Transfer Twice? UVA McIntire?

Transfer Students
1

Okay, so my dilemma

I have a guaranteed transfer/conditional transfer offer from Cornell so I went to my local state school for my first year to save my parents money (multiple kids in college). It was a lot of fun and everything, made a good group of friends, but I definitely wasn’t feeling challenged enough and I wasn’t getting as many professional/academic opps despite being involved. I was heavily involved through and in greek life. However, I always knew I would be transferring to Cornell from the get go, so even if things were bad I always thought “Hey, it doesnt matter I’ll be at Cornell”

Now, I;m at Cornell and I’m miserable. I didn’t get transfer housing, my roommate is 2 years older, floor is mostly guys, no other female sophomore transfers and there’s a lot of returning students who have their own friend groups (I’ve tried to penetrate but its hard). I’ve gotten involved and re-affiliated with my srat but it hasn’t been an easy experience and I have a few friends but no one close and no one that I particularly love. I have another semester at Cornell but I’m already dreading it. I’ve been depressed for the past few months along with feeling lonely 24/7. Everyone else has their friends and seem t have adjusted. I’m trying to change my current housing right now and I’m going back to do recruitment, which will hopefully help me get closer with people, but I honestly don’t think it’ll get better here. I’ve tried so so hard. I used to have hope but now I feel hopeless. Everything else is going well - I’m super involved, grades are good, I have leadership, etc. But I’m lonely/depressed af.

I’m in state for UVA and my backup plan is to transfer to their business school (I would transfer to my old state school but I do recognize the professional/academic opps that come with a prestigious school) but I don’t know how realistic it is. And also, I have no idea if it’ll even be better there. I have one really good friend there but still. This whole semester has made my self esteem drop so much and has made me way more depressed/anxious. I just want it to get better at Cornell but I don’t know if it ever will. I potentially can graduate Cornell a semester early as well but I can’t take this depression any further. I don’t know what too do. Thoughts?

2

I don’t think it is uncommon for transfers to face the same social issues you are. It takes a while and more effort on your part, than it would, say if you were a freshman at a 4 year institution, where everyone is eager to meet everyone else. But eventually things should fall into place. Hopefully by doing rush, you will get to know some of your new sorority sisters better and will feel a little more at home next semester.

But things can get complicated if you are actually clinically depressed or suffer from anxiety. Have you been screened/ treated for these conditions? Without getting it under control, things probably will not get better for you whether you transfer or not. I would also hate to see you change schools again thinking it will be the magical solution, and then you find yourself in the same spot. So, if you haven’t already, make an appointment now with your counseling center or other mental health professional.

That aside, as far as transferring, I can’t tell you how things will be for you at UVA. A big plus is that you already have a friend there, and as VA resident, you likely know more people attending than you realize. And, maybe you might also benefit from being closer to home. Certainly the price tag is right, and the winters will be less harsh. However, on the flip side, there would be a period of adjustment there too. Are you prepared to do that again?

But, what I can tell you is that transferring externally into McIntire is pretty tough. Acceptance rate last year was 12% with a mean GPA of 3.9. It never hurts to apply, though, especially if you are doing well at Cornell. Just make sure that you have a backup plan if you are dead set on leaving Cornell.

Honestly, I would strongly urge you to try to give Cornell your all over the next few months. I hope things improve. If they don’t, then consider applying to a few places.

3

Did you work on the Cavalier Daily last year?