Anonymous
Post 12/29/2025 14:00     Subject: Transfering from a large university to a liberal arts college?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
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.

Even introductory science courses may be capped at, say, 30 students, however.

But they aren’t. Once again, bots here lying about how liberal arts colleges work.


My freshman at a highly ranked LAC had no more than 30 kids in any class first semester. STEM major.
Anonymous
Post 12/29/2025 13:05     Subject: Transfering from a large university to a liberal arts college?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
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.

Even introductory science courses may be capped at, say, 30 students, however.

But they aren’t. Once again, bots here lying about how liberal arts colleges work.
Anonymous
Post 12/29/2025 06:55     Subject: Transfering from a large university to a liberal arts college?
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.


Which university is this? I also have a child at a large public university who hasn't experienced anything like this.


Obviously, there are many happy students at large universities. I'm glad your child is one of them. But does it surprise you that some students have had more difficulty finding their place?
Anonymous
Post 12/29/2025 01:57     Subject: Transfering from a large university to a liberal arts college?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
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.



I’d have your kid call or email the local rep and inquire. Hang in there.


DC missed his chance. Highly doubt they’d find a seat for him when he turned them down. Has to apply for transfer.


This could be true but you miss 100% of the shots that you don’t take so it doesn’t cost a thing to try.
Anonymous
Post 12/29/2025 01:31     Subject: Transfering from a large university to a liberal arts college?
Anonymous wrote:
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.



I’d have your kid call or email the local rep and inquire. Hang in there.


DC missed his chance. Highly doubt they’d find a seat for him when he turned them down. Has to apply for transfer.
Anonymous
Post 12/28/2025 22:20     Subject: Transfering from a large university to a liberal arts college?
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.


Which university is this? I also have a child at a large public university who hasn't experienced anything like this.
Anonymous
Post 12/28/2025 22:17     Subject: Transfering from a large university to a liberal arts college?
Some LACs are much more receptive to transfer applicants than others. To compare transfer acceptance rates, this site may be helpful:

Transfer Admission Rates - College Transitions https://share.google/dONGpV2Y4RdasdnQV
Anonymous
Post 12/28/2025 22:11     Subject: Transfering from a large university to a liberal arts college?
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.



I’d have your kid call or email the local rep and inquire. Hang in there.
Anonymous
Post 12/28/2025 21:51     Subject: Transfering from a large university to a liberal arts college?
Anonymous wrote:
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.

Even introductory science courses may be capped at, say, 30 students, however.
Anonymous
Post 12/28/2025 21:34     Subject: Transfering from a large university to a liberal arts college?
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.

With respect to transferring at this stage, there's nothing special about Middlebury. Their spring transfer deadline was November 1st. They would expect prospective transfer students to have been aware of this.
Anonymous
Post 12/28/2025 21:34     Subject: Transfering from a large university to a liberal arts college?
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.

Anonymous
Post 12/28/2025 21:28     Subject: Transfering from a large university to a liberal arts college?
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.
Anonymous
Post 12/28/2025 21:27     Subject: Transfering from a large university to a liberal arts college?
some of these suggestions are weird. why the hell would he transfer from a top state flagship to go to BU where he will still be taught by TAs?

if he wants a smaller school where he is taught by PHD tenure track or tenured professors in small classes, then yes, he should apply to small liberal arts colleges
Anonymous
Post 12/28/2025 21:25     Subject: Transfering from a large university to a liberal arts college?
tell him if he wants to apply to transfer, that;s fine. but that he should try to keep being invested in his current school as well
Anonymous
Post 12/28/2025 21:23     Subject: Transfering from a large university to a liberal arts college?
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.


Which LACs are they considering? The numbers are low at the top liberal arts colleges for transfers. If he has a couple of schools in mind, I'd have him contact the local rep and see if they can get in touch with other kids who transferred in.