<p>I recently received information from my first choice (only) school that I applied to for transfer, and am considering following through on the transfer.</p>
<p>However, my parents have concerns about me transferring, as I am going from a school considered more well-known/prestigious to one less so, and, although I'm really not very happy at my current school, they would like me to contact my current school and look into other options besides withdrawal (primarily leave of absence for a semester).</p>
<p>My mother and I have both read posts on these boards discussing the plausibility of using a leave of absence from one school to allow "a way out", if you will, in case things don't work out, but I was curious if anyone here had any information or experience with this.</p>
<p>Does anyone know anything about this or have any advice on it?</p>
<p>I dont understand what you are trying to say.... its like scattered thoughts. Are you just asking for information on leave of absence or are you asking about "a way out" of your current school? If you just dont like your school, withdraw from it. But if you are seeking for spiritual guidance or whatever, then take the leave of absense and return later to your school.</p>
<p>No, my mother recalled seeing some posts on the forums that she had shown to me that mentioned taking a leave of absence for a semester or so before officially withdrawing after transferring to another school, in case the person decides that transferring really wasn't the best decision.</p>
<p>I was wondering if anyone knew anything about this, or had any advice on how to approach such an option.</p>
<p>so you mean like transfering to another school, while you are at a leave of absence at the other school? Its certainly possible! It sounds risky, but i like the idea!</p>
<p>Keep in mind this though: 1) some of your units wont transfer 2) if you decide that you want your units to transfer, you will have to notify the school, and if you didnt tell them that you were going to another school, it might be possible that they could kick you out, although i am not sure on that...you might want to check. 3) you might waste a semester.</p>
<p>Besides that, i dont think it should be a big problem.</p>
<p>Seth - If I understand it correctly, you want to transfer to a different school. But your parents would like you to have a "safety net" option of returning to your current school if you don't like the new transfer school?</p>
<p>I remember you ;) and your posts re transferring from your current school. Sounds to me like the new transfer school is much more of a fit for you. How do you feel? </p>
<p>I don't know whether you can accept a spot at your new school while taking a leave of absence, rather than withdrawing, from your current school.<br>
Nothing in life is risk free. But you are not really content at your current school, and your reasons for transfer are quite sound. I hope you will accept the spot at your chosen transfer school. </p>
<p>If you can keep a spot at your current school via leave of absence, great. If not, I hope you won't be as fearful as your parents about the name recognition of the two schools. I hope you will feel comfortable moving to the new school which has a lot more of what you want.</p>
<p>Give us more information? Are you transfering from Harvard to a Community College? If not chances are its not a big deal. College is about having a great time while learning and getting the best grades you can. That goes hand in hand and if you are not happy you will not preform as well. Go to the school you got accepted to. Don't let your parents make decisions for you, its about what you want.</p>
<p>To my memory, seth is looking at moving from a fairly well known and well-regarded tech school (but not MIT/CalTech) to a moderately well known but strong small college/U.</p>
<p>In terms of specifics, from RPI to Union College.</p>
<p>Thanks for the support and advice everyone!</p>
<p>And while I would definitely like to follow through with the transfer, I can understand my mother's concern, which is why I was wondering if anyone had heard anything about (or tried) such an option.</p>
<p>But mojojojo: if you don't mind, what did you mean by your first and second points?</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice everyone, and if anyone else has any knowledge regarding such an option, it would be greatly appreciated!</p>
<p>well, if you look into the catalog, maybe u can see what courses will or will not transfer, but nothing is a guarantee. And i wasnt sure about #2, but you might have to ask your current school (although i dont recommend it) cuz they will probably tell you not go to in the first place. I dont think they will kick you out though, it was just a thought/concern to keep in mind.</p>
<p>seth - if you accept the transfer, you will find out exactly what will and won't transfer (from among the courses you have already taken). Usually, you submit a transcript along with course catalog descriptions to the Registrar (or the department of your major). They "articulate" your courses, finding the match or close match at their own school and give you credit for those matching courses. </p>
<p>Examples of courses which might not transfer: Pass/Fail courses (although some schools will accept the credits if you can get a written verification that you had at least a C), 1 or 2 credit courses (not labs, but Study Habits type courses etc.).</p>
<p>Most things will probably transfer even if there isn't an exact match. Sometimes credits will transfer but might not be usable to fulfill a particular distributionr requirement or something.</p>
<p>But to clarify and refocus the thread: I have already begun to check with the college regarding the credit/course situation, so I am not too worried about that.</p>
<p>My concern is the plausibility of following through with a transfer, but delaying an official withdraw from my current college for a semester or so, and taking a leave of absence or similar break from my current college during that period, in case something goes wrong, which would allow me to return to the original college and only miss a semester or so (which wouldn't be a big deal to me; I'm a little ahead in terms of credits at my current college anyway). My mother had shown me something about this a couple months ago somewhere on this forum, and I was wondering if anyone here knew or had any experience with such a situation.</p>
<p>Again, thank you for all the advice, and thanks in advance for any advice anyone might be able to offer!</p>