is anyone thinking of transferring?

<p>Hey all.</p>

<p>I was just wondering if anyone was thinking of transferring, where they were at now and where they are thinking of going.</p>

<p>I still don't know if my school is the right place for me. I love the actual SCHOOL - town, campus, classes, etc. I'm just having a hard time fitting in socially. I came from a really small high school where every single person on campus knew my name (graduating class = 75 kids) and I am now at Penn State, which is a campus 40,000 strong. I'm considering some place smaller, but I'm still not sure.</p>

<p>I'm considering looking into W&M, W&L, Haverford, Swarthmore, and maybe UPenn. However, not sure if its worth it to go through the admissions process and the whole "new kid" thing AGAIN. Is it worth it just to stick it out?</p>

<p>Anyone going through a similar dilemma, post away!</p>

<p>You may not be comfortable yet, but IMHO that is a good thing! </p>

<p>College is a time to step out of your comfort zone and challenge your assumptions, beliefs, etc. If your college is doing a good job you should be rethinking a bunch of things you've taken for granted, your profs should be insisting you support your claims with facts and arguments. This isn't to say that you need to change your mind on every belief you hold dear, just that you need to examine them and learn what those who hold opposite positions say.</p>

<p>The previous paragraph was more about academics and the life of the mind, but I'd say the same thing holds in the social sphere. Sure it would be easier to go to a familiar environment with the type of people you know, even easier to go there with people you already DO know. But the college years are a time to step out of that comfort zone and explore new worlds! College is a broadening time of life. That's why people from the midwest go to the coast for college, why people go out-of-state, and so on. Of course not everyone does this, many opt for the familiar.</p>

<p>But you were brave enough to take that first step and you tell us that you love the town, campus, classes, etc. Sounds like you've hit a jackpot, especially since there are plenty of people who realize they dislike these things at their school. Now I'm not going to argue that a huge school is as friendly and personal as a smaller school, but that just puts the onus on you to make it a more personal experience. College can be a microcosm of life, and unless you plan on always living in a small town (and I'm not knocking the idea, plenty of people do decide this is the right thing for them) then this is an excellent chance to prepare for living in some large city after graduation.</p>

<p>BTW its worth pointing out that what you feel is common among frosh at larger schools. No matter the size of your HS most people had a group of friends, and all of a sudden they're plunged into an environment where they know few if any people and wonder how they're going to fit in. Often it may seem that everyone else has made the adjustment and is content, but the funny thing is that you'll find out later they had the same doubts you do!</p>

<p>To get down to specifics about what you can do to make the experience more enjoyable, there are two broad approaches you can take to life. You can let things come to you, or you can go out and get them on your own. Most people, even those trapped in the former choice, would admit the latter is more satisfying. So rather than passively "sticking it out" why not get out there and do something about it? If you live in the dorms (which all frosh should do if possible) then you should have plenty of floormates around to hang out with. At a larger school it is important to join clubs or participate in other activities such as intramural sports, volunteer work, working on the campus paper or radio station, etc. in order to form a group of people that you know and will see for the next 4 years. Even getting a job on campus will introduce you to fellow student-workers and build a circle of people you see regularly. Speaking of knowing people, I had a friend who worked in the student snack store on campus and she was recognized and known by name by literally <em>thousands</em> of students! Everyone needs to buy a coke or candy bar. There is also the greek system if you are interested in that for building a circle of friends. And lets not forget profs office hours; not only are recs going to be important to you some day and the more personal the better, but the profs are happy to give you advice on academic choices. </p>

<p>The point is that there is plenty you can do to increase your social comfort level. Its true that its never going to be just like a small school where you know almost everyone around, but on the other hand it doesn't need to be a bleak and lonely place. At a larger campus the burden is going to be on you to make it the experience you want.</p>

<p>I'm also thinking of transferring from BU to a smaller school closer to home (I'm from LA). BU feels like it lacks something, maybe its the fact that there really is no campus or that my favorite sports aren't competive or supported by the students (theres no football team!). I did know all these facts prior to coming but I didnt think they would affect the way they have. I just feel out of place here and as if I'm just buying my time before I get to go back home. I've already joined a couple clubs and I play intramural sports which has helped me meet people but as soon as I get to know them I realize that my friends back home are so much better (sorry if that sounds horrible). I don't know know what to do and it seems that I've just wasted a semester because I haven't met people I can connect with with. I'm looking into transferring to Occidental College which is much closer to home but will still provide me with the tradional college experience (not a commuter school). However with all that said, I will stay at BU for my entire freshman year and see what happens. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.</p>

<p>Im hopefully transfering for next semester if i get accepted at the schools I applied to. I know its early to transfer in between your freshman year but I just cant imagine being at this school another semester. The only reason im here is because it was the only school that accepted me and my parents would go crazy if I told them that I wanted to take a year off, I really think that it would of been best becuase im just miserable at this school, no school spirit, no real campus, my roomate is a jerk and the city is just awful. Oh well i dont know how but im probably going to have to get used to it if im rejected becuase im going to be here until may but there is no way im going to be here next year.</p>