Wellesley to CMC

Transfer Students
1

<p>I'm currently a first-year at Wellesley College, and I have my share of problems with the institution. I don't want to offend anyone who goes there, but this is just the way I feel...</p>

<p>-A large portion of the student body is unbelievably wealthy and elitist- I hope I'm not the latter, and I'm CERTAINLY not the former. I feel like I'm isolated and disconnected from my peers, and honestly, it's depressing. My mom is a single parent working three jobs, and I've been working since I was 16. I just don't fit in with the cashmere sweaters and pearls girls, and especially not with the professors who make comments like, "Of course you've all been to Europe so you're familiar with this." Literally. It happened in my history class.</p>

<p>-The institutional policy of grade deflation is counter productive to my ultimate goal of attending Berkeley for law school. I've managed to beat the curve so far, but it's hard to explain the frustration of being informed that a "perfect paper" is a B+ or that an A- is as far as the professor will ever be willing to go.</p>

<p>-My major is English, but I've found my classes in the department so far to be the most underwhelming of any I've taken. </p>

<p>-Hand holding is taken to the max at Swells- students live in one room dorms all four years, are REQUIRED to be on the meal plan, and are given almost no opportunity to live off campus. I'm rather independent, and I can't help but feel stifled...already. Like I said, it's been just my mom and me working to get by for a long time now, and it made me grow up quickly. I know that by junior year, I'm going to want to cook, clean, and have my own bathroom. </p>

<p>So now we come to the transfer option- I love just about everything about Claremont McKenna. I complain about Wellesley, but I know there are benefits to a small school. Claremont gives me small LAC, but adds in the consortium so I can feel like I'm having the actual college experience. The literature major looks far superior to Wellesley's (at least as far as my interests are concerned), and as an economics minor, I don't think there could be a better place for me to be. Plus, this is a school filled with leaders and kids who want to change the world. That, I can relate to, and those are the types of people I want to surround myself with.</p>

<p>And now the kink- is it worth it to give up the "Wellesley Education" for issues of fit? I'm not happy here, but it's a very well known and well respected name. I mean, I was offered a paid law internship at a downtown Pittsburgh law firm this summer as a freshman...part of that was the quality of my resume, sure, but part as well was that the resume said Wellesley. Will I regret in the future that the resume could lose that name?</p>

<p>Oh and I don't want to even get into breaking the news to my proud mother that W just doesn't do it for me haha.</p>

2

<p>You should absolutely leave for a good fit. You’re supposed to love your college experience, and if you see yourself happy at CMC, apply. You’re making it sound as if CMC is not a prestigious institution, which is clearly not the case. You’d be going from the 4rh highest LAC to #11. And if you’re worried about potential internships and job opportunities, PR ranks CMC #2 in Best Career/Job Placement Services. It’s a great school. </p>

<p>I’m surprised to hear all these thing about Wellesley College. I applied, but grade deflation isn’t going to help me get into law school, and I’m definitely not rich.</p>

3

<p>Wellesley might be a good fit for you, but honestly, make sure you visit. Do an overnight, seriously you can stay with me and my roommate haha, I just don’t want someone else to attend with the wrong impression. It can be a great school if it fits your personality- the education is incredible. If the fit is wrong, though, it can be miserable. I was actually just talking to another girl on CC via PM who wants to transfer out as well for similar reasons.</p>

<p>I know CMC is prestigious, I guess my only worry is that I live on the east coast where a lot of people know Wellesley, but no one has heard of anything west coast other than Berkeley and UCLA. It’s a dumb worry, though, because the emphasis will be on my law school and not my undergrad, and CMC certainly measures up as an undergrad anyway!</p>

4

<p>I think you should definitely try contacting some CMC students because you may find that CMC students also have a bubble just like W girls have one. It’s not the same bubble, but it may not be the ideal bubble you want to get yourself into. Are you applying for fall 09 or fall 2010? the deadline is next week.</p>

5

<p>I am a parent who has worked in HR, as well as evaluated applications for highly selective scholarships and summer reserach programs for college students. I can guarantee you that the name of the school is extremely important. Some of the other cmt members approved applicants primarily on the strength of the school. The same happens if you are a researcher applying for NIH grants - the name of the school has an additional weight. Anyone who has seen the confidential comments know what I am talking about. Furthermore, the alumni networking in prestigious schools can open many doors for you. Do not worry about the grades because admissions offices know how each school grades. Staying at Wellesley would open more opportunities for you. I know its tough, as I had a similar background and went to a school like Wellesley. Do not get discouraged. If you look around you’ll find that there are others like you. Enjoy the opportunities that W offers you. To be honest, it does not matter if you are a top student as long as you have a W diploma.</p>

6

<p>I’m transferring from penn to cmc (hopefully) and its not like cmc is some low tier LAC. I’m not worried about the change in terms of reputation…at all. Do what you want. If you’re unhappy, leave. You won’t regret it if cmc is really the perfect match for you. Good luck.</p>

7

<p>like<em>a</em>willow -</p>

<p>Before you make your final decision about transferring, I am going to ask you to meet with the professor who said, “Of course you’ve all been to Europe so you’re familiar with this.” and tell him/her just exactly how you felt when you heard that comment. This will be one of the most difficult, but most worthwhile conversations in your life. You need to find the strength within yourself to confront his/her ignorance and require him/her to question his/her assumptions about Wellesley students. These kinds of assumptions are all too easy to make in that environment, but they are still wrong to make. </p>

<p>I’m asking you to do this more for yourself than for the professor. Confronting ignorance is something all of us have to do. It is not easy, or fun. But when it is over you are going to feel so much stronger because you will indeed be stronger. You will barely recognize yourself.</p>

<p>Maybe Wellesley is not the “right” place for you. Maybe it is, but you just haven’t accepted your own power yet. Confront your professor, feel the power, then decide.</p>

<p>Wishing you all the best, always.</p>