<p>Hey all,</p>
<p>this fall I will be attending UC Santa Cruz. Although I am excited, I know in my heart and all of my gut this is NOT the school I want to graduate from. I firmly believe I am going to UCSC my freshman year for a reason and regardless of the fact I'm intending to transfer, I will still perform my best and have an amazing experience. I was wait listed and later denied by my top school - U Chicago, and denied from my second tops - Northwestern and Tufts. I am 100% intending on reapplying to these schools, but only after the college process did I really realize what other schools I would belong more at, to name a few: Smith College, Boston College, Northeastern, and I have a guaranteed transfer from Boston University for fall 2014 which I am seriously considering. I REALLY want to be in the Boston or Chicago area, which is nothing like Santa Cruz.</p>
<p>My problem is deciding whether or not I should apply to transfer for fall 2014 or fall 2015. Is one year enough time to adequately "judge" UCSC? I know that even though my intuition is telling me to transfer, that I may fall in love with the school and not want to leave. If that's the case, it would have ended up being a waste of time to have spent all my time on apps - considering I'll have to start applying this fall. However, if I decide to wait two years and end up HATING it, by the second year my lack of drive and passion will definitely be taking its toll on my academics. As a prospective pre med student, I definitely don't want that. Also, if I have until the end of my soph year to declare my major, what happens if I declare and then transfer somewhere that doesn't offer my major? How does that work?</p>
<p>Really, any advice would be helpful and greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>In regard to the main question, you apply as a sophomore transfer if your high school record is very good; you apply as a junior transfer if your high school record is not fantastic. </p>
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<p>As much as I can empathize with this given that I went into my last university predetermined to loathe it, you can’t say this yet. I turned out hating that university, but you don’t know until you are there for a few months.</p>
<p>Like everyone else will tell you, attend UCSC with an open mind. I chose my current university because it was my top choice and I was in love with it my senior year…things changed. UChicago is incredibly difficult to transfer into at all, but I’m sure you have great high school stats even for being wait listed. Depending on their deadlines, if I were you I would go in first semester at UCSC and not worry about transferring- try it out and see how it is and really focus on your grades. If you don’t like it at the end of the semester then start applying in January - the schools will see your first semester grades. And transfer applications are usually due in March anyways and there is no “early action” like there is in high school. Just be really involved and prove to UChicago, Northwestern, Tufts, BC, NEU, & Smith that you deserve a shot - again, being waitlisted at UChicago is great - at least you were on their radar! Good luck!</p>
<p>Thank you, that makes a lot of sense. Yes, I realize I might love it (as I mentioned later on in the post). If I do, and apply as a sophomore transfer, then I will not go.
Do you know if one year is “easier” statistically to transfer?
My high school academic record is top of the class. My clubs are above average, not great. My volunteer hours and work experience are excellent. I think that I will be just as involved with campus organizations as I was in HS, if not more. That being said, is there a year you would recommend?</p>