<p>Hi, this is my first time using this site, because I am really desperate for any outside help that I can get. My home university, The University of Maine at Orono is currently having some issues. They are planning on cutting a lot of the programmes, including all foreign languages, which happens to be my major (French and German). My advisor is really concerned as the cuts may start with German as soon as next fall. I am currently a junior, but I still need some German courses to graduate. I really do not like my school and for that reason, I spent Fall 2009 at Smith College as a visiting student with intention to transfer. Needless to say, it was not what I had in mind and returned home, only to be faced with a bout of health issues preventing me from going full time this current semester. I have been taking 6 credits online to keep my mind going, although it has been difficult.
The thought of returning to Umaine makes me ill. I have resolved the health issues and for the past month have been trying to apply to study abroad at Queen's University in Belfast. I figured I could take classes all summer to make up for this semester, study abroad, then return and finish up for one last semester at Umaine. One more semester won't kill me, right? Well, the study abroad advisor is STILL deliberating on whether or not she will sign the form to let me study abroad due to the fact that I haven't been at Umaine for a year. Saying that, I would be doing the programme through IFSA Butler and not Umaine, but I just need the signature. My professors have been backing me up as they know I am a good student that can definitely handle studying abroad. However, she is being very, very stubborn.
Finally, I am just wondering, if they don't let me study abroad and graduating from Umaine may take 1-2 years more due to the fact that they are not going to be offering the courses I need (they are constantly canceling courses that they feel are not important ie: languages) should I just transfer since that will take 2 years anyway? I am absolutely miserable at Umaine and most of my friends will be studying abroad next year and or not living on campus. Should I transfer to a school that will make me happy although it may take longer, or stick it out at a school that is falling apart and makes me miserable?
I realise that most of the deadlines for U.S. universities have already passed for a transfer application, as I was not even considering that before when I thought study abroad was an easy solution. I was wrong. However, many international universities have deadlines that extend beyond into June and July. My dream has always been to study in Europe, specifically the U.K. Would this be a realistic goal I should pursue? </p>
<p>Current GPA: 3.8
Schools I am considering: Boston University (transfer deadline has passed; does anyone know if they would be flexible or not?), Queen's University Belfast, University of Glasgow, University of Edinburgh, Trinity College Dublin, Queen Mary University of London</p>
<p>Try applying to some U.S. schools whose deadlines have not yet passed (such as Emory, the University of Rochester, etc.). If you explain your special circumstances, I’m sure they’ll probably consider you despite your number of credit hours. No guarantees though.</p>
<p>Some schools even though their deadline has passed, are still accepting applications. For example I applied to Syracuse University at the end of March and the deadline was Jan 1. I recieved my admissions decision in a week.</p>
<p>Might look at Wisconsin. Superb German dept, lots of study abroad. Relatively stable. Since the Chancellor was a UW German major there will always be German at UW. They might be more flexible on transfer deadlines with a phone call. Great college town and positive vibe.</p>
<p>The University of Wisconsin–Madison has now closed the extension to the application deadline for transfer admission for the fall 2010 term. However, if you have unusual circumstances which prevented you from applying earlier, we encourage you to submit your application along with an explanation of those circumstances. We may be able to make an exception for your application. Please note: We cannot make any exceptions to the deadline for international applicants (i.e., those who need a visa to study in the United States).</p>
<p>if you are currently a junior, then I don’t think you can transfer anywhere in America. The vast majority of universities do not accept applicants if they have completed more than two years of college. You may be able to transfer to another school in the University of Maine system that offers German and French, though I’m not sure of that.There may also be some Canadian universities that might take you, though I again am not sure. </p>
<p>Alternatively, if you feel that you are truly fluent in German, you could also apply to a university in France, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany or Austria. Be warned though that if you aren’t absolutely fluent in German or French (depending on the university’s language of instruction), you will fail. It is also true that they are typically quite expensive for foreigners, and getting a student visa can be a hassle. Hope this helps.</p>
<p>Or University of Virginia, whose German program is ranked ahead of Wisconsin’s!</p>
<p>Seriously, I am sure there are many universities with stable foreign language programs that are willing to be flexible with transfer admissions for strong students, such as yourself. You’re likely to have more luck on that front than you are getting into a study abroad program at this late date.</p>
<p>Finally, one thing to keep in mind is that most colleges require students to finish up on the home campus rather than finish up abroad. So if you want to study abroad, you’re likely talking at least two and a half years between now and graduation (maybe more if you transfer to UW, where it’s notoriously hard to get all the classes you need).</p>
<p>Responding to tsakashvili, I’m not sure it’s true that most colleges won’t take juniors. What most colleges will require, however, is that you take at least 60 credits at their institution to qualify for a degree.</p>
<p>My advice: transfer to a U.S. institution, spend a year there, study abroad for a semester, then return to the U.S. university and finish up.</p>
<p>Actually upperclassmen report little trouble getting classes at Wisconsin. 79% of seniors report that major classes were available most or all of the time. Same as UVa.</p>
<p>The S/F for undergrad German majors at UW is under 4:1 with about 60 majors and 17 faculty.</p>
<p>Maybe that’s because they are underclassman for so long: U-Va’s four-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than UW’s six year graduation rate (82%). </p>
<p>Hi. I’ve been a student in the UK for 5 years now, and have experience with applications to the UK and US. Okay basically, transfer friendly institutions are the following: University of Bristol, DUrham University, UCL (although they are selective), Queen Mary University of London…etc because they are known to accept transfers from either university for second year. However the application process will be through UCAS and entry point will be 2nd year. Scottish universities should be transfer friendly especially due to their term structures. University of St Andrews has a lot of american students and is deemed the closest there is to an american college in england. I dont know how selective ireland is for transfers but I do know for freshman they are tougher to get into compared to their scottish couterparts. My brother studies at Durham so I can definitely check this out for you. You are also in luck because Durham’s language department (along with Bristol’s and UCL’s) is really known for its strengths in the UK. Do Pm me if you would like to know more. Other than that, I urge you to explore websites of the universities I’ve mentioned and see their requirements. Bear in mind the dofference in standard of education for languages in ENgland. Our undergraduate education is 3 years, 4 years including a year abroad at a foreign partner institution. Entry for freshman is based on A Levels and Advanced extension papers on our desired language major. Do ensure that your level meets the standard of the year you are planning to transfer to as otherwise you would need to start over. You would be applying through UCAS. Also check universities with rolling admissions in the states-there are plenty-you can google to see the whole list on cc and other sites. Best of luck.</p>
<p>I urge you to sit for DALF/mention them to UK universities and ask whether it would help your application. If you are capable and thinking of transferring to french universities, I suggest you look into DALF C1 and C2.</p>
<p>Wow, the OP of this thread doesn’t take responsibility for anything. If I were an adcom and I read about your situation at UMaine I’d think, “If it so much as rains here, this kid’ll blame us for the weather and jump ship.”</p>