<p>This sounds a bit silly, but I do not know if I should transfer because I cannot tell if the root of my problems is me or the school.</p>
<li><p>I have barely made any friends. I feel that the campus lacks much in diversity, not in terms of race or geographical origins (most people are from nice, tiny, suburban towns), but in terms of interest. Frat parties are popular and the only source of entertainment that many people seek out. </p></li>
<li><p>I feel trapped on the campus because there is really nothing to do. Many, many students go home on weekends and it leaves the place very deserted. I am not allowed to have a car on campus, and I cannot afford one right now either way. There is nothing close by and the transportation system is horrible. </p></li>
<li><p>I have decided to change my major to Anthropology or concentrate more on studying the Chinese language, but my school offers neither. Only one professor teaches Chinese and he sometimes doesn’t go up to the intermediate level. Anthropology is only a minor. </p></li>
<li><p>The school also barely has any prestige and its funding is being cut by the state. I also barely receive any financial aid and as a freshman I was denied merit aid because I had an average SAT score (1200/1600; 1890/2400), despite having great extracurriculars and grades.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Now, I was feeling depressed during the summer after my senior year. Am I making the school seem worse than it really is due to my mental state or is it really the environment that is making me feel worse…?</p>
<p>Would transferring be worth it, especially since schools are barely generous regarding financial aid to transfers? And also many of the credits may not transfer, and so I would have to spend time taking gen ed courses at the new school and probably be forced to graduate in more than 4 yrs, which is a problem because I also want to study abroad.</p>
<p>wht year (college) are you?
i will transfer this fall from a comm college.
my biggest reasons were because no 1.3.4..
i barely know someone. calc class are even only offered in certain semester.
i want to study actuarial science. the school is so suck,when i applied online to a few 4yrs college,my school name wasnt even in the list of US schools
(you know,when you hv to put your credits and stuff in the application).
i cant wait to get out from here. really excited</p>
<p>soemtimes when you are entrenched in a situation it’s hard to view it objectively. clearly. </p>
<p>if someone else wrote that list, what would you tell them?</p>
<p>for us, looking at the situation from the outside, it’s clear that you are not happy nor can you get what you want in your education from your school. Transferring would therefore be your best choice.</p>
<p>i completely understand how it’s confusing to separate emotional/personal views with a decision like this. they still do factor in though, and regardless, i’d still say you want to look strongly into transferring. those points are all legitimate, but your number 3, about your major, is very concrete and obviously the situation isn’t working for you, without considering really subjective views. so yes, i say go for it, and good luck!</p>
<p>I am in almost the exact situation as you. I was depressed, did terribly (3.0) in a really difficult college prep school and only got really good grades and APs in my senior year. This basically meant that no colleges wanted to accept me because I did so mediocre my first few years of highschool. I chose to go to San Diego State University and there is barely any interest in majors outside of business, and it is too much of a party school. So for this reason I’m transferring out too; I’m way too good for this school anyway. If I were you, I’d just reach for the stars and see what comes of it. Also, try seeing a school psychologist for your depression and maybe they can write you a personal recommendation explaining your situation.</p>
<p>I am a freshman. The reason I am hesitating in transferring is basically because of the money situation. Also, there is nowhere for me to really transfer, besides the large state school here (which has the majors I want, and would probably offer decent financial aid). All the other schools in the state are basically the same as this one, some even worse (yes, I have visited them). However, I am not sure if the large school environment is for me. I do not like large classes and I don’t enjoy feeling like a number. </p>
<p>It is funny, my college is one of the schools that is “up and coming”. It has gotten more selective and many people think it is a better pick than the large state school, because of its size and decent academics. TAs are nonexistent, all classes are small and discussion based. Most professors are also easily accessible. If you have a problem, it is easier getting it solved since it is a smaller school. Realistically, I would have to give up much of this if I go to the humongous state school.</p>
<p>I cannot go out of state because, frankly, I have no money. I would have to take out large loans since most places aren’t generous with transfer aid. I dream of a few private schools that would probably be okay with aid, but I don’t see myself getting in any. I am a bit above average, but I am certainly not spectacular and probably wouldn’t be able to produce killer recs, just a good essay and good grades. Should I take a shot and waste all that money in application fees and whatnot?</p>
<p>I have been apprehensively avoiding private schools and ones with difficult admission too, but you might as well try just the same. I think that in your situation,the only worst thing that could happen would be to stay at your current school anyway. If it comes to that, you might as well get involved in counselors, and extracurriculars now so that you can adjust to the current college environment. After you get the admissions results, you can make a broader decision of what you want.</p>
<p>Hey I understand you because I am in the same boat. I don’t think that my school is terrible because some people like it. I just think that I am in the wrong place. I sometimes hesitate about the transfer thing because I am too old to start over but I would prefer to spend more than four year in a place that I like than in one that I dislike. If you are right about your school and stay there, the 3 years that are left will seem longer than what they are. I know that you want to study abroad but you can maybe get a job abroad once you finish school. I think that you can try to push your graduation date if you transfer by taking courses during summer and winter term. I know that it is going to be ovewhelming but do you really have a choice if you want to graduate early? Take your time to think about it, talk to your parents to get some advice. You should feel free to tell them how you feel about it.</p>
<p>nyriki, just curious, what school do you go to currently?</p>
<p>If I were you and money wasn’t a huge problem, I would transfer. maybe you can transfer to a state school where it’s more big and diverse, and it wouldn’t cost too much instate.</p>
<p>I think that your reasons for transfer, as you have presented them here, are solid. However, the need for financial aid is limiting.</p>
<p>Also, it is possible that your unhappiness is coloring your views and your choices.</p>
<p>You’ve chosen to major in Anthropology and take Chinese - neither of which your school offers. How did you come to those choices and what, if any, other possibilities did you consider close contenders for your major? </p>
<p>Many people leaving on weekends is another solid reason to choose a campus where that isn’t the norm. But, what are your options for overcoming that? Have you joined any organizations that keep people around on the weekends - either because the events occur then or the people are so involved that they choose to stay around?</p>
<p>The way you have presented it the big state U seems the only viable option. I would suggest you apply there, so that you will have that as an option. Then, you can think about whether there are steps you can take to make the current campus work better for you. </p>
<p>I’m unclear why you think your credits wouldn’t transfer - esp. from what sounds like one state school to another. What courses have you taken?</p>
<p>Thank you for all the advice, everyone. I am feeling less frantic :]</p>
<p>I go to the College of New Jersey. Most courses are four credit, while in the large state university courses are mostly 3 credit classes. I am guessing some credits will be lost. Also, they have quite an extensive number of required courses. I will have to take those as well as starting out a new major in Anthropology. If I want to add Chinese as a second major, it will make my college career even longer. </p>
<p>I though about just majoring in Sociology if I stay at my current college because it is close to Anthropology, but from taking the Sociology intro course I can see that the two are different in many, many ways. It wouldn’t be the same. </p>
<p>Essentially, I want a major that deals with world issues, cultures, languages. My original major (International Relations) seems way too politically and economically focused for my taste. So, I find Anthropology to be the next best thing. I certainly enjoy the current Anthro class on race that I take now.</p>
<p>I have joined a few organizations and am only really active in two. Many of the clubs I found to be rather cliquey and didn’t feel very welcoming to new students. My depression also made it difficult to go to more meetings or make an effort to talk to more people and have them open up more. Most organizations do not have events/meetings/etc on weekends. Very rarely is there a big event on weekends and when they occur, they are usually the type I would not attend. Sometimes I feel so lethargic I do not even look for events to attend. </p>
<p>Grande Attiles: You make good suggestions. However, taking many summer courses would be difficult for me because of my financial situation. But if worse comes to worse, I guess that is my only option.</p>
<p>I suppose I will apply to the large state university and hope I get accepted to their honors college or they may be merciful with some aid. </p>
<p>I do not know where I went wrong in my senior year of HS. I thought I made a good choice and whatnot. Now, everyday I feel regretful and feel worse when old friends tell me about how much they are enjoying their college life. It is silly, but I cannot help but feel this way…</p>