<p>I am currently attending Syracuse University, but as anyone can see from my previous posts, Mount Holyoke College is my dream school. When I applied as a freshman, I was waitlisted, then denied admission when they closed the waitlist.</p>
<p>Even though I have made a pro / con list for both schools, would transferring be a good option? I am a Classics / Linguistics (or Journalism at Syracuse) major, by the way.</p>
<p>Syracuse University (pro):
- I was accepted. Not waitlisted.
- There are lots of things to do, both inside and outside of school.
- I like my friends / classes / professors.
- The school spirit is beyond amazing.
- I am in the College of Arts and Sciences but I am planning to do a dual with the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications if I stay for sophomore year.</p>
<p>Syracuse University (con):
- Ranked 58 according to USNWR in 2010 and ranked 55 in 2011. I know rankings shouldnt matter because it is still an amazing school, but I cant help it!
- Its a big city / big campus / lots of students. Its not how I pictured my college campus.
- There is heavy Greek life.
- Its mostly known for the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, not the College of Arts and Sciences.</p>
<p>Mount Holyoke College (pro):
- Ranked 25 according to USNWR in 2010 and ranked 26 in 2011. I know rankings shouldnt matter because it is still an amazing school, but I cant help it!
- There are a lot of things to do in school.
- Its the oldest of the Seven Sisters.
- I will make lifelong friends = lifetime sisterhood bond!
- The campus is gorgeous.
- Smaller campus / less students. This is exactly how I pictured my college campus.
- No Greek life.</p>
<p>Mount Holyoke College (con):
- I was waitlisted. Not accepted.</p>
<p>I cant even think of anything negative for Mount Holyoke. Probably because I've been continously putting it on a pedestal, even here at Syracuse. I know I shouldnt and I should "move on" or whatever. I just love Mount Holyoke so much.</p>
<p>Okay so I think my choices for transfers are: Mount Holyoke College (applied then waitlisted), Hamilton College (applied then waitlisted), and College of the Holy Cross (regret not applying to).</p>
<p>hmmm i think you should apply if you think it’s a dream school to you.</p>
<p>I am not too sure about the reputation of Mount Holyoke in career. Two things to consider:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Do you actually want to have a sister-college? I am glad that you made friends at Syracuse already. You might not like the sisterhood after being there. Personal-wise I am against going to a gender-specific school.</p></li>
<li><p>If you plan to become a journalist or work in the industry, and not the academia, Syracuse is more helpful. </p></li>
</ol>
<p>I am not quite sure how “No Greek life” plays in the your dilemma. May you elaborate on that, please?</p>
<p>
If you seriously hate the big campus and big classes, then you should transfer. If “hate” is too strong, how do you feel about surrounded by the crowds? </p>
<p>Transfer admission should aim for the sophomore year, and not the junior year. It is too late to transfer to the junior class. Not only some credits are dropped, your experience as a college student at Syracuse will further hinder you from making the decision. </p>
<p>If you want to apply for the transfer admission, please do well in your class and approach to your professors ASAP about writing letters of recommendation for you.</p>
<p>College of the Holy Cross has a strong Classics department. My daughter (so far) is loving it there. She didn’t want frats, wanted a small school where the the students were smart and friendly, lots of attention from professors, etc.
Her sister applied to Mount Holyoke, got in, but went elsewhere. It is a fit for some, but others don’t like it once they go…they transfer rate is 14% I think. Don’t let an idea you have of it become reality. Did you stay overnight or visit at all? For her, she knew the fit wasn’t there.
There is no harm in putting applications out, you might regret not trying but no school is going to be perfect.</p>
<p>@jwxie
I think I would love an all women’s college, honestly. However, my friend did say it was a bit overwhelming at first. She even tried to sway me from applying! But I really do love it.
I am planning on doing academia. I’m only considering journalism because of the “prestige” of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse.
I did not want a campus where Greek life is prevalent. This goes for the big student population and urban surroundings as well. I dont really know how to explain it. Its just not how I pictured my college campus. However, I could just force myself to adapt to it.
So I shouldnt transfer in Spring 2011? That would be my spring term as a freshman. I’m thinking its better to do it earlier? Correct me if I’m wrong. But if I do transfer as a freshman in the spring, how would my professors know me well enough to write good recommendations?</p>
<p>@Debruns
Congratulations to both of your daughters! What are they majoring in, if I may ask?
I know! I regret not applying to Holy Cross now! I didnt apply because I didnt want a school that’s religiously affiliated. But now I do!
I havent stayed at Mount Holyoke overnight, and I hear different things all the time. I’m like 95% I would like it though.</p>
<p>Also, are transfers looked at differently? At Syracuse, there are separate programs and workshops for the transfers. Basically, everyone kind of looks at them like “You havent been at Syracuse for four years!” Really negative.
And if I do transfer, do I have to mention my transferring on my resume or when people ask? Weird question, I know.
And if I’m not accepted by Mount Holyoke / Hamilton / Holy Cross, is there a contract that says Syracuse has to agree to keep me? I think I read something like that, but I dont remember.</p>
I didnt apply because I didnt want a school that’s religiously affiliated. But now I do!