Possible to switch to a different college?

Applying to College
1

<p>Hello!</p>

<p>I am currently in a college right now and about 3/4 done with my freshman year. I was wondering if it is possible to switch to a different college.</p>

<p>So here's my problem:
Last year during my senior year in high school, I have applied and got accepted to several colleges, most of them being US colleges and one of them being in Taiwan (since my dad wanted me to apply there). I accepted the offer to one of the US colleges but my dad found out that I was listed under "pre-major" and haven't really been accepted to my major of choice.</p>

<p>My dad to push me to the college in Taiwan. Other reasons include the prestige (that this university is the best in Taiwan and is quite know in Asia) and him pushing me to learn Chinese. He pushed me there and the only thing I could do was to reluctantly go to the college in Taiwan.</p>

<p>My college life here is very, very miserable for me because of the language barrier and the rigor of this university. I don't like this place because I hate going to class everyday and listen to hours of lectures and I do not know what the professor is talking about because they speak Chinese. That's hours wasted everyday while learning absolutely nothing. The only thing I can do is to read the textbooks, which are usually in English. And I believe that the rigor of the classes here are much more difficult than the US colleges I have been accepted to. The difficulty greatly reduces my motivation. It feels like I learn nothing even if I study by myself. And maybe I'll miss important instructions such as dates for exams because I don't understand what people say.</p>

<p>I also have problems with social interactions and have social anxiety and shyness. I didn't have much friends back in high school and I wanted to try again to approach other people when I get into a US college. But since I'm in Taiwan, the langage barrear adds another layer of difficulty to interact with others on top of my social anxiety and thus severely decreases my motivation and courage. </p>

<p>I have to rely heavily on a lot of help to survive here. I have 3 hours of tutoring every week (6 hours last semester) plus additional tutoring from other people. I have my uncle living here and I always need him to do all the administrative stuff and even to help me to take care of some occasional necessities because I don't understand Chinese. I don't think normal college students need this much help and it shows that I'm struggling to live and learn to be independent because of these problems.</p>

<p>Yes, this university accepts foreigner students who do not know how to speak Chinese and will offer free (mandatory) Chinese class for them (6 hours per week late at night). But for me personally I think this university is too difficult with too many problems that I can't handle. I have no hopes of surviving for another 3 years here.</p>

<p>I want to apply to a different college. I do not know if my dad will allow me but I will tell him that I have far too many problems here. I am very certain that my college life and experience in the US will be far more comfortable, enjoyable and I will be able to actually learn and take care of myself.</p>

<p>Is it possible to switch to a different college and possibly start from scratch? Can I just reapply to another college again like previously (filling out the Common Application again, sending high school and SAT scores, etc.)? Can I reapply to the same colleges I've got accepted to previously and what are the chances of getting in compared to previously?</p>

<p>Will they ask for more things such as my grades in my current college? This could be a problem for me.</p>

<p>Could you give me some tips?
Thanks!</p>

2

<p>You’ll need to transfer. However you can’t transfer to any place of your choice now, except to colleges whose deadlines are not passed (check the Common Application: advanced search: transfer + 06/01 deadline and you’ll have all the colleges that still take applications for transfers). You can also check the NACAC list. There are very good schools that still have a few spots, such as Beloit, Washington and Jefferson, Marquette, Lewis and Clark, Hollins … (depending on what type of college you’re looking for). Those schools would be good for someone who is shy and is returning from a study-abroad experience.</p>

<p>I’m sorry you let your father bully you into going to a college where you didn’t want to go and which sounds poorly suited to your qualities and strong/weak points. It sounds that your father’s overriding wish to integrate you into what I assume is his original culture took over considerations such as whether you’d fit in or be able to do the work. It sounds that you didn’t have much of a choice though and now you’re trying to create one for yourself - good for you!</p>

<p>How many classes have you passed?
Some colleges allow you to apply as a freshman if you have fewer than 15 or 24 credits. Otherwise, you’ll have to apply as a transfer. In many universities, especially LACs, it’s more difficult to get admitted as a transfer because the college first takes in freshmen, then they take Community College applicants as transfers, then only they take transfers from other 4 year colleges who are not satisfied with their experience.</p>

<p>Look at the lists right away and submit your files right away.</p>

<p>If your father really wants you to learn Chinese and “fit in” within a specific society, perhaps you can assuage his fears by saying you’ll try and study abroad during your junior year.
In addition, no matter what, studying abroad did teach you many things about another culture, another language, and about youirself… it’s not pointless. But since you’re so unhappy you do need to find a college that suits you.</p>

3

<p>Thanks for the reply!</p>

<p>Yeah. I think it may be too late to apply for this year’s application.</p>

<p>I’m scared of my dad not allowing me to change. He can be quite stubborn with his own options and beliefs. And I believe that’s true that he wants me to integrate into the culture. And if he does allow me to change, then I will be concerned about if I can get back into a good college. Applying for a transfer sounds daunting because of my current grades in my current university. Is it really not possible to apply as a normal freshman applicant and just apply like a high schooler? If it’s possible I would be applying to the same colleges I have been accepted to before…</p>

<p>I don’t know if different the university system is here compared to the ones in the US. I am currently taking 17 credits (15 minimum here). I’ve failed calculus that is worth 4 credits so I’m guessing I passed 13 credits.</p>

<p>I’m not sure if my dad will take Community College as an option.</p>

<p>I do enjoy learning about the culture but I already know about it. I am perfectly fine with being in a different culture. It’s just learning here is difficult. I don’t think I will survive 3 more years here…</p>

<p>I just want a college where I can develop myself and not be depressed everyday.</p>

4

<p>How much Chinese did you know before you started at your university in Taiwan? If you spoke Chinese at home and attended Chinese school on the weekends, it is easy to see why your father might have thought that you were ready to attend a university in that language. However, as you have found out, there are very big differences between basic communication skills, intermediate communication skills, advanced communication skills, and the high level of fluency required to manage academic tasks. You almost certainly began your academic coursework too soon. In the US, international students often must pursue a full year of intensive English courses before enrolling in academic subjects. If your dad is determined that you should study in Taiwan, let him know that your language skills have not caught up yet, and that you need a year off from the university to focus solely on the language.</p>

<p>If you are a US citizen or legal permanent resident, when you are next back in the US, it would be fully possible for you to move out, get a job, and enroll at the local community college (or any other college/university that will admit you and that you can afford). If your parents are enraged by that action, and refuse to provide financial information so that you can file the FAFSA, you would still be able to borrow un-subsidized federal loans (speak with the financial aid office for the details of that process because there are extra steps you would need to take). </p>

<p>Because you have been enrolled at a foreign university for this time, you will be considered a transfer applicant at almost every college and university in the US. In a few cases, if you complete less than a full year of coursework (for example, if you would have a medical withdrawal now with no failed grades on your records, just many Ws) you would still be a freshman applicant. In either case, when you apply for admission to any degree program in the US you will need to provide official copies of the transcripts from this year in Taiwan - even if all you are doing is applying for admission to an Associates Degree program at the local community college back home. Pay a visit to the records office at your university, and find out how to arrange to get sealed official copies of your transcript. You will need to be able to request them if you want to study in any degree program (Associates, Bachelors, Master, PhD, etc.) in the US in the future.</p>

<p>Wishing you all the best!</p>

5

<p>Based on what you said, you outright failed one class and did very poorly in all others. Surely your dad can see that if this keeps up, of course you’ll understand Chinese culture better, but you won’t be able to get a job or go to grad school, law school, etc.
Yes you’ll transfer with those grades, but you’ll have to explain the admissions committee that you were placed in a Chinese school with only textbooks in English, understood almost nothing, even though you were taking Chinese classes.
(BTW, those non-credit classes would probably allow you to score a 5 on the AP Chinese exam and get some equivalency. Some schools actually have proficiency tests for placement purposes and you could probably score high enough that you wouldn’t have to take a foreign language at an American college, although keeping up with the language would probably be a good idea and if you promise to take a Chinese language/culture/history class each semester it might get your dad off your back).
You’re an adult: you don’t need your dad’s permission to apply to those schools. You can start applying right now and bring it up progressively with him. What about your mom? Would she support you? What about your uncle, does he understand the situation you’re in and would he be willing to help convince your dad?
It’s worth it for you to be so unhappy just to make him occasionally happy. His happiness will be fleeting whereas you’ll carry the burden your whole life.
You can try and apply to the schools as listed above - you could also apply as a transfer for Spring 2014. But you can’t apply as a freshman.</p>

6

<p>masa2012 -</p>

<p>In your post dated 4-15-2012, you indicated that you were an international applicant. If that is the case, ignore the advice I gave for a US citizen or permanent resident. You will not be able to get a student visa to attend any college or university in the US unless you can demonstrate that you have enough money available to cover the full cost of your studies here. Admissions for international applicants is difficult, and it is even harder for international transfers. You need to know that it might not be possible for you to find any place here that will admit you that your parents would be willing to pay for.</p>

<p>You need to find out what your options are in your own home country if you are unhappy with your current university in Taiwan.</p>

7

<p>I had not realized that you were not an American citizen or permanent resident. I assumed you were Asian American, had studied Chinese in Saturday school, and went to “study abroad” in your father’s country of origin.
If you need an F1 visa to study in the US: Yes, it’s very rare and very very difficult to transfer to a US college after freshman year for internationals, especially if you need financial aid. There are PERHAPS 5 spots each year in top schools for internationals with financial need. Many schools have zero.
You can look into European schools, depending on what languages you speak:
French schools are basically free (like, under $1,000/year tuition for internationals), German schools have very low tuition too, Dutch and Finnish schools have programs in English for about $8,000 tuition, and of course you have the UK where tuition is about $15,000.</p>

8

<p>If you have $35-40,000 and good SATs, you can apply to St MAry’s of Maryland, a terrific liberal arts school. They got confused by the COmmon App and didn’t accept enough students, so they have space for freshmen and transfers (still have housing and financial aid for US applicants). You have to hurry though.
They’re on Common App, too.
[St</a>. Mary’s College of Maryland - Admissions](<a href=“http://www.smcm.edu/admissions/apply/index.html]St”>http://www.smcm.edu/admissions/apply/index.html)</p>