<p>So I go to Smith College, which is relatively prestigious (I believe we're ranked #16-ish for LACs?) but not as well-known as some colleges and universities out there. I really like Smith, but most people I know either started at top-tier schools or have transferred to them. That's making me feel kind of nervous about my own career & grad school prospects. A lot of people have been telling me that I should look into more name-brand schools. That seems a little ridiculous to me, but it's made me paranoid, so I thought I'd consult CC. I just finished my first year and am studying International Relations and African studies. First semester went well (3.7 GPA) and hopefully second semester went similarly.
After undergrad, I'm interested in graduate school and then a career with the UN, an NGO, or perhaps foreign service or diplomacy. Lots of people have said I should consider somewhere that is more politics based or respected, such as Georgetown or Tufts. Thoughts? Thank you so much! :)</p>
<p>Since your question is more about the schools than the transfer process, you might also want to post on the College Search & Selection forum as you’ll have a wider audience there.</p>
<p>Don’t leave a college you want for a name. It’s not worth it.</p>
<p>I am a prospective transfer student with very similar goals - I am an East Asian Studies major looking to matriculate at Smith this fall semester. I was also accepted at GWU and American, and although those schools are far better equipped to prepare me for foreign service, which is what I want to do after I graduate, I am positive that Smith will provide me a much better environment, and would be a much better fit for me overall. If you’re truly interested in becoming an FSO, I would say do well at a college you love for your undergrad, and then perhaps pursue a masters after working for a couple of years.</p>
<p>“Lots of people have said I should consider somewhere that is more politics based or respected, such as Georgetown or Tufts.”</p>
<p>Who, exactly are these “lots of people”? Are they professionals working in the field that you hope to join one day, or are they college students?</p>
<p>Pop by the career and placement center at Smith, and have a chat with the counselors there about the best ways to achieve your goals. Get some names of Smith alumnae working in the professional fields that interest you, and speak with them about good choices for your future. Transferring might be advisable, or it might not. But don’t opt for it without solid feedback from people who truly are expert on the issues related to your career goals.</p>
<p>Yeah, I too want to know who all these “people” are. They seem very influential if they can turn a student who loves her (excellent) college and is doing well into a doubter in search of the elusive quality of a “better name brand.” Good grief.</p>