<p>I enjoyed this Daily Beast article by a U. of Chicago student who discussed feeling like an outsider her freshman year and wondering why her college experience wasn't living up to her expectations.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/11/12/freshman-year-sucks-and-that-s-ok.html">http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/11/12/freshman-year-sucks-and-that-s-ok.html</a></p>
<p>(And note the little College Confidential plug in the 3rd paragraph). ;-)</p>
<p>While she does go on to say that now, as a junior, she's found her niche, she also wisely points out that some college students never do.</p>
<p>So here's a question: How do you decide between making the best of a not-so-hot college fit vs. transferring elsewhere with the hope of finding a better one?</p>
<p>Look at the gains/losses.</p>
<p>I’ve decided to transfer because in addition to having meh academic programs and a weak alumni network, my commuter school lacks a community. I discourage any student from “sticking it out” at a school they’ll regret attending because people like to say, “Give it a chance!” In reality, not all schools are worth giving a chance. Are you going to stay in a relationship where you’re dissatisfied because there’s a possibility you’ll grow to like him/her?</p>
<p>However, I’m attending a school that is, well, kind of mediocre in most ways. If one is attending a school that is academically strong in their major and relatively well respected, perhaps they should think more critically about their options before jumping into a new school where they’ll be equally miserable. Sometimes people are distracted by momentary problems rather than intrinsic problems (having friends vs. academic quality).</p>
<p>@TiredQuibbler. Good points! It’s important to try to diagnose the source of the unhappiness and then decide if it’s likely to follow you to a new college. It’s also important, when choosing a transfer school, to avoid repeating an earlier mistake. (People seem to do that in relationships all the time!)</p>
<p>Also, sometimes problems can be solved within one’s own college. For instance, a student unhappy in a noisy party dorm might find soul mates in a theme dorm or smaller living/learning community. </p>
<p>Finances are a very important aspect - if your family had virtually no college savings for you and you are on a generous financial aid package (as might be the case with particular ivy league calibre schools) - I’d think very hard about forfeiting that (financial) opportunity in lieu of a better fit coupled with less than generous transfer aid. This would especially be the case for students who are very set on the concept of graduate/professional school; debt aversion should be a priority. </p>
<p>@preamble–Very true. A good financial aid package can keep a student tethered to an initial college choice.While need-based aid may remain fairly consistent when a student transfers (depending on the schools in question), a great merit aid deal is usually tough to replicate as a transfer. </p>
<p>But, on the other hand, I see more students who are unhappy as freshmen due to financial stresses who then transfer to a less expensive college than I see students who stick it out at a pricey college because they can’t afford to look elsewhere. </p>