Transfering from a large university to a liberal arts college?

[Anonymous]

Has anyone's kid made this transition or are they considering it?
My child is currently at a public university (one in the top4) and doesn't like the large size. Hates never being able to find friends at the dining hall(s) or otherwise on campus, hates having lectures of hundreds of people (spring classes are again going to be really large), and not knowing professors etc.
Never really considered a liberal arts college in high school but now really wants to explore transferring.

[Anonymous]

Consider a medium sized institution. This is coming from an LAC grad and kids at LACS. We all had an amazing experience, but it might be easier to transfer to somewhere that is a more mixed experience between the two.

Depending on the major, I'd love to give LAC recommendations, nonetheless.

[Anonymous]

I disagree. A midsize wouldn’t be that different and kid would have to start over.

I have a kid at an LAC. There are no lectures, all classes are small and profs really know the students. Kid is now in year 2 and said she can go to her favorite dining hall and always find people she knows. Just walking around with her she bumps into friends.

Don’t know about the transfer experience thought.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I disagree. A midsize wouldn’t be that different and kid would have to start over.

I have a kid at an LAC. There are no lectures, all classes are small and profs really know the students. Kid is now in year 2 and said she can go to her favorite dining hall and always find people she knows. Just walking around with her she bumps into friends.

Don’t know about the transfer experience thought.

What liberal arts college? Even at the tiniest one I know, there are lecture courses in the sciences.

[Anonymous]

Ours didn’t transfer, but after our oldest started at Berkeley and we saw what it was like, we strongly encouraged our younger kids to apply to midsize schools (and a few LACs). They’re both at a midsize school now (~7,000) and all I can say is that I wish we had known what a difference it would be, and had our oldest go to a midsize school as well, either from the beginning or via transfer.

[Anonymous]

What’s the big deal with large classes? It’s usually only first and or second year classes. Calc, chem, bio, physics first year classes are huge then dwindles down. Sink or swim.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What’s the big deal with large classes? It’s usually only first and or second year classes. Calc, chem, bio, physics first year classes are huge then dwindles down. Sink or swim.

OP. My kid just really hates them. They are the type of kid who knew high school teachers extremely well. In retrospect we should have encouraged them to apply to small schools but they thought they wanted the big, fun school after attending a small private.
I have 2 younger kids (a current senior and 10th grader) and neither are half as engaged with their teachers as the oldest one was.

[Anonymous]

Depending on the major, maybe a medium-sized school like Vanderbilt that takes more transfer students? That way he’d have a built-in group of people who are all in the same boat, starting at the same time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Depending on the major, maybe a medium-sized school like Vanderbilt that takes more transfer students? That way he’d have a built-in group of people who are all in the same boat, starting at the same time.

Agree with this 100%

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What’s the big deal with large classes? It’s usually only first and or second year classes. Calc, chem, bio, physics first year classes are huge then dwindles down. Sink or swim.

These are foundational courses where you really need the most resources. Strong foundation -> stronger chance of completing the major, and it can honestly be the reason for low retention in certain majors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone's kid made this transition or are they considering it?
My child is currently at a public university (one in the top4) and doesn't like the large size. Hates never being able to find friends at the dining hall(s) or otherwise on campus, hates having lectures of hundreds of people (spring classes are again going to be really large), and not knowing professors etc.
Never really considered a liberal arts college in high school but now really wants to explore transferring.

Of course

[Anonymous]

My DC is at a LAC and wishes that was at a larger school. The size is suffocating socially.
But - the academic experience is materially different.
Some mid-sized schools known for good transfer rates are: Emory, Wash U, Vanderbilt, Boston University.

[Anonymous]

I have a friend who hated first semester at in-state flagship (30K+ undergrads) then transferred to a SLAC (3k). She loved the contrast and all the relationships she developed with classmates and professors. Obviously, it depends on the individual.
I went to HYPS. Had so many unmemorable TAs. Never went to office hours. Didn’t seek out any professors. I am not a loyal alumna. If I had to do it again, I would def consider liberal arts colleges!

[Anonymous]

Based on the nature of your child's dissatisfaction, perhaps consider LACs notable for their classroom experience:

Best Colleges for Classroom Experience | The Princeton Review https://share.google/Lkr4XcQ3c8YLz8eCW

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DC is at a LAC and wishes that was at a larger school. The size is suffocating socially.
But - the academic experience is materially different.
Some mid-sized schools known for good transfer rates are: Emory, Wash U, Vanderbilt, Boston University.

BU is not midsize