Torn

Transfer Students
1

<p>I am a first-year at Smith College. Everyone here is friendly, the campus is lovely, the housing system is nice. My classes are all good classes. I do like it. However, when I was making my decisions on what college to attend, I had the hardest time deciding. I was choosing between UVA, William and Mary, and Smith in the end (I am from Virginia). As a STRIDE student, my parents and I both saw Smith as a great opportunity that I might not get anywhere else, but my parents told me to choose what I thought was the best option. They were obviously rooting for William and Mary though, because of its in-state cost. I tried to love WM but I just couldn't--I went three times and it didn't feel right. I had initially crossed UVA off my list because I know a lot of people there and I wanted to expand beyond that, but I went back for another look (by myself) and I remembered how much I loved the campus and the city of Charlottesville. I was not an Echols scholar, so I know STRIDE was a better "deal." I couldn't help wanting to be part of the bigger part of the school that is the Wahoos though.
My parents told me I couldn't go there because they thought I was just trying to make an arbitrary decision in order to pick somewhere. They were concerned because housing isn't guaranteed all four years, and they insisted that I didn't belong at a big university. They wanted me to keep my options at WM and Smith. I had liked Smith when I visited and remembered how friendly everyone was. So, as my parents said I shouldn't worry about finances (I'm getting $20,000 a year in merit aid but it's still more expensive than a state school), I chose Smith.
I know I'm only a month in, and it's probably too early to tell. But even though I've made friends and like my classes, the campus doesn't feel like home to me. I'm far from my hometown. I don't have that "part of something bigger" feel. I don't feel head over heels in love with my school. I still stare at my UVA friends' Facebook pages and wish I were there. Furthermore, money is really tight for my parents right now. I feel guilty because I will still want to go to grad school after this, and they are making sacrifices for somewhere I'm not 100% sure I want to be.
I'm going to dive in head-first to the culture here and see how the rest of the semester goes. But I just want to know--are my feelings valid? Or am I just wimping out? </p>

<p>Thanks for any input...is there anyone else who has transferred from a smaller women's college to a big coed university? Or can anyone at UVA who is a little more introverted give me insight?</p>

2

<p>LOL you probably want to leave because there are no GUYS on campus.</p>

3

<p>I’m actually looking for serious input. Obviously it’s a women’s college. Thanks though.</p>

4

<p>I would say when making your decision - look at the curriculum for both schools (where you are at and where you are thinking of) in your current major and see if one outshines the other/sounds more interesting to you, because it is largely about the education,and use that as a jumping point. If they both seem equally as good, look into class sizes/research professors… narrow it down from there. If you get to that point and think that a state school would still suit you better, go there and spend less money,and see where that takes you. At least if you weren’t in love with Smith,and you aren’t in love when you transfer, you’ll at least be getting an education at a lower cost. If you are happier when you transfer, that’s a win win. But I would strongly suggest looking into what classes you are going to take in comparison to where you are at now. (I’m a junior in the process of transferring from private to state for financial reasons so my biggest narrow down has been looking at curriculums and what seems like the best)… Don’t let your parents opinions of a “big” school sway you, mine were the same. I ended up going to a small private school and they like that, but I personally realize the financial strain isn’t worth it for me, that’s something you’ll have to weigh out on your own.</p>

5

<p>Sorry I was just kidding. Best of luck</p>

6

<p>Thank you! That was very helpful. I’m planning to see how the rest of the semester goes, and even if I apply in March and get in, I’ll be looking at how I feel at the end of the year. I know UVA has a 5-year MA program for English, for instance, which would be nice to be able to have almost right out of undergrad.</p>

<p>bottlecap1990 - I know, and it’s not WHOLLY true, but it is kind of true haha. I miss having guy friends but I wouldn’t make that my reason to transfer.</p>