I’m considering doing a University Transfer year at our local college. My friends are all heading to university. I’m wondering if there is a downside to my decision, other than I’ll need to make new friends!

The only downsides would be making sure that the courses you are going to be taking will transfer properly to your university of choice. You may want to consider doing two years at your local college if it offers whats called an Associates Degree (I'm assuming you live in BC, otherwise this info may differ from province to province). An Associates Degree is accepted at all BC Universities as block transfer credit. Meaning they give you credit for all first and second year courses, and start you directly into your third year. I still recommend seeing how the first and second year courses transfer though, just so once you get into your third year courses in the University you choose, your not missing any vital info. Try to get as many courses as possible that transfer as the prerequisites to your third year courses.

Upsides are of course, lower living cost (even if you choose not to live at home, university towns tend to be much pricier to rent in), lower tuition costs (college vs. univ.)

This is the route I chose to take, and I don't regret it. :)

By-the-way: don't look at having to make new friends as a downside. Every friend you make is a possible contact for your life after school. Take an interest in what these new friends of yours are taking, whether that means individual courses or Majors. You may be able to help each other out in the future!

I agree with all the previous comments. There is one major potential downside: when you are ready to transfer it is possible the university will not have room for you in their third year program. I don't know how often that is an issue given the student attrition rate in year one particularly however it could translate into a year or more of spinning your wheels. A guidance counsellor once told me she doesn't recommend it for rural students unless they really need the security of small class sizes and contact with their professors or instructors. If the studnet is coming from a small rural high school and elect college vs university because they are afraid they won't know anyone then they will have to face that hurdle when they transfer to the university. In other words starting as the new kid twice.

Victoria Driver Career Practitioner

I agree with all the previous comments. There is one major potential downside: when you are ready to transfer it is possible the university will not have room for you in their third year program. I don't know how often that is an issue given the student attrition rate in year one particularly however it could translate into a year or more of spinning your wheels. A guidance counsellor once told me she doesn't recommend it for rural students unless they really need the security of small class sizes and contact with their professors or instructors. If the studnet is coming from a small rural high school and elect college vs university because they are afraid they won't know anyone then they will have to face that hurdle when they transfer to the university. In other words starting as the new kid twice.

Victoria Driver Career Practitioner