<p>Hiya. I'm looking at transferring to Cornell in the fall. Got in before, went somewhere else, sort of regret it, turning around. Here's the thing: I get all stressed out and finickey about "making the wrong choice". What if I go there and I should have stayed here? What if I stay and I should have left? What if I didn't give my current school enough of a chance (I'm a 2nd semester freshman transferring [maybe] in Fall 2005)? What if I'm not happy with whatever I decide? What if, what if, what if?" Anyway, here's my thing:</p>
<p>*Cornell has better academics and programs then my current school (as would be the case for a lot of places.)
*Bigger campus. More going on. More clubs I am interested in.
*I don't like the town I'm in now at all. It's scary and impossible to get ANYWHERE without a car.
*More convinient to home.
*I feel like I don't belong and am wasting my time here.</p>
<p>My only real reasons to stay would be for the friends I do have and because it's cheap. Not really the best reasons. I'd miss stuff and familiarity, but in the end, I can't picture myself here for 3 more years, and I know Cornell would be better for me. </p>
<p>My real problem is I still worry about making the right choice. And losing friends I have here, and being happy. I don't know, maybe you guys feel similar? I don't HATE this place, it just doesn't seem to fit and I'm not sure how to deal with that. Just wondering if anyone else has experienced similar feelings. If I hated this place, leaving would be great. I don't hate it, I just don't feel like it'll get me anywhere. Is that a legit reason to leave? Anyone else feel the same?</p>
<p>yeah i totally understand where you're coming from. I'm at Emory right now, but I'd rather be at Pomona or one of the more selective schools I turned down last year. I guess I'm here because of the Scholars Program and the merit $, but I still don't feel like I fit in. But, yeah I don't absolutely detest the school, so I may actually have some regrets if I go to yale or pomona. For now, I'm going to stay at Emory because with its liberal ap policy, i can graduate in 2007, a year early. (a thought that makes me really happy) In my case, its not really logical to go anywhere else because in about two years I will have my degree, but you should definitely try transferring if there are NO good acadmic aspects of the school.</p>
<p>I feel the same way, LilacGirl. Unfortunately, I can't offer any advice because I'm currently doing exactly what you're doing (doubting, wondering, applying anyway, worrying, etc). Good luck!</p>
<p>Lilac Girl, you sound exactly like me. Your reasons for transferring sound so much the same. I don't hate my school, but I don't think it's wonderful either. I am applying to transfer from my current school to William and Mary, where I was accepted last year but didn't go to. One of my big reasons for staying is the same as yours too--it's cheap because I have a big scholarship. Where do you go to school now? I say you should try to talk to people at Cornell and if it sounds like it's more suited to you then go. Good luck!</p>
<p>I feel the same way--one is cheap, respectable. The other is a place I was accepted to, renown, and seemed liked exactly what I wanted (but was very expensive). My parents specifically said when I was making my decision that I could make up my mind. I picked the first (for the family), and they said they would support me if I tried for the other again, so that's what I'm doing.
I think that applying is all anyone can do, beyond giving their current place a chance (which it sounds like you did). The other thing you can do to get rid of your worry is to imagine the worst possible outcome, and then the steps you would take from there.</p>
<p>You guys are SO helpful. Seriously, just knowing there's other people out there doing the same thing. (Reminds me of a Better Than Ezra song, if anyone listens to them...) But anyway....I go to Hofstra University, and it's really big for film and communications, stuff like that, but I'm a sociology major - looking into a soc major that is specific to Cornell. I feel so conflicted about leaving, but in the end, I have talked to faculty, admissions, alumni and current students...idk. It just SEEMS like it'd be better. I hope it is. I feel bad because I have some wonderful, wonderful friends here that I would hate to leave behind, and I hate to make them feel sad too...but in the end, deep down, I think I know what the better choice for me is. And it's not here. </p>
<p>I'm glad other people feel this way, too, though. As much as it sucks, you realize people do it and it gets less...confusing and weird, as time goes on. I feel maybe a fresh start is in order, too. I hit pretty much the lowest point I ever have while I was here (nothing really serious, just a rough time), and I feel like that's always sort of going to be a part of being here. Where's everyone else going to-from? And how are you dealing with the telling friends thing? I haven't told many people here, except my roommate and my closest friends, because it's hard to explain. The people staying can never really understand the person wanting to leave, you know? Let me know how you're dealing with the communication thing, maybe?</p>
<p>I go to USC and am applying to transfer to William an Mary. I totally understand your fresh start thing, although I don't think someone should switch schools for that reason alone. I haven't told any of my friends here. I am afraid if I tell them our friendship will weaken, but then if I do end up staying here I won't have any friends. Obviously, if I decide to leave I'll have to tell them. But I don't think there's much point in bringing it up if I don't know for sure. Plus, it is kind of hard because so many people here like the school. It's not like some places where a lot of people spend their frosh year complaining.</p>
<p>BTW, I am from New York and I almost went to Cornell. It's a great school--good luck!</p>
<p>Thanks a lot. I'm a New Yorker myself :) Fresh start isn't the only reason, it's more of a bonus to all the real reasons. I've had to tell a few people because my entire floor is trying to keep their same rooms next year...so when people asked if I was sticking around in my room...yeah, I had to explain. I've only told 4 people though, and it's sort of stressful. Oh well. I am mailing in my midyear report today, and then this whole thing is out of my hands. So until I get a decision from someone, I will try not to worry about it.</p>
<p>UMD here and trying to transfer to UVA, Virginia Tech, or JMU. I feel just like you guys. I'm from VA and miss my friends there, but I'd miss my friends here too. It will be a tough decision either way.</p>
<p>Four years ago, my D could have written any of your posts. She liked some thing about the school she was at, and had a few friends. She had a big merit scholarship. She hates change, so transfering seemed like a nightmare to her. But, she wasn't really happy there. She didn't feel challenged; she was tired of being the only one who spoke up in class. She didn't fit in politically (very apathetic place.) So she started applying, but still wasn't sure. She also applied for a really cool winter term program at the schools she was at (studying in Equador). She got involved with some groups. She really tried to make it work.</p>
<p>For her, though, it seemed more like she was going to be gritting her teeth and getting through. It was not going to be the college experience she had envisioned. As spring went on, she got more and more unhappy. She'd come home for the weekend and not want to go back.</p>
<p>She actually didn't make her decision to transfer until May, just before the school year ended. And she wasn't sure she was doing the right thing. Would it just be more of the same? Would she make new friends? Was it worth the added costs.?</p>
<p>Long story short, it was definitely the right decision for her. She transfered to Wesleyan, and found her "home". She belonged there, loved her classes, made incredible friendships, and grew like she never would've if she'd stayed where she was.</p>
<p>I think that if you're just holding back out of fear of change, then transfering may be the right thing for you. If you're pretty okay where you are, I'd really think it thorugh some more.</p>
<p>Keep working at making your present schools work, but keep an open mind when the acceptances come in. Good luck to all of you!</p>
<p>I transferred to Cornell last fall and it was the best decision I ever made. I had to leave a lot of people behind, but they all knew it was for the best. And I still see them when i go home for break, as well as talk to them regularly. If you have any specific Cornell questions, don't hesitate to ask. :-)</p>
<p>Hey Normandy, how quickly did you make friends once you got to CU? I'm convinced I can handle the workload, it's starting over that makes me nervous. Where did you live and where would you reccomend living? Also why did you transfer? Thanks :)</p>
<p>I made friends pretty quickly, especially living in the transfer center. If you can, this is a good place to live specifically for the social reasons.</p>
<p>As far as why I transferred, I never planned on staying at my first school (University of South Florida). I had applied to West Point (twice) but my eyesight kept my out (which was a blessing, since now I know I probably wouldn't have enjoyed it). I needed a place that was academically challenging and had lots of opportunities in my field. </p>
<p>This place is pretty friendly, so you shouldn't have any trouble adjusting.</p>