Transfer or reapply as a freshman?

Applying to College
1

<p>Hey everyone,</p>

<p>So I started college about two weeks ago and I pretty much hate it. I'm pretty sure it's just my school and not a transitioning problem because I've been on my own before and been much happier and I visited some friend's colleges and liked them much better. I deferred admission to a school in Europe that I got into by a year (they understand the situation and said that if I end up liking my school here I can just withdraw my admission), so if things don't get any better here I'm just going to drop out after a semester and enter as a freshman there next year. However, I thought I should apply to some other schools here as well just in case I decide that the other school isn't right for me either - this is my only chance to transfer I'd imagine, as no school would take someone who transfers twice. </p>

<p>I did pretty well on admissions the first time around. To show you what tier I was around: I got waitlisted at Columbia and U Chicago. My grades were what kept me out I think, as I never really worked in high school (GPA was around 3.75 weighted), but I had a bunch of really good extra-curriculars. I'm wondering if I'd have a better shot at schools in that tier (or higher possibly) if I dropped out and reapplied as a freshman or if I went through the year and got really good grades. I'm finding it pretty easy to get good grades here and this isn't reputed as being an easy school (the opposite really I think), so I could probably come out with a very high GPA. However, I've heard that the transfer rate at the top schools (especially HYPS even though I'm not sure if I'd apply there) is much lower than the freshman admission rate. If I dropped out, I'd work even more on my ECs (hopefully getting some papers published, possibly a novel published, an album recorded, films made) as well as work in general to pay off my loans. </p>

<p>What do you advise? Stay for the year or drop out, work for the time being to get some money and then enter as a freshman next year?</p>

<p>Oh, just remembered - another thing to consider is that I will need a lot of financial aid. The school I'm going to now gave me $20,000 in grants and another $10,000 in loans. Any less than that and I probably can't swing it.</p>

<p>Thanks in advance!</p>

<p>EDIT: The school I'm going to is in the top 30 national universities for this year's US News rankings.</p>

2

<p>See the Transfer Students forum for information about admission rates, FA/scholarships, etc. for transfers.</p>

<p>p.s. P does not take transfers.</p>

3

<p>Yes, I’m aware that Princeton doesn’t take transfers, which is one reason I’m thinking of just applying as a freshman.</p>

<p>Should I repost this entire post in that forum?</p>

4

<p>That would be fine.</p>

5

<p>

If you take a semester of school you will be a transfer applicant, NOT a freshman.</p>

6

<p>^It depends on the school. The range of what is considered a transfer applicant is from 1 post-HS course to less than a full year of post-HS college.</p>

7

<p>You need to check the admissions policies for each college/university you apply to. Some will consider you a transfer applicant if you have completed just one college credit after high school graduation. Others will consider you a freshman applicant if you have completed all but one credit worth of what that place considers to be a full load for a freshman year. There really is that much variability!</p>

<p>Do know that most places offer very little financial aid for transfers. As an international transfer, things will be even worse.</p>

<p>Give your current institution some time, and talk with the international students office about your adaptation process. It is entirely possible that your issue is generalized culture shock rather than anything specific to your current college/university.</p>

8

<p>Happymomof1, I’m not actually an international student - I’m from New York. However, I applied to a dual degree between Sciences Po and UCL last year and got in and I’d love to go there. My parents just want to make sure I check out some other schools as well, which I agree is a good idea.</p>