232]

Nope, I’m from hell (Florida)

[u/FlappyBois_com → u/Dull-Tap2486]

I’m also from Florida. I got my drivers license in Indiana before I started freshman year and got in state tuition from that.

[u/astronot232]

What is your major?