<p>I'm currently a Freshman at Colgate University and am definitely considering (read: definitely going to) submit a transfer application to Wesleyan, as well as a couple of other schools. I have plenty of reasons: mainly the lack of an artistic presence on campus, the dominating frat scene, the lack of an LGBT community, the lack of anything in the surrounding area (Hamilton...what are you going to do?), the lack of any kind of diversity in the students here, and the fact that every day, I wake up knowing that this is not the best place for me. I'm an aspiring actor/entertainer/performer (whatever you'd like to call me :3) and I wish with all of my heart that I had applied to Wesleyan last year when I was looking at colleges. Don't get me wrong, Colgate's not all bad, and the friends I've made here aren't my reason for wanting to leave at all, and the professors and the classes are all wonderful, but...yeah...at the end of the day, I just know there's somewhere better for me. </p>
<p>I got a 30 on my ACT's (not super great, I know) and I have two 700 SAT II subject test scores (Lit and Bio E), I graduated in the top 5% of my high school class (either 5 or 7 out of 150). I'm also the first person in my family to go to college (if that even matters). This semester, I'm currently taking: </p>
<p>Intro to Psych
Elementary Spanish I
Basic Acting
and one of our CORE classes called "Legacies of the Ancient World." (Basically, a classical literature class). </p>
<p>At the worst, I'm hoping I won't have anything less than a B in any of these courses. Do you guys think I'd have a chance as a transfer application to Wesleyan? Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks so much!</p>
<p>I would absolutely encourage you to transfer to Wesleyan. None of the comments you made about Colgate surprise me in the least, negative or positive. Your perceptions match those of my son when he did a campus tour and interview there a couple years ago. The bottom line is that each student ought to be able to study at the place that best suits them. I know of a student who transferred out of Swarthmore to Wesleyan, so it happens at the best of schools. I think your overall profile would be fine for Wesleyan and your board scores are not off target. I would hope that you would turn in some great grades for this semester in all four classes. In addition, see if you can get an interview on campus at Wesleyan, and good luck.</p>
<p>That’s great to hear! I’m hoping my need for financial aid won’t weigh too heavily into my application since I need a lot of it, seeing as how I come from a lower middle-class family. But, hey, I got into Colgate even though they’re need-aware, so miracles do happen! Thanks for your words of encouragement! I’d love to hear some other people’s thoughts as well.</p>
<p>Wesleyan sounds like a great fit for you, but you should also probably apply to some other schools that are similar to Wesleyan but easier to get into. Skidmore, Grinnell, Bard, and Oberlin come to mind.</p>
<p>So I just got my grades back from this first semester and I got 3 B’s and an A, making my final GPA a 3.25. Not super stellar at all. Would I still even stand a chance at all at a successful transfer?</p>
<p>Nobody here can give you any guarantee because even if your GPA were 4.0 that would not be a slam dunk. One thing you might consider is my perception that those who dream the biggest dreams and take the toughest risks do the best at Wesleyan. Adcom knows that and that’s the kind of student they seek like a heat seeking missile. If that’s you, apply. If not, maybe staying at Colgate is not so bad. Your school is very highly regarded.</p>
<p>Why are you focused on one college only when there are others which woudl offer you similar experiences in art, theater, etc.? You need a variety of options to be successful and should not risk all on one college which might not admit you. </p>
<p>As you can see from my name, I love Colgate, attended it myself some years ago, and my daughter goes there now. I don’t disagree with much of your description of it. It is isolated (who knew little Hamilton, N.Y. didn’t have a subway, great theater, or a club scene?). It is pretty athletic, outdoorsy, a bit heavy on frat life, along with very good academics, and may not be the ideal place for LGBT students (there is a significant presence in my experience on campus, however, so I guess I’m a little suprirsed at your description). </p>
<p>I was only modestly artistic (art major, though) and my daugher is in a great Poli Sci program which ain’t very arty. But if you’re commited to theater, etc. you can find better options, and if you need civilization upstate New York is a stretch. </p>
<p>I’d urge anyone to transfer out of a college where they don’t feel they belong but also to look widely at a variety of schools. If you really want “out” of where you are you should not put all your eggs in one basket. I have no particular schools to recommend other than those off the top of my head which might include Carnegie-Mellon, NYU, and a few others. If you cannot get admitted to Wesleyan, you need a back-up plan and should perhaps cast your net a little wider, even out of the Northeast. If you do, you will find a great place. Don’t focus too narrowly.</p>
<p>I second the Vassar, Bard and Skidmore suggestions. Also check out Brandeis - they have tons of theater there - we were surprised. Our tour guide took us into the theater and gave us a great tour. Research the number of transfers the schools take - I am not familiar with those stats. You may want to throw in a few match/safeties like Susquehanna and especially Muhlenberg (really strong in theater - they have a gorgeous one).</p>
<p>I will definitely be taking all of these things into consideration! At this point, I’m trying to gauge whether or not I should try and raise my GPA this semester and try my hand at transferring in the spring or if I should try and scramble and get it all done now and see what happens in May. </p>
<p>I can definitely say that I don’t think Colgate will be the place that I’ll be spending the next 3 years of my life, so all I need to figure out is the “when.” If anyone has any suggestions, I’d also be super appreciative. </p>
<p>And of course, @ColgateDad, you’re right to tell me not to put all of my eggs in one basket, lol. And naturally I’d definitely be applying to transfer to more than one school, but…yeah. My next question would be: should I apply for admission for next fall (with a relatively low college GPA but decent high school record) or wait it out and try again for a spring transfer later on when my college GPA is higher?</p>
<p>I’m in the same place you are! I’m applying as a Fall Transfer for sophomore year into Wesleyan! My current school is really isolated and I hate the curriculum! Good luck!</p>