Transfer experiences
![[Post New]](/jforum/templates/default/images/icon_minipost_new.gif){kind=icon}
Anonymous
| Ds wants to transfer. H is currently a second semester sophomore so will be a junior when he transfers. He has had a bit of bad luck. One of his two freshman year besties transferred and the other spends all their time with a girlfriend. Rush did not go as he hoped. At a mid size private and thinking of transferring to a flagship where would not know anyone. Does have a serious girlfriend at current school. |
Anonymous
|
Why exactly does he want to transfer? Because he hasn’t found his place socially? The school feels too small or doesn’t have the social/extra curricular feel he hoped for?
He needs to be able to explain why he hopes to gain from the transfer in order to assess whether the new school would resolve the issue. If he’s lonely, a new, big school would have lots of social opportunity, but only if he’s already the type to be able to put himself out there and try things or join groups where he doesn’t know anyone. |
Anonymous
School he is at skews wealthy and preppy as many privates do, definitely a type, He is a bit more bohemian but pretty extroverted. Just feels like he never really found his place, and wondering if he will, or better to try somewhere more diverse, I wonder if he will have a hard time making friends because everyone has them by junior year, though he will only be applying to transfer friendly schools. |
Anonymous
Can you name the school? Junior transfers tend to be loners with a sub-par collegiate experience. |
Anonymous
I prefer not to. |
Anonymous
|
DO NOT TRANSFER BECAUSE OF PEOPLE. This is one of the worst reasons to transfer, unless something has personally afflicted DC (title IX level things or assault) or it’s a really small environment a you want an urban environment.
A transfer needs to be done because you either A) aren’t getting something you academically need B) aren’t getting something your professionally need C) both. |
Anonymous
|
It is a small social environment which is Greek dominated.
Kid is not a loner, is extroverted but maybe a bit naive. |
Anonymous
| This will not end well. |
Anonymous
Why? |
Anonymous
| Let me add, kid is not sitting home alone at current school. Goes out two to three times a week, and is in several clubs. |
Anonymous
Why not transfer somewhere he knows someone? People go abroad junior year…who exactly will he be “meeting”? is he going to take 5-6 years to graduate? Hire a transfer counselor. Apps due starting in 2.5 weeks. |
Anonymous
Agree, it’s harder to join as a Junior when most live off campus and have networks already. I would go where he has a network waiting for him. |
Anonymous
|
Bad fit is a valid reason to transfer, but as others have said, it can be hard to transfer and find your people (especially after sophomore year) unless there is an orientation program specifically for transfers (ideally a pre-orientation program), he has the opportunity to live with other transfers or someone he knows, and he gets involved in clubs/activities right away. Wherever he applies, he will be asked to articulate "why" from an academic/professional standpoint. The key is to be sure he will have and take advantage of opportunities to connect right away.
As I reminded my daughter who successfully transferred after sophomore year from a large public to a small LAC: your own issues, habits, and tendencies will follow you to the next school. You have to examine all of that and make sure you still feel strongly about making the move. |
Anonymous
Um, ok. Tbh, your kid seems fine. So just bc your kid doesn't like 1 or 2 aspects of college (you mentioned Greek life and preppy atmosphere) then he wants to bail?? There's never going to be a perfect college, perfect job, perfect girlfriend, perfect house, perfect XYZ. It's called life. And you deal with it. You grow up and make the best of it, you learn from it, find a few life gacks along the way, compromise, etc. |
Anonymous
|
How are grades? Major?
Does he have internship this summer lined up? |