I am looking to transfer from Earlham College to a college somewhere in the north eastern part of the US. I am currently a sophomore and doing well academically. I am looking to transfer because I miss home and feel that Earlham is desperately lacking the “community” it advertises. I am looking in the North East because I am from northern New Hampshire and would like to be closer to my family and friends. Some of the requirements I have when considering transferring are:
-there must be a solid study abroad program
-A major similar to Peace and global studies (my current one), so probably global studies, international studies, international relations
-plenty of aid. I have received a good amount of need based and merit aid at Earlham and am paying around $7,000/semester, not including travel. I’d like to stay at this price or find something cheaper
-somewhere where most of my credits will transfer. I have almost completed all of my gen eds at Earlham
I’m not sure if any of you could recommend a college/university for me that will fill these requirements. I realize that these are very specific and may not exist anywhere else but Earlham. However, every semester is just draining on me and is spent wishing I was in New England. Any names of places you guys would recommend I check in to? I would love to transfer for fall of 2018 to graduate in 2020!!
Thanks so much!!
[QUOTE=""]
plenty of aid. I have received a good amount of need based and merit aid at Earlham and am paying around $7,000/semester, not including travel. I'd like to stay at this price or find something cheaper.
[/QUOTE]
I’m sorry to say, but transfers don’t get much. You’ll probably need to pay more than 7k, as transfers rarely get merit aid, and FA packages are usually reserved for freshman admits.
The biggest merit awards do go to freshmen, but there is need based aid at many schools. What is your EFC and how does that compare to your budget?
One of Earlham’s major strengths is the study abroad program. Could you go abroad junior year first term then transfer? (This might set your graduation back since your transfer destination school will probably require a two year residency before graduation.)
Try talking to financial aid at UVM. They have a number of global and regional studies programs.
I think I heard Muhlenberg gives merit to transfers not sure but I believe another parent had a D transfer with some good merit.
Why don’t you just look for a full year exchange that you can do for your junior year, and then finish up at Earlham?s
It will be hard to transfer to anwhere that will give you the aid you need - especially of that merit is stacked on top of need. What can your family pay? Would you consider your own home state public U? With in-state costs, would that be affordable?
Most places will expect you to be in residence for two years. Depending on how they structure the study abroad programs, you might need to spend more than two years there. How do you feel about paying for extra semesters.
Could you just take a leave of absence from Earlham for the spring and think through all of your options? That would get you out of an environment where you aren’t happy.
What are your grades like?
I disagree with the statement that transfer students don’t receive much aid. I work in private college consulting these days, but when I worked at a community college w/ mostly low-income students, 95%+ of our transfer applicants were Pell-eligible and they all received substantial aid. In particular, I’ve found Vanderbilt, Wash U, Tulane, etc. to provide excellent need-based aid if you are Pell-eligible. (I am aware none of those are on the East Coast; I’m just saying that there are plenty of schools that provide need-based aid to transfers). Vanderbilt even includes transfers in their no-loan policies.
If you’re curious, just email the admissions office of schools that promise to meet 100% of your need (some of them even promise to do this w/ no loans) and ask if this policy extends to transfer students.