I am a freshman who is looking to transfer out of Johns Hopkins. I wouldn’t really call myself a real freshman though as I took a leave of absence last year because of mental health reasons, I’m kind of my own thing in between a freshman and a sophomore. Anyway, I’ve realized that I don’t really like being at Hopkins. I feel very uncomfortable there and I feel like an outsider. There is no real community and not many organized fun activities for students. Too many students spend most of their time on academics because the academics are quite tough, but I don’t really have any problem with the academic part of school. I’ve always felt like an outsider or an outcast no matter where I’ve been and I figured it would change once I got back from my leave of absence, but it has not changed at all. The bad memories that I have from being at school last year when it was pretty much hell still haunt me and really prevent me from making progress in the social areas. I think I need a real and true fresh start at a place where no one knows me and I have no ideas about the place. I would also like a smaller school. I don’t really have any specific schools that I’d like to transfer to, but I know that I’m looking for a liberal arts college with friendly people, a close-knit community, and strong academics. Please give me any opinions about what I should do or any ideas of schools that fit my criteria. I will not be transferring until the next school year as I’m going to give Hopkins one more try next semester using some plans to make my social experience better, but I don’t have much hope about them. Thank you all for your future input.
Did you receive counselling/treatment for your mental health issues last year?
it sounds like you are trying to run away from your issues. You may find similar but different issues at a new college. Talk to your therapist about this. If you have not seen one yet, do it now.
I did receive a lot of help, I did an intensive outpatient program. That helped me a lot. I love my therapist from home. The help I have received here at school does not help overly much and no one really even tries to understand or be compassionate about what I’ve been through. They don’t understand how hard it has really been for me for my entire life and how hard it was for me to come back to school. I just feel like I need a really fresh start, I don’t think I’ll ever get over the memories and problems I have experienced the short time altogether i’ve been here.
Have you talked to your therapist about you transfer plans? He/she may be the best to recommend a school or type of school for you.
I was going to talk to my psychologist at school about it as well as my academic advisor. My advisor knows me very well and I’m sure he could help. I emailed him earlier and I hope he responds to it tomorrow when the work/school week starts again.
Is Hopkins close to home for you or would you rather be closer to home - don’t answer here, just think about it. That can govern your choices in a new school.
If your psychologist at home is more helpful to you, perhaps you can set up phone or Skype sessions till you get home.
What is your major? What is your financial situation? Did you visit other types of colleges – small liberal arts colleges or state universities before applying to schools?
Without knowing your major I can’t recommend a school which has the sense of community you are talking about AND is simultaneously good for your major.
Going just by the sense of community though, I highly recommend Texas A&M University. Great University with a reputation for its Aggie Spirit!
I would like to transfer to a college with a more close-knit community with friendly students that tend to be more extroverted and self-confident. Please give me some ideas of colleges that would fit my criteria. Any advice is greatly appreciated.
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I am curious to know what specific items you don’t like at JHU? How is their counseling facility? If you are aiming for top colleges - try Brown, Tuft etc. They are very collaborative
@intparent I did look at some liberal arts colleges, I think that those would be the best environment for what I want and need. @Andy786 I did look at both of those schools. I don’t really like Hopkins because it’s not very student centered and there is no community. Like the school doesn’t try to make the students have a good experience regarding anything, whether it’s academics or its social stuff. I also have the unique situation of having taken a leave of absence last year and I have a lot of bad memories about Hopkins and I’d like to just completely start all over because I just can’t get past those memories.
You said you want a school with friendly, extroverted, confident kids.
Does that describe you?
@ClarinetDad16 No I am the opposite of that but I think that would help me a lot with overcoming my anxiety and social anxiety and helping me to come out of my shell and be who I really am. I could be doing much better academically but I don’t really do anything but that because I don’t really like the culture and community at school. i feel as if I would be doing much better academically if there was a better community and social scene and more friendly people.
All I know is that I think a liberal arts college would be the best situation for me- I know that most have very good communities and have friendly people along with the fact that I don’t really know what I want to do as a major/career.
How about Haverford? It is small, but very community oriented. And Bryn Mawr and Swarthmore are right nearby, giving a larger social group than Haverford’s small size would indicate.
@intparent I was really thinking about Haverford as a place to go but I’m not really sure if I’ll have good enough grades from Hopkins to be able to transfer there. And I like Haverford too because it is close to home- it’s only about 40 or 45 minutes away from home
Dickinson is another choice that might work for you, and is probably easier to transfer to than Haverford. What is your Hopkins GPA?
I would discuss your game plan with your advisors / counselors. They can discuss being the best you that you can be. I am not sure if that means becoming who you are not.
You might be equally as frustrated being around opposites.
@intparent I don’t really know what my GPA is because we have covered grades, but I think it’ll be between a 2.5 and a 3.0, it could be over but I’m not really sure if my final grades will be that great.
“I would like to transfer to a college with a more close-knit community with friendly students that tend to be more extroverted and self-confident. Please give me some ideas of colleges that would fit my criteria. Any advice is greatly appreciated.”
I transferred twice- once in high school and once in college. Now I’m a mom of a high school senior, so I’ve had a lot of years to process my choices. Here are a few things to consider. Don’t answer here as some are very personal, but think about these things:
- How much research did you do before entering Hopkins? Did you go there for the name or did you really feel it was a great fit for you? If you thought it was a great fit, why do you think you were wrong about that? What have you learned that you think will make your next choice a better one?
- Are you trying to escape certain people at Hopkins? That's not necessarily a bad thing, but you should be able to admit that to yourself. If you are Hopkins gifted, you don't want to leave the academic rigor and go somewhere that won't challenge you. Try looking for other schools that will give you a similar academic experience along with the social aspect you desire.
- What is your professional and personal goal? Will transferring get you there or set you back? Are there are activities/ programs that you can involve yourself in this semester where you can meet people and connect?
- Be aware of how you are classifying your classmates. Are they all really aloof, introverted and shy? Do you see any people on campus that meet your criteria of people you would like to connect with? If so, what activities are they doing? Have you connected with people who share your faith, if you have one? If you have veered away from your faith, could that be what you are missing?
- Being in your shoes 23 years ago, here is the one piece of advice I wish someone had told me: Live in truth, not in fantasy. Don't assume that college kids on other campuses are living these glamorous, happy lives while you are miserable. And most importantly, understand that it is VERY difficult to make inroads socially as a transfer student. Most students your age will have made memories and bonds in the years you have been at Hopkins. Those schools with close knit communities may not be as accepting of an outsider as you hope they will be. Integrating is not impossible, but it will most likely be difficult, presenting you with another challenge. Please be mentally prepared for that. I wish you all the best.