Anonymous wrote:First semester of college is often a reality check. Two of my kids--who did well in HS without putting in a lot of effort--BOMBED first semester at SLACs. One kid was made to sign an academic contract upon returning for spring. DC had weekly meetings with advisor and with an assigned faculty member to review study plans, create plans for getting work done, review papers, etc. DC hated it and was ashamed, but admitted that the assistance was needed. Got solid grades second semester and pulled overall GPA to 3.0. Seriously considered transferring but decided to stay as academic performance got better and work/life balance improved. Other DC was at a very small, nurturing SLAC that did not make a big deal over a bad semester. Assigned to a mentor and therapeutic support--focused on not beating self up and letting go of anxiety around perfection. Went on the publish papers and present at conferences and is now applying to grad programs. Graduated with a very good GPA.

I think the first thing for your DD to do is to take advantage of what the school offers for supports. It might be best for her to work on improving her GPA where she is and to restore her sense of mastery. A running transfer is likely not the best solution. Have her contact her advisor ASAP. Set up some meetings to discuss the issues and see where she needs the support. The decision to transfer should only be made after the root cause is identified.
Good luck.

Anonymous wrote:OP - this should be totally on her. The process will mature her. Do not take that away from her. She needs that. She needs to do all the research, do the hard work, and be faced with the brutal reality of evaluating: is it worth it. Is it worth all the work to transfer or is there a way to adjust to her current situation. Including some rejections from schools she might wish to transfer to. That too, is eye opening and rejection is not a bad thing. She will come to appreciate all that was needed to reach where she is. She may decide she doesn't want to give it up.

Btw, 12 credits is full time. She shouldn't be taking more than 12 if she is indeed struggling.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it so bad she can't return for spring term?

I would:
Get her home and take a break. Look to see if there were any mental health issues that drove it - if yes, get her the support she needs.

Have your daughter work with the school to create a schedule that works for her in the Spring. Top 10 schools do not want kids failing out. They want to help them be successful.

Does she need a gap year?

Sorry, didn't mean to suggest she won't return in Jan; she will still finish out freshman year. It's just the process of transferring begins basically now with, I think, March deadlines in order to set up attending a different college next Aug/Sept. I don't think another semester is going to make a huge different in gpa, so assuming it's still pretty mediocre, what is the best case? And will they factor in high school stats (which are terrific) or just seize on low current gpa? And is it any hook at all to be applying from a top private?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd bring her home, let her get a job and take some classes at the community college.

Something is a bad fit for her at that school - her major, the school itself - something isn't working for your dd.

She can take a little time to figure things out. What you don't want to do is waste another semester mired in a situation that is just not working for her.

If you are thinking of doing this, do this after another semester. Tell her she can only take 4 classes next semester, not 5. And lighten the difficulty level of classes. She can take a PE class even to build some more fun in (and health exercise if she isn't getting any--that can ease depression and improve focus and energy if these are problems). Encourage her to join a club. Then she can either stay if things improve or do a gap year and apply to other schools.

Anonymous wrote:I'd bring her home, let her get a job and take some classes at the community college.

Something is a bad fit for her at that school - her major, the school itself - something isn't working for your dd.

She can take a little time to figure things out. What you don't want to do is waste another semester mired in a situation that is just not working for her.

Anonymous wrote:It is very difficult to "drop down" when you start at a top school.

In my years of teaching, it was easier for college students to work hard at a mediocre school, do well, and transfer to a harder school than for the students to do the opposite. It seemed like students who did poorly at a top school lost confidence and felt like failures when they ended up in my class at a mediocre small public university.

Is there any way to take easier classes for spring semester and get those grades up, before transferring?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don’t transfer yet - go through what happened etc. my kid had a 2.8 gpa first semester. Now in junior year with a 3.5 and an internship with a Fortune 500 company. They need to find new methods of studying - what worked in HS, doesn’t work in college

Odd brag. There must be over 100 million employees at all the Fortune 500 companies, including janitors and customer care reps.