Hey everyone, currently a first year at UVA looking to potentially transfer to another school and was hoping for some help. After finishing my first semester, I just don’t think UVA is for me. I’m not enjoying college as much as I think I should be, haven’t really made any friends, and honestly don’t enjoy school even though I love learning. Coming home for break everyone has said how much they love their school and can’t wait to go back but I just don’t feel this way about uva Because of this, I’m looking at transferring into a smaller school i.e. liberal arts college or small university.
Some criteria I’d like in a school: learning for the sake of learning, not too pre-professional, tight knit community, somewhere I can really get to know people and make lifelong friends, smaller undergrad population (less than say 8,000). The one major condition is that it has to be equal to or better than uva academically/reputation wise/job market prospects or else my parents won’t let me go.
About me academically: 3.5 gap the first semester, got a 4.35 in high school, and 31 on the act. Not sure what else to say, decent ec’s lot of volunteer work, could probably get fairly good letters of recommendation. Looking at majoring in some combination of economics, poli sic/government/international relations, environmental science, history, or math.
I really like the idea of Wesleyan University because of the hipster/outdoorsy vibe (just based off of what I’ve heard haha) which matches my personality and they have a relatively high transfer acceptance rate. From what I’ve read, Colby and Bates seem similar but are they a step down from uva? So i guess other schools that match this and what I’ve already said. Any recommendations are welcome
Thanks a ton!! Really appreciate it
Academically, all the NESCAC schools are on a par with UVA. Prestige is not so much a factor as name recognition since (with the exception of Tufts) they tend to be much smaller than the average research university. I would definitely add Bates and probably Colby too, just to give you some more options. Neither of them are a walk in the park admissions-wise.
@siliconvalleymom I’m from Northern Virginia so yes in-state. Parents make about 240,000 a year combined and told me when first applying to colleges not to worry about money but obviously I don’t want to be too much of a burden on them. I also have an older brother who is in college too but that’s only 15,000 a year which is still a lot haha.
@yesdee I visited W&M almost 2 years ago and really didn’t like it. Also, their courses aren’t too appealing to me. Thanks though I appreciate it
There is a significant financial difference between in-state UVA tuition and the likely costs for your family at private colleges like Wesleyan or Colby. You will want to start by talking to your parents about the financial implications of transferring and by checking the Net Price Calculators of the colleges you are considering.
d0 you all think that wesleyan is a realistic target considering my stats ( 3.5 gpa at a top 25 school, 31 act, 4.35 hs gpa, and 2 700+ subject tests) and since wesleyan had a transfer acceptance rate of 35% last year? I really appreciate all the help so thanks a ton
Through a reductionist, and therefore not ideal, method, Business Insider has ranked “The 610 Smartest Colleges in America” (available online). If your parents will only allow you to transfer to a school “equal or better than” UVa, the source could prove useful in supporting your choices.
With respect to your interest in economics, this academically-oriented analysis is worth reading through: “Economics Departments at Liberal Arts Colleges” / IDEAS. If your interest in environmental science overlaps with your interest in economics, a similar analysis can be located for a related sub-discipline: “Top 10% Institutions . . . in the Field of Environmental Economics.”
For what it’s worth, I didn’t like my first semester at college very much at all either (I attend Northeastern, in Boston). I joined clubs and went out, I just didn’t feel connected to campus the same way everyone else from HS seemed to (side note; everything on social media is exaggerated!). It wasn’t until 2nd semester that I met my real, close group of friends and EVERYTHING got better. I was so much happier, was able to get more involved in my clubs, and fell in love with my school.
If you can find a really good core group, I think it’ll improve immensely for you. It doesn’t sound like you don’t like UVa so much as you haven’t found your groove yet. Have you considered rushing? Regardless, good luck!
@novafan1225 yeah I think you’re right, probably just haven’t found my group. This is more just in case, I’m deciding whether or not to transfer based on how 2nd semester goes. Thanks
Have you visited Wesleyan? Middletown, CT is not a great town (my son said “What a dump”) and would be quite a letdown from Charlottesville. Something to think about.
Middletown, CT is a prosperous little southern New England city known for its restaurants and riverfront. It’s actually a lot less densely populated than Charlottesville.
Middletown, CT is a great little southern New England city known for its restaurants and riverfront. It’s demographics are very similar to Charlottesville, including median individual and family income. Middletown’s population is spread out over a larger area so that it actually is a lot more rural in feeling, especially in the areas immediately west of the university. And, like Charlottesville, it is the traditional county seat.
I only saw Middletown briefly when I visited Wesleyan, but I thought it was lovely. I haven’t seen Charlottesville, so I can’t compare it, but I think @circuitrider gives a good, brief description of Middletown.
The annual cost of attendance at Wesleyan this year is $62,508. The annual in-state COA at the University of Virginia is $28,924. What will your parents say about the $33,584 difference between the two?