Question About Transferring After Freshman Year

Applying to College
1

<p>Hey everyone, I have a question for anyone who has in the past transferred to a different college after their freshman year or anyone who has any insight or opinions on the subject. I have been accepted to 4 schools so far but I am waiting on my top choices. I am disappointed in myself for not trying harder and realizing what I needed to do in high school because I know I am capable of being accepted to schools like Georgetown, Berkeley, UCLA, BC, Cornell or Columbia. </p>

<p>I have always had a high gpa (3.8 UW), gone to a private all-girls school, taken some AP's but I guess I just didn't realize everything I needed to do starting my freshman year of high school. If I do not get into my 3 top choices this month and up going to a school like Creighton University or Iowa State, would I still be able to transfer to a school such as the ones I mentioned above as long as I become involved my freshman year of college and get high grades? Of course it's not easy to get into those schools by any means, but I know I am more than capable at succeeding there, I just didn't take advantage of what I needed to in high school to go along that path.</p>

<p>My main question is what is life like at a new school once you have transferred? I feel like since I would be the "new kid" everyone would already be involved, have their own friends and I would end up feeling out of place. I have no problem meeting people and becoming involved but I would really appreciate any insight anyone would have on being a new transfer student sophomore year. Sorry for the long post and any help is appreciated! Thank you!</p>

2

<p>Planning to transfer even before you start your college life is an unlikely recipe for success. The exception is when you start off attending a community college, since these have 2 year programs and everyone who continues “transfers”. But that’s not your hypothetical situation.</p>

<p>Especially those attending a college away from home the freshman year in one of social adjustment. With your plan you’ll need to start that year with transfer applications. Think also what those transfer applications will contain – your high school record, the same record that you had sent to the schools that you fear will reject you. The one difference would be your second semester senior grades, and summer experience. Maybe these will make a difference. Then, your recommendations will need to be mostly from your high school teachers/counselor. You’ll have an opportunity to show off your college success with one semester of grades, and perhaps you’ll hit it off with a professor who would recommend you as a transfer student. I think you would be expecting more than is likely to occur.</p>

<p>The best approach is to embrace whichever college you attend, and work hard to be successful there both socially and academically. There’s always the possibility of post graduate work that may take you back to your dream school, albeit in a totally different context.</p>

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<p>Thanks fogcity. I think I was just getting a little too much ahead of myself with this whole idea. I appreciate your response.</p>