Currently wondering whether or not I should transfer colleges.
Currently a sophomore at a top 100 (but not top 50), small, private university. I am a member of the honors program at said university, and am also on (almost) full financial aid and scholarships. At face value, it seems like there is absolutely no reason for me to transfer. At my current institution, I’ve had the opportunity to do research, have mentorship, and am making connections (though in my secondary major, not necessarily what I want to do long-term.
The reason I’m thinking of transferring, though, is the social scene at my current school. From what I’ve observed of the culture here and heard from upperclassmen, the culture of my school is heavily focused on drinking, partying, etc., which just isn’t my personality. I’ve had a hard time making friends and have been quite miserable for the most part during my college experience. Trying to figure out whether the academic and career benefits of staying outweigh the social benefits of transferring back to my home state flagship university. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
So you’re a sophomore and you’re just learning of the culture at the school now? It worries me that you say, as you hear from upperclassmen - as you’ve been there a year.
So as you know, there’s a party culture at many places. But I believe one can also find their crowd anywhere- but perhaps it’s more difficult at a smaller school.
Are you seeking a bigger school? Your academic opportunities sound awesome. Are there clubs you can join, etc? For some, it’s just hard to make friends - it’s understandable, especially in times of covid. But if you move schools, you go in not knowing anyone.
To me - especially if you’re financially constrained, the most important thing is the aid you get. Yes, you need to be happy and I get it - but you don’t want to end up at a school you cannot afford or that brings financial stress.
It sounds like you’d like it to work there. I’d focus less on what people tell you and more on what you’ve experienced. I would seek out clubs in your interest group.
If you do decide to transfer and I assume go to a larger school, make sure it affords the opportunities you want - research, etc. and of course, check on the finances.
I assume you lost your freshman year on campus to C19, and this is your first “real” college year. If so, it makes sense that you are just now developing a feel for the campus dynamics and culture.
My vote is to remain on campus. By your own assessment, you’re receiving a great education, have good mentorship, are making connections that will help you post-graduation, and other benefits. Also, it’s hard to overlook a fully-funded education! You haven’t mentioned any negative relationships, treatment, or situations at your current school.
If this is your first year actually on campus, your feelings of being “miserable” are normal for many first-year students. A lot of students struggle with “finding their place and people” their first year away at school. Introverts can sometimes struggle with this more than extroverts.
My suggestion is to give it another semester before deciding to seriously consider transferring. You’ll always be able to transfer to your in-state public, but transferring to a T100 school with a Full-Ride is not usually possible for a majority of students.
Full financial aid is a hard thing to pass up. Student debt is a considerable issue. You don’t want to start your life in a lot of debt.
Social issues are important at your age, I completely understand. But 20 years from now, it will be an afterthought. Forge your own path in your current school, find a group of friends that you like. Go off campus if you need to.
OP: Full financial aid may be too much to give up during this pandemic when many are relegated to taking classes remotely online.
Although I was a full pay student decades ago at an LAC, I experienced somewhat similar discomfort due to the cliquish campus culture & party scene & near total lack of diversity. Decades later, my biggest regret is that I did not transfer to a large university. While I have no interest in visiting the school or in attending reunions there, it is an experience that all of my many relatives enjoy with their major universities.
I studied abroad a lot to escape the suffocating campus culture. Although study abroad is difficult during the pandemic, this may change. Another option is to study at another school for a year or for a semester if your current school has such agreements in place with other schools.
If financially feasible, consider transferring to your state flagship school. You won’t be disappointed.
Yes, I did have a “lost” freshman year. My current school let students have the choice of whether to go to campus for online classes, and I chose to stay home.
Main difference for my state flagship is that it would be a bigger school, and thus (at least hopefully), more opportunity to find my “people”. Also have some very close friends that go to the flagship.
I currently attend Gonzaga and am considering transferring to the University of Utah. Transferring to the University of Utah would probably be a bit more expensive. Not sure if it matters, but currently have a 3.95 GPA studying applied math and political science, want to eventually go into policy. One benefit of the University of Utah might be more access to internships in state government, but nothing is guaranteed.
I didn’t mention this in my first post, but the lack of COVID restrictions at the U of U compared to Gonzaga is also a significant draw.
Not sure I get your reasoning. Too many restrictions at Gonzaga yet too much drinking and partying also? I confess to not know much about the two schools you’re considering, but I know Gonzaga is probably heavily catholic and Utah more Mormon. Do you have religious inclinations? I’m not sure I would give up a free ride. Are you enjoying your classes? It’ll take a minute to find your crowd in any setting. COVID is not making things any easier for you guys.
Private schools tend to have a more cliquish culture. If it revolves around partying and drinking, it’s probably a good thing that you’re not making a lot of friends. Flagship schools, aren’t necessarily a solution to that. Flagship party culture is just a lot bigger, especially big football schools. But at the same time, due to sheer size, there are a lot more people to make friends with. I’d say, it’s worth looking into transferring.
Agree that it would be hard to walk away from an almost full ride college with strong academics, mentorship, research opportunities etc.
Keep in mind that the grass is not always greener on the other side.
–First of all, merit aid is hard to come by as a transfer – can your family afford to pay?
–Secondly, there will be drinking/partying at any college. And any college will have some people that are not interested in that scene. Have you joined any clubs, have you looked to see if there is wellness housing available?
–Lastly, it can work out well but is not easy being a transfer student – many friendships are made freshman year when everyone is new, your peers at the college will be used to the campus/the way things are done etc. while it will be new to you etc.
My recommendation is to first give things another try. Look hard and see if you can find “your people” at the college you are at.
The U will probably give you a 50% tuition merit scholarship right off the bat with that GPA, and you could ask them for more. The school is less than half Mormon - the Mormon kids with good stats try to get into BYU Provo, since the cost for them there is minimal and they want the Mormon culture/atmosphere there. The U is large, with more diversity than you’d expect from a school in such a conservative, White state. SLC is booming, heading towards becoming more like Portland and Seattle. And if you like to hike and ski, the proximity to these is unbeatable - you can be hiking in the foothills the same day as classes, you can hike in the summer time in the nearby canyons until almost 9:30 PM, you can be out of a morning class by 11 and be on the slopes by 12.
These are both very big. Even if your research is in a different area from where you end up, it is still quite valuable to have the experience on your resume when you go looking for a first job.
This may depend upon what university you are at, and my understanding is that you are at a university that I am not familiar with. However, in my experience as students get older they party less and study more. This is likely to get better over time. Some of this might be due to the heavy drinkers flunking out and leaving. Some might be due to their getting bad grades and realizing that they need to try harder. Some might be due to them getting tired of waking up hung over.
Also, the quiet and studious students who are more “like you” might be more difficult to find than the loud students, but they are there regardless of which university you are attending. Some might want to share an apartment near campus.
It is very hard to know. However, I would be tempted to stick it out where you are.
And yes, your in-state flagship might not be any better in terms of the drinking and partying.