Anonymous wrote:I hadn't realized how common it was for students to transfer. So many neighbors asked me if DD was returning the following year (out-of-state university) Why wouldn't she? What were they thinking? Maybe they didn't know she was an excellent student? Did they really think she'd fail out?

NP. Interesting that you assume that your neighbors are assuming only failing academically would be a reason to transfer or come home. Friend's DC came home after freshman year because horrible dorms and lack of maintenance at her huge, impersonal state university meant she was sick due to mold much of freshman year and was told there was no hope of moving to another dorm during the year. She was so fed up she said she wouldn't return and she started at a local college for now. And no, she hadn't been failing or homesick--just sick of being physically ill and being told it was acceptable that her dorm regularly had leaks and wet walls.

I hadn't realized how common it was for students to transfer. So many neighbors asked me if DD was returning the following year (out-of-state university) Why wouldn't she? What were they thinking? Maybe they didn't know she was an excellent student? Did they really think she'd fail out?

This thread is about transferring, not failing out. In your case, Your neighbors probably never understood why she left town and thought she'd rather be closer to home.

Anonymous wrote:Plenty of goof students fail out especially boys. They were propped up by parents and tutors in high school and without that, they play video games and drink. Look at the stats for the school she attends. The 4 year graduation rate probably won't be that high. My neighbors had to take remedial courses their freshman year in college and both ended up dropping out. With so many students in that position, it's no wonder so many students leave.

I don't know what sort of college you're talking about but selective schools generally have at least 97% freshman retention and greater than 92% graduation rates.

Plenty of goof students fail out especially boys. They were propped up by parents and tutors in high school and without that, they play video games and drink. Look at the stats for the school she attends. The 4 year graduation rate probably won't be that high. My neighbors had to take remedial courses their freshman year in college and both ended up dropping out. With so many students in that position, it's no wonder so many students leave.

I hadn't realized how common it was for students to transfer. So many neighbors asked me if DD was returning the following year (out-of-state university) Why wouldn't she? What were they thinking? Maybe they didn't know she was an excellent student? Did they really think she'd fail out?

My mother, husband, and son knew pretty much as soon as they started their freshman year that their college wasn't a good fit, and all transferred after their freshman year. All agreed that transferring was a good decision. Based on their experiences, I believe that a student knows when the college just doesn't feel right. I think putting in a transfer application can make a student feel that he/she has options. They may change their mind after the first semester, but it provides a choice should the student continue to feel that they need a different environment.

I knew by Thanksgiving that I wanted to transfer. My mom couldn't afford a private college so I went to a state school (not the flagship school). My classes were easier than the ones I took in high school. When I got my ID card at orientation, the expiration date was 5 years in the future. The girl who gave my the ID card said that "most people are on the 5 year plan." My mom couldn't afford the 5 year plan. I kept waiting for the work to get harder but it never did. So I begged my dad (my parents were divorced) to help pay for a private college and he finally agreed. He wasn't a big believer in college since he had a good job w/o ever graduating. I applied to a few schools over Christmas break when I had the time.

Friend’s DC transferred from LAC to Brown - could not get in from HS

Anonymous wrote:Just curious how everyone's choice of college is working out and if some are already thinking to transfer next year?

DC is a freshman at Cornell and loves it although there were the usual acclimation issues. I think it takes longer than a couple of months to really decide whether a college os a good fit or not. I've had friends whose DC didn't get into their greek house of choice and immediately decided to transfer. To me, that seems like a flawed rationale.

Too early. In our family we weren't allowed home till Thanksgiving. Adjustment takes time - that is what is normal.

Anonymous wrote:To be thinking about transfer this early, it would normally be because the student has already planned in advance to transfer as the college they are attending is their worst bottom of the list safety.

If a student is thinking about transferring out from this stage after joining a college of their choice, I'd be more inclined to think there is an issue with the student - ill equipped, depressed, not yet settled etc. Its too early for that kind of reaction. In my humble opinion.

Really? I knew by this point. And I wasn't unhappy at college. I just thought I would be happier at a different college. Turns out, in the time between making my decision and showing up, I'd changed a lot more than I realized.

It is important to think about why the kid wants to transfer and if it would really be better somewhere else. What I'd say if it were my kid was "Yeah, sorry this doesn't feel right. Your best way out is to get the best grades you can so that you have the best options. If we are really lucky, things will improve while you are doing that and you won't want to go. If not, let's find you a place that fits better. Please be aware, darling, that aid is harder to get as a transfer student, so factor that into your search."

FWIW (and maybe it’s different because it was grad school), but I once knew within the first month that I’d made the wrong choice of university. Made the most of my time there, but was planning my escape very early on. And I was absolutely right — immediately much happier at next school.

I could see a college kid who grew up in a city quickly realizing that s/he can’t stand living in the middle of nowhere or that the program that drew her/him to a particular school was not going to work out.

I agree that it’s important to talk through/disentangle what’s wrong when a college freshman wants to transfer, but I wouldn’t assume that the problem is with the kid.

It’s also worth checking out how/whether options change depending on when kid withdraws. Some Us only accept transfers who are juniors. Some let you apply as a freshman even if you did a semester elsewhere. Others put you in the transfer pile if you have any college level credits. Look at DC’s preferred alternatives and see what their policies are.

To be thinking about transfer this early, it would normally be because the student has already planned in advance to transfer as the college they are attending is their worst bottom of the list safety.

If a student is thinking about transferring out from this stage after joining a college of their choice, I'd be more inclined to think there is an issue with the student - ill equipped, depressed, not yet settled etc. Its too early for that kind of reaction. In my humble opinion.

No but what’s the reason?

Just curious how everyone's choice of college is working out and if some are already thinking to transfer next year?