<p>Hey, I'm a freshman at Saint Michael's and I've had the same mindset. It seems like most of the kids here are spoiled and don't really care about school, the academics definitely aren't challenging, and I don't like the small size. I understand that you don't like the intimidating size of UVM, but you have a greater chance of finding those great friends there. I wish I went to a larger school for the possibility of a more diverse student body, which SMC doesn't have at ALL.</p>
<p>I just can't understand how all of the people I've talked to were able to let go of their old friends and make even better ones in college. For Saint Mike's, we have Monday and Tuesday off so it'll be the first time I get to go home and I have a million things written down to do each day.</p>
<p>Most people I've talked to have had suggestions similar to Andale's. I'm also going to wait until winter break, but I've started the paper work just in case. You should definitely look into the honors program there if it can offer harder classes and a smaller school environment. As for joining clubs and stuff, it is SOOO much easier to suggest that rather than doing it yourself. I don't know if I'll get into those.</p>
<p>If you do decide to transfer, Conn College was the first tour I went to and I hated it. You should obviously form your own opinion, but definitely tour that one if you haven't yet.</p>
<p>Vassar - reach
Colgate - reach
Bard - reach
Sarah Lawrence - slight reach/match
Skidmore - match
Hamilton - match
Ithaca - match/safety</p>
<p>Bard and Sarah Lawrence are closest to NYC, so that's a great advantage. Vassar isn't too far either. Hamilton and Colgate are probably the furthest. I've heard Skidmore is similar to a very long Summer camp, with lots of artsy Theater majors. But Colgate is amazing. That would be my number one choice in that list. I don't know how they are with transfer admissions. Try getting a high GPA (3.8+) and provide your honest, elaborated reasons for transferring. Visit the school/speak to the adcoms. You should be fine. Good luck. I transferred too, but to a much more different kind of school. I know it can be difficult. My suggestion would be to get involved with clubs/teams you are interested in. They could be a lot of fun/informative and great for social interaction.</p>
<p>Look, another word for you, don't listen to ANY of the college suggestions for now. It's only going to make your situation worse because you will soon get obsessed over transfer paperwork and not allow yourself to explore beyond your dorm room walls. Besides your priorities MIGHT and CAN change a lot. I originally had big universities on my list because I thought I'd get more out of the diverse, larger population and just simply having a larger campus. I ended scratching them all off for various reasons (too much hidden fees, too much of science focus, too hard to get in...). </p>
<p>Yes, believe me, it's okay to be disappointed around this time of the year because all in the past, the longest we usually have been away from our family has been around 6-8 weeks (camp...) and we usually expect the ending. Unfortunately, this time... its for another 3 1/2 years- oh my, what a long road. But as a senior, trust me, once you really jump in your academics, future planning, clubs, etc to really make what you make of your college career, that time wil fly. FAST. FAST. FAST. In fact my time at Smith was so fast that I almost completely forgot to fill out my transfer applications!</p>
<p>Yes the school is small but you know how many kids would KILL for that? Consider yourself very, very forunate that you won't always have to worry about 500+ lectures, unavailable professors, endless bureacracy.... Take advantage of all of it right now. Besides the honors program, try seeking out any "intellectual" clubs like languages, debating, public speaking, etc. Those kids tend to be more serious and won't be as idiotic as you think they are.</p>
<p>Okay, I'm off the soapbox. PM me with anything.</p>
<p>I can understand where you are coming from but I do agree to give it some time. I went to three (!) different colleges.</p>
<p>1) College 1 - Small liberal arts college with lots of wealthy underachievers, classes were easy freshman year - but would have gotten harder as I went along. Due to size of school and how well I excelled academically, there would have been lots of great opportunities for me there. The student body was very friendly and would have made some great lasting friendships. I transferred to "harder" school and to be closer to BF. 2) College 2 - Small liberal arts college - I don't think I would have been as happy at due to coldness of student body - but would have been OK if I had stayed. Transferred due to lack of fin aid. 3) College 3 - Mid size state school - as transfer student I missed having the freshman experience there. There were LOTS of opportunities there and I got a great education, and I would have been happy had I started there. </p>
<p>Give the homesickness some time. Its natural to miss your lifelong HS friends -no one can replace them - I am still close with these friends 30 years later. If the distance from home continues to be an issue, then I feel that's a legitimate reason to transfer. But realize you won't have the same opportunity to meet/make friends as a transfer student. Then look at the four year plan at UVM and if the classes will get harder and what opportunities you can take advantage of there. If you think that all four years will not be a challenge, then that is a good reason to transfer.</p>
<p>im not really THAT homesick anymore. i mean, there are times when i am, but a lot of the time im not. but i still dont like the school. even when im happy i dont like the school. and as a transfer student, i would have no problem making friends with the new freshmen at a new school bcuase im actually too young to really be in college anyway (im 17 turning 18 december 29th). all my friends from home are seniors in high school, becuae i tend to get along well with younger kids anyway becuae of my age. i have friends here, and thats not really even the main reason im considering tranferring. i just really dont like being far away and the academic problem, and people say the classes might get harder but im not even really in freshman classes. my education class has a ton of upperclassmen in it, and so does my race in north america class (which i just got a 95 on the midterm in). i just feel like my reasons for transferring are not due to homesickness. but i know i have a lot of time, and i've been doing my best to get involved and enjoy my time here. and thanks everyone for all the help, its been great</p>
<p>What about applying to the Honor's College? Small school within the big school! Separate housing, classes, etc... I think this addresses a lot of your concerns. It's worth looking into.</p>
<p>In the mean time, climb the fire escape on the side of one of the academic buildings (I don't know which one). Apparently, it's the thing to do to watch the sunset over the lake. My daughter got amazing pictures.</p>
<p>the problem is that i like my friends and the social life is good (although im not much of a frat person which is what the social life around here really is like), but i just hate the school and wish i were at a smaller one. and honors college wouldnt really help with outside activities which im having trouble finding, and being closer to home. should i transfer even if i have friends?</p>
<p>I know this may come out of left field, but have you considered joining a Greek organization? It does have a way of making the college "smaller". I have to say, neither I, nor my daughters or relatives were Greek, but I've been reading positive things about fraternities/sororities on these message boards. I'm do know that they are not for everyone, but it could be something to think about. Other ideas would be a service organization or club related to your interests. It may be worth a try.</p>
<p>Opps sorry, cross posted with your above post : " I'm not much of a frat person....." </p>
<p>Sorry. and best of luck, I'm sure things will work out, whatever you decide!</p>
<p>I just transferred this year to another college, and now I'm a sophomore, so I hope this helps:</p>
<p>I had a lot of similar reasons that you have--not academically stimulating, not enough classroom engagement (that was a big one for me), a little too far from home, stuff like that.</p>
<p>It's good that you're identifying the things that you don't like, and you probably will end up transferring. Just... give things a shot for second semester. Try to stick out the year. It'll make you a more attractive candidate to schools, and besides, most transfer deadlines aren't until about March anyway. Start researching and visiting schools now, and make a list of the things you NEED your new school to have. Also think of the things you like about Vermont that you want to have at your new school. Researching transfer options is fun, especially when you're not happy with where you are.</p>
<p>Research is probably the most important thing to do right now.</p>
<p>As for "is it too early to be thinking about this?" and "how do I know if I should leave?"... that's why I recommend staying for the whole year. Start thinking about things that might improve your experience. Would having a car make you feel better because you could (theoretically) drive home when you need to? Or would it help if your family came to visit you, or you visited them, more often? Or would a closer relationship with your adviser help you navigate classes/Vermont more effectively? Thinking about ways to improve things NOW, and implementing those things, will tell you if they're enough to keep you at Vermont.</p>
<p>i'm a freshman also and i know it's way too early in the year to make up my mind, but i am definitely transferring out. i've always had such high expectations for college, and i was hugely disappointed. i don't hate the school, i like my classes, i have friends, but i feel like i've been here, i've done this, and i'm ready for something new -- that and i feel like if i stay here for four years, i will drive myself crazy with thoughts of what i'm missing.</p>
<p>can you see yourself at vermont for four years? if the idea makes you squeamish, start looking. and good luck!</p>
<p>My d is at a completely different kind of school and feels the same way as the OP. I just want to reiterate what was said earlier -- and what I'm saying to my daughter. IT IS WAY TOO EARLY to think about transferring. I think it takes a long time to adjust to college -- and to find your niche. So I think the best suggestion is to put transferring out of your mind until Janauary. If you still fee the same way then, you can then think about where you would prefer to be. For now, try to make the best of where you are. Good luck!</p>
<p>Yeah, I'm definitely having the same doubts even though I know it's far too early... it's just that I go to a very anti-social school (UCSD) and it's hard to make friends here. I just rushed for a sorority today and I didn't get into the ones that I wanted the most. UCSD was never my first choice, it was just the best financial choice for my family. I have a document of schools that I'd rather go to, but I am trying to give UCSD a chance first. </p>
<p>I am also having a lot of trouble making friends that I can actually hang out with (something that usually takes me a while, but happens eventually). It's been a week of school, but I just am getting the sense that this is how the rest of the year will be... I don't know. Any advice?</p>
<p>i know everyone has been giving me all the advice here, but one week is way too early. at one week of school i was completely miserable from homesickness that everything seemed to suck. it will change a lot from the first week. the thing is, i am trying everything here and i think im about as happy here as i could possibly be. im getting more involved (although its hard), i have friends, and doing other things but i just dont like it here. im going stay the year, but ithink after that im going to leave. i just dont feel like im getting the college experience, i expected so much more out of this and idont think i can get what i want out of such a big school.</p>
<p>oh and i dont think its too early to think about transferring at all. if i want to look places not just research, i need to get started on college visits. and also its been well over a month and everyone else i know has very strong opinions on their colleges, my best friend is having "the time of her life," and i just really want that, and i cant see myself getting it here. and as somuchforhtecity said, i cant imagine staying here four years, i cant even imagine one!</p>
<p>if you think being close to home is important then find something closer or better yet stay at home and get an online degree. and i'm not talking about some random online schools like u of pheonix. many well-respected schools now offer their regular degrees online, i know columbia and uiuc do.</p>
<p>It's STILL early. Yes, I admit I was looking at Stanford around this time- only out of boredem otherwise I was moving on with my life.</p>
<p>Honestly, have you heard from anyone who's transferred out from a private four-year college who seriously thought about transferring by this point? Believe me, your friends are in middle of their "honeymoon period" and will get reality check after the midterms or by Thanksgiving that college IS not just about partying and socializing. It's just so that you didn't get a ticket for your honeymoon- maybe it's just delayed :) I didn't get mine until the spring. Don't worry about others- everyone has their own college experiences. Even I can't talk about colleges with my friends at other schools because our lives are so different. The only thing we have in common is the lack of decent guys LOL</p>
<p>Trust me, I was actually planning ways to graduate in 3 1/2 years.</p>
<p>Don't visit campuses until you've been accepted because missing classes is a HUGE deal- it's too much to catch up with the material. In the meantime, just use the internet and your school breaks. Do your parents know? They might say no because of the financial package.</p>
<p>yeah my parents know and support me. and i wasnt planning to miss class to visit school, i was only going to do that during breaks and stuff like that. and dont worry, i wont be transferring until next year so i dont have a choice but to wait, even if i think my mind is already made up.</p>