Transfer from Wesleyan to Oberlin?

<p>I'm currently a freshman at Wesleyan. I know it's only the second week, but I'm miserable here; I'm afraid it's just not the right school for me. Wesleyan was pretty much tied with Oberlin for me, but I chose Wesleyan because it's closer to home and I get homesick easily (I'm from New York, about 2 hours away on public transit). The problem is, it's just so fratty/athletic here. I hate my living situation and my dorm has no community. The only good thing about Wes I'm feeling is the fact that my parents could come up at any time to have dinner with me/I can go home at any time. I feel like if I'm having fun at college, though, I won't be homesick. I have a couple friends (including one of my best friends) at Oberlin now and I just feel like it's a much better fit for me.</p>

<p>Some stuff about me:
I'm a very liberal person. My most likely majors are environmental studies/science and/or polisci. I'm interested in equestrian team, dance, theatre, political activism, and agriculture. I'm fairly skilled at piano and self-taught in banjo, uke, guitar, accordion, and mandolin. I'm not sure if my test scores matter if I transfer, but if they do:
SAT: 2260 (720 M/750 R/790 W)
APUSH: 5
AP Enviro: 4
AP Calc AB, French, and GoPo: 3
and my high school average was about a 94.</p>

<p>Sorry if this is ranty, I'm feeling super overwhelmed right now. </p>

<p>Thoughts?</p>

<p>wow I forgot SAT II scores - Molecular Bio, 710
US History - 740</p>

<p>(it’s been a while)</p>

<p>I would call the Oberlin admissions office right away. It might be possible that there is an opening for you, if some admittee did not show up. It is still early in the year.</p>

<p>Course enrollment ends tomorrow so while it might be possible to still come, I definitely wouldn’t count on it. Also since you’re a first year they usually don’t allow Spring transfers, but since you were admitted once, they might make an exception. Again, I wouldn’t count on it but it wouldn’t hurt to ask. </p>

<p>I think the best thing to do is figure out if you are going to be happy enough to get a good GPA and be healthy for a semester/year at Wesleyan. I checked the website and it seems like enrollment ends Friday so there still may be time to drop out and go back home if you don’t think you’ll be able to make it through the year. However, if you feel like you will be fine to stay a semester/year then just make sure your GPA is as high as it can be. That will be really important if you decide to transfer. </p>

<p>While quite a number of college students are happy from day one, honestly it is not uncommon for new college students to feel unhappy, confused, alone, etc. as they sort their way through a new environment. I really urge you not to do anything rash, but rather to give it a few months with a good attitude – you have paid tuition and school has started so try your best. I know it does not seem possible now, but you may feel totally different in a few months (honestly, it happens), and if not you will likely be in a better position to transfer. Transferring in September seems pretty unlikely to me (and maybe a little bit on the wrong side of hysterical). I’ve never heard of Wes described as “fratty” or even particularly sporty for that matter, so maybe you have been unlucky in your early associations and things will improve. You may be right; it may be the wrong place for you, but really I think a week or two is not long enough for you to throw in the towel.</p>

<p>I’m definitely going to ride it out and see how the year goes - dropping out or transferring right now are both not options for me. I’m just concerned that because I’m so unhappy here I’m going to do poorly in classes and my classes aren’t exactly easy. I’m already struggling but it’s too late to change them. How difficult is it to get into Oberlin as a transfer? Would they understand a mental health/adjustment situation?</p>

<p>Last year they accepted 74 transfers out of 303 applicants, so about 24.4%. So it’s difficult but not impossible. The key is to do great in your classes, use that to motivate yourself to do well in your courses, even if you are unhappy. I would also just try to get involved with some things on campus, even just one club meeting an hour a week can give you something to look forward to and feel good about! </p>