<p>I'm a current freshman at Vassar and I'm considering transferring at the end of this year (so I would be incoming Fall 2014). There is a lot I like about this school but I'm just not sure it's a good fit for me. So I'm looking for suggestions of schools to consider. I know that no school will be perfect but the things that are really important to me are:</p>
<ul>
<li>A selective, small, private, liberal arts school (preferably with some name recognition).</li>
<li>A very friendly, inclusive student body where it's easy to make friends.</li>
<li>A not TOO liberal school, politically and personality-wise (I know this may seem superficial but Vassar is a little too "hippy" and "indie" for my personality - I am politically liberal but I just fit better in a more sophisticated, preppy, "classy" environment).</li>
<li>A sophisticated area surrounding campus (this could be a cosmopolitan city or a charming and elegant small town).</li>
<li>NOT a party school.</li>
</ul>
<p>I have a very good high school transcript - 4.6 weighted GPA, 12 AP classes - and a 30 ACT score. I’m afraid I don’t quite know how to predict this first semester but things are looking good right now. I would basically be expecting about the same admissions difficulty as Vassar.</p>
<p>It’s a little unclear to me what you don’t like about Vassar, but it sounds like it’s too “hippy, indie” for you. Perhaps. Perhaps not. Most schools like Vassar have a variety of types. It honestly sounds like you haven’t met the right people yet. Hang in there. Freshman year is a big adjustment and it doesn’t always happen right away. I would bet that there exists at Vassar a group of “sophisticated, preppy, classy” kids. Give yourself this year, If things don’t work out. deal with the transfer stuff sophomore year.</p>
<p>Let me also say that if you apply schools similar to Vassar, i.e. “friendly liberal arts schools” and tell them that you want to transfer because Vassar is not a good “fit” they’re going to wonder whether they would be a good fit.</p>
<p>Thanks for the help guys! Qialah, yes, you basically summed up my concern with Vassar (the biggest one). I do understand that there is a diverse group on campus but unfortunately that severely limits the number of people “like me” to become friends with (I’m certainly not saying I can’t have friends different from me but it is good to have some things in common). The predominate type of person at Vassar is not really the type of person I could see myself becoming good friends with.</p>
<p>My concern with waiting until Sophomore year is that many good schools don’t accept transfers half way through the year and if I want to leave Vassar I don’t want to have to stay another full year. I also want to be abroad for my Junior year and would like to already be settled. That being said, even if I apply elsewhere I won’t have to accept until almost the end of the year so I will have given Vassar a full year before I decide to leave.</p>
<p>First of all, I’d try to give Vassar more time. Seek out clubs and activities that interest you and you may just find a group of friends that really suits you. Transferring isn’t always easy and isn’t always the answer. That said, if you are really unhappy there, a few schools to consider might be: Trinity, Lafayette, Holy Cross, Haverford, and Barnard (if you are a female). And you should go back to the list of schools you originally considered to see if you think any of those may have been better choices.</p>
<p>RC2C, it is quite difficult to transfer into Mudd because of the core requirements. Not impossible, but pretty rarely done. I see nothing in the OP’s post that makes me think that a STEM school (even one who likes students with more interests than STEM) is the right fit for the OP. It is friendly and genuine, but other than that I don’t see the fit.</p>
<p>My son transferred from his first college after his freshman year. He spent several weekends during the year visiting friends at different colleges and talking to as many people as possible about different colleges. It certainly isn’t impossible to transfer, as long as you keep your grades up and can get one or two excellent recommendations from professors. However, you must be able to communicate in a positive way why you want to transfer, and (just like when you were admitted the first time) colleges will want to know how you’ll fit in and what you’ll contribute to their campus. As you’re contemplating transferring, don’t close yourself off from making connections at Vassar. Just one or two good friends can make all the difference. Only you know how unhappy you are, but it is early days. Many freshman are borderline miserable the first semester. The reality of college usually doesn’t match expectations.</p>
<p>My recommendations - the Maine schools - Colby, Bates & Bowdoin</p>
<p>Thank you for the suggestions everyone! I certainly am going to give Vassar a chance, that’s why I’m not trying to transfer out after just one semester. But I do want to have options if I ultimately do decide to leave and would like to have some schools on my radar to be looking at!</p>
<p>If you absolutely cannot stand Vassar and want out, you shouldn’t just consider selective private LACs. Your list should run the gammut of selectivity. However, if you can envision staying at Vassar you might only want to apply to selective schools. </p>
<p>I didn’t see, do you require financial aid? If so how much will you need to afford school? </p>
<p>Here are some suggestions off of the top of my head:
Furman
University of San Diego (not a LAC but a very transfer friendly medium sized institution located in one of the coolest cities in the West)
Rhodes
Franklin & Marshall
University of Tulsa (not particularly good for humanities or the social sciences)
Illinois Wesleyan
Trinity University (also Trinity College)</p>
<p>I am on financial aid right now but the amount wouldn’t be a complete deal-breaker for another school. It would really depend on the specific school and amount.</p>
<p>Also, I’m sorry for the typo above - my ACT score is 33, not 30, if that makes a difference for recommendations.</p>
<p>I really do want to stick with a reasonably selective liberal arts school. If I can’t find one like that then I would probably stick it out at Vassar a little longer.</p>