<p>I transferred to Cornell this spring as a sophomore and, though i know it's only been a month or so, I'm really unhappy here. I don't want to transfer back to my previous college (because they didnt have the major i wanted/social stuff), but I now want to transfer out of Cornell. </p>
<p>I'm thinking Brown, because it has the same program, seems like a better social environment. What do you all think? Do you think Brown will be a little wary of my app because of the double transfer/think that I'm so indecisive? I appreciate the help.</p>
<p>what school did you transfer out of (just out of curiousity)? My opinion is, maybe you havent had enough time to get accustomed to cornell....But honestly, you should have done your research before going to a place; thats the purpose of being a transfer student.</p>
<p>well, i did actually think this place was great academically for my major --considered "the best" in the field apparently, and that's why i applied (to be engaged academically, etc., in addition to having a more diverse environment) so it wasn't an impulse choice. im just saying generally speaking, this place is socially not a good fit for me and im not finding the classes interesting nor stimulating.
i have this gut feeling (it's vague and you can completely shoot me down for that) that i won't last the rest of my 2 and 1/2 years here. i went to a top 30 or so school, so it's a rise up. i dont really care about that kind of stuff, but i guess my family does. so it's really a tough decision. any help would be appreciated.
-and im sorry, i dont know what you meant by the adcoms are human, what would they think.</p>
<p>I don't know how admissions officers think, but if I were they, yes, I would be wary. Transferring even once is unusual and the burden of proof falls heavily on the transfer student to make an airtight case for their need to transfer. Transferring twice is almost unheard of. Be prepared to explain yourself very well.
Sorry :\ I can only imagine how much it must suck to try to transfer twice. I hope you find the college that's right for you.</p>
<p>yea, in all honesty, if i wasnt so unhappy here (and i hate to say it because i am grateful to have even gotten in to the place), i wouldnt want to go through the awful process of applying to transfer again. but im sort of feeling desperate... im the kind of person that adjusts well, actually, to new environments. so i dont know why this place is just feeling so wrong for me. </p>
<p>anyone else have comments/suggestions/bashing? </p>
<p>-nspeds, you seem to know a lot about this kind of stuff...what do you think, if you dont mind telling me</p>
<p>lol, I dont think anyone here is going to bash you. Anyways, if you are really that desperate, then transfer to a regular state school (local, im assuming) where you will feel most comfortable in....thats one of the reasons why many students decide to stay close to home, because its a comfort zone :)</p>
<p>chipsjer - I know how difficult it can be to feel you're in the wrong place, after all the effort and angst involved in transferring; and believing you'd chosen a "better" place.</p>
<p>I can only tell you that the feelings you are experiencing are NOT uncommon at about this time frame in adjusting to a new school. I'm not dismissing your feelings and I'm not claiming they will go away. Just letting you know that it happens more often than you think and for <em>most</em> transfers, it does get better with time.</p>
<p>thanks jmmom, that was really encouraging and I appreciate the input. </p>
<p>but I actually do need some more suggestions because I think I'm going to try and send (yet another) transfer app out to brown, in particular.
just some notes:
-both cornell and brown offer the same unique major i want (so I can't say "lack of major" is a reason im transferring)
-but cornell is awful socially/too cut-throat/ in terms of wanting to go to brown in particular, is this desire to be close to providence, where my doctor is (personal health/mental well-being is a big issue)</p>
<p>I'm wondering, would I have a good/decent shot? </p>
<p>state schools are pretty bad in my state--it's no michigan or cal nor ny system.
I'm from CT.</p>
<p>id also like to mention that i have pretty good stats--college gpa is around 3.8--and i have had some nice professors write great recs.
again, if you were an adcom, would you be concerned? With all this personal stufff involved?</p>
<p>I have seen a handful of people trying to transfer into Cornell who've already transfered before ... they usually don't fare too well with the adcoms, though. </p>
<p>The problem that usually rings out is it's not the university, but more the student. For instance, Cornell is a place with 13,000 undergraduates, 700 student clubs and organizations, popular ivy league athletics, perhaps one of the most diverse and active student bodies in the ivy league - and yet you say the "social life is awful." There's really not much you can say to Brown that would make them believe this is the case. On top of that, you've already transfered and have been at another college with a different social scene and wern't happy there either. </p>
<p>Classes havn't even been in session for a month, I suggest you take advantage of what you have on hand for resources at the university and use them. I wouldn't consider a transfer a feasible option at this point.</p>
<p>I'd imagine the adcoms will be a tad wary...you've cited the eternally vague "social reasons" as cause for transfer....twice. Being a transfer student is hard anywhere, especially if you transfer in mid-year....I'd suggest trying to make it work with Cornell.</p>
<p>chipsjer, if you are as desperate as you claim, i dont think brown would be a good alternative...if you think about it, transfering twice will not play well in your favor. Not to mention brown is one of the most competitive ivies in terms of transfer acceptances (not as competitive as harvard or yale, but you get the point). Anyways, if you are as desperate as you claim, you would settle for less. Im not saying you should go to your state school, which i previously suggested, but perhaps you should consider other state schools, maybe even some liberal art schools, or other private schools. Good luck!! :)</p>
<p>Give Ba shot, however, just be aware that schools want you to stay for the duration of time you say for which you say you will stay. Brown is a high end school, and may be frightened by the fact that two other places haven't tickled your fancy. what's to stop you from trying out Brown and then leaving?</p>
<p>also, i dont think they'd buy the "cut throat" excuse. Cornell is tough but everybody you'll ever ask on the Cornell board or in person will say it's not cut throat like the myth says. It generally just the "typical excuse" for somebody not liking the academic style of the university. </p>
<p>Also, has the first wave of exams even come yet? I'm wondering how you can judge it being "cut throat" w/o ever having written a large paper or taken a miderm or final exam at Cornell. And if you really do believe it's cut throat now, I can't imagine what it'll be like for you at finals week. Best of luck regardless!!</p>
<p>I transferred from Tulane to Brown. It wasn't the cure for all ails that I expected. I still ran into the a lot of the same problems I did here that I did at Tulane, like adjusting, making friends, and fitting in. I realized they are more "me" problems than Tulane problems, and that in the end, college is college and you are going to run into a lot of the same problems everywhere. That said, I'm glad I transferred, and I'm not discouraging you from applying, but just think a bit that this may be more about you than your school.</p>
<p>The problem you bring up is a serious issue faced by a lot of transfer students. I know some who have transferred just to "get out" of their first school because they hated it and have wound up not much better off. Other students transfer because of a love interest, academic program, financial aid...etc and find out their new school is even worse for them! Another possible scenario is a student coming from a mediocre school to one that is "better" but does not offer them anything tangibly better. For students in these situations, a second transfer can be a big breakthrough. If it is clear that you are "working your way up," then it will be worth a shot. Admissions officers aren't too worried about you leaving if you're a junior transfer. You don't affect their freshmen yield numbers, so they can pick who they want. It's a gamble, but if you're really unhappy, why not shoot for Brown?</p>