Transfer Questions

<p>Ok right now Im at Emory University but this is my SECOND school. Im a sophomore. Id like to consider transferring to Davidson for next fall so Im just gonna ask a few questions and if you can answer any of them please do!!! haha thanks for the help</p>

<p>1) What should my target GPA be (roughly)?
2) I want to play football at Davidson, I played at my first college and its a big part of why I want to transfer. Any info on football or sports in general at Davidson would be greatly appreciated- Im especially curious about the talent it takes to play football there
3) Visiting. If I visit the campus is there any way I could speak with someone in Admissions to help me gauge my chances and improve them? Also, would they be willing to look through Emory's catalog with me and help me pick classes that would DEFINTELY transfer?
4) Another thing I dont really like about Emory is the somewhat snobby atmosphere. Maybe snobby isnt the word but just about Everyone is like super rich haha. Just curious as to what the Davidson student body is like in terms of arrogance
5) This question sorta goes with number 3. Is it at all possible for me to apply for Spring Semester admission and then if I get accepted somehow defer my admission until the fall? I feel like this would make the transition easier and would help me sort of "plan ahead" but Im not sure if such a practice is allowed.</p>

<p>I feel like I have more questions but this is a start. Thanks so much for the help</p>

<p>1) Hard to quantify precisely, but it needs to be high -- Davidson's not a pushover school
2) Not too sure about recruitment policies, but Davidson is Division I. We're doing alright this year ... 1-1. No question, Davidson's true athletic pride rests with its basketball team, but the football team still is recognized.
3) Yes and yes. Email the admissions officers -- they're really, really, really nice and would be happy to talk to you. You can find them under the Staff Contacts Section of the Admissions page of the Davidson website.
4) I actually can count on one hand the number of arrogant people I've met since arriving here -- you'll find wealthy people but you won't find snobs. And when you do find the snobs, you'll notice they all clump together and NOBODY likes them. Davidson students really seem to take others for who they are.
5) Possibly. You'd have to check with an admissions officer. Just email.</p>

<p>One thing the OP and others contemplating similar action from any school to any other school might want to consider is that switching colleges multiple times may simply mean they are looking for a perfection that does not exist. </p>

<p>While it may be perfectly reasonably to transfer once, transferring again could suggest that someone just isn't going to find the ultimate good fit anywhere--not necessarily, but something to think about. Consider: what did you dislike about the first school? What did you hope the second would have that the first one didn't? Why will the third one be any different? </p>

<p>It is not easy to establish true and lasting relationships with either peers or faculty in a single semester, especially if it is done with an eye toward transferring out--or even if it isn't. Of course it matters whether a school is small, large, urban, suburban, and so on, but you have to look within yourself as well. Emory, for example, is a fine school and offers all kinds of academic and social opportunities. Of course Davidson is a wonderful school, and the setting is idyllic. But that does not mean that any given person will find happiness there, either the first time around or after not finding it in two other places. My advice would be to try to make the present situation work. </p>

<p>Regarding the "snobby" issue: No school, even one with a supposedly preppy atmosphere, is going to be filled entirely with "rich" kids, given the availability of need-based financial aid and the reality that schools really try to achieve socioeconomic as well as ethnic diversity. But well-regarded schools will be filled with very able students with either a lot of self-confidence or a lot to prove to themselves--and that can sometimes come off as arrogant, not necessarily intentionally. Figuring out what lies below the surface can take some time.</p>

<p>There are threads every year from students who are not quite satisfied with their choice and from parents who feel their children are not happy, whether because of roommate and social situations or because of academic conflicts or difficulties. Sometimes changing schools is the answer, but more often the solution lies in finding ways to improve the present situation--and this would seem even more important for someone who has already been through the process once.</p>

<p>I honestly appreciate your response. Please understand, however, that I have a unique reason for transferring twice (or wanting to). My first school was not strong academically but I was there mainly to play football. Playing college ball was a dream of mine and something I was very devoted to. When I relaized that I wanted a greater academic challenge, however, I felt willing to give up football- thus I came to Emory. The main reason I want to transfer is because football is a part of who I am and the idea that I could just forget about it and move on didnt work out so well. I want a school where I can have an excellent academic experience while still playing hte sport I love, and I know that could happen at Davidson.</p>