<p>Can anyone give me some advice on how to help my son decide what is best for him? He transferred to another institution and feels out of place and believes he can finish his degree at his previous institution much quicker and would be happier there….. However, classes at both institutions have been going on for a week now.My son is the first in the family to even go to college, so I am not sure how to guide him. Can he even withdraw and reenroll in his old school like nothing even happened? Or will he just have to stick it out at the institution he is currently hating. Again, as a long time follower I really appreciate all of your help. </p>
<p>He needs to talk to his old institution ASAP. He may be able to, especially if the school has late deadlines for adding or dropping classes, but he may not get his financial aid or payments back for this semester. He may need to wait it out for a semester. </p>
<p>I thought about telling him to wait it out this semester, because won’t he have to give back all of the financial aid the new institution gave him? I am also guessing getting financial aid from the old institution would be pretty impossible. </p>
<p>I think he should plan on staying a full year. Most likely he will decide he likes the new place after all.</p>
<p>There are zillions of posts where some kid starts freshman year and says immediately that they want to transfer. Buyer’s remorse is common. I would venture to guess that in most cases, kids settle down and enjoy it. </p>
<p>After all, presumably there was some reason why he transferred out of the original school, and it is highly unlikely that that reason has vanished.</p>
<p>I think he should stay…it is too soon.</p>
<p>Why did he leave his other school?</p>
<p>These types of issues are usually best resolved with a mirror. </p>
<p>I feel partially guilty, I am the one who pushed him to the “State University” with the most prestige. He went to a small liberal arts college and enjoyed it but my husband and I pushed him to go to the bigger more well known school. He wants to be a teacher and after he talked to his advising, he explained to me it would take an additional year or two to complete his degree and get his license at the State school, when he could have been finished at the Liberal college in the next year. Guess I know best mom reward won’t go to me!</p>
<p>We all try our best and make mistakes along the way. For him it makes sense to try to return asap to his former school if it works financially et al. Teachers do not need the prestigious name school to be well educated and be good teachers. It may have been wise if he planned on grad school in a field that was much better at State U, but this doesn’t seem to be the case. There are no “best moms”- you would probably look like a better mom to many other kids than their own do. If all does not work out for this semester he should take advantage of the classes he can get at State U and then transfer back if he feels their education degree will give him better training. No matter which course of action he takes it is a learning situation, not a wasted time.</p>
<p>What is the Drop deadline at the new school??? Find out ASAP!!! Might take an act of God to get him back to the old school and into courses for which he’s already missed class meetings for fall semester. Might want to drop the new school and sit out one semester before returning to old school. Check on impact on student loan repayment. </p>
<p>Note: Drop is different than Withdrawal. Consult fin aid and advising ASAP. </p>
<p>I agree. He should talk to his old school right now. This is the simplest solution if financial aid is not a decisive factor.</p>
<p>Call the old school ASAP and see what the options are for returning to the school this semester and next semester. I’m guessing that you would lose $ at the school he is currently in though, so it may make financial sense to stick out this semester and then switch back.</p>
<p>Ask if he can DROP fall semester at no charge. Don’t forget about the housing contract too, if he’s in a dorm. </p>
<p>Quick update, Son is coming home to speak to registrar and advisors at old school TODAY. Their offices were closed over the weekend. He is bound and determined to come back this semester. He emailed some of his old professors who said they would help me however they could in getting him back for this semester. So here is hoping he is able to break through today</p>
<p>Thanks for the update. Good luck!</p>
<p>good luck!</p>
<p>Awaiting today’s update!</p>
<p>He can probably take courses there as a non-matriculated student if they cannot admit him back immediately.</p>
<p>Is it working out?</p>
<p>A lot going on here. First, does he plan on teaching in a public school? I have to tell you, that public school administrators and teachers and state public school/education department people FAVOR public school educated teachers. Private school teachers seem to do best teaching in small private schools. Nothing wrong with either, just know that there is a lot going on in the profession, a lot of politics, and each individual teacher may have preferences. There is MUCH less freedom to teach as you please, go your own pace, and be “creative” in public schools. its paint by the numbers, and its THEIR numbers. </p>
<p>Second, getting a Masters degree is a WISE idea, and the sooner the better. It sets him up for promotion. The Masters in Education will hone some skills, and it may even get him a larger paycheck. </p>
<p>If you dont want to publish it here, you can ping me, “what school he left and what school he transferred to.” I may have additional comments based on what I know from friends and family. </p>
<p>Third, in general it doesnt matter what school you went to in terms of how good a teacher you will be, it only matters (as stated above) what kind of “system” you want to teach in. Wonderful teachers come out of very small liberal arts colleges and some come out of state schools. And within state schools, some of the non flagship schools are actually better known for education than the flagship (which is flagship for often times for OTHER departments, but not education.)</p>
<p>Prestige is relative to the major. Finally, going to a small liberal arts college is a lot different than a state flagship where its often party central and a lot of anonymity. Small colleges dont let you hide as much…but that is a good thing because you get better attention. and sometimes when you graduate you stick out more to employers (not necessarily teachers, however) because you arent one of a throng of graduates on the street looking for jobs from that BIG state school. </p>
<p>Sorry for the very late update. Son was able to return to his old school with a little negotiating with both the state school and the small school! He is very happy back at what he calls “Home”, and can’t wait to get into the classroom or grad school he hasn’t made up his mind yet!</p>