Hey all, as a potential transfer student I wanted to get some advice/perspective. Here’s my situation:
I’m currently a first-year at a small private school, Scripps College (one of the Claremont Colleges), majoring in biology. I originally picked the college because I’d have an easier time getting into medical school. However, the mistake I made in choosing the college was not researching enough about it and learning about student life. Now that I’m here, I realize that I don’t really fit in the very specific mold of a Scripps girl. I realized that I don’t really like the small size of the schools here. I find myself losing passion in academics because I don’t enjoy the environment at all. I went to a competitive STEM public high school and earned the best grades during junior year when I was working my ass off in my hardest AP classes and enjoying the content of them. Here, I feel like classes aren’t taught well, and the laid-back environment gives me a false sense of security in being lazy. Not to mention, the cost of going here is ridiculously high and in my opinion, not worth it. In total I just feel very unhappy and unmotivated. I understand that there’s an adjustment period in college, but I can definitely see my problems being long-term.
Right now I’m looking at places to transfer as a sophomore in fall(so UCs are ruled out), and so far I’ve thought about USC and UIUC. One intimidating aspect is definitely the larger school size and thus higher pre-med competition. However, I know that I’m the type of person who likes having options and enjoys a larger school. One of my best friends attends UIUC and is involved in so many activities such as a service frat. It’s true that I’d have to work infinitely harder, but I also know that I work hard under pressure.
Between USC and UIUC (and perhaps another option), what school(s) do you guys think I look into? I’m currently pretty confused, but I know for sure that where I am now is not the place for me. Thanks a bunch.
You have some time, so you can concentrate on your Scripps experience to see whether it develops more favorably.
For a school that would be different from Scripps and that meets the tone of your indicated criteria, look into URochester, or perhaps the relatively transfer-friendly Cornell.
I agree, give it some more time and if you are unhappy next semester you can fill out some transfer applications and see what happens. However, I would not make the assumption that you will definitely leave – this will stand in the way of your making meaningful friendships, developing relationships with professors, and getting involved on campus. Then if your transfer doesn’t work out as planned you will be really stuck.
You also may want to try to take a class or two at other Claremont schools next semester (ex. a science class at Harvey Mudd may be a good option) and see if mixing things up that way might change your expereince.
Give it a chance. It’s a terrific college among five.
If in February you haven’t clicked with the students and professors yet, prepare transfer applications.
Keep your grades up and participate in extra curricular - your application needs to be competitive.
If you want an atmosphere closer to your competitive stem high school, take classes at Harvey Mudd. You have all the Claremonts to modulate rigor.
There are 5,000 students around you to meet different people.
Being motivated and competitive is on you - just because students are laid back doesn’t mean they don’t work hard, it’s up to you to find intrinsic motivation (which will be essential if you want to make it to med school).
And if you find teaching lacking at a top LAC I’m afraid you wouldn’t like teaching at large flagships, especially in the first two years.
Scripps may not be for you and Uiuc can be a perfectly fine choice, but none of the points you make about Scripps indicate UIUC would be a better fit. I agree URochester might be better but giving a chance to Scripps first may be better.
If you are convinced that med school is in your future, then you are looking at a good many years in a large university with a competitive and possibly cutthroat environment. If you are able to keep up a top GPA at Scripps, then maybe you could pour your excess energy into securing great research and volunteer positions. Starting over next year will take some energy and you will be a year behind in getting to know faculty who will write you great recommendations.
So if you absolutely cannot stand the LAC environment, the wiser transfer might be to a good university that would save you money and where you could shine more brightly as a student and researcher than you would at a large but uber-prestigious school.