Need Second Opinions on Transferring Twice

Transfer Students
1

<p>Ok. I have a lot to say so hopefully I get everything across.</p>

<p>So I began my college career last year at Providence College as an undeclared freshman. I had a slight interest in the environment or some science related field but was very willing to explore other fields and majors. I had taken AP Biology in high school and didn't do amazing but ended up with a low B. I asked my freshman advisor about the biology major or just maybe taking the course. He was high up in the Biology program and told me that it would require me to sacrifice a lot of my time, and that bio students often had to resort to staying in on weekends. This wasn't very appealing to me at the time, not that I am not a rigorous student, but it just sounded like a lot. We got onto graduate school and he told me that pretty much all of the bio majors from PC went onto med/grad school and that I would be extremely limited and not in a good position if I chose not to. Again, I wasn't sure how to feel about this, so I continued searching other majors.</p>

<p>So the second semester came and I hadn't adjusted to the school very well and felt like I needed to transfer. I didn't feel that there were enough majors for me to work with to really find something that I liked. Through the second semester, I really got attached to the school, the small kind of 'family' feel and the friends I had all year long my floor were amazing to say the least. I loved the location because I could make frequent trips to the beach (35 minutes away) to surf (my passion), I loved the friends I had, but felt I needed to find a school with maybe Environmental Science or something along the lines. Also, the sooner I transferred out the better because of the credits situation. PC had a very specific core curriculum that doesn't transfer over very well so I figured it was better to go sooner than later. It was a shame I had to leave, but I did.</p>

<p>I ended up making some sacrifices and came to UMass Amherst with an Envi Sci major. I was very hesitant to come because I knew I wasn't thrilled with the location but I knew it was cost-effective in terms of tuition. My experience here hasn't been the best so far. I am in a very bad dorm that has left me with little social interaction throughout the course of the week. I'm used to walking into everyone's rooms and just hanging out and meeting people that way, as PC was. Transfers get stuck in a very lame part of campus, and I am now in the process of switching out. The only people I really hang out with are friends from my home town and their friends. But believe me, I know college is about the education. So I have been talking to some people who have graduated from here with an Envi Sci degree that I know and they are saying that the major isn't really the best place to be right now. It would be nice being outside, but he says there really isn't much money within the field for Environmental Scientists and that I should rather take an applied science like Biology, microbio, etc. This got me thinking, because the Bio100 class that I am in right now is extremely stimulating and interesting for me. So in the midst of my longing for Providence, I investigated the Bio program and remembered the experience I had with my one-time advisor.</p>

<p>So I finally emailed someone to verify if the information I got was correct. Unfortunately I got a very different answer. Very deflating and depressing to now know to say the least.</p>

<p>
[quote]

I'm sorry to hear that you transferred, and wonder about the advice you
were given. In fact, most students who graduate with a biology degree
and who want to continue to work in the sciences eventually go on to do
some graduate study. This may be applied science (health professions,
pharmaceuticals, etc) or basic sciences. However, there are jobs
available to students with BA or BS degrees - in science in places like
biotech firms, hospitals, pharmaceutical industry, environmental
management, etc. Most are entry level, perhaps research assistant
positions, for example. Science students also go into business. </p>

<p>--Separate Email--</p>

<p>The Biology major is very flexible and can do whatever you want it to
do. Every student puts together a program that suits his or her
interests. Of course the basic sciences support the upper level
courses, but an interest in environmental biology would likely take you
to classes in Ecology, Marine Biology, Tropical Biology, Evolution,
Invertebrate Biology, Botany, etc.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>I had no idea these classes had existed within the biology department and feel like a complete retard for not investigating further. Seriously, very stupid. </p>

<p>So now it has me thinking. I am trying to keep a full spectrum view. I hated Providence at first but then loved it for second semester, and I now really am not digging UMass. I know that I will be happier once I switch out of my current dorm, but I am wondering exactly how much happier I can get... </p>

<p>I explained to my parents and they want to make sure I am not acting too fast, which makes me wonder too. I know that I loved Providence and now that the Biology option exists, it is getting me thinking of transferring back in for second semester. I'd like to imagine they'd be partial to me in the selection process as well. UMass may have more opportunities for Biology students in terms of research and program size, but I really think I need to seek some stability and just be where I am happy and studying something of importance to me.</p>

<p>Any opinions are appreciated, I really thank you if you read this whole thing.</p>

2

<p>So it sounds like the reason you transferred to UMass was to get into this environmental science program, but you realized later on that PC offered the same type of program. So now you want to transfer back to PC because, all things being equal, you liked it better?</p>

<p>I would give UMass some time, first. It sounds like you’ve only been there a couple months (I think?), and if so, things could still change for the better. Especially in the sciences, larger schools usually have a great deal of funding, and it’s easy for undergraduates to get involved in research…I’m not sure if this is the case at PC.</p>

<p>If you do decide to transfer back, I’m sure PC would be willing to take you (assuming you write a strong essay that explains why you wanted to initially leave).</p>

3

<ol>
<li><p>What makes you think that UMass doesn’t serve your career objectives? You haven’t fully investigated opportunities at PC. So, you probably haven’t done it for UMass either.</p></li>
<li><p>Whereas one transfer is somewhat common, two transfers will make your academic career look nomadic.</p></li>
<li><p>If you’re serious about studying, you should forget “social interaction” and start studyng.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>In other words, stop complaining, stay where you are, and, for once, learn to succeed using the opportunities you have.</p>

4

<p>I would suggest that you finish out this semester before you consider applying for a transfer. Give UMass a serious try. Make an effort to find compatible friends - see if you can change dorms if necessary. Then, if you are truly convinced that you can achieve your personal objectives better at PC, apply for a transfer/readmission for fall 2009.</p>

<p>Growing up is not easy, and sometimes students do attend multiple colleges/universities on their way to getting to wherever it is they finally determine that they want to be. You do not have to do anything quickly. You can take your time to investigate all of your options (UMass, PC, any number of other universities and LACs) before you commit.</p>

5

<p>Zane Barlow is the MAN! erm, woman! haha im from umass too and i think i bombed that last test but oh well. good luck if you decide to transfer.</p>

6

<p>Professor Barlow is indeed, awesome. The whole critical thinking format of the class really gets me invested in it. I’ve been doing pretty well in the class.</p>

<p>Thanks to everyone who has responded so far.</p>

<p>

</p>

<p>Yes, I’ve only been here a few months. My logic right now is that if the program is offered at schools, why not take the preferred school and build myself credentials within it? But you have a very good point. Research opportunities and getting acquainted with lab experiences are both very important. I think I’m going to have to send another email regarding these to the PC advisor.</p>

<p>

Right now I think both schools are great options that can both give me a great deal of fulfillment with regards to my career objectives. I am in the process of doing research though, but that is what I think right now.

I am serious about studying, but I think you are being a little ridiculous by advocating me to ditch social interaction completely as a factor in college life. Believe me, I don’t prioritize partying or that and am serious about my studies. I think you are getting the wrong idea.</p>

7

<p>I think you’ve gotten a lot of good advice and have a lot to think about. I would join with happymom and suggest you not act too quickly. I think either option will be okay.</p>

<p>To your specific question about “transferring” twice, I do not think you need to worry about that. If you return to your original school, imo, you will not look nomadic or foolish. So I would not let that worry be a consideration.</p>

<p>As you go forward, you will have a transcript that looks like:</p>

<p>A. if you stay at UMass: first two terms transferred in credits from PC; last three terms at UMA. Tons of students have transcripts that look like this.
B. If you go tack to PC: first two terms PC; third term credits transferred in from UMA; remaining terms PC. While this type of transcript is not quite as common, there are students who do a term abroad, a visiting term at another school, etc. etc. It will be a minimal or non-existent factor, imo.</p>

<p>Believe me, I have seen transcripts with 3 schools on it. Each has its own story, but in the cases I’ve seen, no one at the grad school admissions level or job search even bothers to ask. YMMV - but I don’t think it’s a concern.</p>

<p>I would rather you give UMass a full chance; consider the financial pros and cons; the academic and social pros and cons. I would make sure to have a full and clear understanding of how your major would flesh out at each school. Map it out on a spreadsheet for each school: what you would take each term; talk to advisors at each place if you need to in order to fully understand your options and best curriculum. Of course you might make several changes from whatever you map out in this exercise, but it will require you to really understand how the major will work for you at each school.</p>

<p>Then decide. I would imagine PC would take you back readily (of course, I don’t know that for sure).</p>

<p>Just this time give yourself the time and space to really consider it all and then choose - both are good options.</p>

<p>I do believe in “bloom where you are planted” which is I think what l84 is getting at. But I don’t think you should eliminate the social factor as a consideration. Keep it in perspective as one factor - which I think you are. You seem to be taking a thoughtful approach to this. Be aware that many students are having buyer’s remorse at their school at this particular time in the year. I see it on these forums every year with both freshman and transfers. So don’t overreact or rush your decision.</p>

<p>Good luck.</p>

8

<p>Excellent, thank you for the response Andale! Thanks for clarifying the transcript deal, I was wondering of how that would look at the end of my college career and that explanations was what I suspected. I’m going to ask about the research opportunities at PC and consult my counselor here as well. Indeed, I have lots to think about.</p>

9

<p>Mvulch, I can’t believe I’ve actually found someone who is having the same problem as me. Transferred out of my previous school, where I had a miserable first semester and an awesome second semester, to a school that is definitely a lot closer to home and arguably “better,” but I find that I have absolutely no social life here. Not only that, I feel like the academic opportunities at both schools would have been about the same (or, for a gov major like me, actually better at my old school) and that I transferred for bad reasons in the first place. I’ve reapplied to my first school for spring, but I have no idea if they’ll re-accept me, or if it’s a terrible idea for me to do this. I know that I won’t transfer again if I wait another semester at my current school, because I really just want to get comfortable and start having a normal college experience…</p>

<p>I think you have really solid reasons for transferring, and from someone who’s in the same position, I can see why you would want to transfer, so I would say go for it. Waiting, at least for me, seems like a waste, and i think that the longer I wait to transfer back the more hopeless i will feel about college. Even now I go back and forth, wondering whether I will return even if I’m accepted, or if I should just deal with it and have a miserable next 3 years…</p>