Transfering from a large university to a liberal arts college?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Sounds like your kid is headed to a difficult spring. Would you consider a gap semester? Might also be worth looking at Middlebury and giving them a call. They have a January term and maybe they would admit for this February for the Spring? A bunch of kids start in Feb. Would be nice to start with a cohort coming in together.

OP. Ironically DC was admitted to Middlebury for fall admission this year but turned them down. That was the one small school they applied to but never really considered it (applied because we had an extended family member who attended there). Probably considering it for next year. Do you think it's worth a call? This is all a mess.

Middlebury is fantastic and my kid is excited to go there next year. But LACs all have different personalities and your kid needs to spend some time doing their research and figuring out what he really wants before just jumping somewhere. He already landed in one place he doesn't fit. Don't move too fast and make that mistake again.

[Anonymous]

OP, he wants to explore transferring? It's all on him. I'd say every last detail. He lets you know the total cost of attendance, in case you need to approve the change. Otherwise, every last detail -- completely on him. It's during this process that he faces some hard truths: how strongly he feels, and clarifies the pros and cons. The process should be hard, because along the way he will reconsider at every step, in what ways, he could make his current situation better. Improve his current situation and be happier. Learning ways to adapt - for more important than whether he stays at school #1 vs jumps to school #2.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I went to an LAC. Although wonderful academically with many resources, I found it so exhausting socially. People knew everyone's business and after a breakup, I felt like I had to make new friends since my ex was in the same group. I was so ready to study abroad.

I personally would look into mid-size schools that have smaller classes but more people to make friends with; transferring is different as some LACs might have very few transfers.

Wow, does this resonate with me! I had a similar experience after a breakup. The school was so small that it became a big drama among friend groups and I felt like I was right back in high school. Meanwhile, my own daughter had a breakup at her large school and while it was painful, she didn't have to worry about seeing her ex everywhere or finding new friend groups. It's been a much healthier situation, and I only wish in retrospect that I had gone to a large school. So many more opportunities - both academically and socially.

I don’t relate to this at all. What kind of people are around here who have these massive breakups that are tearing up their lacs. People broke up all the time at Williams. We moved on with our business.

DP. Your experience isn’t any more valuable or relevant than the PP’s. I also found a college breakup to be a real pain in the a$$ at my SLAC, considering our friends were all intertwined and we ran into each other constantly. It was a mess and totally suffocating. I was so glad to graduate and attend a large grad school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I went to an LAC. Although wonderful academically with many resources, I found it so exhausting socially. People knew everyone's business and after a breakup, I felt like I had to make new friends since my ex was in the same group. I was so ready to study abroad.

I personally would look into mid-size schools that have smaller classes but more people to make friends with; transferring is different as some LACs might have very few transfers.

PResumably you would have had a friend group at a larger school and gone through the same thing. This is not the fault of the LAC.

You’re missing the point entirely. A larger school offers a respite from seeing the same people all the time, especially an ex or a friend group that maybe you want a break from. In addition, you aren’t stuck with just one group of friends - there are opportunities for multiple different groups via a much wider range of activities and clubs.
DP
DP