<p>So I'm a freshman at Davidson College, but I find myself quite limited here so I'm considering transferring to another liberal arts college. These are my criteria, in the order of importance:</p>
<ol>
<li>an excellent history OR philosophy department</li>
<li>an excellent french department</li>
<li>opportunity of studying abroad</li>
<li>a good diversity</li>
</ol>
<h1>1 and #2 are must to me. Meanwhile I am a little concerned with reputation of schools. In fact, one of the reasons that I want to transfer out of Davidson is that nobody hears of it!</h1>
This will be the case with all LACs. That is the tradeoff in selecting a small school with more intimate classes vs. a large university. Employers will know about Davidson.</p>
<p>Hey! I’m actually a sophomore at Davidson who actually has applied to transfer out. My decision was based on more of wanting something more professors who specialize in my career, a more serious extracurricular for my fine art (sorry to be vague…I don’t want to reveal myself because nobody knows I’m leaving), and a bigger size/different kind of social scene than the repetitive F/court party crap.</p>
<p>While I am clearly all for transferring considering I’m doing it myself, I would consider your decision a little bit further. Davidson does have an excellent history and French department, although I will agree that philosophy is extraordinarily lacking here. I took a history and a French and both were two of my favorite classes I have taken-perhaps you didn’t have great professors? Also, study abroad is really easy at Davidson. </p>
<p>Please feel free to discuss back and forth. I’d be more than willing to help you out because I know that Davidson can be extremely difficult, and that leaving is quite a decision. Best of luck to you :)</p>
<p>P.S. I TOTALLY know what you mean about reputation…it really is annoying that I work so hard and people think I go to a junior college.</p>
<p>Davidson offers one of the best educations to be had in America. As Erin’s Dad says, if you want wide-scale public name recognition of your college, you’ll likely have to choose a place at which you won’t get the same personalized quality that you’re getting at Davidson.</p>
<p>So lucky to find someone in the same situation! I literally know nothing about transfer except those things you can find online, so I have quite a lot questions. Hope you won’t be intimidated… :)</p>
<p>How much does SAT count for sophomore-rising applicants? Do I have to retake it since my score is lower than 2200?</p>
<p>I feel like it’s quite embarrasing to ask professors to write recommendation letters for me, because those I would like to ask are exactly those who know me well and have been very helpful to me. And I’m actually asking them to help me get rid of them! You know what I mean?</p>
<p>Can you tell me to where are you applying? It’s totally fine if you don’t want to tell. But I’m assuming you are going to an university rather than a LAC based on what you said?</p>
<p>You do realize you and Penguin can send messages to each other than aren’t visible to everyone else?</p>
<p>Don’t worry about asking for recommendations! Professors are there to help you and if you are unhappy and want to be at a larger school they will understand.
Have you talked to your academic advisor yet? Have you talked to the Career Center - they might be able to help answer your questions.</p>
<p>Are either of you students needing FA to help pay for college? If so, be aware that often transfer students don’t get good aid.</p>
<p>If you need aid, do NOT cut ties with your current school until you see the FA pkg at your new school and your parents agree to it. So, continue to register for classes at your present school, etc.</p>
<p>I do not qualify for financial aid, and I will be paying the full-ticket price for both of my schools. It is the same price for both schools. I have done my research and know exactly what I am sacrificing and getting myself into.</p>
<p>Also, Erin’s Dad is right…until we have 15 posts each, we can’t PM. So I’ll answer questions here. Sorry :)</p>
<p>The SAT matters a little more for you than it matters for me because I’m a sophomore and you’re a freshman. But no, it’s definitely not necessary to retake it. Less than 2200 is still pretty darn good. I got into the Dson with a 2080, which is LESS THAN 2100! :P</p>
<p>Yes, I totally get it. I had to ask one professor for a recommendation, and then I had to ask all of my current professors to sign my midterm report (stating my current grade in the class towards the middle of the semester, hence “midterm report”). One of my current professors is a Davidson alum, so I felt kind of awk there. In general, however, they know that it’s not personal to them. Be very respectful about it and make sure you let them know how much you’ve liked their class. Whenever you explain your reasons to transfer, point out the positives of the other schools, rather than the negatives of Davidson. Mine was, “Everything is great at Davidson, but I’ve discovered that my own personal interests in dance and [insert major here] would have more opportunities to thrive at a slightly larger school.”</p>
<p>Again, I’m sorry to have to be vague…however, nobody at Davidson knows about my decision to transfer except the professors I’ve had to talk to, and I’d like to keep it that way until I leave. It is a medium-sized public university with an absolutely wonderful reputation. I will not be sacrificing personalized education or rigorous academics.</p>