DS thinking about transferring after freshman year

[Anonymous]

DS is first year student at a mid-size private college in CA (LA area). Tuition is $$$ and he also has a small scholarship. He seems to be adjusting well, has made friends and is getting good grades, except for his elective. He told me that he wants to make his minor his major and vice versa. He is also thinking about transferring to UMD (our in-state school) next year because the program for his (new) major is stronger than his current school (which is true) and because his closest friends from high school go to UMD.

I told him that going to UMD just because his friends are there really isn't a reason to transfer since part of the college experience is making new friends and being on your own. Part of me wants him to stick it out in CA because I think it's a better overall experience for him/more opportunities to grow, but the other part of me finds the idea of paying in-state tuition really appealing. Both schools are solid and we can afford for him to stay at his current school, so ultimately either school is fine, but I want him to make an informed decision.

For parents who've BTDT, what are some of the things he should consider to help him decide whether to transfer or not? He had applied to UMD but did not get in - does that have any impact on a future transfer? Does his low grade for his elective hurt his chances of a transfer?

[Anonymous]

It is Nov. 7th! He will likely feel completely different in March or April. Tell him to apply to other schools, and you can talk about it next May. Make sure he is engaging with his current school.

[Anonymous]

I transferred. I knew by about Thanksgiving that I had made the wrong choice. It wasn't the type of school but the location and the student culture.

It's okay to come home.

My son is at a Top 25 and had a dormmate who was planning to transfer to UMD after freshman year due to a change in future plans.

I also had a job that didn't work out that lasted less than a year.

Sometimes you do know early.

President Obama transferred from Occidental to Columbia. Definitely not for the weather.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I transferred. I knew by about Thanksgiving that I had made the wrong choice. It wasn't the type of school but the location and the student culture.

It's okay to come home.

My son is at a Top 25 and had a dormmate who was planning to transfer to UMD after freshman year due to a change in future plans.

I also had a job that didn't work out that lasted less than a year.

Sometimes you do know early.

President Obama transferred from Occidental to Columbia. Definitely not for the weather.

After his 2nd year at Oxy. Not after the first semester.

[Anonymous]

I think he should apply and see what happens. He may decide by spring/summer he wants to stay after all, but he will feel more in control regardless.

[Anonymous]

My kid’s roommate from last year transferred and it’s working out for them. They were happy enough freshman year but wanted something different. Good luck to your kid, whatever he decides.

[Anonymous]

He's already changed his mind about his major once in the first two months of school. He might change his mind again. He shouldn't make any big changes based on small differences in one particular major. What overall school experience does he want?

[Anonymous]

I transferred out of American after freshman year. Worked out fine; made new friends, etc. And it saved my parents a ton of money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I transferred. I knew by about Thanksgiving that I had made the wrong choice. It wasn't the type of school but the location and the student culture.

It's okay to come home.

My son is at a Top 25 and had a dormmate who was planning to transfer to UMD after freshman year due to a change in future plans.

I also had a job that didn't work out that lasted less than a year.

Sometimes you do know early.

President Obama transferred from Occidental to Columbia. Definitely not for the weather.

After his 2nd year at Oxy. Not after the first semester.

His grades were not so good at Oxy, as he admitted in his auto. I wonder how he got into Columbia?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DS is first year student at a mid-size private college in CA (LA area). Tuition is $$$ and he also has a small scholarship. He seems to be adjusting well, has made friends and is getting good grades, except for his elective. He told me that he wants to make his minor his major and vice versa. He is also thinking about transferring to UMD (our in-state school) next year because the program for his (new) major is stronger than his current school (which is true) and because his closest friends from high school go to UMD.

I told him that going to UMD just because his friends are there really isn't a reason to transfer since part of the college experience is making new friends and being on your own. Part of me wants him to stick it out in CA because I think it's a better overall experience for him/more opportunities to grow, but the other part of me finds the idea of paying in-state tuition really appealing. Both schools are solid and we can afford for him to stay at his current school, so ultimately either school is fine, but I want him to make an informed decision.

For parents who've BTDT, what are some of the things he should consider to help him decide whether to transfer or not? He had applied to UMD but did not get in - does that have any impact on a future transfer? Does his low grade for his elective hurt his chances of a transfer?

Just say it’s Pepperdine…

[Anonymous]

It sounds like he is going for his major change, not for his friends.

[Anonymous]

what are some of the things he should consider to help him decide whether to transfer or not?

You have no role here in advising or giving advice, imo. This is on him. Totally on him. The soul searching, any research, everything. Imo. He will learn along the way, what he wants, what he values most. It may come to the decision that the effort required to transfer is not worth it to him. He decides he'd rather stay where he is. He then decides to put more effort into being satisfied where he is.

[Anonymous]

I agree with PP. If, as you say, you can afford both and the school he’s at now isn’t any better than Maryland, you need to butt out and let him make this decision—which, by the way, in the scheme of things is actually a pretty minor one.

[Anonymous]

Let him transfer.

[Anonymous]

I felt this way when I was in college at about this time during the first year, and it faded over the following months. I’d view this as just a transition issue for now, and revisit in the spring if he remains serious about it.