<p>Hi, I am considering transferring from BC to a small LAC. I'm not that happy here, but I know I could survive 3 more years and get a BC degree. If I went to this lac i would be a lot happier but my degree would not be as well-known (or respected?) as the one I would get from BC. Is it worth transferring and giving up a chance at a better degree? Is it normal for people to transfer from good colleges to lesser known colleges? I'm just wondering if anyone has any input on this, if anyone has ever made a decision like this. I know it seems pretty clear that I should go where I am happy, but giving up a spot at BC is a lot. any comment on this would be appreciated!</p>
<p>uhh...what LAC are you considering? It's hard to know whether the name is actually of lesser value or if you're getting a "worse degree" since your opinion of an LAC's prestige may not actually be the norm.</p>
<p>Skidmore College</p>
<p>Don't worry caddyshack, I'm in the same position. I currently attend Rensselaer Polytechnic, and (although I haven't started the process yet, gotta get on that -_-;;) will most likely be applying to transfer to a smaller LAC in the area.</p>
<p>Also, I had the same logic in the decision, that, while I feel I could last three more years at RPI (maybe two and a half, depending upon what I ultimately decide to major in), I doubt I'd enjoy it in any way, and I feel that I would be much happier at the LAC I'll be applying to if I am able to attend it, regardless of whether it has the same recognition as RPI or not.</p>
<p>Which LAC? and are you 100% sure you are going to transfer?
BTW, I have a lot of friends at RPI.</p>
<p>hmm if it'll make you happy go for it. BC is definitely better than Skidmore, but Skid's a good college as well.</p>
<p>As for your first question, which is easier to answer, I am intending to apply to Union College.</p>
<p>The second question is a little more difficult to answer/explain. Yes, at the moment, I have every intention of applying to transfer. However, as I said, I will transfer, but only if it is possible. The difficulty comes from the fact that I am attending RPI on a scholarship, and that is the only reason my parents were able to afford the tuition (supposedly). I have not yet checked how much my parents are able to pay for tuition (I haven't even really discussed this with them actually, to be honest- I've really only discussed this with one person other than the people in the forum), but, if, when everything is all said and done, it is possible for me to attend Union, I will. If it is not possible, my plan is to go back to RPI and do my best to deal with it as well as I can.</p>
<p>I know that may seem a little weird, but I hope that answers your question regarding the "if" in my particular situation.</p>
<p>Yeah I understand. I'm not 100% sure yet, and besides the forum here, I haven't really mentioned transferring to anyone. People would call me crazy for wanting to transfer.</p>
<p>Well, here's one recommendation I can make to you: if you have a good friend that you trust, it helps to speak with them. It made a great deal of difference for me.</p>
<p>And the way I see it is I really don't care how crazy people think I am. I'd rather enjoy my four years of college (or the three years I have left) if I have the opportunity to do so- I've already recognized that either way, I will have regrets from this decision, but, regardless, I plan to just go as far as I can towards making sure that I enjoy my remaining three years of college.</p>
<p>yea I think I will do that. Good luck with everything and thanks for the input!
any other comments would be appreciated!</p>
<p>bump......</p>
<p>"Life's too short to be anything but happy."</p>
<p>Good quote to live by when it comes to transferring...I certainly am :).</p>
<p>"BC is definitely better than Skidmore."</p>
<p>Better is subject to a person's individual happiness with that place. So, caddyshack, if you think 3 years at Skidmore would make you more happy, go for it. If I had to guess I would say that people who are more happy with their colleges tend to do better academically, so I would say that it is definitely worth it to transfer to be both at a place you enjoy and get better grades because of it.</p>
<p>you are from upstate new york, have you considered vassar, colgate or um..hamilton?</p>
<p>Nah I haven't really. Skidmore is the only school I would apply to because my father works there and my brother goes there. Its a safe bet that I'll get in there but I just need to know I'm making the right choice.</p>
<p>the right choice is really up to you. Most people will tell you to stay at the school because of the reputation, but if you feel comfortable, then i dont see how its the wrong decision.</p>
<p>I worked so hard to get into BC and last year I was accepted to skidmore and to the honors program but I turned it down for bc. Ah, I hope I can make the right decision on this.</p>
<p>With all the hype about rankings and "top ten schools" it's easy for transfer decisions to become really difficult.. I'm really not liking UC Berkeley, and people think I'm crazy for wanting to transfer anywere else. But ultimately, it's my own decision, and I know what does and doesn't float my boat, so transfer apps here I come... Overall, you're only young once, you're only going to go through college once, so why not make it the most you can, academically AND socially? If you don't enjoy where you are, who you interact with, and what you're doing at a particular place, why put up with it?
Then again, if you're really stuck on leaving your school b/c of its rep, maybe try to make it work a little bit more...? Have you looked at all the clubs/sports possibilities? Maybe you can START a club to find people with similar interests to yours? If you feel like that's not an option, then by all means you should at least put in a transfer app... You've got a long time until the decisions come out anyways : ) Good luck!</p>
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Better is subject to a person's individual happiness with that place
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<p>No; better in this case is referring to academic reputation, in which BC is without a doubt better than Skidmore. Still, that does not make it "better" for the applicant. I could theoretically be accepted to Harvard, hate it, and decide to attend Northwestern instead. I would be making the better choice for my personal situation, but not the better academic choice.</p>
<p>So..if I want to enjoy myself I should go to skidmore, but if I want more respect from my degree I should stay at bc? I know bc has great job recruiting, but i really think i can get to the same place through hard work at skidmore.</p>