<p>I'm a junior, and I just wanted to ask this before I apply this fall. When you're rejected from colleges, can you still transfer there later on in your collegiate career? Or can you never go there for undergrad studies?</p>
<p>Yes, it is theoretically possible to transfer there later, if the college admits transfers.</p>
<p>Whether it is doable in practice depends on how well you do in college before transfer, and how friendly the target college is to transfer applicants (state universities tend to be more transfer friendly).</p>
<p>Yes, you can transfer and/or go there for grad school.</p>
<p>Alright, because I’ve got this scenario in mind…if I’m rejected from my top two schools, but I get into my third choice. I really like it there, but I decide to try and transfer to my first choice after one and a half years, as the program for my major is better at my first choice. Would that be a good reason to transfer?</p>
<p>While you may find it a good reason to transfer, the real question is what about YOU will be more attractive to the college that rejected you once. </p>
<p>Ultimately, I think this should be shelved as an option at this point. Don’t go into things expecting to “upgrade” yourself. It likely won’t happen.</p>
<p>Plus when you say “the program for my major is better at my first choice” – can you honestly say that the amount that you engage School 1’s AAA program will be so significantly different than School 2’s AA program? Plus, you have no guarantee if what you want to major in now, will be what you eventually study since MOST students switch majors.</p>
<p>I personally think in general it is a better plan to apply to all schools you would be willing to attend, and go to the choice you are admitted to that has the best combination of features you want in a college. Look forward and make the most of wherever you get in, and look long and hard for matches and safeties that will work well for you. There are thousands of colleges in the US, and no reason to fixate on two of them. Plus, it chops up your college experience. It is harder to make long term friends and also develop deep relationships with faculty who may serve as references and mentors for you. While sometimes a transfer is necessary, you get a lot of payoff from committing to a college that wants you as a freshman and making the most of the opportunities in that environment.</p>
<p>The biggest downside to going to college three with the intent to transfer to one or two is that you will not put all of your heart into finding friends, clubs and such at college one. Go in without the chip on your shoulder, or you will be comparing everything to what you “might have had”. Who knows? Maybe you’d have had a terrible roommate at one, or a professor you couldn’t stand at two. Appreciate number three and make the best of it, and then MAYBE a year and a half from now consider transferring, but don’t make it your goal. You’ll be happier that way.</p>
<p>Totally agree with KKmama. D1 was a transfer student, it was the right thing for her, but it wasn’t easy. Dealing with transfer applications while taking classes, deciding how to deal with possibly leaving and telling friends, making new friends and figuring out a new college while other students have had a year to adjust and get to know each other. Sometimes transferring is necessary, but I wouldn’t advise going into your fr year planning on it.</p>
<p>@intparent so then, those three schools out of the six on my list. And I agree with you on that. It was just a question that was on my mind.</p>
<p>@KKmama @entomom you both bring up very strong points I cannot disagree with.</p>
<p>Thank you all for answering!</p>
<p>Is your third choice college at least acceptable for your intended major(s)?</p>
<p>Actually, trying again through transfer probably is not that rare, but the ones that I know of typically had this scenario:</p>
<ul>
<li>Applied to state universities as frosh.</li>
<li>Did not get into desired campus or impacted major.</li>
<li>Went to low cost community college, got good grades in frosh/soph level courses as articulated to the state universities and majors.</li>
<li>Applied to state universities as junior transfer.</li>
<li>Got into a desired campus and major.</li>
<li>Attended state university.</li>
<li>Completed bachelor’s degree.</li>
</ul>
<p>Note that going to a community college with intent to transfer may differ in some ways compared to going to a four year school with intent to transfer. For one, faculty, advisers, fellow students, and administration at community colleges expect and support students intending to transfer. A community college may also be significantly less expensive unless you get a big scholarship or generous financial aid at the four year school. However, community college students typically must transfer to complete their bachelor’s degrees, unlike four year school students who can complete their bachelor’s degrees where they are.</p>
<p>I am confused… you should really be willing to go to all six colleges on your list. Keep looking for affordable matches and safeties if that is not the case.</p>
<p>@ucbalumnus yes, my third choice is most certainly acceptable. </p>
<p>@intparent yeah, you’re right. It’s just that those three are my main ones. Didn’t explain myself well enough.</p>
<p>
Not really a good plan. I doubt there are just 2 colleges in the entire country that are good for whatever major you have, the remaining 3,000 colleges just offering pale imitations of the real thing ;-)</p>
<p>There are times when it makes sense to transfer. But it isn’t easy and involves a lot of churn. People seem to focus on the external factors and ignore the elephant in the room. The real difference in how things turn out is going to depend on what you do in college. If you study hard to learn the material and get good grades, get to know some profs if you’re aiming at grad school so you get strong recs, take part in research/internships as appropriate for your major & goals, then you’ll be just fine. And better than the average schlub that thinks changing schools alone is going to make a big difference.</p>
<p>Very Well Said @Mikemac !</p>
<p>@mikemac very well said indeed. I’m not even planning this tbh. It’s just a rhetoric.</p>