<p>I am thinking about transfering to U of Chicago. I heard that , it is extremely difficult for the transfer students to transfer their credits to UC, and they might need to retake all the core courses, even if they are sophomores. </p>
<p>You know, I don't want to spend an extra year in college, since the cost and living expenses are so expensive. Thus, I want to make sure whether the above satements are true? Can the transfer students graduate within 4 years, with an acceptable workload?</p>
<ol>
<li><p>If you're currently a freshman, I'm going to suggest that it's a little too soon to start filling out the transfer apps. Any school takes a good deal of getting used to, and switching to Chicago won't solve all of the problems you're experiencing.</p></li>
<li><p>Oatmealia or akx06 have lots more experience with the transfer process than I do, but I imagine a lot of the credits depend on what courses you're taking now.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>I don't think they will accept classes like English Composition. However, I have a friend who took a one semester long history of philosophy class and UChicago gave him 3 quarters worth of core SOSC credit for the class.</p>
<p>Ooh, I've been called upon!</p>
<p>My experience with transferring to Chicago is that it is difficult to get your credits to transfer. I am one of those transfer students who will be taking the entire core. Luckily, some of my electives transferred in (which to my understanding is common), so I will not be trying to force four full years into three and a quarter. I will most likely be able to graduate after a cumulative four years and a quarter (that's years here AND at my first school), which is close enough to the four year goal for me to be satisfied. This is barring any breakdown or dramatic change in my concentration.</p>
<p>I also now know transfers who are exempt from sequences like HUM or SOSC or who placed out of two quarters of HUM and have the option of taking the third quarter as a continuation of something similar which they studied at their first school. You cannot achieve credit in math or foreign language except by testing out of courses during O-Week, so keep that in mind. Also, if you've taken Physics or Chem(?), you can take accreditation exams which will allow you to garner appropriate credit for yourself. However, I've heard they're very difficult exams.</p>
<p>I haven't started my first quarter yet, so I don't know what my courseload will actually feel like, but the input that I have received so far is that it will be intense. So, you may find yourself in a situation where you have to work very, very hard for a year or so (and then very hard for the rest of your UChicago career, I'm sure. :)). If transferring to Chicago is something you'd really like to do, I'd recommend taking courses like Intro to Psych + Economics (that's two separate courses), because you will then be able to pass out of SOSC. If you can consult with someone from UChicago (i.e., if you're that serious), I would recommend it, though the staff appears to be comprised of very busy people. </p>
<p>I agree with unalove that you should give your school a good chance, and not be too eager to transfer. However, if you decide to transfer, it will be a huge process regardless. I can't say much about my case, since I haven't started classes yet, but just reaching campus cued my own private choir of angels. I knew I wouldn't be happy or challenged at my first school. Know why you want to transfer and make sure it's a solid reason-- only then will the process feel rewarding, as opposed to merely repetitive and dissatisfying.</p>
<p>In my case, I felt as though I got a good chunk of transfer credit. I found the range of credit between transfers was huge. Some got none, others barely had to take any core classes (usually kids from LACs like Swat or Bowdowin)</p>
<p>I got SOSC credit for taking American Govt and Psych...I also placed into Math 199, so I got credit for Math 151-152-153. I technically could have gotten credit for more math, but I didn't as I wanted a refresher course before going into some of the harder classes.</p>
<p>Foreign language is placement as well. </p>
<p>I also petitioned to have credit granted for a Phy Sci class, and it was given to me. </p>
<p>I think you could also take an art history class that would transfer as a requirement for the core. I believe Hum is notoriously difficult to get credit for. Physics and Bio, you can easily get credit for those granted your course description is similar to the description in the U of C course catalog.</p>
<p>I got a ton of elective credit as well. I actually could have graduated after only two years at U of C (3 years of college total) or take 3 classes a quarter and easily graduate in a total of 4 years - neither of which I did.</p>
<p>And I would like to also say that you should not jump the gun on transferring.</p>