<p>So I'm applying to Tufts (College of Arts & Sciences) for transfer as soon as possible, it was my top choice before... some things went wrong in the freshman admissions process. Anyway, I just found out Tufts is a need-aware school, for transfers at least. Does anyone know how heavily this affects the process? Like if I can't pay full tuition are they likely to outright reject me? I'm not destitute, but I'm not quite sure I can come up with 50k or so.
While you're reading this, can someone give me an idea of if I'll be likely to get in for transfer? The woman at admissions yesterday told me that it was easier than freshman admissions, but the email they sent me said it was the most competitive applicant pool. Basic info about me... I'm a 4.0 student, national merit finalist, president of two organizations, member of quite a few others, I'm going to Ohio State Honors in the fall, and am going to work hard so I can transfer, because it doesn't seem like the place for me.</p>
<p>Look, I’m not one to judge or hand down advice, but going into freshman year with the intention of transferring is going to make freshman year miserable. Personally: if I went into freshman year with the intention of transferring, then I would avoid uncomfortable situations, avoid making myself vulnerable, and avoid committing to new friendships because “hey, next year college’ll start for real.” What if the transfer doesn’t work out and you’re stuck at Ohio State?</p>
<p>Anyway, from what you told us above you look like a solid candidate. I believe that most need-aware schools give financial leeway to students they really want.</p>
<p>That’s fair. I mean, I plan to give it a chance. I just didn’t really want to go there, I’ll be moderately happy if I’m stuck there, but I’d rather be somewhere I LOVE, you know?
I hope you’re right about the financial leeway. The email they sent me seemed quite angry, like I shouldn’t bother applying if I had to ask about money.</p>
<p>Don’t go into freshman year with the intention of transferring as Drought said. I did not apply to Tufts as a high school senior, but realized I should have my first semester of college this year because it seemed like the perfect place for me from what I’ve heard and seen of it. I applied as a transfer because I didn’t really like my first semester of college this year. Just found out I got in actually. Never thought I’d be doing this, but I think I’m going to turn down Tufts because I can’t really imagine leaving my current school and friends. I have until may 26. I told myself second semester when I started liking my school “I hope I don’t get into Tufts.” Well, it happened, and as much as I want to accept it, I don’t think I can…</p>
<p>How could you know Ohio State isn’t the place for you if you’ve never been?</p>
<p>I know it’s hard to psyche yourself up for something you didn’t originally want, but if I were in your place I would drop the idea of transferring. If freshman year is miserable, then you can always reconsider. But go to school in the fall with every intention of making a life for yourself there and loving it. As Drought said, you may not even get in as a transfer (everything I have read says that transferring in is HARDER than freshman admissions), and even if you do get in, you’ve essentially wasted a quarter of your entire college career. And fitting in as a transfer in your sophomore year is not the easiest thing in the world. You may even get to Tufts and find yourself hating it.</p>
<p>Ohio State’s a great school. Give it a chance.</p>