Hi! I am currently a freshman at the University of Rochester, and frankly, I hate it here. I really want to transfer to a more liberal arts type school, or even a bfa program if I could get in (for theatre). I am not planning on coming back for the spring semester (there’s no way I’m putting myself through that) and I was planning on transferring out to a university which accepts spring students, and then possibly transferring again because some of the schools I’d really like to go to only accept fall transfers.
However, I recently met with a college audition coach for the first time and he suggested just taking next semester off and focusing on my applications and auditions. I didn’t want to do this at first because I didn’t want to feel like a lazy student or something, and also because I’m not sure what schools would view as better. So basically that leads to my question: If I were to transfer twice would I be viewed as a flight risk, and like someone who can’t figure out what they want? If I were to take the semester off and just push all my applications to fall semester ones would they view me as lazy and not serious? Also please don’t just say to do what I think is right for me, because I am really fine with either. At a new school I would be getting a quality arts education finally and I could really like it and stay there or still transfer to one of my reach dream schools, or I could take the semester off and focus on really polishing my audition work. I am more worried with what schools think because I want to do everything to have a better chance to get in.
Also, the college coach suggested I apply as a freshman again since most bfa programs do require you to start as a freshman, but I was just wondering if anyone has any experience if you can actually do that? I didn’t think that was possible but I’m not sure, and also would that even be a good choice, since I payed for a semester of college anyways.
Sorry this is a bit long, but if you could provide some insight I would truly appreciate it!
Thank you!
Each place sets its own policies about who is and who isn’t a freshman applicant, so you need to take a good long look at every place on your possible application list.
If you need a lot of financial aid, you may be best off withdrawing now if you can do that without generating a college transcript. Transfers usually do not get aid that is as good as freshmen.
There is nothing wrong with taking a semester off while you complete your next set of applications. But that is not a decision you have to make today. Wait and see how the rest of the semeste goes.
It’s hard to believe you have given Rochester much of a chance. It will be easier to transfer for next fall. I would imagine some less selective colleges might have room for spring admits. If you are determined to go, start contacting admissions offices at some colleges of interest.
Can I ask why you hate it there?
@happymomof1 financial aid is not a problem at all for me, but it is a decision I have to make soon as apps for spring semester are due October first
@Lindagaf hi, thanks so much for your response! I am definitely transferring as Rochester is a research university and I would like to go to a more arts focused school like a lac or get a bfa (not totally sure about which, am applying to a mix). My intro to art history course I can skim right through because even my high school course was so much more in depth I actually really missed it and how much we learned. My science friends however, are already stressing over tests, have labs and workshops, and tougher curriculums.
Rochester really doesn’t offer anything in terms of a competitive dramatic arts education, or much at all, (the department head told me there’s really no theater majors so that should tell you something) so there’s really no reason for me to stay here.
My question is while some of the less competitive schools I want to apply to have spring transfer, what if I still really want to take the shot at those more prestigious programs, is that spring transfer going to detract from my application? Also why do you think it’s easier to apply in the fall? Thanks so much for your help so far!
Also if anyone else has any input please help me out! I am really leaning towards taking off the semester to work and regroup but I would also not mind starting at a program I actually like and hitting the ground running while still tackling applications! The more help the more kisses I shall give you all 
So why did you enrol there? You knew all this going in. It can’t have been a big surprise.
There are a lot of colleges that won’t let freshmen enrol for spring. Esepcially LACs, who tend to want fall transfer stduents. But I don’t know for sure, you just have to check with each college you are interested in.
Can you share which schools you are considering for spring transfer? That might help folks answer. You could also apply to 1 or 2 schools for spring transfer that you would most like to attend. If you are accepted, it doesn’t mean you have to attend. See if you get in and then decide. Meanwhile, do more research on the “better” schools you are looking at for fall transfer. Reach out to admissions folks, etc. Are they programs that require auditions?
My point is that on October 2nd the spring transfer door is closed. Leave it open. You don’t necessarily have to go through it-
Transferring more than once will just make your life and your academic record messier. Unless you are admitted to a place that you believe you are likely to stay at, there is no value in transferring for the spring. Get a job, do some community theatre in your hometown, and enjoy your semester off.
@happymomof1 thank you, this is a conclusive and super helpful answer to my question:) was seriously considering doing so and probably am going to now have a wonderful day and thanks again!
@4Gulls I am considering applying to Santa Clara university, lmu, skidmore, and a few others for the spring and bu, nyu, USC and some more (I’m not quite sure) in the fall
@Lindagaf Linda, first of all it was my only option at senior spring due to my personal situation then. It was however, touted as an open curriculum school with an emphasis for all subjects and majors and I was offered the chance to do research in the humanities. And it’s programs like the international theater program are praised and I’ve had people tell me it’s good too. So I decided to go instead of staying home so I could see if I liked it there. While the quantity of arts courses offered is not necessarily lacking, and I could see that before I came, the quality of them is to me, and this wasn’t something I could have know until I’d actually come to the school. I knew it was a research school but it has felt much more unbalanced to me than I would have expected. I want rigorous training in humanities to be competitive in these fields, and I don’t want to spend my education knowing there’s more advanced places of study for that. However, I do think Rochester is a great school for what it does well and the people here are generally quite fitting of the quirky and nerdy persona they proclaim for themselves. However, it’s just not right for me right now and Rochester has helped me to realize that what I need is a liberal arts schools or a bfa, and that being a humanities major at a research university is not right for me. It’s ok to learn things and realize that you may need to adjust and make changes and I feel like your question is a little unnecessary as even if I knew before coming in what I was getting into, honestly, I could still decide to transfer because I can do whatever I want whether or not you feel I should know better. Perhaps you think I’m insulting Rochester, but that isn’t the case, it simply is different than what I was told and anticipating and it’s not going to be beneficial to me now so I’m proactively finding what is. Thanks and have a nice day:)
No, I don’t think you are insulting the school, and I have no vested interest at all. I simply wanted to know why you chose it. I personally think you really should stick it out for the year and try to do well. It puts you in a better position to transfer next year.
I don’t think it’s a good idea to transfer twice. It can make your transcript messy, which could be a redflag at some point for someone reviewing it in the future. And it’s expensive. A semester at many colleges (including Rochester) costs more than $20,000 in tuition alone. If you were my student, I would advise strongly against jumping precipitously into another situation before you’re sure it’s where you want to be for the long haul. A semester-long gap shouldn’t be a problem, especially if you can find something interesting to do in your chosen field during that time (community theater, creative writing group, working with independent film makers, etc.) In fact, just collecting “experiences” that are outside of the college-student life can be pretty enlightening for a future artist. You might also find it easier to fit into the campus creative community starting in the fall, since many second-semester productions may already be in the works towards the end of first semester.
I do hope you’re going to at least stick out the rest of first semester at Rochester, though. D goes there and she was able to find her niche pretty quickly, but she’s interested in medical research and public policy, both of which are more “mainstream” for the school. I can understand that it might be harder for someone more focused on fine arts (outside of music at Eastman).
@Lindagaf ok thank you Linda, I just know often people try to convince students not to transfer which is really a student’s decision I think, but I’ll definitely think about it as you’re probably right, that may be a better position to be in Have a good Friday
@EllieMom thanks for the response! I think I probably won’t do that as that was the same worry I had before and now multiple people have told me not to transfer multiple schools. I do think I could accomplish a lot if I had a semester to collect myself and not just take the semester off but use it actively and also artistically too, which is a different perspective but just as important!
I am going to finish the semester as its paid for already LoL but thank you for understanding what I am trying to say! Have a good day