Proper etiquette for saying goodbye to close professors as a transfer?

Transfer Students
1

Previously in the year, despite applying to transfer, I had pretty much planned my life around staying at my old school because I genuinely believed I would not get accepted anywhere. There’s a professor I worked on a research project with who wants me to continue in the summer and next school year, and while I plan on telling him I can’t work on the project, I feel scared to tell him I’m transferring because I’m afraid he’ll think I was being facetious earlier. I really would like to stay on good terms with him because I was really fond of him. I had also taken on a part time internship with an alumni who founded a firm nearby my old school and don’t know if I have to or how to tell her that I specifically can’t work for her anymore because I won’t be on the same campus anymore.

Any advice from previous transfers who went through this would be appreciated. Thanks!

2

Ok, did you apply before you started the research project? Because you could just say I never brought it up because I never expected to get accepted anywhere. And then when I did I had hesitations because this school and the project mean a lot to me. But I feel I should go, blah blah. It’s the truth and this is the nature of things. They will be understanding.

Internships are only for a few months so I wouldn’t worry about that.

3

Agreed, and there will probably be other students who will be more than happy to fill your spots (advertise them to your classmates). Just thank them for what you’ve learned (try to think of a few specific things beforehand).