the transfer dilemma... check it out and share

Transfer Students
1

<p>Hey everyone... I've been lurking on this site for almost a year now, since I first got into and then attended a second-choice college. (Trinity). </p>

<p>The level of determination and drive here is truly impressive... It definitely has given me some perspective on how lucky I was to even get into Trinity.<br>
-expelled from high school for plagiarism junior year
-3.0 gpa</p>

<p>Despite that, however, like many, if not all of you, I can't seem to be happy with where I am in terms of schools. Maybe I should be, but the knowledge that I could be in some place -perhaps just qualitatively- better drives me nuts. </p>

<p>My gripes with Trinity seem mostly minor. Apathetic, homogenous student body. Crappy location (slums of Hartford). Relatively low "prestige level" (I hate using that word, forgive me) compared to other schools in its tier. </p>

<p>More than anything else though, I think that what drives to me transfer is some deep seated fear that it'll affect the rest of my life negatively (or maybe just not-as-positively) if I don't. And of course the desire to prove to myself that I'm as smart as any Ivy Leaguer. And the frustration provoked every time someone asks where I go to school, and then nods blankly as I say Trinity, no recognition in their eyes. </p>

<p>Ah, the woes of living in a rich, intellectually snobby town. </p>

<p>But now, as I enter my sophomore year at Trinity, I can't shake that awful feeling that I'm making a mistake I will regret forever if I don't transfer. I feel as though I can. (3.8 GPA, honors program, numerous college first year awards, amazing recs, 1400 SATS and 2 750 SAT II's) But the question I can't shake is why. What is my reason? Aside from ego and all the related associations, I don't think that I have a particularly good reason. </p>

<p>Additionally, transferring into a school junior year means you can't go abroad, don't really get a feel for the school, and lead a somewhat less social and more solitary life. (My fears, feel free to hit me back with the reality.)</p>

<p>Sorry for the rant. I felt it was time to leave some sort of a mark on this board. I'd love to hear some responses, not so much on my chances, but on what drives people to transfer, and if afterwards, it actually is worth it. </p>

<p>Cheers</p>

2

<p>"Additionally, transferring into a school junior year means you can't go abroad, don't really get a feel for the school, and lead a somewhat less social and more solitary life. (My fears, feel free to hit me back with the reality.)"</p>

<p>I don't think that's true. I think transfer students can lead just as good of a social life as anyone else. And at many schools there are MANY transfer students so it's not like they are alone.</p>

3

<p>i guess i base my pessimism on the plight of a young lady i know who was at gw, transferred to upenn her junior year, and basically found it to be lonely. ie lots of fellow juniors were abroad, living off campus, focused on majors... it was hard to meet people that really clicked with her. she found life after transfer was mainly a focus on work... after all, she HAD transferred for the better educational quality, not the social life</p>

4

<p>Yeah--obviously the experience differs based on the schools. Here in California with the UCs transfers are certainly not alone.</p>

5

<p>so gabe, if you don't mind me asking, why did or are you transferring?</p>