More than Two Years of College Credit-- can I transfer?

<p>Hello,</p>

<p>My story is a bit complicated, but I would really appreciate your thoughts or comments. </p>

<p>Having been through the transfer process before, I have found that the institution I am at is not as I had expected. Since I am out-of-state student and did not visit the campus, I had a totally different impression of what it was like and have found myself unhappy and disappointed with nearly everything once I arrived in Fall 2008. I transferred from a mediocre state school to a top 30 university in my junior year (last year). </p>

<p>The first few weeks after I had transferred last year, I wish I had considered applying for transfer admission to more schools (I only applied to three schools) but was so intimidated by the process, I did not consider other schools. This has become the biggest regret of my life. Now having visited other campuses on the East Coast, I have found myself starting to loathe where I am and realized that I had transferred to the wrong institution. I will admit that the one thing that the college I am currently at allowed me to do was to study abroad last semester in the UK, which was an incredible experience. </p>

<p>Regardless, I came back this semester and realized that it was even worse than I had imagined. I am not happy at my current institution and have been contemplating transferring again. Would I be able to transfer again? Technically, I have more than 60 credits at my current institution (having only completed one semester worth of credit along with study abroad-- although this did not count towards my home institution credit). I know many universities put a cap on the number of credits one can earn to transfer. Believe it or not, I have the ability to graduate next semester (if I overload by taking 21 credits), although technically the university still considers me a "junior". </p>

<p>I currently have a 3.7 cumulative GPA and studied at one of the most renowned institutions in the UK (if not the world) last semester studying abroad, in which I received what would be equivalent to A- in American grading terms. As a result, if I were able to transfer, I am considering top schools including UPenn, Columbia, Brown, and maybe Dartmouth (I intended to apply for transfer to all of these schools but was too intimidated to do so when I was originally thinking of transferring-- big regret). Also, I did notice Yale has a transfer program, although they were explicit in their eligibility requirements that a student who has more than 60 credits would not be able to apply. </p>

<p>Does anyone have any advice as to how I should move forward? I realize my situation is not typical and would place me in the category of "non-traditional" student. Although I have accepted the fact that I decided to accept transfer admission here and I should stick with my decision from last year, I suppose it never hurts to ask if there is another possibility. Once again, I wish I had applied for transfer to more than three universities originally but I just found the entire process daunting. As a result of that decision, I have found myself constantly regretting where I ended up which has led to me constantly asking myself "what if I had applied to ____?" </p>

<p>Anyway, I would very much appreciate your advice, suggestions, and comments. Thank you.</p>

<p>Yes, you can transfer again if you want to.</p>

<p>Most places will want you to complete two full years there, no matter how many credits you already have.</p>

<p>Whether or not you can get into the schools on your list is up to them.</p>

<p>But, frankly, if you can graduate after only one more semester at the place where you are, you should do that and get on with your life. Save your energy for grad school applications.</p>

<p>The schools you list will all want 2 years and are highly unlikely to take someone in your situation. Just graduate and apply for grad school.</p>

<p>Thank you for your replies.</p>

<p>Luckily, I have been greatly considering graduate schools along with the ability to obtain a Second BA at Columbia University through the School of General Studies.</p>

<p>My current situation obviously isn’t ideal, but I will pull through. I certainly learned from my mistake-- apply to as many places as possible, even if it seems daunting.</p>

<p>Why would you want a second BA at what Columbia GS will cost you?</p>

<p>Columbia GS is one option I am considering out of many. My top choice is getting into graduate school, preferably overseas (to fit my concentration and research). </p>

<p>Since I transferred in as a junior at my current undergraduate institution, I had no opportunity to double major. Therefore, I concluded that as an option to continue my studies, I may apply for a BA in History at Columbia to coincide with my BA in Government. </p>

<p>It is an option out of many, and I am not entirely convinced I will follow through with that plan considering that graduate schools here and abroad are my concentration at the moment. It is merely a back up plan if I am not successful in my efforts.</p>