<p>Hello! I am looking for some unbiased advice that does not come from my friends or my parents. I currently attend Vassar College and just finished my freshman year in May. I originally applied to transfer this last spring but unfortunately did not put much effort in the process. In fact, out of the several colleges I was interested in, I ended up only applying to Georgetown, and did so rather half-heartedly. As a result, I did not get in and am now returning to Vassar in the fall. However, I find myself dreading that return and every time I mention this to my parents, it does not go over well. This is partially because they love Vassar and cannot understand why it bothers me, and partially because of our current financial situation.</p>
<p>Vassar has generously given me for the second year in a row a substantial amount of financial aid (and that has always been an important factor in my college search). Although I still feel as though I need to get out and go to a different college, even if it means stepping down a level in prestige. I'm from a small upstate NY town and I know I have been really fortunate with getting in to Vassar (I applied ED) and being able to afford it; though the Vassar College experience is not what I imagined for myself and I just don't think it is the right school for me. I don't know if I should let my uncertainty and unhappiness (not that I don't love certain parts of Vassar) play a part in determining whether I stay at or leave this amazing school.</p>
<p>I think you need to be more specific about what is making you so unhappy at Vasser. You may find other colleges have the same issues. “Dreading” returning sounds kind of extreme.</p>
<p>absolutely! If you do feel that the college is not right for you and you can’t work it out then you NEED to transfer…donot let what your parents think stand in your way cuz its YOUR future and you have to take the initiative and hopefully they will come to terms with it. Also, I do agree with GTalum that you should research more on your university choices to be absolutely sure that you dont get into the same situation as with vassar. Personally I would love to go to vassar as it is one of the top colleges in America.</p>
The only way this would be good advice is if you went to CC on your own dime. As GTalum said, you need to figure out what is really causing your unhappiness at Vassar. Then sit down to discuss with your parents. Finding a college that will offer good FA to a transfer will be difficult.</p>
<p>No what I mean is that as an adult you should try to make your own decisions and in the end your parents are suer to end up supporting you…cuz thats their nature. Although I do agree that you should try to pinpoint exactly WHY you are unhappy at vassar and should try to explain it to your parents. Also, even though aid for transfers is a bit lesser than for freshman, there is still a lot of it available. good luck.</p>
<p>Thank you for such quick replies. I know that with my financial situation, financial aid is a major determinant in my decision. Although, I am not against looking at schools in more of my price range, for example SUNY schools.</p>
<p>Specifically I do know what I don’t like about Vassar. Though I love the academics that Vassar offers, I dislike the social setting and all around atmosphere. I come from an athletics-based high school, and I competed in three sports year-round for 6 years. Going to Vassar, I did not expect to miss the community spirit and unity that was so prominent in my school and area, but it was unavoidable. Vassar is very much a place for individuals and can at times be very unfriendly. Also when I first applied, I honestly did not think the female to male ratio would bother me at all, but this year it did. It is a very liberal school (not that its liberalness bothers me), but is rather small (in numbers) and confining, given that Poughkeepsie is not the type of city I would like to live in.</p>
<p>Thanks again for offering your much-needed advice.</p>
<p>Have you considered taking a year off to help you figure out where you would like better? I imagine other 100% need met schools would offer similar aid.</p>