My DS Says He Wants to Transfer

[Anonymous]

I don't think there is anything wrong with transferring, but, I would want to know how it would impact me financially (can he still finish in 4 years for example). I'd also encourage him to be thoughtful about the process. I would not want him to rush the process just to switch schools at the last minute. Sticking out his current situation one more year might make sense.

[Anonymous]

Don’t do it. Just don’t unless it’s a severe financial strain. I speak from experience. I could write a long list of the reasons NOT to transfer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:His grades are good and he made the equivalent of the dean’s list first semester (they just don’t call it that).

He’s currently at a state flagship. He is looking for a mid-sized university along the lines of G’town, Tufts, Vandy, etc.

We talked more and he was very calm about the whole thing, and thoughtful. He said he has friends and that’s not the issue (I believe that is true: he was invited to go on a spring break trip and he went. It sounded like he had a good time).

He said he was sorry for keeping it all in but he was truly trying to give it a chance. He said he kept looking at the transfer application deadline dates and talking himself out of applying because he didn’t want to be a quitter. But now he said he actually feels it in the pit of his stomach that he made the wrong decision, and he wants to right it if he can.

He said he would go and do more research but he believes some places have rolling admissions even for transfers.

Not sure how to support him, but I did tell him it was his decision.

Some colleges will admit transfers for January, so he may have more options there.

I transferred, and it was the best choice I made. I hated the college I enrolled in (a very prestigious one), and I loved the less-prestigious one I transferred to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don’t do it. Just don’t unless it’s a severe financial strain. I speak from experience. I could write a long list of the reasons NOT to transfer.

Yes, do it, OP.

Do not listen to this poster!!

Your child sounds like he gave it his best shot, and he's made his decision. Support him, and let him transfer. Ask him how you can help. His happiness is what matters.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Great that your child gave so much thought to it but wtf with waiting until now to look into it? Don't they recall the college application process from less than a year ago?

I agree transferring when we were in school was uncommon but these days I see friends kids do this a more more so I dont think it is a big deal - kudos for them wanting to try to find a better fit. But unfortunate that they waited so long to look into it. They have have to do what another friends kid who waited too long - ended up not going back in Sept and transferring in spring session.

??? You generally have to wait until you have a specified amount of credits to transfer unless you have a lot of AP credits. Kids don't transfer until the end of sophomore year in my experience.

Maybe, but I transferred after freshman year. I knew after a few weeks that I'd chosen the wrong school.

OP: If it's too late to transfer, perhaps there are visiting student possibilities? Does your kids college have any exchange type programs he can apply to?

[Anonymous]

Both my husband and I transferred after our freshman year. We didn’t know each other (we were at completely different schools in diff states) but our choices led us to one another. Neither one of us could imagine having stayed at our orig schools. The next 3 years were the most amazing years and such a better fit. I say do it!