<p>Honestly you sound like you have made a good decision. You are not a great candidate for transfer to either BU or NYU with that grade point average. And if the idea of life in the dorms at BU seems confining to you, I think you have some other issues to deal with.</p>
<p>well whatever college i go to from now on, I plan on living in an apartment only, which is certainly possible at BU, Northeastern, and many other schools after freshman year.</p>
<p>Gibson, going to Monmouth for a semester or two sounds like an excellent plan. Actually, I have heard some very good things about Monmouth recently, so it may surprise you and be better than you expect. :) I would, however, urge you to contact all of the schools you might be interested in transferring to and get a hold of any and all course requirements for transferring into their business program. As I mentioned above, NYU has some very specific courses they want to see transfers to Stern have completed, they are on their website. Additionally, get detailed information about the GE requirements for the various business programs. Then, focus on filling those sorts of requirements at Monmouth and you should be in good shape for transferring. Make sure to establish relationships with your teachers at Monmouth - those will be important when it comes time to transfer.</p>
<p>If any questions arise about why you left Lehigh when you try to transfer just be honest and say that the social scene and drinking was not for you. I'd also recommend that you try to interview at schools you apply to when possible so you can specifically answer any such questions in person. Many transfer applications will also include a question about why you are seeking to transfer and you can discuss this then. </p>
<p>Thanks so much for sharing your decision - it is always nice to hear how things turn out. Stop back from time to time and let us know how it is going for you at Monmouth. Best of luck!</p>
<p>I have one more question for you. Would I need to get letters of rec from Lehigh professors? since I wouldnt have even been at monmouth for a semester when it comes time to apply for fall of next year.</p>
<p>I suspect carolyn made her suggestions on the assumption that you would spend "a semester or two" at Monmouth before applying as a transfer to those other schools, not "a month or two". Although I'm not experienced with transfer admissions, it seems to me it would be valuable to spend, as suggested, a semester or two at Monmouth, establish relationships with some professors there, and demonstrate some achievement and success (and get some required courses out of the way) before applying to transfer a year from now.</p>
<p>Mootmom is right. I was assuming you're looking at two semesters at Monmouth (spring and fall) with the intention of transferring in the Spring of 2007, especially if you're hoping to transfer to schools such as BU and NYU that have very early transfer app. deadlines. Good grades at Monmouth next semester won't do you much good if you need to apply before final grades come out. And, yes, as Mootmom says, you need to establish some good relationships with teachers at Monmouth, especially as you have indicated before that you haven't really gotten to know any of your teachers at Lehigh.</p>
<p>Don't rush the process: once upon a time long ago, I also transferred from a "no name" public school to a very competitive program at a good university. I didn't make the move until my junior year. I applied mid-year my sophomore year and by then had a solid history of both great grades, solid EC's related to my major, and relationships with teachers who wrote me glowing recommendations. I had by GE requirements out of the way so when I transferred I could focus entirely on my major and related internships. By then, I also had a very different picture of what I wanted to do and where I wanted to go in life than I had at the end of my first semester freshman year. </p>
<p>Two years at my final school was plenty of time to get the full benefit of the program there, and I have never had to mention the two years at the non-name school when looking for jobs, etc. Plus, I saved a FORTUNE in terms of tuition by spending my first two years at a public university, even though I ended up with a degree from the "prestige" unviersity. </p>
<p>So, my advice is to take things slow, give yourself plenty of time to bring up your grades, meet requirements, and most of all, research, research, research ALL of your options. You may feel very differently in a year from now about which school(s) are the right ones for you.</p>
<p>gibson99, what a dilemma. You sound so confused, I really feel for you.</p>
<p>I give you credit for coming up with a plan. I'm not sure if I follow your logic completely although it may work and I wish you the best.</p>
<p>You already know the negative...it's a big jump from Lehigh to Monmouth. What about Rutgers? Can you get in there for January? I think Lehigh to Rutgers makes more sense academically, plus it sounds like you might like Rutgers life (it's not so Lehigh-like). This transfer is also sensible from a financial standpoint although if you go to Monmouth and live at home the financial advantage of Rutgers is gone. </p>
<p>An idea...have you considered moving to Boston after this semester, getting a job and going to a community college there, then applying to BU or Northeastern for whenever? At least you'd be in Boston and going to school. Of course I don't know your financial situation, but if you are in a cc in Boston you'd have enough time to work...just a thought (esp if you have someone to live with).</p>
<p>I'd suggest while you're still at Lehigh get at least one recommendation...it will be nearly impossible to get a LU rec once you're gone, so get one or two before you leave. Also as mootmom said I don't see how it would be possible to apply to BU, GW etc after just a month or 2 at Monmouth. I'd think they'd want to see at least a semester's worth of Monmouth grades so transfer for next fall might not be possible.</p>
<p>Of course you'll want to get as close to a 4.0 at Monmouth as possible...I think a BU would expect it given your SAT and hs gpa (which become less important the further you get out of hs).</p>
<p>wow what great feedback, I would like to address you both </p>
<p>carolyn - I was planning to send in my applications for the fall of '06 even though i will not have a 3.5 here. I was hoping that they would also consider my high school work since it is quite strong. I also figured that they would get great midterm grades from Monmouth in addition to my probably B range work at Lehigh. I will probably ask 1 or 2 of my proffesors here for letters, I just thought it might be kind of awkward since I have not really "wow"ed them. Plus there is the fact that I am leaving after this semester, which I think may influence their enthusiasm for the idea. I do not want to stay at Monmouth, I am only going there because it seems like a better alternative than just going home and going to community college. Do you agree with this? I feel like I could stand out there and get good grades and recs from monmouth profs if i did have to wait until spring of next year to get where i want to be, although my original goal was to apply for the fall, go to monmouth to boost my gpa, and then really start going to school by next year. If i did not get in for the fall, then i would really hope that i could get in for the spring, since i would have a better gpa and recs, but I had not originally planned on staying at monmouth for more than a semester unless i had to.</p>
<p>2331clk - I really am extremely confused at this point, I hate not having my future plans settled. The reason i decided to try monmouth is because they have a late deadline(dec. 1) to apply for the spring semester, I do not believe rutgers does. Also, I want to make sure I go to a school which will definitely boost my gpa, Monmouth is a pretty sure bet for that. I don't think rutgers would be as easy. At this point I am just trying to ultimately get to a school I want to go to as soon as i can. My dream is to go to monmouth for the spring, boost my gpa, visit and apply to schools for the fall, and then go to one of them next year.<br>
You came up with a very interesting idea though. I had not thought about going to cc in Boston. Since that is where I eventually would like to be, maybe it makes sense to go there now and get acclimated to the city. but do you think going to comm college in boston would give me less of a chance to getting into BU or NEU than if I go to an actual university such as monmouth? Money is not really a factor in this whole situation so that would not be a problem. I would not have to get a job or anything. </p>
<pre><code> Thanks again guys, I actually made an appointment to see the Dean of Academic Support and Student Life tomorrow to discuss my plans. Do you guys think this is the right person to talk to? I am afraid of not getting honest help since I am leaving. So far, you guys have been by far my BEST resource!!! thanks again
</code></pre>
<p>if you don't like the scene at lehigh (the drinking etc), the scene at monmouth will likely be even worse.</p>
<p>well I will most likely live off campus anyway, I am not looking to make monmouth my "home" it is simply a trasition school to help boost my gpa while I am visiting and applying to other schools. I have no intention of staying there any longer than I have to.</p>
<p>any last comments? carolyn? 2331clk?</p>
<p>Update!</p>
<p>I have talked to Deans, counselors, and others about my decision to leave and it is now final. I have just filled out the non-return form and have sent in my application to Monmouth. Now I have the awkward task of asking professors who don't really know me for letters of rec. If I have a B average with only 13 credits here plus a W, what do you guys think my chances are of getting into BU or Northeastern for next fall? At Monmouth, my grades will be great, but I would not like to spend more time there than I have to. You guys have any other advice for getting to where I want to be as soon as possible?</p>
<p>Gibson, I'm not positive on this but I can't imagine that BU or NU wouldn't want to see at least a semester's worth of grades; how else could they evaluate you? And by then it may be past the deadline(s) for fall transfer so it may be tough. If you are serious about Northeastern maybe 3.0 from Lehigh combined with your good hs stats might be enough, though as others have said BU would most likely require the higher gpa.</p>
<p>You might want to re-read carolyn's post #26 on this thread. Your plan may work just fine, but mistakes are made when you rush. I hesitate to even mention this but have you considered taking some time off, to think, plan, research. otoh, I'm sure you'll find Monmouth very easy (that's the point) compared to Lehigh...the good grades you'll most likely get would be good for your self esteem too.</p>
<p>Well yeah the point of going to Monmouth is so I can think, plan, and research while still getting good grades. You think they would not have enough to go on from my HS and Lehigh grades? because that would mean i would have to stay at monmouth til next spring at least.</p>
<p>I think that's what people here have been hinting, yes.</p>
<p>I have another question. Northeastern says on their site that they require two letters of rec from professors, academic advisors, or employers in sealed envelopes. How am I supposed to use the letters for other schools if they have to be kept in sealed envelopes???? This whole process seems like it will be an incredible hassle.</p>
<p>Gibson, forgive me... you seem like a nice kid.</p>
<p>I detect some maturity issues which really won't change by going to Monmouth, Northeastern, BU, Rutgers, or wherever.</p>
<p>Yes it's an incredible hassle. But-- you seem quite hassled where you are. If you were my child, I would really question the plan of moving to an apartment in Boston next year... you haven't really demonstrated your ability to live independently in the somewhat sheltered environment of a dorm (no landlord, no electric bill to worry about) and maintain a full course load. If it were me, I wouldn't be so eager to take this first abortive experience of living independently and then complicate it by transferring to a huge school in a huge city with your own apartment, and frankly, some missing time management skills.</p>
<p>Monmouth sounds like a good interim step. Why not put in a full semester there, see how well you can balance a full course load, before already plotting to get out of there as soon as you can?</p>
<p>gibson, when you ask for a letter explain the problem to the professor. All he/she has to do is make lets say 5 copies of the same letter (which won't mention the school to which you are applying) and put them in 5 separate envelopes and seal them (usually just tape and sign), shouldn't be a big deal.</p>
<p>blossom you may be right but I went to gibson's school and I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt...LU can be insular and lonely if you don't fit the mold. I think G will be happier in a different environment (urban, large, diverse) but I do hope BU or NU live up to expectations.</p>
<p>As Mootmom said, we've all been subtly (and not so subtly) trying to tell you that, while there's no problem leaving Lehigh, you need to take your time to make sure you make the RIGHT move at the RIGHT time, rather than running off tilting at windmills.</p>
<p>Here is what I would do if I were in your shoes.</p>
<ol>
<li>I'd consider PERMANENT options for next semester, instead of TEMPORARY options. I'd research other acceptable choices that I could realistically transfer to next semester with the intention of STAYING THERE for the next three and a half years, not just a semester. </li>
</ol>
<p>Example: Rutgers. The deadline for transfer applications for the spring semester is December 31 (See: <a href="http://admissions.rutgers.edu/pdfs/admit_student_guide20052006.pdf%5B/url%5D">http://admissions.rutgers.edu/pdfs/admit_student_guide20052006.pdf</a>) But, it doesn't have to be Rutgers. </p>
<p>Another suggestion: are there any schools that you were accepted to last year that you'd now consider as a permanent option? Some schools will keep your file open for a year, and may be open to letting you transfer for next semester IF you plan to stay there permanently. Go back over the other schools you were accepted into and call a few to see if this an option.</p>
<p>Yes, this means you may have to give up the idea of transferring to BU, but wouldn't you rather get SETTLED somewhere as quickly as possible rather than trying to hopscotch around from semester to semester?</p>
<ol>
<li>If I was going to go the Monmouth route, and absolutely positively wanted to make it a temporary stop, I'd be VERY sure that BU will consider me after half a semester at Monmouth. By that, I mean I would call the admissions office, ask to speak directly to the transfer admissions rep for my area, and lay my cards out on the table and ask about my specific chances for transferring after half a semester of grades at Monmouth. I'd rather hear the facts now, then discover them in April.</li>
</ol>
<p>Even after doing that, I'd keep in mind that transferring to BU with less than one semester there is probably going to be a stretch because they'll still see that I didn't reach their minimums first semester at Lehigh. So, I'd be doing my research, trying to find OTHER good schools that have LATE fall transfer deadlines so I could give two full semesters of GPA to them. (I gave you some suggestions way back at the beginning.) Maybe I'd look at other schools in Boston, maybe I'd look across the country, but I would have other options, including matches and safeties, just as I did when I applied in high school. That way, I could still take a shot at BU, but I'd have other, perhaps more realistic options in mind BEFORE I leave Lehigh. </p>
<p>In short, I would be realistic about my chances of transferring to BU, and I wouldn't focus EXCLUSIVELY on those BU or bust. </p>
<ol>
<li><p>I'd consider the worst case scenario SERIOUSLY. I'd be sure I could deal with two semesters or possibly even staying at Monmouth until graduation. Things happen and the best laid plans often go wrong. It is always a good idea to at least consider the worst case scenario. If I didn't like that worst case scenario, I'd re-read Number 1 and Number 2 above and look for a school that I wouldn't mind if the worst case scenario occurred.</p></li>
<li><p>I'd also consider taking a semester off from school, perhaps just taking some community college classes to get pre-recquisite courses out of the way, and, with the money I'd save by not going to school full-time, I'd hire a PROFESSIONAL college admissions counselor to help me plan my next move and sort through my options. I'd give myself the time to really look at and consider all options, and figure things out for the Fall semester. I might even consider hiring some help right now, before I make my next move.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Of course, these are just the options I would consider. But, I'd at least know that I had approached this problem in a mature way, considering ALL possibilities and not just rushing off because I had to change things QUICKLY.
Just remember the old saying: Out of the frying pan and into the fire. Try to avoid that if possible by doing your research up front.</p>
<p>Wow I'm surprised the deadline for Rugters is so late. The reason I would rather not go there is because I would rather go to a place like Monmouth where I am sure I will get great grades while I am looking at other schools. Rutgers is not a school that appeals to me so I do not think it's worth going there since it will not be easy and I do not want to stay there. It is also farther from my hometown which would make looking at other schools more difficult.</p>