Hey so what have been people’s experiences with transferring universities? I just finished my first year at the University of Washington, and it didn’t go well in any way, shape, or form. I’m seriously considering transferring to another school, but I don’t have my mom’s support and it’s a really big decision so any advice or insight would be great. thanks
One issue is that you don’t want to transfer more than once. As such, you should have a VERY good reason to think that where ever you transfer to is a better fit for you compared to where you are transferring from.
It is hard to say much more without understanding a bit about why you don’t like UW.
Hey
this would be my first time transferring. Essentially, I’m unhappy at the UW because I was severely struggling in some classes, and constantly asking for help from professors, TAs, study center staff and tutors on campus that are supposed to “help” student, and not a single of one of them did anything. The professors and TAs didn’t care and just told me to switch my classes because clearly I “couldn’t keep up”, the study centers were a joke and the tutors were always swamped with students. I also came from a really small private catholic high school and going to this massive 40,000 undergrads public university was a culture shock for me in a really negative way - I didn’t make any friends, I had a hard time getting to know people, I was largely overwhelmed by the school on it’s own, and I didn’t do well in the city. I’m from a small town, I’ve always lived in small towns and gone to small schools, and Seattle doesn’t fit my personality in any way, shape or form. To add to that, I struggled pretty badly with anxiety and depression and I tried to tell my mom but low and behold she told me I was just tired and to shrug it off and when I tried to tell her I was crashing and burning and that I was unhappy at the UW she told me to deal with it. Except I went to college as a life experience, not just to put my head down and get my degree like I did when I was in high school. Additionally, I really only made my final decision on UW because of the in state tuition benefits, but my first choice and love was Baylor, where I’m still in love with that school and has exactly what I’m looking for in academics and culture. The UW is an “every man for himself” environment where they throw you in and if you struggle, you sink. I was like a fish out of water and it was awful and it’s come to the point where I don’t want to go back this fall and I’m dreading returning to that campus. I used to love school but that totally changed at the UW where I absolutely hated every day and never wanted to get up and I’m not interested in a life like that for the next three years.
I also cannot take time off because I totally lose my mother’s support if I do, AND I lose my health insurance that I get through my dad’s employer, which is maintained as long as I am in school. Other things to note are that my mother and I have an extremely toxic and distant relationship and I’m too close to home. I need to get away from her.
These sound like good reasons, and also sound like a very strong hint regarding what you want different in a school.
It is not clear to me whether you will be able to find a good choice by September. Hopefully other folks on CC will be able to come up with good suggestions.
@prettyaverage20 Hey. It really sucks that your going through this. However, from what I read in your post, it’s very clear what you want.
Getting to the bottom of your issues with your current institution is the first step to making your situation better. Sometimes, that can be the hardest part.
It seems you like a smaller environment. Smaller universities / colleges, and / or institutions away from the main cities can provide this. With a smaller environment, you get a more cohesive student atmosphere.
What are your stats? (College GPA, extracurricular activities, SAT scores, High School GPA) I’d like to see at least these elements of your overall academic standing, to see what options may be available to you.
Yes, what is your college GPA? How would you afford an OOS school? You won’t get money as a transfer, Baylor is nearly 60K vs your instate 25K( minus any merit you might have had) are you being realistic? Your mum would have good reason to be irritated by such a request as a 60K a year school IMO.
What about instate options? That is more of a plan, fix your academic issues and go to a smaller less intense school instate. Did you try to do any GPA repair over summer with summer classes if you had failed classes?
Where is your dad on all this? Is he living with your mom? If not, could you move in with him, or at least closer to him? Lots of students who have bad first years head to a community college to pull themselves and their grades together. That could be an affordable option. Some even have residence halls if you don’t want to live at home and commute.
And double check the health insurance thing. Many employers now offer it to age 26 even if the child isn’t in school because of the ACA.