Help me understand where I stand in the transfer process?

Transfer Students
1

<p>So I guess to start off with some background info...</p>

<p>I'm a freshman at Trinity College in CT. I got accepted here and chose to go here because it was the best school I got into and they paid just about my entire way. I only pay $3,000 a year in loans. For a school that cost 55 grand...not too shabby at all haha. I got accepted to Emerson, Syracuse, Marist, BU, and a few SUNY schools, but chose to go here instead.</p>

<p>But the thing is...I'm really unhappy here, and I've had to put up with a lot of BS and terrible people here, and I'm sick of it. And I don't think it's a good school or city for my interests, which haved changed substantially since the time I applied here. So I figure it's time to go somewhere where I can better fit in. I just can't see myself here for another 3 years. I know I know, I'm drawing drastic conclusions after only one semester, but just trust me when I say this is not the right place for me, at all.</p>

<p>When I got accepted here, I had a 25 ACT (math killed me) and about an 87 average over 4 years. First generation minority student. My biggest thing going for me was not my numbers, but it was a pretty bomb essay and a fantastic resume which I continue to build on (not to sound over-confident here haha), that I attribute to me getting into the schools I got into. I won't go into detail about all I've done, but I'd be relying heavily on the essay and extras/resume to carry me. </p>

<p>So... how are things going on the collegiate level here?</p>

<p>Well I won't BS it or sugarcoat it....I screwed up big time my first semester. It was a very rough period and tough adjustment. I got a 2.2 <______________<</p>

<p>It was a slap in the face, and it woke me up. This semester I've been doing much better. And I'm also taking classes that I actually love. It's still pretty tough, but I don't expect to get anything less than a B in any of my 5 classes. Hopefully at year's end I can bump up to a 2.6 at the very least. I'm a creative writing and film major, by the way. With a minor in music perhaps.</p>

<p>So where do I stand in the transfer world? I know if I leave Trinity I know I stand to lose a substantial amount of money and downgrade a lot when it comes to reputation, name brand, and even academic quality (the faculty here is one of the few bright spots). But I rather be happy in all honesty. All I want to do is pursue my love of film, writing, and start a hard rock band. Maybe even with a few like-minded people. Too much to ask for?</p>

<p>I should note I also do have plans to possibly pursue a law degree. I've taken a lot of legal courses and have been involved in Mock Trial for several years. Seeing as how writing/film/music are all incredibly hard fields to break into, law school is my backup plan. </p>

<p>I haven't looked into transfering much. Where would I go? Do I even have a chance of getting into a school like SUNY Purchase at the moment, or am I screwed by my first semester grades? How much more money, or less, would I be paying? When would I be starting life at a new school? Should I try and send out any apps now, or wait until next semester?</p>

<p>In regards to finances...last year I got pretty much all expenses paid for my state schools (Fredonia/Plattsburgh/Albany) in part to my high need. I got a couple of scholarships in the 1 or 2 grand range from the SUNY's, but everything was mostly paid off through grants and such. Purchase is also on the cheap side. </p>

<p>Also some of the schools I'm thinking of...</p>

<p>SUNY Purchase
Clark University
Hampshire
Emerson (again... >_>)
Skidmore
New Paltz
Wesleyan
Bard</p>

<p>Roughly ranked in order I probably have a shot at. What needs to be done, and where do I have a solid chance for? My top choices are Emerson, Purchase, New Paltz, in that order. But I certainly wouldn't mind the other schools as long as I got in. Finance is a huge issue seeing as how the only family I have is my disabled mom leaving off a few hundred a month. All these schools seem to give solid financial aid packages. However for a transfer student with less than stellar grades...it's hard to expect much. </p>

<p>If it helps, I am doing very well in my Creative Writing and Advanced Filmmaking courses this semester, and am working on a couple of stories and more importantly, a big short film to be sent out to film festivals and such. </p>

<p>Any words of advice, wisdom, and encouragement are greatly appreciated <3</p>

2

<p>Honestly if you want to transfer you’re probably going to need to spend another year at your current school. Many schools want at the least a 3.0 to transfer (such as Emerson). If you wait until you’re going into junior year it’ll also make the 25 ACT less harmful to your app. Aid for transfers is quite limited and with your gpa it’s going to be rough. You might also have to spend an extra year in college because anything you got below a C (2.0) on won’t transfer to most schools.
Sorry :/</p>

3

<p>You have the next 80 years to be “happy”. Don’t throw away a basically free college education too quickly.</p>

<p>Even if you could get into Bard, Wesleyan, etc with your low GPA, chances are as a transfer student (and one that is struggling with grades), you won’t get much if any merit aid. </p>

<p>Since Trinity is almost free for you, any chance of just sticking it out the 2 years and <em>then</em> decide if you “need” to transfer to a public college? It may be that you find your niche if you give Trinity more time–the grass isn’t that much greener at other colleges and as you admit, the courseload is still a big part of the adjustment shock. Take a look at Trinity and the opportunities for stand-out there at the college and work towards those opportunities for awhile.</p>

4

<p>I’m definitely open to spending at least another semester here…and could probably tough it out a year if need be. However beyond that I just don’t see myself here. Socially or academically. And honestly, the sooner I can get out of here the better. On the positives my grades are looking much better this semester (not great or anything, but definitely a step up), and another semester or two could probably repair the gpa damage a lot. To give more insight on the 2.2, i got three C’s and a B. So at least my credit will transfer over. This semester I’m taking 5 classes instead of four, and hopefully if I stay above B with a couple of A’s then that would help tremendously…</p>

<p>But as I said, the sooner I can get out of here, I feel the more beneficial it would be to me. I took a risk coming here and regret it, especially learning of the opportunities I could have had (I applied here ED2…so I got my acceptance letters to other places after the choice had been made).</p>

<p>Now in regards to the transfer situation…realistically I could see myself getting into Purchase, with the others being medium to very distant longshots.</p>

<p>I checked the financial stats for the other schools and a lot of kids had a lot of their need met. However a need-blind school like Bard I have about a 1% shot of getting into, and with my high need and current standing, I’m far from the best candidate for admission <_<</p>

<p>Going to a school like Purchase would work financially, but I wonder what I’d be losing in terms of giving up the Trinity degree…or if it matters at all. Especially if I want to pursue law in the future in the case that my other main areas don’t work out.</p>

5

<p>im considering transfering INTO trinity itself…i love the sports teams and scene…what exactly dont u like about it jw??</p>

6

<p>Also, i come from a very wealthy/affluent town and trinity is very highly regarded amongst the kids here…</p>

7

<p>I don’t know for sure, but I would be surprised if Bard is need blind for transfers. Also, need blind isn’t the same thing as meets full need. I don’t believe any schools on your list guarantee to meet full need for incoming freshmen, and financial aid is generally more limited for transfers than it is for freshmen. </p>

<p>Would you consider improving your grades sophomore year, spending junior year either abroad or at another exchange institution, and then returning for your senior year? ([Inter-institutional</a> programs](<a href=“http://www.trincoll.edu/pub/about/bulletin/bulletinli10.html]Inter-institutional”>http://www.trincoll.edu/pub/about/bulletin/bulletinli10.html)) </p>

<p>I’m not trying to burst your dream, but law school is not necessarily a get rich plan. See NYT article here: <a href=“For Law School Graduates, Debts if Not Job Offers - The New York Times”>For Law School Graduates, Debts if Not Job Offers - The New York Times;