Hard to set my mind on current school. Help?

Transfer Students
1

<p>Hey all,</p>

<p>I'm a freshman at one of universities that are ranked 20-something on US News. The school has been OK so far, but I can't get over the feeling of being left out. This school was one of my last choices, which I thought would enroll if I don't get into any other schools. And that happened. Actually, I got into two more colleges, but they were even less of a priority to me. </p>

<p>People have been nice as well as classes, and I've tried hard to become a part of the community. I've been trying really hard, and it's been really hard. However hard I try, there is no sense of belonging. I've never imagined being at this school in my life, even until this April. Other than that, this school doesn't offer a major or similar major I'm interested in. It also has a very pre-professional vibe, but not in my field of interest. And the library is really tiny for all the students they have. It's the size of library at typical LACs, when it's a research library with the undergraduate size of H or Y. I don't even know how they're gonna hold students who want to study at the library during finals. I figured all these out after I came here (I've done research, but it was hard to get a true picture of the school through counselors and web posts). But yeah, I know. I sound like a little whining kid, and that's why I'm posting it here. How do I enjoy my last choice school other than trying to be in the community and have a good relationship with students and professors here? What should I change? Even if I get into a transfer school, I'll need to spend time here for the rest of academic year. If I don't get in, I'll need to stay here for four years, of course. So I'd want to know the coping mechanism.</p>

<p>Also, I registered for November SAT, but I think I'm gonna delay it to January. January is the last SAT I can take, but I have a winter break before the test date. I think it might be better to delay SAT to January, but at the same time I feel like having just once chance is too risky. I got 32 on ACT in high school (2140 in SAT). Do you think I need to take it twice? Can I just take the risk? If I don't do it well, would 32 on ACT good enough score to be competitive at any top schools as a transfer applicant? </p>

<p>Thanks. </p>

2

<p>The main thing I would do is get involved in non-academic activities. If you’re going to a top 20 university, they’re going to have a ridiculous number of clubs, so just find a couple that sound interesting and go. They also strongly consider community involvement on transfer apps, so I’d recommend it either way.</p>

<p>As for the SAT thing, most transfers I know didn’t retake it. I think the advice I got was that if all your scores start with seven (ie 700+ in math, reading, and writing), it pretty much didn’t matter how much higher you got unless it was an 800. If you’re applying to similar places and your SAT scores were fine the first time, they should be fine the second time.</p>

3

<p>The main thing I would do is get involved in non-academic activities. If you’re going to a top 20 university, they’re going to have a ridiculous number of clubs, so just find a couple that sound interesting and go. They also strongly consider community involvement on transfer apps, so I’d recommend it either way.</p>

<p>As for the SAT thing, most transfers I know didn’t retake it. I think the advice I got was that if all your scores start with seven (ie 700+ in math, reading, and writing), it pretty much didn’t matter how much higher you got unless it was an 800. If you’re applying to similar places and your SAT scores were fine the first time, they should be fine the second time.</p>

4

<p>I’m already involved in non-academic activities. And as for SAT, I do have one score starting with 6, so I guess I’ll retake it. Thanks for the advice.</p>