I’d suggest that you suggest he research whether UMD has any specific requirements and look up the transfer acceptance rate for the major he wants and acceptance pool that he is in. It may be viable or it may be a moonshot.

We’re in CA and know that if you want to transfer to a UC you first switch to a CC and then transfer. If you want USC (private) you go from
UC , private or CC. If you want Columbia, you go CC or UC. Also did he apply to UMD as a senior and get accepted or rejected? If he was rejected, was he in the top percentile range of applicants that were accepted?

UMD, I hear, is a hard admit from the DMV. Pepperdine, if that is the school, is a pretty easy admit.

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I was simply making a point about someone knowing that a California school isn't right for them.

I was born in a California and know that many East Coasters consider California idyllic. Which is ridiculous at times. Especially when you can't drive to where you want to go because forest fires are blocking the highways.

You are literally talking to someone who had to evacuate.
Don't assume other people don't have the experience.

It’s early November. If he wants to APPLY to transfer, let him. He can read up on the requirements, order the transcripts, pay the fee, etc. You don’t need to process this with him now, bless it or advise against it. Just listen and don’t stand in the way. Say things like, “Sounds like you’ve done some thinking about this and have your next steps. Keep us posted.”

The transfer application timeline is later than the timeline for high school seniors. He has plenty of time to complete this and plenty of time to change his mind.

And, of course, he has to be accepted. UMD might make this easy and decide for him to stay in California.

Bottom line: Let go a little and let this unfold.

I also vote to let him apply so it remains an option. It sounds like he wanted UMD last year but didn’t get in, so it’s not an impulsive change of heart.

Transfer this is a no brainer

So I agree with the poster(s) who say to make it your kid’s job to apply, do not take any ownership or share the responsibility. That will tell you how serious they are about making the switch. You can be a sounding board, of course, but as long as you agree to write a check to one school instead of the other, it’s his rodeo now.

What major?? It might be legit worthwhile on many fronts or it could be a cop out

Anonymous wrote:

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?

He did get professor recommendations. For all you know, they marked him as a once in a lifetime student. Also it wasn't as hard to get into Ivies then.

In 1987 when I was at Penn State, one of my high school acquaintances who was a PSU sophomore transferred to Yale. He then went to Yale Law School and Biglaw.

Neither of us are anybody special and Obama became president so I guess Columbia made a good call. Also HLS.

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.

I was simply making a point about someone knowing that a California school isn't right for them.

I was born in a California and know that many East Coasters consider California idyllic. Which is ridiculous at times. Especially when you can't drive to where you want to go because forest fires are blocking the highways.

Have him go sit in on actual classes at UMD. As prospective transfer should be ok to get permission. I did that and ultimately decided not to transfer.

He can apply so that he has the option. You don’t say what the elective is or how low that grade is to help guide you. But he will never know unless he tries. If he gets into UMD, then he can make an informed decision. Your job is just to support.

Anonymous wrote:I was a later transfer (junior year) and I regret trying to make it work for so long. I think getting to a new school sophomore makes it easier to integrate. I don’t regret my decision but will always wonder if I could have had an even better experience where I landed if I had ripped off the bandaid earlier.

(One regret is I was nominated for phi beta kappa by faculty advisor but didn’t ultimately get voted in bc only had two years of grades at current school.)

Lol. How much of a difference would Phi Beta Kappa have made in your life? If that’s your biggest regret about waiting too long you’re ok.

I'd that pp, I didn't think OP was trying to sway any decision -- it's just that the experience, of doing it alone, is important. He needs to rely on himself, his judgement. He will be much more empowered that way and be happier whatever the outcome.

I think PPs telling OP to butt out are wrong. It doesn’t sound like OP is trying to sway their child’s decision; they are just trying to help them make an informed decision. This is what parents do.

I was a later transfer (junior year) and I regret trying to make it work for so long. I think getting to a new school sophomore makes it easier to integrate. I don’t regret my decision but will always wonder if I could have had an even better experience where I landed if I had ripped off the bandaid earlier.

(One regret is I was nominated for phi beta kappa by faculty advisor but didn’t ultimately get voted in bc only had two years of grades at current school.)