<p>I got all As my first semester at Mount Holyoke. My SATs and ECs are good enough for Barnard, but my high school GPA isn’t. Do I have a chance? Should I wait another semester?</p>
<p>I don't think there's any harm in applying, but the reasons for transferring are important. You've only spent a semester at Mt. Holyoke, and the issues you've had with it (clearly, you have some if you want to transfer) may subside, so perhaps it'd be best to wait it out. </p>
<p>Unless, of course, they're not issues that can be resolved with time. If you don't mind me asking, what don't you like about Mt. Holyoke?</p>
<p>FYI: I'm pretty clueless about transferring and such because I'm just a high school senior muddling through the college admission process :p</p>
<p>if you don't mind me asking, why do you want to transfer out of MHC? I'm applying there and Barnard so I'm always interested in hearing current students' perspectives</p>
<p>i appreciate the academic advantage of an all women's college, but I don't appreciate the social implications... enter barnard... </p>
<p>haha also it's too rural. you have to "create your own fun" but honestly, it shouldn't be hard to have fun in college. some people enjoy it, don't get me wrong. I have great friends but I think men are a legit and contributing part of society... one that you can't just remove completely...</p>
<p>yeah, MHC is the most rural school i'm looking at. what about the shuttle bus to the other schools or is that just more hassle than helpful?</p>
<p>did you apply to barnard as a senior?</p>
<p>i didn't apply to barnard. the shuttle bus is fine, but it's an effort. it's pretty annoying to come back from a party on a bus or wait at the bus stop when it's cold.</p>
<p>mhc is a good school with a nice atmosphere; it's up to you to decide if it's worth the extra effort it takes to form a social life. meeting men is next to impossible until you're an upperclasswoman (i don't know why exactly but it's an unmistakable trend). you should stay overnight and get a feel for it. </p>
<p>the professors really care about their students and support them. My classes have been interesting... etc etc. it's not worth the effort for me, but it is for some people.</p>
<p>My daughter was successful at transferring from MHC to Barnard several years ago after her first semester for some of the very same reasons. I think the key is to communicate what Barnard can offer that MHC can't from an academic point of view. Sure, the social life and cultural opportunities are much better in NYC, but there has to be a compelling reason beyond that. For my daughter, it was her interest in their human rights program. In her application, she crafted a story around why Barnard was the perfect place for her - and why she was perfect for them. (FYI, her high school GPA was less than stellar, but she did manage to graduate cum laude from Barnard last year. So there IS hope.)</p>
<p>If you don't get into Barnard, you might want to consider transferring up the road to Smith. MHC's biggest drawback in my view is that it <em>is</em> so remote. While NoHo isn't Northampton, and while you still have to work at meeting men, the Quad at Smith has a fair number of parties that draw men from outside and, while it's still a women's college, Smith has the highest number of incoming cross registrations from the Five Colleges, including Zoo Mass and Hampshire.</p>
<p>MHC is so bucolic that my D didn't want me to even park the car when we visited. It's fine if you're into that but otherwise....</p>
<p>Scripps may be another option for you to consider. Barnard is a great choice too, but give yourself one or two more options. Bryn Mawr is another possibility.</p>