<p>A lot of the people in this forum want to transfer to Ivy League or other top schools. I'm currently dealing with the decision of whether or not to stay at a particular Ivy League school, but the reputation and hype that surrounds the Ivies makes this a very difficult decision. Has anyone else gone through this? Has anyone had a positive experience transferring from an Ivy League School, either to another Ivy or to a lesser-known school? Thanks!</p>
<p>I am currently a bioengineering student at Rice and am very seriously considering transferring to UMD. My reasons for transferring don't really have anything to do with academics (I have a good 4.0 gpa) but more with the social scene and intense/unhealthy atmosphere I find at such a competetive school. I find that I have no time to pursue interesting extra-curricular activities because I'm always studying- and I wouldn't mind being a bit closer to home/friends as well.</p>
<p>Why are you considering transferring? It's funny- my entire family thinks I would be making a horrible decision if I did transfer, but I think I would be happier in general (and who can argue against that?) What kind of school are you looking to transfer to and how do your parents feel about it?</p>
<p>Hope all goes well!</p>
<p>Rachel</p>
<p>I am considering a transfer for very similar reasons - while I am doing well academically, I do not mesh well with the overall social scene and I find the intense, competetive atmosphere (both socially and academically) very unhealthy. If I decide to transfer, I will probably take at least a semester off to sort things out - I have thought about looking at a couple of other Ivies, but I'm worried that I would end up with an equally unsatisfying and unhappy experience. I have thought about transferring to the state school close to home where I'd already have lots of friends - but my parents think that this would be a huge step backwards, and I have to admit that I am personally worried that if I left my prestigious school, I'd be spending my future years trying to compete with people from my current school and others similar to it. </p>
<p>Anyone else in the same situation? Thanks!</p>
<p>if you don't mind, which ivy are you at?</p>
<p>heh, I'm doing the same thing. I'm bored with Dartmouth. Yay for transferring.</p>
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<p>Did you ever get the feeling that what you were expecting didn't happen? I have the same problem. I thought going to an Ivy would be the best thing ever, but it's not what people make it out to be. Although my parents are both doctors, there is no comparison to kids here who have planes and helicopters named after them. It's crazy. haha, but I think the toughest thing about an Ivy is getting in. Academically, it's not too bad is it? But yeah, it was -17 today. I hate this weather!!!</p>
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<p>What school do you want to transfer to? Yeah, I visited Dartmouth...way too freaking cold for ME...</p>
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<p>Duke is the only one I'm applying to. It was my number 1 last year. Do you think many people transfer there from Ivies?</p>
<p>I transfered from an Ivy League engineering program to state school engineering program that is nowhere near as sophisticated. So far, it has been better for me. The different atmosphere allowed me to buckle down and raise my GPA from 2.0 to 3.5. I've also gotten internships and research scholarships. My academic performance at the Ivy was not good enough to get good rewards. Where it might hurt me is when I apply to companies that routinely hire from the top tier schools. I fear I may not be able to compete with a MIT engineering grad with the same GPA.</p>
<p>I'm facing the same situation. Looking to get away from the Ivy League. It's way too intense and I would be so much happier closer to home. I am a tad bit worried about future job prospects, but honestly I think I will be so much happier at another school that it's worth it. I'm wondering how the schools I want to transfer to will view me; will they be hesitant to accept me since I supposedly have all the resources I could possibly need at my current school?</p>
<p>I'm also planning to transfer from an Ivy- Wharton at Penn. People are too obsessed with the label of "Ivy League"-- of course it offers recognition for employers and an extensive alumni network, but those shouldn't be deciding factors in choosing a school. I'm looking for a place where I can be happier... I know a lot of people that are happy here, but I also know many who are here for the wrong reasons. My advice for those looking to transfer to an Ivy, or anywhere-- think about your own happiness first and foremost.</p>
<p>CUlater21,
The school I transfered too wasn't hesitant at all about accepting me. I had a C average in an Ivy engineering program and the engineering affiliation requirements at the transfer school were not as strict. At the Ivy you needed to pass more higher level courses before being accepted into the major. My current school affiliates students much earlier, so I was immediately affiliated in the state school program while I was not eligible to affiliate at the Ivy.<br>
I'm not really happier where I am now. I don't feel as "connected" with school as I used to. At the Ivy everyone lived on or near the campus. At my current school most students are commuters and I live 20 miles from campus. But the basic education is better. The Ivy profs were heavy into research and not teaching, while the state school profs main goal is to teach. The smaller classroom and personal relationships with the profs help out a lot. I always felt I had what it took to be successful in engineering but I needed to be in particular environment to learn it. My problem sets may not be as complicated as those at MIT but knowing the fundamentals of engineering is most important. That knowledge will carry you a long way because all complex problems can be broken down into fundamentals.</p>