<p>I am a first year considering transferring out of smith. I don't know how many current students still read the forum, but I was wondering if there are others out there that also wants to transfer. I feel as though I am the only one that doesn't fit in this school..</p>
<p>I think I read somewhere that Smith has a 91% first year retention rate so there's about 49 or so others in your boat. Of course, it doesn't matter if everyone else is happy if you aren't happy.</p>
<p>I noticed that you're transfering because of Smith's biochemistry department. What didn't you like about it? I'm curious because niochem is something I'm interested in.</p>
<p>My roommate transferred at the end of our first year, for a complicated variety of reasons, and I know others who have, so it's not entirely uncommon. It can be tricky though, my roomie went to BC and isn't getting on much better there, so she's considering transferring back. </p>
<p>I don't know if this helps at all, but just one piece of advice to share. This girl I know, she's a junior, she's what I describe as "Miss Smith", seriously, on every board, in every club, gov major, good connections, going far, works in admissions, etc. She told me this year that she was miserable her first year and wanted badly to transfer, but her brother encouraged her to stick it out, and now she seems so tailor made for Smith, I can hardly beleive it. </p>
<p>Basically, if it's your first year, and nearing crunch time in first semester, it's not that uncommon to be seriously thinking about transfering. But you might want to wait a little while and see how you feel. I was grossly homesick and overwhelmed my first year, but second year is awesome. Smith isn't for everyone, but it is also a huge adjustment for anyone, so I'm sure you aren't the only first year who's like "Where am I and Why in hell did I come here?". Talk to some other first years and see. Or even talk to upperclasswomen and see how many of them had similar urges. </p>
<p>Either way, you've got to make the best call for you. I wish you luck.</p>
<p>Some students have done well by transferring from Smith and are much happier in their new environment.</p>
<p>Others were unhappy at Smith, transferred, and found that they brought the source of their unhappiness with them. </p>
<p>I think it's important that you be able to scrutinize your situation closely and honestly as part of the decision-making process.</p>
<p>I know you're getting more parents than students to respond, but . . . </p>
<p>All the advice here has been good. Smith isn't for everyone. The transfer rate at ALL colleges is much higher than it used to be, so you have company across the nation: students who believed they had chosen the right college - and then hated it.</p>
<p>I teach at another university. Two of my first year students (and maybe more) are applying to transfer, both for academic reasons. One has decided that she wants to study a subject that isn't offered at the university, and one is struggling academically AND didn't make the sports team he had expected to join.</p>
<p>If you want to transfer for academic reasons, then don't hesitate. The less tangible reasons are tougher. As SmithieandProud said, it's not uncommon for students to struggle to adjust to their new life. Is it because you expected Smith, and college in general, to be something it wasn't? (One of my d's friends discovered this at another, similar school.) Instead of really hating Smith, are you homesick, and that would be the same everywhere? Or do you find that you cannot relate to any of the women you've met? Is it the all-women environment? You need to identify exactly what it is about Smith that you dislike. </p>
<p>There is a poster on CC called Ticklemepink who transferred from Smith to Colgate because she didn't like the strenght of her department, among other things. She is now happy at Colgate, although I detect some residual Smithie pride. :-) Maybe she will chime in to give you a sense that you are not alone in your initial unhappiness.</p>
<p>I'm a first year planning on transferring out of smith as well. There are many aspects of Smith that I like but I think I would fit in at a school with a more mainstream student body. I didn't seriously consider what the social life would be like at an all women's school. That is something that prospective students should think about very carefully.</p>
<p>what is it about the social life that you find so difficult? obviously, you knew that it was all women, so there must have been something unanticipated...</p>
<p>Thanks for all the supportive comments! The truth is, smith is a really good school, but it really just isn't what I expected a college life to be. Originally, smith was not my first choice, I didn't want to come to an all-women's college, granted it has its adventages over co-ed colleges. However, here at smith, I feel as though I am not experiencing life with the opposite sex,( I am not boy crazy, I have a bf from home)I just think that Smith isn't giving me a full college experience, and I think not having males around has part to do with it. </p>
<p>I applied to smith, because my guidance went there, and I got the high school's book award from Smith. I thought I had a good shot, but I guess I was inmature and didn't really think that I wouldn't like it here. I originally applied to nine schools, and got into 7 of them. However, the other decent schools didn't give me enough aid to attend. My final decisions were down to UNH, UCONN and Smith, all three of which gave me almost full aid (and I am truely grateful for it). So,, I kept thinking I am only here by default. A lot of times, I feel really trapped and isolated in Northampton, it just feels too much like high school for me. Overall, my experience is somewhat like that of Sara306's.</p>
<p>I wanted to be in the city,somewhere around boston, because it is closer to my home in manchester, NH. It is actually only two and half hours of driving, but my family can't afford another car for me to use, and taking the bus takes me at least 60 bucks round trip and roughly 5 hours of being on the bus each way. My parents do not speak english, and my mom needs to go to the doctors every week, it would be nice if I were closer, so I can go back easier to take care of her.</p>
<p>Academically, smith is really good. I like most of my professors, except for my calculus professor. But the biochemistry department at smith is really small. I feel like a bigger research university would fit me better,because I can take adventage of the grad student's facilities.</p>
<p>I am still fairly confuse about staying or going. I guess there is a part of me that came into smith with the mindset of transferring, which I know is bad! I am involved with clubs and I do socialize here at Smith, but I just don't feel I was meant to be here.</p>
<p>Firstyr, you don't have to decide now. Submit your transfer applications, and then decide when you know your options whether you want to leave.</p>
<p>Well, since I was called out of retirement by RLT, I'll provide my two cents. ;)
Sara306 was instrumental, as was another student who shall remain nameless ;), in my D's decision to attend Smith. Truly I was not aware of the fact that Sara thought of leaving Smith; because if that is true, you sure would never know it now! She sings Smith's praises inside and out, so I guess it worked out well for her. Some first year students have similar feelings because of the "coed" issue, and others just don't give themselves enough time to become comfortable in their new surroundings. My dad always said "the grass isn't always greener"...and you know the rest. My suggestion is to stick it out, and talk to students who have had similar feelings their first year, and then grew to love the place. I'm sure you won't have to look far; just ask around in your house. Give it time. If, towards the end of this first year, you still feel as strongly as you do now; then by all means, look into transferring. An all-women's college is not for everyone, and attending just because they gave you good financial aid doesn't cut it as a reason to attend anywhere. I can say however, without hesitation, that Smith is a great school, and their sciences are very strong. I wish you the best in your hard decision, and I'm sure that we Smithie parents would make ourselves available to you when needed. BTW, have you spoken to your own parents about this? What is their take?</p>
<p>"Overall, my experience is somewhat like that of Sara306's."</p>
<p>Sara wanted to transfer more for personal reasons, not academic. The location wasn't an issue either.
Sara gave Smith a chance, never transferred, and now loves the college.</p>
<p>She’s had a hand—or if you knew her, you might say mouth, he says affectionately - in recruiting others to Smith. :)
BJM8 might have something to say.</p>
<p>Firstyr-I know for a fact there are numerous students from the Manchester/Bedford area attending Smith, Holyoke and UMass who will give you a ride. Please don't spend another $60 until you post on the rideshare board to see if you can join another student when s/he drives home.</p>
<p>My daughter has labs but takes classes at Amherst College. It can be done.</p>
<p>I agree with MWFN, apply to Tufts, etc., see what happens, and how much aid you’re offered, if accepted.</p>
<p>Good luck...I know things will work out for you.;)</p>
<p>Firstyr, it sounds to me like those are all good reasons for transferring, especially being near your mom. Family comes first, after all. If you think you'd be happier at a research university (and for biochemistry, I really think research u's are the way to go), then it sounds like your a good candidate for transfer. Also, If you decide you don't like it, it's not that hard to transfer back into Smith either. Good luck.</p>
<p>"Sara306 was instrumental, as was another student who shall remain nameless "</p>
<p>I'm pretty sure that the girl who convinced my daughter to apply to Smith was Sara's roommate. :-)</p>
<p>Now isn't that interesting???? Anyway, firstyr, I apologize for not reading your entire post before responding. If your mom is ill, I certainly understand your situation and desire to be closer to family. That's admirable, and very loving. Something in my gut tells me that that is more of your reason for looking elsewhere, and if so, go for it.</p>
<p>Hi helpful parents and others! so I have finally made the decision to move on and go through with my transfer applications. However, I am a little concern as to the schools I am applying to. As I posted before, I really want to go to Tufts, because of its reputation and location, but I have recently been told that Tufts student body is very.."homogenous". I heard that the students there are mostly, middle class, white students, and that they don't care about their education, they are not interesting and their professors don't want to teach. That person also told me it is not worth 46K a year. </p>
<p>so,, I am a little concern about the student body, I don't want to get there and hate it! I am also considerring brandeis, northeastern for the pharmacy program, boston college...any other suggestions?</p>
<p>(I didn't mean to offend anyone when I say tufts student is mostly middle class, white people, I just want a college that has diversity..) :)</p>
<p>I don't know what the latest stats for Tufts are, but a few years ago, it reported a little more than half Caucasian. That means that the other half has to come from somewhere. </p>
<p>If you want to share, you can tell us what your projected Smith grades are since they, to a large extent, will determine where you are accepted.</p>
<p>Firstyr, considering Tufts was your 1st choice and you already applied while in h/s, didn't you already research the college and visit or do an overnight to obtain a feel for the campus, students and professors?</p>
<p>I know you’re confused and scared, but don’t assume one negative opinion from one kid represents the Tufts. It doesn’t. If students started to believe every negative post from students on CC, no one would apply anywhere. Hmm, now there’s a way to lower the number of apps when it’s time for my second kid apply. I like it. :)</p>
<p><1% American Indian/Alaskan Native
14% Asian/Pacific Islander
7% Black/Non-Hispanic
6% Hispanic
58% White/Non-Hispanic
6% Non-Resident Alien
9% Race/ethnicity unreported </p>
<p>btw- When you apply to transfer, Tufts will look at your h/s record and SATs again</p>
<p>Firstyr: I am a Tufts senior and I can tell you that while, yes, the majority of the students here are white, so are most campuses except for, say, Spelman and the like. Unfortunately, higher education has not yet evened out to represent the actual US population, so whites are overrepresented nearly everywhere. </p>
<p>I don't know who you talked to (oh, let me guess, was it the always-negative Rightbackatyou), but the idea that Tufts students don't care about their education and that their professors don't care enough to teach, is absolutely ridiculous. Honestly, I can't think of a school that description would apply to, except, MAYBE the worst community college in the country. </p>
<p>I have been here for three and a half years now, and I have very close relationships with at least four professors who I know will continue to mentor me and be my friends after I graduate come May. I have taken incredible courses which have stretched my intellectual thinking: thanks to both professors teaching the classes and the insightful discussion with other students in the class. Tufts students are motivated, and for the most part, overachievers. (So are most students at top schools.) Tufts is also known for attracting students who are particularly interested in community service, and that shows: the largest student group on-campus is the Leonard Carmichael Society, which is an umbrella organization for all the community service groups at Tufts. Additionally, Tufts' tagline for some time now has been 'Active Citizenship', embodied by not only the things students do but also by the existence of the Tisch College of Citizenship & Public Service, one of only about 10 colleges of its kind in the world.</p>
<p>My social experiences at Tufts have been incredible, and, yes, diverse. Myself, I am from Brazil. I am dating an Italo-German and my best friends are from Minnesota, Japan, Connecticut, and Mexico. Just in my closest group of friends: 2 are here on full-tuition, 1 is gay, 1 is Hispanic, and 1 is Asian. </p>
<p>Sure, there are people who cluster together, but that's their right to do so -- and it's also their loss. If you want diversity, you'll find it here. If you're not looking, then you won't. However, since diversity seems to be at the top of your list, it doesn't seem like that problem will affect you. If Tufts seems to be your number-one choice, don't let a negative person twist everything around for you. For every person like him/her, there are about 100 people who love it here. If that weren't so, Tufts wouldn't have placed in the top 10 (as #7) of Happiest Students in the Princeton Review this year. Source: <a href="http://www.princetonreview.com/college/research/rankings/rankingDetails.asp?categoryID=6&topicID=43%5B/url%5D">http://www.princetonreview.com/college/research/rankings/rankingDetails.asp?categoryID=6&topicID=43</a></p>
<p>And regarding whether or not a Tufts education is worth $46K a year... well, I certainly think it's overpriced, but, unfortunately so is every other private university education in this country -- it's not just Tufts. It's all the Ivies, all the liberal arts colleges, Stanford, etc. Whether you and your parents want to make that financial investment (note I said "investment" not "sacrifice"!) or not, is another question entirely.</p>
<p>Edit: When I said 2 of my friends are "here on full-tuition", I meant 2 of them are on full-scholarship, because of their extreme financial needs.</p>