Transfer student in need of advice!

Transfer Students
1

I’m a rising Sophomore currently attending a small, relatively well known LAC in the northeast. I found it extremely difficult to enjoy the general every day life at my college-- The clubs were rather weak in terms of acting as forums for student initiative and whatnot, the academics weren’t very difficult for me, and there generally wasn’t a great amount of things to do in the area besides party which isn’t my ideal weekend night. I don’t feel like I mesh well with the general population as well–it’s a very theatrical-type school and I’m honestly surprised at how lacking in diversity and, again, student initiative that has taken place here. I don’t feel challenged intellectually by my peers and life has become very monotonous–something I’ve always tried to steer from. You could say I became a bit depressed this year socially, but I really enjoyed the time that I’d spent learning about various topics and discussing various topics with professors. It’s come to the point where my academic fulfillment cannot continue to supersede my social disappointment in terms of what I’ve written above.

Currently I have a 3.92 gpa, I founded a club on campus and am a part of the leadership, I’m a tutor, hired through the college for an intro economics course, (which also happens to be one of my majors). I’ve been a part and have lead numerous social work events/trips. I’ve worked 4 separate jobs throughout high school and

In terms of courses, I took 16 credits my first semester:
Writing seminar- A
Intro Macroeconomics- A+
Calculus II- A
Philosophy- B+

And 20 credits my second semester:
Intro to American Government- A+
Accounting I- A+
Regulation of Business- A+
Intro Microeconomics- A
History of Political Thought- A

Currently taking a 3 credit language course and expect to get an A.

If I were to stay at my current institution, I’d be taking 20 credits in the Fall:

Anatomy & Physiology I
Intermediate Microeconomics
Intermediate Macreconomics
Modern China
Statistical Analysis

In terms of my high school record, it’s not the sharpest you will find. I graduated with around a 3.2gpa and an SAT of 1290 with a 22/24 on the writing. This is clearly the weakest part of my application, and also one of my regrets-having not realized at the time not only the importance of doing well in school and applying myself, but of really taking the time to seek out what it is that I love to do. I’ve taking an interest in economics, and am also thinking about majoring in math because the two certainly complement each other. If economics didn’t work out, having a degree in math would enable me to apply for graduate studies in engineering, which is another interest of mine. The political science classes you see above was my experimentation with our college’s pre-law program as well as a political economics-type outlook, but I now don’t find this career path ideal for myself.

It’s too late to apply to transfer for the Fall 2019, so I may end up sticking out another year of my current institution, if not transferring to community college–the reverse transfer–for the year, and then transfer out to a 4-year institution. If I stick out the Fall 2018-2019 semester, I will be applying to transfer in the Spring to the following, in no particular order besides #1:

U of Rochester (Top choice), U of Michigan, Rutgers U, Davidson College, the College of William & Mary, Rice University (would be in the Fall), and maybe a few others.

Any kind of advice would be helpful, as well as possible chances for the institutions above… This is a lot and I apologize for this, but I’ve been stressed out beyond belief lately and am in need of new ideas/a new, well-experienced/informed perspective… Parents are leaving it all up to me to figure out as well, which I completely respect, but I don’t believe this is their complete reasoning…

Thanks

2

Is it too late to apply to all of the places on your list? Double-check that.

Nothing wrong with a gap semester/year either. You don’t have to be in college anywhere right now.

If your CC offers your majors and has formal articulation agreements that will guarantee admission to any of the places on your list, then that could be a good choice.

3

Yes you are correct, I believe Rutgers is still open for fall applicants, for one. I plan on taking a gap year following college graduation and possibly applying for graduate school or go straight into working after, but I do think I would be open for that now.

My CC doesn’t offer any articulation agreements to these colleges, with the exception of Rutgers though I’m not too concerned about this institution. This is one of my safeties, assuming that either I attend CC next year, or apply for spring admission.

Thank you for the advice

4

You seem to be looking for an intellectually stimulating environment with a diverse and strong community that doesn’t focus on simply partying. The schools that you picked seem to be good at that – William & Mary does seem like a good fit for that. Are you from either Michigan or Virginia? If not those schools out of state – or rather most schools as a transfer – might be a tad bit expensive. The good news is you are doing very well in your college so far, and it should set you up nicely when you decide to transfer.

5

Thanks @shawnspencer you hit it right on the nail, and I appreciate your response. I’ve noticed that the out of state tuition is expensive (I’m from New Jersey)… Similar to what I’m paying at the moment actually, but I’d be receiving, I think, a much more valuable education at W & M relative to my current college. Do you by any chance know if they grant merit aid to transfer students? I viewed your page and noticed you were/are? a student at W & M and read through a bit of your very generous thread for prospective students, which was very awesome of you to do by the way.

6

Yes I am glad you are considering William & Mary and found those posts helpful. I try my best to help people the best way I know how… through the only information I can claim to have expertise on hehe. I am happy to talk to you about it more and answer any questions you may have about it.

Unfortunately William & Mary does not offer a great deal of merit aid to transfers, at least to my knowledge. There are a few students that may receive scholarships through the William & Mary Scholars program – but those students are largely built up of underrepresented minorities, first-generation students, and students from low-income backgrounds.

I don’t know of many schools that also offer transfer scholarships, but you might also find this link helpful:
https://www.thepennyhoarder.com/life/college/college-scholarships-for-transfer-students. There are a number of schools that come up when I look it up on google, but it appears to be mostly large, public schools which might be different than what you’re going for.

7

Ahh, that’s okay. Yeah I checked out that website and these institutions aren’t really what I’m looking for but I appreciate you providing the link. I just have to do a bit more research myself is all. Thanks again for the response @shawnspencer they are very much appreciated.

8

You may have to stay put. There isn’t much money for transfer students, but do your own research. I doubt you’ll find much more. You May consider applying to transfer to other schools that have good need-based financial aid. With your good grades, you may have a shot.

9

Money isn’t as much of an issue relative to other applicants, but it certainly would help. I don’t think what I’m paying right now is worth the money in regard to the education I’m receiving, the opportunities on and off campus, etc. I could be a bit naive but the program that I am in isn’t anywhere near the main focus on campus, but that’s beside the point here… I cannot say that I’d be glad spending this elsewhere, but at least I’d be getting my money’s worth at, at least a few of the institutions listed above. You’re right, though–merit aid for transfer students is difficult to come by, especially for those that aren’t transferring from community colleges, but I’ll be on the lookout. Thank you for the thoughts @itsgettingreal17 I appreciate it.