<p>So I'm a freshman at Bowdoin College and am looking to transfer to another school for the fall of 2014. I've done well this semester, and am obviously hoping to do well next semester. The only thing is that I'm not sure where I would try and transfer to, as I was sure that Bowdoin would be the perfect fit for me. It's a great school and I've enjoyed my classes thus far, but a combination of the location and social atmosphere (same types of fratty parties every weekend) are kind of killing me. I've thought about Georgetown as an option, but would Ivies be out of reach? Attending a place like Harvard or Yale would obviously be fantastic, and the locations of both of those schools (far more urban than Bowdoin's) would be ideal for me, but are those too out of reach for me as a transfer?</p>
<p>In regards to my high school experience, I attended a pretty rigorous prep school and did well academically, and was very involved with ec's. The only thing is that my SAT's were around a 1950, not sure how much that matters now. </p>
<p>Harvard and Yale usually accept a single-digit number of (or even zero) transfer applicants each year, so I don’t think it’s worth your time applying to those unless you are really intent on transferring there.</p>
<p>If your high school GPA is on par with Ivy standards and you’re doing well academically at Bowdoin, you have as fair a shot as anyone else at transferring to mid-level Ivies like Georgetown. Your standardized test scores will be less of a factor in transfer admissions because you now have college grades to add to your application.</p>
<p>I’m glad I could help. Just to clarify, though, the large majority of the people here do seem to love it and there are of course social options besides the large parties. However, it’s just not for me. Best of luck to you in the college search.</p>
<p>Hi Bostonguy13,
I want to encourage you to give Bowdoin another chance. I know that social house parties appear to dominate the social scene. I’m sure that you have put a great deal of thought into why Bowdoin is not right for you if you have arrived at the decision to transfer. However, I would like to encourage you to really pinpoint what you want, and not just what you don’t like at Bowdoin. Personally, I have been unbelievably happy at Bowdoin and have attended only one social house party over my 2.5 years at Bowdoin. Even though Harvard and Yale don’t have the social house system, they both have similar party atmospheres. Most colleges have a fairly heavy drinking culture.
Can’t do anything about the location. Brunswick is a great town, but if you want a city, Maine is the wrong place to be. :)</p>
<p>Good luck with your decision. PM me if you have any questions about Bowdoin or what I have done to “free myself” of the social house culture. It is possible!</p>
<p>I think that 99% of transfers are less about the school and more about fit or finances. If you’re not happy you should definately find a school where you think you could be! Weren’t there other schools that interested you when you applied as a HS senior? I read a stat that Harvard accepted 15 transfers last year out of a pool of over 1400 applicants. Not great odds, but I’m sure you could find a school that you love.</p>