Questions for Brown transfer - help plz

Transfer Students
1

<p>I'm currently a sophomore at a top LAC. After a long conversation with an acquaintance last week, I realized that my incessant unhappiness with/at my school wasn't something that would eventually go away like I thought my entire freshman year... I figured I had just not adjusted to college as quickly as everyone else had, but now I'm sure that my school just isn't the right fit. There aren't enough people (the suffocatingly small number of students means that there are finitely fewer of each type of person/personality, if that makes sense), the surrounding town is too dead/quiet, the attitude/atmosphere of the students and staff and sometimes faculty is frustrating because nothing gets done... I could go on, but I don't want to turn this thread into a rant.</p>

<p>As a HS senior the night before May 1, I was deciding between Brown and my current school. It was a really difficult decision for me since I was so intent on not making the wrong choice (ha), but now I wonder will my previous acceptance to Brown will help my transfer application? My record of academics and activities (and articulation ability, probably) in HS is admittedly much more impressive than what I've managed to accomplish in my freshman year of college and what I've done as a sophomore -- this I attribute to my overall dissatisfaction with the general culture of the school... I think it's really gotten in the way of my performance. among other things.</p>

<p>Speaking of which, I'm taking organic chemistry this semester, but I'm not doing so hot... I'm home on fall break right now but as soon as I get back to campus I'm going to see my professor (who doesn't have a Ph.D. yet, which bugs the heck out of me; essentially I'm being 'taught' by a graduate student -- this isn't supposed to happen at a LAC, much less at one that promises all classes are taught by professors with the highest degree in their field) about a mid-term progress report because the drop deadline is before the end of the week. For my transfer app, will it look bad to have dropped a course? Will it be worse to have a bad grade on my transcript? FYI, I'm thinking it's probably in the B- or C range.</p>

<p>I'm also wondering if it's worth it to transfer if I am admitted to Brown again. **As a junior transfer, I won't be able to study abroad<a href="I%20called%20admissions%20and%20an%20adcom%20told%20me%20this,%20though%20I%20didn't%20ask%20if%20it%20would%20be%20possible%20if%20I%20were%20to%20take%20longer%20to%20earn%20my%20degree%20--%20but%20this%20is%20a%20completely%20different%20can%20of%20worms%20that%20I%20don't%20know%20if%20I%20want%20to%20think%20about">/b</a>. Study abroad was/is one of the main aspects of the college experience for me, so this of course poses a formidable problem.</p>

<p>If I stay at my current institution I can go through with my original study abroad plans (Peru this summer, Beijing or London either next fall or next spring, Japan after graduation with JET), but I fear running the risk of not ever being happy and not 'growing up' (I find that upon matriculation, my brain and heart have come to a sad standstill) and worst of all not even graduating due to overwhelming personal issues, again stemming from the school.</p>

<p>On the other hand, there must be some options (though not exactly the same programs that I've scoped out, as mentioned) for post-baccalaureate study abroad? But I don't know much, if anything at all, about them... And I can imagine that they would be few and far between, especially sponsored fellowships like Watson or Fulbright, which are difficult to get anyway.</p>

<p>I wonder if I would be able to petition study abroad, because even though I'm a transfer, it seems really unfair. This is probably the policy at other schools too but I haven't looked as closely (haven't called up other admissions offices). However, the fact that it took me one year too long to realize that I need to leave is my fault, so maybe I should suck it up...</p>

<p>If you're out there lurking CC -- could you share some feedback/advice/stories?
- Junior transfers
- Brown transfers
- Current Brown students, can I contact you via PM/email/etc. for details about life at Brown? I would really appreciate it if you could spare the time. If you have friends who might be willing to help, that would be awesome too! Even more than I didn't want to screw up making my college decision two years ago, I really don't want to mess it up now.</p>

<p>I have entertained the thought of applying to other schools as a transfer as well, but none give me as much hope for patching my life back together as Brown does. It sounds cheesy but it's really how I feel. I'm definitely open to suggestions though.</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

2

<p>
[quote]
will my previous acceptance to Brown will help my transfer application? My record of academics and activities (and articulation ability, probably) in HS is admittedly much more impressive than what I've managed to accomplish in my freshman year of college and what I've done as a sophomore

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Your previous acceptance to B does show that you were a desirable student as a HS senior. However, there are two factors that are different as a jr transfer applicant. First is that the acceptance rate for transfers is lower than for freshman applicants. Second, as a jr transfer, your college record will be given more weight than your HS record.</p>

<p>As far as study abroad, the policy that students must be "on campus" for at least 2 years is held by many colleges. Your study abroad plans at your current school sound great and seem like they might work well in breaking up your time in a less than perfect situation. At B or another transfer school, you might plan on studying abroad during the summer, although this would increase costs unless you could get some sort of grant through the college.</p>

3

<p>Being accepted to Brown in HS must help! You must have impressive HS record.</p>

<p>I am curious why you haven't gone to Brown in the first place..Was money the issue?
I also want to transfer to Brown, but the amt. of money for Brown concerns me.</p>

4

<p>Bambini,
Do you know that B is need-AWARE for transfer students (it's need blind for freshman admissions), and that it has limited FA for transfers?</p>

<p><a href="http://financialaid.brown.edu/Cmx_Content.aspx?cpId=56%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://financialaid.brown.edu/Cmx_Content.aspx?cpId=56&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

5

<p>To entomom,</p>

<p>Yes, I have read their web page, but thank you for letting me know (even with a link!).</p>

<p>My parents are offering to pay for 25 grand, which I think it's quite a bit of money, but gosh, Brown is so expensive. I guess I don't have to worry now since I haven't gotten in yet.</p>

6

<p>Bambini,</p>

<p>Money is not the issue. My current tuition+room/board is the same as if I were attending Brown.
Why did I not attend in the first place? I can't find an answer to that question.</p>

7

<p>To Drangon Mouse </p>

<p>You know what you want now, I wish you luck :)</p>

8

<p>Wait, it's possible to transfer into Brown?</p>

<p>Ha, just kidding, poking fun at how hard it is to get into Brown as a transfer</p>

<p>but realistically since you were accepted before as a senior in HS, as long as you keep a decent GPA at your Top LAC you should be re-admitted for transfer</p>

9

<p>What does LAC mean, BTW? I see it often but I don' t know what it stands for.</p>

10

<p>Liberal Arts College.</p>