Transferring from University of Michigan

I am a current freshman at the University of Michigan, and I absolutely hate it. I came here really open-minded, despite my initial disinterest in the college, but I have sincerely reached my breaking point. When I applied as a senior in high school, I thought I wanted a school that balanced drinking and partying with school, but after being here, I now know that is not what I want. In high school I was a really big partier, and that is why I ultimately settled on Michigan (and I was rejected from my top choice), but now I am completely over the drinking scene-- to the point where I am begging to go home every weekend just to avoid game days. I am looking for colleges that are similar to Michigan academically, but are a lot smaller and where people do not drink as often. My number one choice in high school was Colby College, but I was rejected. I am looking for a school where students are devoted to their studies, but still like to have fun. I just do not want to be somewhere where the drinking culture dominates the school. I would love to transfer as soon as possible, but the only schools I am looking at who offer spring admission are Boston College, Boston University, Colby, and Middlebury. My absolute dream school is Dartmouth, but I did not apply in high school because I just assumed I would not get in. I am really looking for schools like Dartmouth, Middlebury, and Colby where I would fit in. I am not opposed to drinking in any sense, and a few drinks every few weekends seems like the most ideal situation. I just cannot handle the constant epidemic of people at Michigan getting drunk on Wednesday nights. I really need some guidance on where to apply, and what my chances are coming from UM. I am originally from Michigan, and I am looking to go exclusively somewhere on the East Coast. I have exhausted the Midwest, and after living here my entire life, I am in desperate need of a change.

I went to Colby and hated it. It is isolated in the middle of no where and so small people, get sick of each other. I never drank so much in my life to escape the bordem and everyone else is doing the same. At least at a school like Michigan there is a vital town around it. Give a couple more weeks you just got there. Maybe you are homesick. At Colby it is also impossible to get home. The nearest airport is pretty far.

In addition to researching other schools to transfer to I would recommend you really look around at what is available to get involved in at UM that does not revolve around drinking and partying. It is a big, diverse school and there are lots of students there who are not into partying and drinking and who are serious minded and focused on their academics. It will take some initiative on your part but you can find like minded friends.
What are you interested in outside of your academic interests? Are there any extracurricular activities that interest you?
There are all sorts of things to choose from at UM. Things like club or intramural sports, charitable groups, performing arts groups, journalism, etc. There are also groups that stem from particular areas of academics- just as an example I know a young man who got involved in a chemistry frat. I’m from Michigan and I know a lot of kids including my own son and his ex-GF and many of my D’s friends who were not into drinking and partying and had a great experience at UM.
Even if you eventually end up transferring, it is going to take some time. If you try to get involved in some activities that are not centered on drinking and partying you might find by the time that you are ready to transfer that you have found your peer group and are happier with your situation there.
There is a lot of drinking and partying going on at most colleges in the country, many smaller schools have a large drinking culture because they are isolated and there is not a lot else going on. Unless you are really interested in a religious school that bans drinking you may find it hard to get away from. I really think you can find a non drinking culture at UM if you look for it. Also I get that it may be hard to avoid people who are drinking and partying if you are in a dorm but maybe you can look at your housing options for next year that would limit that exposure. Does UM have a substance free dorm or substance free floors? Also possibility of living in an apartment with roommates that also are not big partiers. Good luck!

Give it some time! You’ve only been in school for a month!

I would suggest Oberlin which has a primarily academic environment, with plenty of non-academic activities. There is some drinking and partying but nothing like a game day in Ann Arbor. It has a conservatory, and there are many musical events occurring throughout the year… It is in the midwest, but most of the students are from the coasts. I think only 7% are from Ohio I went there and am also very familiar with Ann Arbor. It is a completely different place with little sports and drinking culture. Not as many students enrolled this fall as they expected, so I am certain that if you contact the admissions office, they might have room for you .If you can get into Michigan you should be able to get in there.

My younger d transferred from Michigan to Brown her junior year. She was not a partier and she was in Honors and had wide ranging interestes but she found that activities in Michigan were really centered or closely aligned with what your major was and hard to make connections to get involved. She did well at Brown although surprisingly not all her Michigan Honors credits transferred and she did need an extra semester to graduate.

Actually it wasn’t my younger d but her friend. Michigan has lots of kids from our high school and most seemed to find their place apart from the strong game day drinking culture and Greek life.

Dartmouth by the way definitely has a party hard culture. Actually most schools that are isolated have a reputation for strong drinking as despite all campus opportunities, anytime you are isolated that is what many students gravitate to.

Dartmouth was the inspiration for Animal House.

Can I ask if you are in Markley? Perhaps swap with someone on North Campus where it us much quieter.