Transferring: Information About Colleges of Interest

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Virginia
1

Hello Everyone!

I am currently in the process of researching a number of different schools with the intent to apply as a transfer student, and I would appreciate any insight into the schools listed below in terms of the strength of the departments I am interested in pursuing, how they compare to one another (which is, perhaps, a bit of a silly question in that they are all somewhat similar in terms of academic quality), and graduate school placement is also of interest.

Currently, I am a student at Marlboro College, intending to study some amalgam of the humanities and social sciences (likely some combination of Anthropology and Sociology and History). If I recall correctly, my GPA is currently somewhere in the 3.9 area; I’ve become involved in a few different clubs on campus, and I will be working with one of my professors on a project this coming semester. The size and focus of class, the interdisciplinary environment of the departments, the access and relationship with professors, and the process of the Plan of Concentration were all factors in my matriculating. However, though I have formed wonderful relationships with a few professors, I am not quite satisfied with the school. Academic rigor is a primary motivation for looking elsewhere, as I felt classes were too easy. In addition, due to ever-decreasing rates of enrollment, the new president instituted a program that will give a new student from each state a full scholarship should they choose to attend. My fear, of course, is that this program, given Marlboro’s small endowment, will impact my financial aid such that I will not be able to afford to continue my studies.

The schools I am interested in applying to, in no particular order, are as follows: Reed College, Swarthmore College, Wesleyan University, College of William and Mary, Bates College, Oberlin College, Carleton College, University of Virginia, and the University of Michigan.

If I had to choose favorites, I would say Reed and Swarthmore are probably most appealing to me. That being said, there are programs of study at some of the others that are particularly appealing to me-the Classical and Medieval Studies programs at Bates and the College of Social Studies at Wesleyan, for example.

Any information or insight is greatly appreciated.

Cheers!

2

If you are not an American student, you may not be eligible for need-based financial aid from some of those colleges, including UVa. U Michigan does not give out large amounts of need-based aid to American students from other states. UVa has very little merit-based aid.

My impression is that UVa saves a large number of their transfer spots for Va. residents, including students who do well in Va. community colleges.

There are some very selective liberal arts colleges that accept few transfer students, because their freshman students tend to stay all four years.

Swarthmore has a huge endowment per student, because it has few students. It is in a quiet pleasant town in the suburbs. It has a reputation of having very very serious students, including many interested in academic careers.

3

I am assuming you are not a Va. resident.

Also, many of the colleges that emphasize merit based aid do not typically offer much merit aid to incoming transfer students.

It is very rare for an undergrad college to reduce aid to an existing student, if your situation remains the same and if you continue to meet the requirements for the aid. (That situation is very different for law schools).

You might consider asking to take upper level classes as a freshman or sophomore if you want more challenging work. Your college may also offer some independent study options, or you could do a semester overseas if you need a different perspective.

In any case, UVa has excellent programs in history and the humanities. Other people may be able to comment on UVa’s anthropology program.

4

I am an anthro major at UVA and can answer questions you have about the department. The short summary is that it’s small, personal, limited undergraduate research opportunities, teaching quality is hit-and-miss and course offerings are extensive in some areas/subfields and minimal in others I like it overall.

Also, the schools you have listed cover a wide range. Reed or Swarthmore would provide a very different experience for you than UVA or Michigan. Most of the schools you have listed are smaller and liberal artsy, but then you have some big public schools, so I would try to focus on what you want out of a school so that you can narrow your list. Think about your goals and the experience you desire.