<p>Hello,</p>
<p>I am currently a first-semester Junior student majoring in Political Economy and Development Economics (essentially an IR/Economics double major). Until recently I was enrolled at a small liberal arts college. Due to unexpected circumstances (both financial- and health-related) I was unable to return to school for the spring 2011 semester. I am now in the process of transferring to another school but, given that I have not researched any colleges since I was applying in 2008, I feel overwhelmed and afraid that I may be unable to transfer anywhere in time for the fall 2011 semester.</p>
<p>For this reason, I am looking for assistance and suggestions regarding potential colleges, helpful resources, and any other relevant guidance in hopes that I will be able to return to my studies in the fall 2011 semester.</p>
<p>Given that I am accustomed to the liberal arts teaching philosophy and atmosphere, I would prefer to find a liberal arts college that is currently accepting transfers and, ideally, one that is generous in terms of financial aid. Other than those criteria, I am not particularly picky. However, the following schools have caught my attention:</p>
<p>Marlboro College (VT)
Lawrence University (WI)
Warren Wilson College (NC)
St. John's College (MD)</p>
<p>I will be extremely grateful if anyone will offer any school, website, or resource suggestions.</p>
<p>Based on what I have seen from threads similar to this, I assume that a brief profile will assist in any suggestions. Please let me know if I need to provide additional information.</p>
<p>Gender: Male
Ethnicity: White/Vietnamese
Location: San Diego, CA
College GPA (Overall): 3.48
Major GPA: 3.88
HS GPA: 4.34
SAT: 2170 (680 Math, 700 CR, 790 Writing)</p>
<p>Thank you so much for your help and your time.</p>
<p>St. John’s has a unique curriculum that would not, I think, offer what you have been studying.</p>
<p>If you go to the main page for the forums, and then scroll down, you can find the Transfers Forum. Read through the thread at the top titled “Transfer Admissions 101”. That will help you get started.</p>
<p>Seeing both St. John’s and Marlboro on your list makes me think you should put [Shimer</a> College in Chicago<a href=“my%20alma%20mater”>/url</a> on your list of schools to consider. Shimer offers an experience that blends many of the attributes of experimental self-governing schools like Marlboro with the rigorous Great Books curriculum of St. John’s. In fact, I’ve known a number of people who came to Shimer after weighing it against Marlboro, St. John’s, or occasionally both… and given that those schools are only a bit larger and less obscure than Shimer itself, that’s saying something. </p>
<p>A few things about Shimer that might be especially relevant to your situation: </p>
<ol>
<li>Transfer credit. Shimer has a [url=<a href=“http://www.shimer.edu/academicprograms/curriculum/]rigorous”>http://www.shimer.edu/academicprograms/curriculum/]rigorous</a> core curriculum](<a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shimer_College]Shimer”>Shimer Great Books School - Wikipedia) similar to the one at St. John’s, but electives also play a significant role and transfer credit is accepted for these. As a result, most students arriving with significant transfer credit graduate in 3 years.<br></li>
</ol>
<p>It is technically possible to complete the core curriculum in 2 years, by taking summer and [weekend</a> college courses](<a href=“http://www.shimer.edu/academicprograms/undergraduate/weekendprogram.cfm]weekend”>http://www.shimer.edu/academicprograms/undergraduate/weekendprogram.cfm). (You wouldn’t get a whole lot of sleep, though; the only students I’ve known who did this were extremely smart and in a financial situation that allowed no other options.)</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Tuition. Shimer offers considerably lower up-front tuition than most comparable schools (including Marlboro and St. John’s). Here’s the [tuition</a> schedule for the current academic year in PDF format](<a href=“http://www.shimer.edu/admissions/upload/Tuition-and-Fees-Schedule-FINAL-2010-2011.pdf]tuition”>http://www.shimer.edu/admissions/upload/Tuition-and-Fees-Schedule-FINAL-2010-2011.pdf). There is also financial aid.</p></li>
<li><p>Deadlines. Shimer has no firm application deadlines; applications are considered on a rolling basis. As a rule, you will have no difficulty being considered for fall admission as long as your application is in by early summer.</p></li>
</ol>