I’m considering going to a community college for two years and then applying as a transfer student to my dream school. But I’m worried that two years may feel too short at my dream school and it may be harder to make friends and have a full college experience since I would be entering as a junior.
For anyone who has transferred to their dream school or is planning on it: Do you wish you were there for four years instead of two? And is it easy to make friends, live on campus, and have the college experience?
I haven’t actually transferred yet so I can really only speculate, but I think it really depends. If you’re the type who makes friends early and often, then transferring won’t be as difficult as the shy reserved kid who does the same. I’m actually transferring to uva after one year at george mason, and while I am worried about starting over, I also have friends from hs there and am planning on living in housing for transfers so hopefully I’ll be acclimated quickly. Obviously anyone would rather spend the full four years at their dream school, but for me, there wasn’t a chance in the world I could go to uva out of high school given my gpa (3.3w) so transferring gave me a chance I never would’ve had otherwise to attend an amazing school. At the end of the day it’s only two years, and afterwards, until the end of time you can say “I graduated and have a degree from X.” No one cares if you transferred there.
I spent two years at a small, regional campus attached to a public school (while slightly bigger than a community college, the prices were relatively comparable and there is no campus housing). While I haven’t received any decisions yet (hopefully I’ll hear this or next week!), I took the time to apply as a transfer to the two schools I desperately wanted to go to during my senior year of high school. Now, as a rising undergrad junior, I can safely say, yes, I wanted those four years. Like everyone else, I wanted to have a dorm all four years, to truly immerse myself in a larger campus environment, but my shoddy secondary record (my high school GPA was a 2.9 for starters…) just wasn’t enough to get me into top-tier private colleges and universities. If anything, I’m grateful for the two years, too – mostly because I was able to prove that I can be an academically successful student, organize clubs and obtain leadership positions, and become an all-in-all “well-rounded” person. But like what @sd4198 mentioned, it’s not as difficult for a shy, reserved student like myself, especially considering there wasn’t a strong campus community nor many opportunities for my major. And while I wanted the whole “first-year” experience, I think you’ll probably be grateful knowing you saved thousands of dollars, was able to reestablish yourself academically, etc. I know I sure am 