<p>Ok so I've been pretty set on transferring for about a month now. My parents are in love with my school and are always telling me how far I'll go with the degree and how proud they are etc. So pretty much I just don't have the heart to tell them I want out, how should I bring it up?</p>
<p>Will your parents incur any additional costs or inconvenience due to the transfer? If the answer is, "yes", are you willing to take up the slack by taking out loans or working?</p>
<p>What are your reasons for wanting to transfer? </p>
<p>You need to have good answers for those questions.</p>
<p>no, I'm pretty sure college couldn't be more expensive than where I am now; the cost would be the same or less. Its even 3000+ miles from my house so transportation would probably go down as well. And I do have solid reasons for transferring, but my parents (my dad at least) are really into the brand name of my current college and think that I really like it here.</p>
<p>I sent you a PM- my son went through the same thing you are going through at the same school. He decided to stay and it's working out well. I will tell you that it is hard to transfer into the smaller LACs. They take VERY few transfer students. You have a better chance with a bigger university, but some of the same issues would then be present. UChicago seems to like Penn transfer students.</p>
<p>Talk with them. Be honest. Tell them your reasons. Give them the respect of listening and responding to their concerns.</p>
<p>Why do they think you like it if you clearly don't?</p>
<p>Because I try to sound optimistic on the phone...I was hesitant to come here in the first place and they told me that if I didn't like it I could transfer but I know they'll be really disappointed.</p>
<p>Start by being honest with them. Call them up and have a calm heart to heart talk. Parents want to know the truth about what's going on with their kids. Let them know that you've been keeping your true feelings hidden for fear of disappointing them. Honesty is the way to go.</p>
<p>I transferred from a College that was paying my whole college bill and transferred out to a college that only paid for 70% of the bill. Honesty was the best way to go for me. Your parents want you to be happy more than anything else!</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Key word- honesty. Have the discussion with your parents about all of the reasons you are dissatisfied. Talking it over with them and letting them go over the pros and cons will help you clarify your position. You may find that yes, another school would be better fit, or that the problems won't change elsewhere or may resolve themselves. You do mention your parents have already used the transfer word so they should be receptive to this discussion. Never be afraid to disappoint your parents, do what is best for you. I expect they will respect your judgement and even be proud of you as you did go ahead and give it a try. You will never have regrets for the "what ifs" if you hadn't gone to your present school so you have gained something from the experience. Good luck.</p>
<p>Re: transferring to LACs. Some of the bigger small schools, if that phrase makes sense, take more transfers than others. When my D transfered out of a large U, she was accepted by Tufts, Wesleyan, and Oberlin. At Wes, she was friends with a guy who transfered there from Penn. Whens she applied, Tufts and Oberlin had fairly high transfer rates, Wes' was lower, but they did accept about 60 students. So, my advice to you on that front is, research how many transfers a year each school takes. Some, take few, some take more.</p>
<p>As far as your parents, as others say, be truthful. Name brands are nice, and the education can be great, but if you are not happy, it may not go well. Let them know your reasons, and be sure you have good ones. Research carefully to find the school that will be a better fit, and be able to explain why.</p>
<p>Best wishes to you--transfering is not easy, not always necessary or wise, but can be the absolute right choice for some students.</p>
<p>I read your post history for your new school requirements and I suggest looking into Whitman college in Walla Walla, WA.</p>
<p>I'm sympathetic to your not liking Penn, but I also think you can probably find a way to make it work for you, as MOWC's son did. I have no experience as a student at Penn, but it sounds to me like there are a lot of little enclaves of students who do very un-stereotypically "Penn" things.</p>
<p>Different strokes for different folks - no matter how wonderful your current school may be in your parents eyes, if it is not for you then you should definitely let them know! You only go through college once, so trying to get the best possible experience is important. As others have said, be honest with your parents and give them an opportunity to know you and your feelings. Parents can learn too...give them the chance. This is a good time to get the lesson that communication and honesty is the best policy in relationships...don't let fear stop you....it can be a destructive force that stops you from expressing the power that is you and as a result getting less than you deserve.</p>
<p>What everyone else said. Be honest with your parents. And be honest with yourself. There are lots of micro-communities at your current college. It takes a little work to find them (or to create one yourself), but chances are you could be perfectly happy there.</p>
<p>I definitly would if I didn't live 3 hours from Walla Walla, I like the feeling of being in a completely different area. </p>
<p>Thanks everyone! I do feel a little better about it now...maybe I'll bring it up the next time they call.</p>
<p>Your parents might know more than you think. My D was optimistic too, but I could tell she wasn't "elated" about her college. When she came home at Thanksgiving and said she was thinking about applying for transfers, I wasn't surprised. Don't worry, they want what's best for you, brand name or not, they'll understand.</p>
<p>If you are seeking a liberal arts type program, the University of Chicago should be on your list. Closer to home for you, two major airports & a noticably different environment than at Penn.</p>
<p>Closer to home? haha i guess so but not by that much.</p>
<p>well I told them...in a text message so it wan't thet bad :)</p>
<p>Were they surprised? Have you spoken to them since then?</p>