<p>Hello, I am currently a sophomore at a highly ranked research university (that I would prefer remain unnamed). My original college choice came down to here and Pomona College in California. While I enjoyed my freshman year, my social situation has changed, allowing me to see the bigger picture of the school I currently attend. I have realized that I am not really getting the two main things I wanted out of college: expansion academically/intellectually and being surrounded by interesting, highly intelligent, passionate students, and, subsequently, I am no longer enjoying myself. </p>
<p>I have settled for a major that I know I will not pursue later in favor of others because those departments are weak. I want smaller classes, but even most of the upper level classes have around 60 kids in them. After almost a year and a half, I don't feel like I have learned anything. Further, while I have found a small niche of students I really do like, I'm not too fond of the dominant campus culture (pre-professional, lack of love for learning, lack of passion). I do not feel engaged or stimulated either intellectually or socially. I really wanted to expand myself and grow in college, and sometimes I feel like I'm shrinking. </p>
<p>I would like to hear opinions on whether transferring may be a good idea for me or not. I would try to attend a school that had offerings in what I have found to be my true interests, preferably with a more dynamic student body (Pomona?). Is this out there, or am I just expecting perfection when it doesn't exist? Do I have "the grass is always greener on the other side" syndrome? Would it be worth it to leave the handful of really great friends here for something new? Also, I'm pretty set on attending graduate/law school, so I would like to know how transferring may affect admissions. Thank you for your time</p>
<p>Many people do have some reservations about their current school. Even though I attend a highly ranked university myself, I have always felt that I could have gone to a “better” school, preferably one farther away from home. Such sentiments are not uncommon, so you are not alone on that count. Even I have considered transferring early on, even though I am barely a freshman. </p>
<p>From what I can gather, you appear to be somewhat content at your current school. Common wisdom dictates that you should stay. Thus, in my opinion, there is absolutely no reason why you should not try to re-apply as a transfer to Pomona, as long as you are willing to pay the application fee and put some effort into writing some more essays.</p>
<p>It sounds like you’re being reasonable in your assessment of your situation, it doesn’t sound like you’re looking for perfection, just a better academic and social fit. </p>
<p>Socially there’s no guarantee that a new school would be worth moving away from a few good friends, but it is possible that a different school would provide a more varied student body and more stimulating interactions. </p>
<p>Academically it seems more straightforward, it would be tough to spend 2 more years at a school where you’re not majoring in a field that you’re interested in pursuing. Even though the academic areas you’re interested in are weak at your current school, have you sought out all of the opportunities that are available? Sometimes a department doesn’t have to be big or highly ranked to have a few excellent profs you can work with. And getting to know profs who are willing to write you glowing LORs is a big part of grad school admissions. The difficulty with transferring and grad school is that you have just 2 years to establish connections, participate in ECs, get to know profs, do research, etc. at your new school. However, being able to major in something you like and being somewhere with smaller classes may more than make up for the time factor.</p>
<p>There are pros and cons on both sides. It’s a lot of work, but how about applying for a transfer to a couple of schools you think you’d really like? Decisions won’t be out until May, so you have several more months to figure out how you feel about your current social and academic situation before making a choice (if accepted of course ;)). </p>
<p>My D1 made the leap a couple of years ago from a top public to a selective private that she’d been accepted to as a fr but turned down for a large scholarship. She’s very happy were she is, but she also realizes that: 1) she likely could have made things work at her original school; and 2) some things are better at her new school and some were better at her old school. Some of her reasons for transferring were similar to yours, it’s a really difficult decision, in the end you just have to go with your gut.</p>