I’m a first year student at Smith and I’m considering transferring. My goals for college have radically changed since I first applied, so I am starting from square one in the college search. I was hoping for some school suggestions so that I can begin preparing transfer applications. I know that the Ivy League isn’t an option, but I’m hoping to transfer to a school that is as well regarded or more highly regarded than Smith.
Here’s a bit of background info/a description of what I am looking for/not looking for in a college:
High school:
ACT: 30-32 range
High school GPA: 4.0+
Extra curriculars: significant
Smith:
Classes: 1 language course (upper division), 2 social science courses, 1 mathematics course, research
Grades: No official transcript, but all high As as of now
Clubs: 1 or 2, nothing noteworthy
Looking for:
Liberal environment, challenging academics, semi-urban, not all-women’s, direct contact with professors, studious but relaxed environment (not staying in on a Friday to do homework), international/globally engaged, larger student body
It would be helpful to know what has changed radically over the last year- to know what it is that you are particularly looking for that is different to what you have.
What you are looking for is actually quite broad and there are at least dozen LACs on a rough par with Smith that could fit that bill.
Collegemom: I don’t want to be too specific, but I haven’t found the community at Smith to be as engaged or globally minded as I had hoped. I’m a very independent person and I don’t feel as if I can truly express myself here. The liberal rhetoric that governs most social and academic interactions is counterproductive and limits discourse. I understand the aim, but it doesn’t seem to be used for social progress, but instead for elevating social standing and silencing anyone who holds a different viewpoint. Additionally, I’m having trouble adjusting to living in a small town. The bus system is unreliable and I feel trapped on campus.
intparent: I’m thinking about double majoring in history and a foreign language.
From your description it’s seems that it’s not so much that your goals have changed but that you have not found the ‘fit’ you were expecting to find at Smith. I am surprised about the bus problems, b/c the consortium buses (last I knew) were pretty regular.
Does Amherst hold any appeal for you? why or why not? Does it appeal more or less than Pomona, Pitzer or Haverford? Macalester is arguably one of the most internationally-focused colleges in the US, and has a campus that is porous with the St Paul- did you look at it the first time around?
I don’t know that there are many LACs that are more highly regarded than Smith, and absolutely no guarantee that you will find your tribe at them either. It sounds like what you need is a bigger school. Transfer back to your state flagship? Some of the smaller research schools like Tufts, Brandeis or Tulane?
I think my goals have changed in the sense that I’m a more mature individual and less worried about finding a support network. When I submitted applications, I was a high achieving, timid high schooler who wanted to find a place where she was comfortable. I supported myself abroad this past summer and was forced to take charge of my life in ways that I hadn’t had to before. The experience changed my outlook and sense of self in ways that I couldn’t have imagined. At Smith, I feel like I’m forced to regress to my previous, frightened self. For example, when students and faculty speak about studying abroad it’s always in the context of safety and support (i.e. being with a tight-knit group of Smithies for the duration of the experience). If I were applying all over again, I would have considered larger schools with more diverse student bodies.
The bus system isn’t terrible, but it takes a good 1.5-2 hours total to get to and from Amherst.
Re other schools: I don’t think I could get into Amherst with my ACT score, and as much as I dislike the social atmosphere at Smith, I don’t think the elitism of Amherst would be much better. Macalester has always been a top choice, but my parents are not supportive of it, believing the academic environment to be less intense than Smith’s. I assume that Pitzer, Pomona, and Haverford are also unlikely to accept me.
You got into Smith. Chances are you could have been admitted at some of those places. If your grades are good this semester, and you think you’d like an Ivy or top 10, well then pop an application off. Don’t make the admissions decision for them by not applying if you really want to.
Seems like you have another constraint to deal with, which is your parents’ limitations on which colleges they are willing to pay for (not necessarily just in terms of what they can afford to contribute). What are these parental limitations?
Smith is definitely amongst the most distinguished LACs out there; its sizable endowment supports its mighty reputation as well. It would be hard to do better in terms of LACs.
You don’t know that. The more college grades you can show as a transfer, the less your scores will matter. Their purpose is to predict freshman grades. When you have actual freshman grades, they mean less. A 30 isn’t exactly the kiss of death at Ivies anyway. If you continue with high As and end up in the 3.8-4.0 range, Ivies are certainly worth trying for if they are otherwise of interest.
I don’t think academics are any better at Smith than Mac, honestly. So you are what – 2 months into your college experience? You might have experienced the culture shock of going from your summer abroad to any college. A move might not make you any happier.
@happy1 , I can afford a private college without merit aid, but I’d have to love the school enough to give up the significant price cut at Smith. Part of me feels that it’s wiser to tough it out for four years, given the money.
Of course that is something you’d have to discuss with your family. If you do decide to stay at Smith you can consider taking a year (or perhaps one semester soph. year and one semester jr. year) abroad or at another US college to break things up a bit.
I feel like you’re looking for basically other top liberal arts colleges that are 1) co-ed 2) suburban/urban-ish.
Several have been listed - Amherst, Haverford, Pomona, Pitzer, I would reinforce the Haverford suggestion, and also suggest Reed, Swartmore, and Occidental. This isn’t a small liberal arts college, but have you considered The College of William and Mary? They are very transfer friendly, a liberal arts university, and you might feel less…in a bubble there.
You’ve constantly just discounted a lot of the ideas by saying that you couldn’t get in. But if you’re transferring, what’s the harm in trying? If you don’t try, you definitely won’t get in. If you think that you have even a wild chance, go ahead. If it works out, great.