I think I just blew my chances at transferring...any help???

Transfer Students
1

<p>So I ended my first year of college and academically I was abysmal. However, part of the reason for this was not feeling very comfortable in the environment I was in. I'm too far away from home, one of the few minorities at my school, have over-extended myself with extra-curriculars and sports in an attempt to fill the void, and found it difficult to relate to anyone. I'm just not happy here. Period.</p>

<p>I'm attending a top 15 liberal arts college which I decided to attend given it's reputation and generous aid it offered me. People are nice, academics are interesting at times, and I do a lot on campus but there's no life here. I feel isolate and alone. My freshmen year was painful but it went by so quickly that I found it difficult to actually experience and enjoy it. I know I could probably brave the next three years, but I don't think I can bare being this depressed here.</p>

<p>As of now I have below a 3.0 (yes I know it's terrible) and I don't know what my second semester grades are right now. I have decent extracurriculars (class president, interning for campaigns, volunteering, etc), I'm an exceptional athlete, a great essay writer and could acquire good recs (I have had difficulties in classes but my profs know how hard I've worked to do well by attending office hours, getting tutors), etc., but my grades don't match up.</p>

<p>I know without a doubt that I CAN do well academically but it takes moving to a better environment to make that happen. That's why I need to transfer. </p>

<p>I want to attend an institution with similar academic reputation and prestige but a much different atmosphere. Somewhere close to the city, perhaps near home but at least much like it, an institution within a college town. I know given how poorly I've done I'm probably asking for far too much but I really can't stand it here.</p>

<p>I'm looking at Georgetown, Boston College, Stanford, USC, and the like.</p>

<p>So what should I do?</p>

2

<p>I’ll be honest, no college is going to buy that. A good percentage of transfers are unhappy (perhaps even a plurality) because after all, they’re transferring. Even still, many students manage to do well, sometimes even better with the added motivation. With a GPA below 3.0, your application won’t even be considered at most if not all of those schools. I have no doubt you’re an intelligent, capable, and desirable student. Colleges, especially ones as competitive as the ones you’ve listed, are comparing you to transfer students who have 3.5s, 3.8s, and 4.0s. It’s much safer and fairer to accept those students.</p>

<p>My advice is this…apply wherever you like as there’s no harm in trying, but if you are certain you want to transfer, accept that you may need to step down, not up, the ranking lists to do so. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. Do what makes you happy and more successful in college.</p>

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<p>Thanks. I understand that colleges I chose are very unlikely given my grades. Does anyone have an idea of where I could go that has a more “city” or near “city” feel to it, lots of school spirit, good academics, and has a lot of life? A school I’d have a chance of getting into if I improved my performance next semester?</p>

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<p>I’d suggest looking at Vanderbilt- it’s still a big reach given your situation, but they accept at a much higher rate than anywhere you listed and it’s obviously a great school. Northeastern, American, and large state schools are probably closer to being possibilities, but you need to improve your GPA. Aim for a 4.0 and take a challenging course load. The number one factor they’ll look at is your college GPA, so if it’s still below 3.0 you will probably end up stuck at your current school.</p>

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<p>I’d suggest buying a copy of the Princeton Review.</p>

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<p>@AlexaBelle I thought of San Diego State University as I was reading your post. Great spirit and lively campus. It’s gotten pretty selective though.</p>

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<p>Thanks for all the suggestions. I’ll definitely look into Vanderbilt as it’s close to home, too and SDSU too. </p>

<p>I’m also worried about being able to afford college. Part of the reason why I wanted to go to an institution with similar prestige at my school is because I know those institutions also happen to award generous financial aid. I’m not exactly sure what I’d do about that. The fact I recieved nearly a full-ride at my current school was why I chose it.</p>

<p>Trying to balance the trade-offs b/w current and potentional school.</p>

<p>More prestige v. less prestige
Private v. public
More aid v. more loans</p>

<p>I’m not sure if I should just wait it out or not…</p>

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<p>Alexa,</p>

<p>Your health and happiness is much more important than going to a school with a good name / reputation. There are so many people who go to colleges you and I have never even heard of, and they go on to have successful, happy lives. I understand wanting to go to a school with a good reputation / good academics, especially since you are intelligent. However, since you are already at a school like that and you do not feel happy there, I would really suggest you try something completely different. </p>

<p>It would also mean you don’t have to stress yourself out even more by trying to stay at your current school another year and get perfect grades. There are plenty of schools that are still taking applications for next year. Maybe you should look for schools within a few hours of your home, apply to several, and then after your classes end you can go visit a few of the campuses before making your decision.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

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<p>Any suggestions on schools who are still accepting applicants for Fall Term (or Spring)</p>

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<p>I don’t think any are for Fall '13.</p>

<p>A good number of schools accept spring transfers, though. Check each school’s website and you’ll find it easily. I’d guess around 1/2 of schools accept spring transfers. Look into it.</p>

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<p>I’d also like to add that it’s not the end of the world and worse things can happen than messing up a year of college (look at Boston or West, Texas). You’ll be okay no matter what. One bad year of school, long-term, won’t matter a bit.</p>

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<p>Thanks, I know I’ve been very lucky to be where I am right now, especially looking back at where I came from. </p>

<p>I’ve found a list of colleges accepting for Spring. Do any of these look feasible, I know there extremely selective, but I’m having a hard time finding others?</p>

<p>Vassar
Cornell
Middleburry
Brown
Amherst</p>

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<p>These are less feasible than the others you listed.</p>

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<p>I see. Would you happen to know a list of colleges that I’d be likely to transfer to? I don’t really know where to go to find some that are more feasible.</p>

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<p>If you get your GPA above 3.0, the ones with the highest rates on this list might be more reasonable.</p>

<p>http://***********.com/stats/transfer-acceptance-rates/#.UXNVAoKoNYZ</p>

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<p>This may be harsh, but maybe it will help you see the reality of what you’re saying:</p>

<p>“I’m far away from home; I’ve done too many activities; I feel lonely; … [blah blah blah, whine whine whine] … I have a 3.0 GPA and none of that’s my fault. I only get bad grades because I attend an easy university. If I attend a harder university, I know I’ll get good grades. I want to transfer to Stanford. QQQQQQQ”</p>

<p>Good luck! You’ll be better off buying lottery tickets.</p>

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<p>13transfer</p>

<p>The issue at hand is far more complicated than what I’ve revealed. I never implied that I went to a relatively easier school or that the potential school I’d transfer to would be more academically rigorous (I think once you get to the top “N” schools, academic rigor becomes fairly standard). I take full responsibility of the situation I’m in, but there are factors at play that are beyond my control.</p>

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<p>

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<p>You have just described the story of every transfer student that ever lived, and have somehow managed to use it as an excuse for a 3.0 GPA. Most of these places don’t recommend applying if you have <3.5.</p>

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<p>I was in a super similar situation this year. My school was a really bad fit and I got a low (for me) GPA. (a 3.0, higher than yours but probably not by much) I also barely had any extra curriculars. But good news! I applied to transfer to a couple school and so far I’ve gotten in to Smith and Whitman (with a very generous financial aid offer from Smith!) and I’m waiting on a few others.
I was really scared I wasn’t going to get in with that GPA but I’m starting to think they look at lot more than just your college GPA. For instance my high school stats,extra curriculars, essay and interview were very good so I think that gave me a boost.
You don’t need to be anywhere you’re unhappy. So you have a couple of options as I see it. Look for some schools with rolling admissions where you will get in with your current stats. Go your local state university or community college, get your GPA up and apply for spring or next fall. Or stay at your current school for another semester then apply again for spring.
Another side note. If you really need the financial aid I would look at schools that guarantee to meet full need for transfers. The only two I know about are Smith and Syracuse.
Best of luck and if you need any help feel free to PM me!</p>

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<p>Alex, I completely agree with what you’re saying, and I wouldn’t have been rude to the OP if he would have said that. He said he is transferring to Stanford, Amherst, etc. though.</p>