When I was 17, I had both the luxury and challenge of deciding among several admissions offers where exactly I wanted to commit for the next four years.
One school in particular presented a particularly attractive financial offer - as in-state resident with qualifying grades, I could go there for practically nothing.
I asked my parents, "Would it be easier for the family if I based my decision on money? Should I go to the school that costs the least?"
My father replied, "I want you to go wherever you want to go, regardless of money."
"However," he added, "You better make sure you like it, because once you're choose, you're stuck there for the next four years. I am not paying for you to transfer anywhere."
I took his words seriously, and picked Notre Dame, fairly confident I could be happy there (and I was).
That said, most of us - my father included - acknowledge that there are situations when a student would benefit enormously from transferring schools.
The most common time for transfer applications is after your freshman year, after you've had enough time to discern if your desire to find another school is warranted.
If you're struggling with the decision to leave your current university, read on for 6 reasons why it might make sense for you to change colleges next semester.
One school in particular presented a particularly attractive financial offer - as in-state resident with qualifying grades, I could go there for practically nothing.
I asked my parents, "Would it be easier for the family if I based my decision on money? Should I go to the school that costs the least?"
My father replied, "I want you to go wherever you want to go, regardless of money."
"However," he added, "You better make sure you like it, because once you're choose, you're stuck there for the next four years. I am not paying for you to transfer anywhere."
I took his words seriously, and picked Notre Dame, fairly confident I could be happy there (and I was).
That said, most of us - my father included - acknowledge that there are situations when a student would benefit enormously from transferring schools.
The most common time for transfer applications is after your freshman year, after you've had enough time to discern if your desire to find another school is warranted.
If you're struggling with the decision to leave your current university, read on for 6 reasons why it might make sense for you to change colleges next semester.
Affordability
What looked like a financially feasible option might change if one of your parents suddenly loses his or her job, you are notified your scholarship won't be renewed next year, or you are finding it more difficult than you expected to fund your own education.
There is no shame in basing your choice of school partially on financial considerations. If you need a more affordable option, start looking at schools with a lower price tag.
There is no shame in basing your choice of school partially on financial considerations. If you need a more affordable option, start looking at schools with a lower price tag.
A Need For Different or Increased Program Options
Let's say you head off to Julliard, intent on pursuing your Bachelor of Music in Jazz. During your first year, you enjoy your studies, but also find yourself envious of your friends at other schools who talk about taking a more diverse set of courses. You know Julliard offers a Liberal Arts major, which is an option short of transferring schools, but you can't shake the sense that you might get more out of a more traditional university.
In the event that you start to feel limited or pigeonholed into a course of study that stops feeling "right" - especially when it has long-term ramifications for your professional objectives - it's perfectly reasonable to consider transferring schools.
In the event that you start to feel limited or pigeonholed into a course of study that stops feeling "right" - especially when it has long-term ramifications for your professional objectives - it's perfectly reasonable to consider transferring schools.
Desire For A More (Or Less) Rigorous Academic Setting
You really need to give the school a year before you decide the coursework is too hard or too easy. However, once you've completed at least a semester or two of classes that do not feel like a good fit for your academic abilities, it's fair to choose another school that might challenge you at your level.
(That said, don't give up at the sign of the first C, or even a few bad grades. See below on reasons not to transfer.)
(That said, don't give up at the sign of the first C, or even a few bad grades. See below on reasons not to transfer.)
Your Family Needs You
Sometimes extenuating circumstances arise that necessitate you moving back home, or at least being closer by. A family member may become gravely ill and require extra care. You may wish to be closer to your spouse / partner / child if you have them. And you might just recognize that your productivity is contingent on your happiness, and you are happier when you are close to your family. Look for schools that you return home.
You No Longer Feel Safe Or Able To Function At Your Current School
It's one thing if you are struggling socially to feel settled at your new school. I urge you to give yourself some time to adjust, and encourage you to investigate clubs, service opportunities, religious organizations, and student government if you have yet to find people you click with.
However, if something about the campus makes you feel fundamentally unsafe, vulnerable, depressed to the point of being incapable of functioning, or just plain unwelcome, these are valid (and important!) reasons to look for another school.
However, if something about the campus makes you feel fundamentally unsafe, vulnerable, depressed to the point of being incapable of functioning, or just plain unwelcome, these are valid (and important!) reasons to look for another school.
This Was Always The Plan...
Maybe you always planned on transferring after the first year, using the school to get your grades up and then reapply to your dream school, which initially did not offer you admission.
Perhaps you wanted a year or two to save money at a less expensive school, before moving to the college you want to obtain your degree from.
Or you wanted to get your bearings at a community college and live at home, before striking out on your own, now more confident in your ability to succeed in a more rigorous program.
If this was your plan all along, don't get complacent. Transferring schools can be part of a larger strategic plan that ultimately contributes to your academic and professional goals.
Perhaps you wanted a year or two to save money at a less expensive school, before moving to the college you want to obtain your degree from.
Or you wanted to get your bearings at a community college and live at home, before striking out on your own, now more confident in your ability to succeed in a more rigorous program.
If this was your plan all along, don't get complacent. Transferring schools can be part of a larger strategic plan that ultimately contributes to your academic and professional goals.
And a few bad reasons to transfer:
A rough start academically
Trouble making friends
This guy / girl you like is at another school...
Feeling overwhelmed
A rough start academically
- A C in Freshman Biology does not spell doom for your academic career. Investigate and exhaust your options for additional academic support through your advisor, professors, TAs, and on-campus tutoring centers before throwing in the towel and declaring the school "too hard" for you to continue there.
Trouble making friends
- I didn't make a real friend until the end of my freshman year, and I didn't feel like I had a solid group until halfway through my sophomore. Some people are great at turning new people into friends immediately, while others, like myself, take time to find the roommates and classmates they genuinely enjoy spending time with, identify with, and trust.
This guy / girl you like is at another school...
- So you met an interesting someone over the summer and now you can't shake the idea that you two might be great together? Fair enough. Connect over Skype, email, letters, and planned visits during your breaks. Do not, however, pull out of school just to test where the relationship is possibly going.
Feeling overwhelmed
- I promise you, it is completely normal to feel this way, especially during your first year. If you have moved some distance away from your family, left most or all of your friends, and jumped into a challenging university program, chances are there is going to be a period of adjustment. You might feel homesick, anxious about your academic performance, and concerned about your social prospects. Hang in there, and consult on-campus resources, including academic and personal counseling, if you need additional support.
Transferring schools is a huge decision, and not one to be made in a day, or even a week. If you can't shake the thought that you are meant to be at another college, entertain the notion, while investigating all of your options. Talk with your current school's academic advisors, financial officers, professors, and counselors about your reasons for wanting to transfer.
Meanwhile, contact the academic and financial reps from the schools you potentially want to transfer into, to make sure you understand how your grades, money situation, and social environment stand to change.
There are plenty of scenarios where it makes sense to switch colleges. Honor your academic, professional, social, and emotional needs and make a decision that feels both sustainable and productive for you.
Meanwhile, contact the academic and financial reps from the schools you potentially want to transfer into, to make sure you understand how your grades, money situation, and social environment stand to change.
There are plenty of scenarios where it makes sense to switch colleges. Honor your academic, professional, social, and emotional needs and make a decision that feels both sustainable and productive for you.
