<p>There have been a few threads about the decision to switch schools after a semester, etc.</p>
<p>I was wondering if the parents and students who are finding themselves in this difficult situation have any insights that may help the rest of us avoid this (understanding that this is GOING to happen to some students, no matter how well researched the decision was - stuff happens...)</p>
<p>In our case, it would have been beneficial for S to have done an overnight at the school he originally enrolled at. That would have shown him that the internet speed in the dorm was not going to be satisfactory, which probably would have changed his mind right then. Also, don't go with a department for your major which is too small. And, lastly, don't let a significant other at the time be any kind of a deciding factor.</p>
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And, lastly, don't let a significant other at the time be any kind of a deciding factor.
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While I completely agree with this statement - any hints as to how one gets the student to see it? They would come too late for us but maybe will help others.</p>
<p>My daughter was so in love and so convinced it was going to last forever and any hint of a suggestion that living in the same dorm (let alone going to the same school) had the potential to lead to awkward situations down the road were met with the "you just don't understand" look. All the bad things we, as parents, anticipated came about and made freshman year less pleasant than it might otherwise have been. Fortunately she does like her school (a large State U) and is happy there but passed up (as in didn't really even look at) other opportunities she might have had with her high Stats.</p>
<p>Ha, ha. Swimcatsmom. Also difficult is trying to tell them that just because someone they despise is going to a school should not eliminate an otherwise great fit. That was ME once upon a time.</p>
<p>IT is NOT easy to transfer period. Colleges are making it much more difficult to transfer in and you need to be very diligent in making your decision.</p>
<p>swimcatsmom ~ LOL, no I have no hints on that. Actually, S chose his original school to give him and gf some space, which I thought was very wise and actually encouraged (stupid me!). She applied to only one school which was the other one that S applied to. She was mad at him for not going to the same school. Yes, she dumped him 2 weeks into the semester, and now she was at the school he wanted to transfer to, so talk about a mess! But he transferred there anyway, is very happy and doesn't talk to her.</p>
<p>So don't look to me for answers! Just being a little idealistic I guess!</p>
<p>Momofthree--I have posted on this subject many times. I still wish I had a full-proof answer. In some respect, I would say, get the kid to respect his/her instincts. In my D's case, she felt very unlike the students at the school she chose when she went to an accepted students day. It was a very homogenous school, and at the student-only seminar, they hinted at "now that the parents aren't here, we can talk about drinking." That should have done it, but we fell for the "they party everywhere" line so prevalent in college conversation. We should have respected the reservations this sent up.</p>
<p>In hindsight, every other choice woulda been better just on that account.</p>
<p>Go visit and make sure your student likes a school that is an admissions and financial safety. D1 would not listen to our advice and ended up at the financial safety, she never liked it</p>