Transfer or gut it out?

[Anonymous]

After serious academic struggle due to health issues, is it better to gut it out and graduate from a “top school” (with a lower GPA - B-) or transfer to a lower ranked school and get a fresh start and chance at a higher gpa at a lower ranked school?

Long term goal is admission to business or law school.

Our only interest is child’s health and well-being. Student is confused and not sure what to do. Taking extended time off to focus on health.

[Anonymous]

How would another transition affect/be affected by the health issues?


For law school, stay at the top ranked undergrad. Lawyers are snobs.
- lawyer

[Anonymous]

Does anyone care about your college GPA?

[Anonymous]

What year?

Is the health issue related to the specific school or its culture? Otherwise, I'm not sure why health issue wouldn't follow your child to a new school.

Without much detail, I think it's best to stick it out.

Keep in mind the whole fallacy that "top ranked" schools are harder than or better than lower ranked ones. Just dropping to another school might not necessarily be easier. (especially if there is mental health issue that follows the student)

[Anonymous]

unless you're applying for graduate school, etc no one cares about your college gpa when applying for a job.

[Anonymous]

Tough call, and I think you'll continue to get mixed recommendations. If DC has a strong opinion when things get better, go with that. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

And a couple years of work in field prior to grad school will make GPA less important. So, stick it out and find a good job/fellowship in field of study even if underpaid. Most likely new college will take longer - so just sit that working rather than being in school and paying tuition.

[Anonymous]

Lawyer here. If it’s law school, stay at the top ranked school. PP is correct - lawyers are snobs when it comes to the school you attended.

[Anonymous]

I say stay there (unless your child thinks the environment/culture is adding to their struggles).

If he/she moves, they will have to break into a new/existing social structure.

Yes, you might need to explain the GPA on your grad school applications, but don't you think that it might also be necessary to explain why you transferred to a lower status school?

I am happy to hear that your priority is your child's health. Maybe tell him/her to "chill" right now, and figure out next academic steps later. He/she may also benefit from discussing this with their therapist, IF they have one (i.e., if the issues were emotional vs physical).

[Anonymous]

When applying to grad school, they will want to see transcripts from all institutions attended, so I don't think that transferring will give you the fresh start you're looking for.

Does your student feel connected socially (to other students and/or professors) to their current school?

[Anonymous]

If by "gut it out," you mean "tough it out," maybe lose the macho mindset? College should not be approached like Marine Boot Camp. Especially if your child is still reeling from a traumatic health crisis.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What year?

Is the health issue related to the specific school or its culture? Otherwise, I'm not sure why health issue wouldn't follow your child to a new school.

Without much detail, I think it's best to stick it out.

Keep in mind the whole fallacy that "top ranked" schools are harder than or better than lower ranked ones. Just dropping to another school might not necessarily be easier. (especially if there is mental health issue that follows the student)

+1

My kid went to a no-name college, yet she majored in STEM and the classes were HARD. She got into a top grad program from that lowly college, so there you go.

So, OP, I'd say stick it out because there is no guarantee the classes at the lower ranked college will be easier. If she drops down to CC, well, yes, they classes will be easier, but....

Can she take time off to regroup and deal with health issues? She can't start over anyway, as her old classes will follow her to her new school. She may graduate with a higher GPA if they just giver her credit for the classes and don't count them in her gpa, but at a lower ranked college, what difference would that make?

And, she can explain her health issues on her business/law applications.

Can she just do well during the next couple years at her top ranked college?

Of course, if the college is the problem, then by all means, leave and find a better environment.

I transferred when I was in college, and it made all the difference. But I went from a lower-ranked to a higher-ranked school.

[Anonymous]

What year is your kid? If a Freshman, they have time to bring up their grades. Your slate is not wiped clean when you transfer to another school, so she would not get a fresh start. The transcript will reflect the grades from the college she transferred from.

[Anonymous]

Thank you - this is all very helpful - especially the point about the lower ranked schools not necessarily being easier.

And I think using the term “gut it out” is more me projecting my feelings about the situation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone care about your college GPA?

Law schools and business schools, which she wants to attend