I think - you have a very “big name” centric list - and it’s not needed for law school. Harvard was last year represented by over 170 undergrads and this year nearly 150 - schools you won’t find on any rank. So it doesn’t matter if it’s Cal State Northridge or LA, Fairleigh Dickinson or Oakland - all represented last year - what does matter is your GPA, LSAT and more and more today, many get work experience although many do go straight through still.
I haven’t looked at transfer rates - but you are applying to schools that would have been reaches out of HS and this early HS will still matter.
If he is that hopeful to move, I think you need to find more realistic schools - at least out of HS, if he went to a public, these would have all been reaches so I assume WF was an ED.
Not sure where you live but you might look at the flagship and then others like Pitt (mentioned), Binghamton, since you have BC how about a Creighton or Santa Clara type.
Not sure about when you can transfer (are they open 2nd semester) - but I do think your list, other than maybe Wisconsin, is reach heavy - and this seems like a student who wants out NOW and not later. And doesn’t seem a big school student although you have them.
I agree that ND is probably more catholic feel than BC. But many think BC still has a catholic feel…has he visited?
I also agree that Wisconsin and Michigan won’t feel too Greek, there will be plenty of social opportunities for him.
If he for sure wants to transfer he does need a surer type school like Fordham, Santa Clara, Pitt (you will have to check if they have spring transfers).
With that said I think he’ll have options but it’s much harder to chance for the spring semester than Fall simply because there are fewer transfer slots.
However BC and G’Town have “very selective” clubs and groups, which may be difficult for a transfer to integrate.
Notre Dame has its house system so he’d automatically belong to one and the attached social circle. Note however that the Catholic faith is taken seriously and is a core part of the college’s identity. If he’s fine with crucifixes on the walls, priests in the dorms or classroom, it’s not a problem but ND is on the other end of the spectrum from G’town in terms of faith intensity.
I second Pitt, Rice, Northwestern, and UWisconsin
Why not USC?
CMC “felt” fratty indeed - bro culture with little cliques, like URichmond – not sure how transfers would fare.
Pitzer has the advantage of being a politics-oriented college part of a 7,000 student campus I suppose.
I don’t have any great suggestions, but feel like with his grades from Wake he will have a lot of opportunities. What I really wanted to chime in about was my D22 transferred after one semester last year and transferred to a school where she already had a friend. I definitely think that made the transition easier so I would encourage looking where he already has friends. It’s a big help.
If ND is of interest I suggest calling to school regarding transfer housing. My D was accepted as a transfer and loved so much about the school but on campus housing was not guaranteed for transfers. That was a deal breaker as the social life at ND is dorm-centric.
Yes, I was worried that other than Wisconsin, he might be too reach heavy.
He was an ED2 to Wake. He ED’d to BC and did not get in.
He is not really concerned with the name anymore. He just wants to be happy and do well. He got into Pitt last year.
Having at least one current friend attending a school is one of our criteria so I worry about going out to those Cali schools. He has a friend in the Scripps/Claremont system, some at UCSB and UCLA though. However they only take transfers for Junior year.
Not familiar with Creighton but will look into it, thanks!
Is it cheeky to recommend the University of Tulsa, where I’m President? We are a great school, with a large endowment; the most National Merit Scholars per capita of any school in the nation (25% of student body). Our large endowment ensure generous aid, and while w have Greek life, it is non-exclusive and welcoming to all, and, in any event, only a small part of campus. As a history and philosophy major back in the day, I can promise you he’d find good programs here. Brad
I think there are many schools I just threw an example as you had Jesuit schools. It does seem he’s pursuing a name and if that’s his thing - great. But it’s of little consequence for law.
My son’s best friend went to his school. Rarely bumped into each other. These kids find new interests, new friends. There were 8 or 10 kids at his school including his junior prom date. Not sure he hung with any.
Having a comfort I suppose is great but I don’t think you can be assured that it will be there even if the friend is there, especially at a large school like Wisconsin.
Hopefully now that he found what he doesn’t like he can narrow in better. But he may have to give up the name. And with all the new rankings just out many that were hot now aren’t. Or vice versa.
This is a 3rd party list but it lists Greek life by gender. Add together. It has a search button so just put the school name in.
There are many Jesuit, other mid size from an Ithaca to Quinnipiac to Marist to Elon to Denver to many Jesuits to schools like UNH or various SUNYs etc. how about Rochester or W&M a bit more up market. I don’t know transfer rates, especially for 2nd semester or Greek life which you can get a directional look here.
Edit - adding Tulsa per the previous message - neat city and in an athletic conference with SMU (for another year) and Rice. It’s a school in good company.
Two concerns:
What classes will transfer.
If it doesn’t work out, could study abroad or community college work next semester to put him on a more level playing field for Fall? Study abroad keeps him at wake without being at wake.
For spring admissions, below are some schools that I mentioned on your previous thread that might help to create a more balanced list of schools to apply to (bolded the ones that meet the updated wishlist & added more info about them):
All of the schools above are privates, but I don’t know how generous they are with respect to granting transfer credits. Public schools tend to be more generous. A public school with spring transfers that your son may want to consider is Christopher Newport (VA): About 4600 undergrads with about 20% of students in Greek life. If your son loves sailing, this is a great spot to be.
Saint Joseph’s (PA ) is a Jesuit option in Philadelphia that has about 5100 undergrads. Its website touts that it’s one of the top universities for transfer students (source) and also has a dorm that is focused on transfer students. And it takes spring transfers.
CMC is very club-like and the students engage in a lot of drinking. While inclusive, alcohol centric activities do not appeal to all. Great school, but it does have a strong personality.
According to Wikipedia, 163 colleges & universities have sailing clubs. Since this is a noted interest, it should be a good way to make friends as would any shared interest.
I see your son’s situation as a desire to avoid Greek centered social life as well as a desire to make friends / find his crowd. The first is easy to do at many schools, but not at his current school; the second is just a function of engaging with others in a shared interest.
Another approach might be to consider study abroad for a semester or for a year if transfer options don’t work out to his satisfaction.
Regarding social life at Northwestern University: Male frat membership at WFU is listed as 28%, while at Northwestern it is listed as 23%. Northwestern is adjacent to a dynamic major city and Northwestern has a larger undergraduate student population (8,200) than does WFU (5,440) which should create more options regarding non-academic activities.
Some universities have special programs designed to welcome transfer students while integrating them into the academic and social life at the new school.
Boston University accepts a high number of transfer students and has a program to make transfer students comfortable at BU. BU accepts transfer students for any semester. However, BU is a city campus which is much different than WFU.
I missed the sailing club. My son was in it at Alabama (no, not suggesting the school) but it got me thinking - due to the seasons, it’s not a year round sport.
I’d assume in the Northern areas, it would be less so as it gets cold much sooner - might a warmer weather school with a club be a better fit?
@Baltmom23 I agree with this. I am a BC grad with many friends with kids there. Very social school with no frats. BC is a pretty clique heavy school so coming in as a jounior could be tough if student does not know people there already. I would imagine similar situations at Georgetown and ND. All great options and probably similar to Wake in offerings. BC location is great.
Your last sentence should have been bolded in my opinion as location is often a key consideration when selecting a school and location can have a significant impact on campus culture.
@Publisher I agree 100%. Location is huge for my kid. Many great schools have been eliminated because of location. Many of the LACs fall in this category. Some great schools that are tiny and in the middle of no where(even if location is bucolic) like WIlliams.
