Transferring out of Cornell

Transfer Students
1

hey all,

This past semester was to be my fifth at Cornell but I initiated a personal leave of absence in October due to worsening depression. In my time off I’ve decided to try to transfer to another school before I return to my studies of mathematics, computer science and philosophy. I have been consistently depressed and miserable over my two+ years here and am desperate for a fresh start.

I was in the college of engineering for my first two years before completing an internal transfer to Arts & Sciences to major in mathematics with a computer science concentration.My gpa is a very less than stellar 3.16. My performances in both fall semesters were destroyed during finals due to two horrible depressive episodes. Other than gen engineering chemistry, which I hated and caused me to lose my interest in pursuing an engineering major, I performed better in my two spring semesters, to what I imagine is an A- average. I’m applying to Swarthmore, Pomona, Amherst, Williams// Columbia, Brown, UChicago UPenn, Northwestern///Wesleyan, Haveford, each as a pure mathematics major with a likely CS minor/concentration/what have you. I was curious to know if I have a shot at making any of my top 4 choices. I’m applying to Columbia, Brown, UC, UPenn and Northwestern out of the extreme outside chance that I win a lottery, though I would prefer to attend a small school.

I’m worried that my less than competitive gpa and current break from university will preclude any admissions.
FWIW: 2280 old sat (800 m, 760 cr), stellar high school grades and 5 on all AP exams. My ecs in college have mostly been political activism, chess, music and my library job - nothing much and unfortunately no research. One of my biggest gripes with Cornell is the difficulty for math undergraduates to conduct research with faculty. There is a slew of more talented graduate students to compete with and our own professors dissuade us from applying to Cornell’s SPUR.

I don’t know. I’ve never been much of a happy person but I enjoyed high school significantly more than my two years at Cornell, which I would have never imagined to be the case. It’s probably just me. I just really wish I applied to Swarthmore 3 years sooner. My lower middle class background, antisocial tendencies; I’m sometimes very outgoing but usually am subdued by neurosis and sadness, graduate school ambitions, fear of my future mental health at Cornell and desire to be in a small, undergraduate focused college (ideally with an Oxbridge housing system) all have made me feel like I made the wrong choice in enrolling since I first set foot on campus.

Thank you for any brutal honesty/ encouraging words.

my favorite author is Simone Weil, favorite color is orange and favorite digit is 9. Yours?

2

Have you sought counselling/ If not do so. Chances are that your depression will follow you to any college you transfer to.

3

You talk mostly about your bad grades and dislike of engineering, which makes me suspect transferring isn’t going to fix your issues. Transferring shouldn’t really be your first option.

4

First, I would encourage you to find a counselor ASAP if you haven’t already. I share many of the same issues and counseling has been godsend for me. Taking care or your mental health should be your first priority and I don’t know that leaving Cornell is going to magically make that better. I know from my own experience with depression that it can seem hopeless and you’ll never feel right again, but I also know that excellent counseling (sometimes combined with medication) can help you feel better.
Also, I think you need to look at schools that would be a little less competitive to get into. I’m not saying that you won’t get into in any of the schools you listed - I have no idea what it’s like to apply as a transfer student - but none of them would be easy to get into for anyone. I agree that going to a smaller school would be good for you.
Good luck!

5

Some of the schools you listed take very few transfer students. Some have environments that may not be better for you, or even that different. If you want to transfer now, my guess is you need to find schools that will be easier admits, and schools where you can tell a compelling story about why they are your answer .

Suggest focus instead (or in addition) on getting appropriate counseling/treatment. If you really tackle the issues underlying your performance gaffs, and other issues, now, you may be able to materially improve the quality of the rest of your life. During this process you can consider what college environment would be best for you going forward.

Maybe while you are doing that you can take some courses at a local (easier) college to get your gpa up.

After you do all that, you will be a more compelling transfer candidate, and also you will do better, and have a better experience, if you stay.