Valid Reasons to Transfer out?

Transfer Students
1

Hello, (sorry in advance for the long post!)

I’ve had a tough few months, coupled with some doubts about my major. While I do love my school (it was my top choice along with my family’s --> it’s a family school), my first year here is not what I wanted it to be. Just wanted some input on whether transferring could be a reasonable choice here.

  1. My current school doesn't have a neuroscience major. I've always wanted to really do a neuroscience study, but coming into my school I thought that the Biomedical Engineering major with my concentration would balance things more for me. Currently I am a Biomedical Engineering major with a concentration in Neuro, but I found out a couple of months ago that I won't really be taking the neuroscience courses that get me excited until the second half of my junior year. Until then, I have to take so many math and physics courses, and those aren't necessarily my strongest classes or my favorite either. I'm looking at other plan of studies for neuroscience majors at other schools, and they seem to be better fit for me.
  2. I had two grandparents pass away within two months of each other (Feb and April). That sort of had an effect on my studies. I miss them very much. My GPA has gone down, and I am really pushing to get it back up again. I am feeling withdrawn from some people and there wasn't the sort of community that I saw as a prospective student here.
  3. That leads into my next - I have met some amazing, supportive people along the way, but I am feeling lost here and not part of anything here as a result. However, I also got accepted into an advanced research program here for this summer, and they have lifted a GPA requirement off of me when I went to them to discuss what's going on. I fear about my future studies however, and how I fit into the crowd here. I am also feeling pressured to talk to a Pre-med advisor or a BS/MS program (I def plan to do the former), but it's just been such a crazy year of ups and downs.
  4. I got involved in a relationship with another guy. It got to the point where I was always around him. Some people thought he was always too 'touchy' or too clingy with people (giving hugs, etc). One night however, he wanted to do more physically, and it left me more confused and scared. He really only wanted to have a relationship with me, and it turned out he wouldn't leave me alone after that night and still would be all touchy, even after I told him that I didn't want to pursue a relationship with him. He would tell me how beautiful I was and how much he loves me. It just made me upset. I have blocked him on all aspects, and I've had luck. It's just a matter of him not seeing me on campus.
  5. The cost is expensive, and there is co-op oppurtunities here. The co-op looks awesome, which is why I went to my current school. But I'm wondering if that's a toss up? My parents said they will cover the cost of undergrad and then help a bit with grad. My older brother is now living real close to me in an apartment and my mother is looking extensively for a place for us to live. After all this time and effort, will I let some people down? The current school is a school that everyone hoped for me to attend, but I wish I can find something that is a better fit for me to make me feel better.

If the decision comes to me transferring, then I would want to go to a school that has the neuroscience major, a more ‘community-like’ feel (maybe smaller), and opportunities as well.

What do you guys think?

2

Forgot to mention that a friend of mine suggested that I do the summer program, do one more quarter (yes my school runs on a quarter system --> it’s very fast pace), and decide from there.

3

“I’m looking at other plan of studies for neuroscience majors at other schools, and they seem to be better fit for me.”

That would be an excellent academic reason for applying for transfer.

“The cost is expensive, and there is co-op oppurtunities here.”

Do any of the places that offer better academic fits work out to be less expensive? Do they have formal co-op programs for your major, or does it look like you could set up your own co-op or internship if you wanted to?

“My older brother is now living real close to me in an apartment and my mother is looking extensively for a place for us to live.”

Do you and your brother want to live together, or is that mostly a cost-saving notion of your mother’s? Does your brother really need to take on a roommate?

“… a friend of mine suggested that I do the summer program, do one more quarter (yes my school runs on a quarter system --> it’s very fast pace), and decide from there.”

Excellent idea. Take advantage of everything you learn during that summer program, and see how you feel at the end of the summer. If you feel ready for the fall, stay for the fall. If you don’t, then take a quarter or two off while you work on your transfer applications.

As for the loss of your grandparents and the friend who turned into a stalker: this is what the counseling center on your campus is for. Spend some time there and get some help sorting everything out. Grief is a terrible and hard thing to work your way through. Stalker ex-friends are hard things to deal with. You do not have to get through either of these all on your own.