Should I transfer???

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hi guys,</p>

<pre><code>OK, I am currently a freshman at Lehigh University and I am really starting to think I made a bad choice. I cannot stand the hills, the lack of AC, the dump of a city, the sports obsessed students or the incredible amount of drinking. On weekends, aside from getting drunk, there is not much else to do. Obviously I am not much of a drinker, and with our rating of #3 party school this year, it is obviously a big thing here. The city, south Bethlehem, is terrible. There is nothing to do and it is very dangerous also. Plus I don't have a car to drive anywhere. I am really starting to think that I would be beter off somewhere else. I was thinking somewhere in or near a city like NYU because it seems like there is so much to do. I am a business major by the way. Please give feedback on if it is worth transferring and where I should go if that is what I decide to do. I really can't see myself being happy here for 4 years. Things that are imprtant to me are a SINGLE room,(or at least some sort of living situation or dorm where i don't have to sleep in the same room as someone else) a decent business program, located somewhere in the northeast, and has somewhat the level of prestige as Lehigh. Thanks for the help.
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2

<p>Well, as far as the hills, lack of AC, and roommate go, you're probably pretty stuck. Most college freshmen have roommates, and most dorms (unless they are southern schools) don't have AC. Aside from that though, give it some time. You've really barely spent any time there--there are probably plenty of people who don't like to get blackout drunk everynight that you could hang out with. Just try to enjoy the experience right now, though--you can't transfer right away, so worrying about it is just going to make you miserable. Don't obsess over what you hate about the school- try to get involved in things that youre interested in and you'll have a much better time</p>

3

<p>I have never met a transfer who regretted moving, especially if the decision was well thought out.</p>

4

<p>But if I do decide to transfer, shouldn't I start looking at schools ASAP? Can someone describe to me exactly how the transfer process works?</p>

5

<p>You've got time. My D transfered after her freshman year, and didn't start the process till January. Transfer apps are usually due some time in March.</p>

<p>The hills, AC, etc, are pretty random things, but the drinking culture was the reason she left the school she was at, so I understand your concern. There is drinking everywhere, but life doesn't revolve around it everywhere.</p>

<p>my advice is to do the best you can do while you're there, try to find out how to make it work, and transfer only if you truly think it's not going to work after you gave it your best shot. My D did that, and once she decided she really needed to leave, she had a 4.0 to take with her, which gave her options. So, whatever happens and no matter how you feel, keep the grades up!</p>

<p>Good luck to you.</p>

6

<p>Talk to your advisor. If he/she is any good they will try to help you sort out your options and help you figure out actions you might want to take. By all means think about where else you applied last year, your acceptances and rejections as well as places you might want to attend in the future. If you don't want a roommate you probably have to forget about NYU and many urban schools due to the high price of housing. If you do your homework you can probably figure out what schools would be able to guarantee you a single room coming in as a sophomore.</p>

7

<p>Gibson99 - As a former transfer student, I wholeheartedly agree with the advice of Geniusriki to try not to dwell on the reasons you are disliking Lehigh as this can make you miserable and spiral you down further. This is not to say "don't transfer"; it sounds like you are a good candidate. However, to quote an old bromide, if you've got lemons...make lemonade. Find clubs or organizations on campus that match your interests and then pursue them assertively. Try out potential new interests in these clubs and challenge yourself. At my former school, I admired one freshman student who tried out (with no prior experience) and then loved fencing. You will find new friends and activities that will help make life more tolerable and interesting on campus. Also, visit with your campus counseling office. They can really help! Just having someone listen attentively and provide suggestions to you can open up new possibilities.</p>

<p>Again, this is not to dissuade you at all from transferring. My comments are more toward making the best of a not very good situation. This is not pollyanish advice, but intended to help you sort out (as slipper1234 said) in a thoughtful manner the pros and cons of transferring. </p>

<p>And Garland quoted prime rule # 1 if you want to transfer, keep your grades up!</p>

<p>Whatever school you intend to transfer to, be sure to visit (unless it is from the crop you turned down last year) so you can get a good read of how you will personally adjust.</p>

<p>Also, there is no hurry to get started on the transfer process. You've got plenty of time.</p>

<p>As you know, the transfer process is a whole new ballgame than freshman admissions. You are admitted if the university/college has room only.</p>

<p>With that said, I have been mulling over possible suggestions for schools (I'm originally from the Philly area). On the "don't go there" list from how you have described yourself, skip the Bucknells, Lafayettes, Franklin & Marshalls, and Colgates because if the campus cultures are not to your liking you are in the same kettler of fish. So that leaves cities/suburbs, maybe try Villanova or St. Josephs University in the Philly area, both strong for business and you can get out into the city/suburbs to explore along with the campus. In the "go west...young man" mode, consider Carnegie-Mellon or University of Pittsburgh. From personal experience (I went to CMU my freshman year), the city of Pittsburgh has tons to offer and the city itself is relatively safe. Both universities are strong in business. Going a bit further west, consider Case Western Reserve University - strong academically with a diverse city (though you have to be a bit more circumspect on personal safety) at your feet. If you don't mind the cold weather and snow for a lot of the year, Syracuse University is a possible. That's it for now. Good luck!</p>

8

<p>Gibson
Lonestardad gives sound advice. Make your current situation livable. Get involved. Give yourself other things to focus on which will make you an attractive candidate to your new school (or make you decide you CAN stay where you are!).
Look at the AACSB website for business accredited schools.
Good luck.</p>

9

<p>I actually agree with lonestardad. You seem to be dwelling on issues that will be prevelant on any college campus. People drink at NYU too. I mention people loving a transfer I am talking about very well thought out moves like BU to UNC or UCLA to Brown. I think you need to focus less on the negatives and truly give lehigh a chance. IF that doesnt work THEN come March look into some new schools like BU, NYU, Brandeis, GW, etc. I think you are jumping the gun though. I transferred and it was the best move I ever made, but I gave my first school every chance possible.</p>

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<p>as for NYU, I suspect there are lots of parties there too :) Recently in the parents forum there was a posting about NYU -- see <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=97470%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=97470&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

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<p>Honestly though city schools are much more bar oriented, there really isnt space for house parties.</p>

12

<p>gibson, a friend of mine's son is at Lehigh and does not party. He is taking an extra several credits on the theory that the time others spend getting bombed, he can study for one more class. </p>

<p>I bet if you look around you will find other friends who have your style of fun. If you still don't feel happy once you have located your tribe of people, as was said above, get the best grades you can and transfer.</p>

<p>Good luck, the heat should lift soon!</p>

13

<p>gibson99,</p>

<p>You have to give the school time. At least a semester, then think about transfering in the spring for next fall. It's common to have misgivings about your school till you establish a good network of friends who are like you and have similar interests. </p>

<p>It was a while ago but I graduated from Lehigh. The school's big enough for you to find your niche but you are absolutely right...it's frat oriented, it was a generation ago too.</p>

<p>The hills are bad when going back up your dorm, but that's because it's been so hot and humid. After it cools think of it as a daily workout for your legs. It is a gorgeous campus.</p>

<p>South B hasn't improved much, that's disappointing to me. </p>

<p>If you're serious about transfering in a few months CMU might be worth a look. My son just graduated from there...it's a step up for business and it's a busy interesting place. I second NYU and the other schools slipper mentioned. If you can pull a 4.0 even try for Penn.</p>

14

<p>Ok well I have news since i last posted. Incredibly i was able to switch to a single room about 2 days after my original post. I now have a lot more space and privacy. My new hall has about 6 guitar players, which is pretty much my main hobby. Things ae definitely better now. My only problem with the new hall is that the people on it are so social that sometimes I can't stay in my room without being interrupted to play guitar or something. I keep the door closed and tell them i have work to do but they "insist" that i play with them and i dont want to seem like an ass. What can i do about this? Also, the hills are really starting to get to me even more for some reason, and it is still pretty hot. Also the showers in this door are incredibly small. So small that you are pretty much up against the curtain. I still get excited when thinking about the idea of transferring. Please give feedback on what you think i should do or think about doing. Thanks for your time.</p>

15

<p>The dorm situation will change next year and it will cool down before you know it. I honestly always did my best work in the library, since my floor was so social.</p>

16

<p>
[quote]
I keep the door closed and tell them i have work to do but they "insist" that i play with them and i dont want to seem like an ass. What can i do about this?

[/quote]
One word -- library</p>

17

<p>Yeah, go to the library</p>

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<p>Dorms are pretty much the worst place on campus to get work done. Be at your dorm when you want to hang out, be at the library when you want to study.</p>

19

<p>Can anyone give me an explanation of what the transfer process consists of? Does the fact the I am at Lehigh help me in getting in to another school? Also would I have to get recs from professors? I am in mostly intro classes now and you dont have much interaction with them. Also is it important to be involved in activites here to put on an app? Please just clear up the transfer process for me, I really have no idea what it entails. Thanks</p>

20

<p>slipper: where from and to where did you transfer?</p>