<p>My S has been deliberating whether to transfer for quite some time now. He got accepted to the college he thinks he would like to go to but is still unsure about it. He goes back and forth...one day wants to transfer out and the next not 100% sure. </p>
<p>So here it is........ he is a sophomore and the semester is almost over. He is now thinking of postponing the transfer decision for another semester and transferring in the spring of his junior year. Does this make any sense?</p>
<p>He keeps hoping his current school will get better. There are things he likes about it and things he doesn't. There are things he likes about the new school and things he doesn't. He would be going from a private school to a state school, so finances are a factor. He would be going from the south to the north, so that is another factor. </p>
<p>I have been trying to stay out of the decision making process and let him make his own decision, but I need to know if waiting another semester is something I should allow. My concern is that coming in at that late date will make it even harder for him as a transfer academically and socially. </p>
<p>I would definately consider the fact that most schools won't accept more than 60 credits when transferring. If this is the case, I can't see why it would make sense for him to attend his current school this fall if he's intent on transferring in the spring.</p>
<p>Lily,
I would have the same concerns as you about his adjusting socially and academically in the middle of jr year. It's one of the major considerations about transferring at all, and it seems like both transferring mid-year and with only a year and a half remaining would be the most difficult circumstance possible. If it was me, I would tell him to make a decision to transfer in the fall or not at all. After two full years at his school, things are not going to change substantially fall of jr year, it would just drag out his decision. </p>
<p>I really feel for him, and admire the fact that he can see both the sides of his schools, but it seems like delaying his decision won't help, and could even make the change more difficult.</p>
<p>chessie - It seems as though the school my son is considering does accept students with more than 60 credits.</p>
<p>entomom - yes, I agree with you. I think things will be much more difficult if he postpones the transfer to the spring. I just can't seem to make him understand it tho. He is going to accepted students open house this weekend for the new school, so maybe that will help him with the decision. I can only hope!</p>
<p>Lilymoon, I am sorry to hear that your S is having trouble deciding what to do. It was bad enough senior year of high school ... this is even tougher. Personally, I think that he might as well just stick it out if the whole way if he decides not to transfer this year. However, that's me ... he has to decide for himself. Just make sure he is certain that he can transfer to the new school in spring of junior year & still graduate on time. He should get it in writing from an academic advisor at the school. Otherwise, he may realize too late that he waited too long.</p>
<p>I have followed his story, and I do feel bad for him. I know it's hard not to "fit," when everyone you hear about seems to fit just fine (not that they all do ... but it feels that way!). I hope the accepted student day helps him to feel comfortable with whatever decision he ultimately makes. Best wishes to both of you.</p>
<p>Flip side of chessie's point - don't most schools require 4 semesters and/or ~60 credits at their school in order to receive their degree? Is this the case at the potential transfer school, and - if so - would he be willing to spend the extra time/$ for an additional semester?</p>
<p>It's silly to give specific advice over an Internet forum when we really don't have the whole picture... but why should I let that stop me :o? It seems to me that if he is so torn, it would be better just to stay. There will always be pluses and minuses of any place, as he already sees. So, absent a more compelling reason to make the change, why do it? His temporizing may lead him to this conclusion eventually anyway (to stay). OTOH, if he does decide, later on, to transfer and the school will allow it... well, nothing wrong with taking the road less travelled.</p>
<p>It does increase the likelihood that the adjustment will be tough. But kids can live through tough adjustments if they have chosen to transfer. My S transferred at a "normal" time (began sophomore year at the new school). It was not an easy adjustment and he is still very aware of the things he doesn't relish at the new school (academically and socially), but he can live with it.</p>
<p>Kelsmom - thanks for your sympathy and good wishes. I appreciate your thoughts. Yes, he doesn't feel as though he really "fits" at his present school but maybe he feels as though the comfort of the familiar is a consideration. That, along with the nice weather and pretty surroundings is hard to leave.</p>
<p>Andale - yes, he is willing to stay the extra semester or year if he needs to after transferring if it comes to that. He actually would welcome it as it would give him more time there to adjust and experience the new environment. Thanks for your thoughts.</p>
<p>burgler09 - yes, my S is at UM. He is not sure that UM is a good fit for him socially. He is a very laid back, down to earth kid and feels as though he hasn't met many others like himself. He was accepted to SUNY New Paltz.</p>
<p>hi, i was just wondering, what did your son end up doing? I am a sophomore at UCLA and am thinking of transferring for fall or maybe spring of my junior year to a school in the northeast, possibly a SUNY. I understand his predicament (or what was his predicament if it is not longer).</p>
<p>Hi agerard-
My S ended up transferring for second semester junior year to SUNY New Paltz. I think he is happy with his decision for a number of reasons, although it wasn’t always easy. The people at New Paltz are very down to earth and welcoming, so that helped a lot. It was a bit unsettling adjusting to a new, much colder environment in the middle of the school year, but really just the first few weeks were difficult until he found his way in a new system and surroundings. He made some good friends right away and found the people at NP to be much more eager to help, the staff much more considerate and the overall environment more cohesive. Transfers don’t get on campus housing anymore due to the rising popularity of the school, so he found a great house with all transfers and all students living in his complex. He is now doing very well, loves his major, has met some really nice people and is very comfortable. He likes the fact that he has expereinced two very different undergrad environments and is more well rounded for it. He will be staying on an extra year to complete his requirements, but in this economic climate there is no rush to get out and get a job anyway. If you have any specific questions, feel free to PM me.</p>
This forum is the most helpful thing I have found on the internet all day. S’s story relates to mine perfectly. I feel more confident in transferring schools within the next year.