<p>So, I'm finally posting in the parents forum in hope of getting more mature and knowledgeable answers. My first semester has not been a good one for me. Adjusting to college life has been extremely difficult, and even at the close of this semester, I still don't want to be here. My college is a terrible fit for me, it's extremely nerdy and science oriented while I'm more preppy and humanities oriented. I made some mistakes in the process of choosing a school and came here because it was the most prestigious, something which I constantly regret. I know transferring is an option, but I'm not sure my family could afford it unless I could get freshman level aid again. I honestly don't even want to come back for a second semester but I feel like I don't have any choice. Can anyone offer any sort of advice?</p>
<p>Take a look at the first page of this thread: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/1419596-one-trimester-later-update-certain-knox-college-freshman.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/1419596-one-trimester-later-update-certain-knox-college-freshman.html</a>. Don’t worry so much about what the story - focus instead on all the advice that’s given. (And don’t bother going beyond the first page . . . the thread goes WAY off in another direction and wouldn’t be much help.)</p>
<p>Lots of people have rough first semesters . . . it can take a while to find your place in a school. Focus on getting involved in activities that match your interests.</p>
<p>And, no, you won’t be able to get freshman-level aid again if you transfer.</p>
<p>I read back through your previous posts and from what I read, you arrived at college on a shakey foundation. You have been posting about wanting to transfer from nearly day one. It seems to me you really didn’t want to be there before you arrived because nobody can know if a school is the right fit in the first few days. It is hard enough to adjust to college life, but when you start planning an exit strategy from day one, how can you expect to find your place, you have one foot out the door already!</p>
<p>I feel badly for you that you are so conflicted and I strongly advise you to seek help with student health services. You are under tremendous stress from stuff going on at home and you need to talk to a professional to help you sort out what part of your discontent is related to what is going on at home, so that you can make a sound decision regarding your current situation. It takes time to feel comfortable in a new place, for both of my kids it wasn’t until sophomore year that they really felt that they belonged where they were. Add to that the stress you were under when you arrived and it is not surprising that you are feeling the way you are. Talk to a counselor, it will be very helpful to have someone help you sort it all out.</p>
<p>Best of luck to you, I hope you find contentment soon!</p>
<p>You can only do what you can to move forward from where you are. Your best plan:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Go back for your second semester, and get the best grades you can (true this semester as well). This positions you better for a transfer in the future, and gives you credits you can take to another college. </p></li>
<li><p>If you really feel strongly about it, go ahead and do some transfer applications this year. You can’t know for sure if it will work out or not financially without actually applying and seeing what they offer you. Do you have merit aid at Rice? That is something you will likely lose if you move somewhere else.</p></li>
<li><p>You might do some searches on the Financial Aid forum to see what colleges have good need based aid for transfer students. Our family hasn’t been through it, so I am not familiar with the ins and outs of it, but I am sure it has been discussed out here.</p></li>
<li><p>There are some advantages to being in a smaller program (like humanities at a more STEM oriented school). Develop good relationships with your humanities professors so you can get stellar recommendations from them in the future. Those profs usually LOVE having a good student come through their program if they are one of the smaller departments, and often have time to spend with you compared to profs in the larger majors. </p></li>
</ol>
<p>I did just take a look at the Common Data Set for your college. It looks to me like 47% of the people at your college graduated with majors that I would consider humanities-type majors in 2011. So while your specific major areas may be small, humanities actually seems to be pretty well represented there. You may just need more time to meet & find those people on campus; if you have been sure from the first day that you made a poor choice (and your prior posts indicate this), then that could be part of your problem.</p>
<p>My main advice is to make the most of what is available at your college, since you are there now. That is a key to success in life no matter where you are. Go ahead and put in some transfer applications, but consider whether you have actually given your current college, and the students and professors, a fair chance. You could have a completely different experience next semester in different classes, if you join a couple of different clubs, get involved in a play or something, etc.</p>
<p>You may not be able to get freshman-level aid again at an expensive private school, but you might expand your options if you consider transferring to less expensive schools, such as those in the state system of your home state.</p>
<p>Could your family afford to pay for you to attend your state university without aid? Is transferring there a reasonable option for you?</p>
<p>If I understand your situation, you’re currently a freshman at Rice who prefers the humanities over science & would like to transfer to UNC or to the Univ. of Virginia. Initially you choose Rice based on its prestige & ranking versus fit for your interests. Is this accurate ? (If so, the thread referenced by dodgersmom above is quite different & probably doesn’t apply in your situation. In short, most posters there are concerned about the college & not the student’s best interest &, consequently, persons with an interest in that university try to get the student to remain in an unchallenging academic environment with a poor fit socially.)</p>
<p>OP: Have you posted on the Rice thread seeking advice ? Have you spoken with your advisor at Rice ? Other than UNC & Virginia, have you identified or targeted any other preppy, humanities oriented schools ? Where else were you admitted when you selected Rice ? Any options that will let you pay in-state (resident) tuition rates ?</p>