<p>THANKS ALOT FOR THIS THREAD!!! I just eliminated like 5 schools form my list just by calling up my friends and asking them about "culture". I didnt know there was even such a thing to be taken into consideration. THANKS A MILLION!!!!</p>
<p>Thank you so much for this thread. It gives me (and my daughter) another bit of thought when looking at these colleges. The best part is knowing that if things aren't right the first year, one can transfer AND will probably have a better sense of where to look and what to look for. I think this college search process is tremendously difficult for some kiddos (like mine) who really don't have a specific major in mind and who aren't really sure about the type of school they would like to attend. This thread is very reassuring for folks like us.</p>
<p>Hi. I want to just add the few cents I can offer, as someone who just finished his last exam.</p>
<p>I believe I am one of the kids who fits in outside of the mainstream - yet those 'clusters' are also part of each college. Perhaps a 'cluster' at a school without a strong culture will be better for a student than a dominant culture anywhere else.</p>
<p>So I love what you say about picking a big 'enough' school. It's smart. [I think Princeton is perfectly sized. ;) ]</p>
<p>This post is great, I am in my freshman year and I am realizing that this is not my idea of college at all. Most of the people at this college grew up around here and came here because they grew up around here. Coming from out of state, that presents a big difference between me and the majority of people on this campus. Also, people really aren't into the college, most go home on the weekends, I'm looking out my dorm window and the parking lot is almost empty. The "culture" is just too quiet around here, if that is the right word. I am not used to the small town, and I can't get used to it. When I visited the campus, they showed me the nicest dorms (which they didn't tell me those were upperclassmen dorms), made the place seem exciting, etc. But it wasn't an accurate representation of the college, so I am transfering. Does anyone have any tips for transferring (as a freshman), specifically how to get money?</p>
<p>HTColeman: You now know what you DONT want in a college, so I would suggest that you begin the transfer process by considering what you DO want. After spending a semester at a college that doesnt fit you well, its probably pretty easy to figure out what will fit better. A few things to think about: Do you want a large, small, or mid-sized school? Any parts of the country youd prefer, or that youd like to avoid? Rural, suburban, urban? What kind of campus culture would you like? Strong Greek scene? Preppy? Intellectual? Artsy? Athletic? Conservative? Liberal? Once youve come up with some possibilities, I think its worthwhile to pay the $15 for the Premium edition of USNews.com. For each college youre thinking about, you can find statistics on transfer students, including the most important statistic: number of transfers accepted. Some colleges (including some very selective colleges) are surprisingly transfer-friendly. They accept a healthy percentage of transfer students, have a reasonable block of on-campus housing available for transfers, and accept a number of transfer credits. In contrast, some schools accept virtually no transfers. Some schools have minimum GPAs required of prospective transfers. Once youve narrowed your choices, you can contact individual schools for the details.</p>
<p>As for applying, what matters most when youre trying to transfer for sophomore year is your high school record grades, scores, and ECs. After all, you only have one semesters worth of college grades for a prospective transfer school to evaluate. (That said, I think its probably impossible to transfer without very solid freshman grades. The reputation of your current college may be a factor as well.) </p>
<p>Also critical is your Why XYZ College? essay. If its not required, you should create a cover letter that incorporates the answer to that question. You have to make a compelling case for why you want to transfer, but you have to do it without attacking your current school. Dig deep into your transfer schools websites to show that you know what you want from them, and also to show what you can contribute. So, for example, on the academic front, if musicology is your passion, perhaps you can say that it is not one of your current schools strongest points and explain why. (Obvbiously, if thats not true, you cant say it.) Then look into the musicology offerings at the transfer school. Start an e-mail dialogue with a department chair if to find out more. Talk about several courses/programs within the program that interest you and explain why. In the EC area, if, say, community service is your interest, talk about what youre doing at your current school or what you did in high school, mention some of the programs at the transfer school that you could contribute to, and explain why. Basically, you want to show that you would be an asset to each campus. You can also touch on your desire for a more cohesive campus community and a peer group more interested in learning for its own sake, etc. </p>
<p>Im sorry that I cant help you out on the financial aid/merit money question. Someone else will surely come along with some info on transfers and financial aid. Carolyn?</p>
<p>wjb how is your d doing now at her new school?</p>
<p>Thanks for asking, Andi. She's happy. Really, really happy. (Whew.) </p>
<p>Wash U has a distinctly Midwestern feel hard to describe, but works for her kids are friendly, bright, open-minded. She is easily making friends (a somewhat daunting task for all transfers) and is enjoying what she describes as more social fluidity than she experienced at her LAC. She's gotten involved in some terrific activities/clubs. Likes all her classes and profs (although registration was an ordeal). Likes the mix of larger and seminar-style classes. But at least so far, (and I caution that we have conducted no double-blind controlled study!) her workload is lighter this year than last and she finds the grading easier. Score one point for the vaunted LAC education.</p>
<p>How is Andison? Has he enjoyed his classes at MIT? I have thought about him recently, as my son recently joined a serious trio. A whole different animal, this chamber music. Anyway, you guys must be gearing up again. Folks from every corner of CC wish Andison the best!</p>
<p>It was such a pleasure reading this thread, and I am happy to know your D is off to a comfortable fit at Wash U. I went to high school in Greater St. Louis and it is open and fluid there. You are to be commended in your restraint re not being negative about Colgate and other LAC cultures, and in your ability to convey the concepts of school social and academic cultures to the readers...very helpful constructs...just like your daughter, actually.</p>
<p>Thanks for the kind words, Faline. Interesting that this thread has been resurrected. It seems like a very long time since I started it. As our family now knows from experience, in choosing a college an initial misstep is far from fatal. Certainly wed all prefer that our kids not have to go through the application process a second time. But making a wrong choice the first time around is not all bad. In some respects, my D had an enriching experience last year. And the most valuable things she learned were about herself.</p>
<p>She is going to have a superb time at Wash U, and what a lucid thinker she is! Great quality to have in life. congrats on raising her!</p>
<p>wjb- I'm not surprised that your D is finding WUSTL easier than Colgate! As you may recall, I transferred to Colgate from Smith, supposedly notorious for its academic rigor. My, I feel like a freshman all over again here- the academics are tougher and there is also more social opportunities that make my college life more interesting to balance. </p>
<p>Every time I sit down with my work, all I could think of what a slacker I was at Smith and getting by with Dean's List at the end. Now the chances for Dean's List at Colgate this semester do not look too good.... I do agree with your original comment on the professors' dedication to their students. This is like transferring from Yale to Cornell (#2 women's school to another Top LAC with tougher academics)</p>
<p>But I've found my place and this is where I want to be- I love the campus culture.</p>
<p>Now back to work.</p>
<p>Transferring takes guts, Ticklemepink. So glad to hear youre happy at Colgate. You know, right now theres a thread on this forum on impressions of the U of Chicago. Those impressions differ widely among posters on that thread alone. To me, the discussion there epitomizes why before making a decision its vital to try to understand a campus culture, its subcultures and yourself. </p>
<p>On the subject of academics, in the interest of balanced disclosure, I have to add that, although my daughter finds the workload less intense this year, she does find her WUSTL peers more focused on learning.</p>
<p>Tickleme!!! Good to hear that you're happy at Colgate. I love hearing stories with happy endings. Best of luck!!!</p>
<p>wjb
My D is a new grad student in the humanities at WashU,in a quite small department.She's an easterner who spent her undergrad years in the southwest and learned to love a different,more easygoing culture.So far she is pleased with that midwestern "feel" that WashU has and finds it a caring,congenial community.Of course, a grad students experience is different in some respects. She's enjoying St Louis as well,finding it a nice mix of urbane and downhome.
I'm sure your D,as an art history major will be taking advantage of the interesting museums that are available.Best of luck to her and kudos for making a wise move for herself.</p>
<p>Glad your daughter is enjoying Wash U, Cathy. She has really had the opportunity to sample several new cultures in her college experience.That Midwestern feel does defy precise description, doesn't it, but I agree it encompasses all the elements you describe. And yes, both the University museum and the St. Louis Art museum are very good -- and admission is free! The Art History department also has a docent training program that my daughter hopes to participate in eventually.</p>
<p>WashU is a good school^</p>
<p>sstewart, this thread is 5 years old.</p>
<p>I wonder if the prevalent culture of a school changes. This is a 5 year old thread. Has the prevalent culture of any school changed significantly, or does this take decades? Just wondering.</p>