Should I transfer colleges?

There is a lot of narrative out there on thoughts for and against transferring schools - so you're not alone if you're reading this (about 25% of students actually transfer!).  We've compiled it here into several topics to consider as you go through the process of deciding if putting in applications is right for you:

Think twice:

• ​Is there a major problem with the current school? Homesick, long distance relationship challenges? Definitely think twice about transferring if these are the case; and see if there are workarounds that will solve these difficulties while staying.
• Trying to upgrade schools? Well, if you're at Cornell, aiming for MIT, and were denied admissions the first time around, keep in mind that the odds are lower as a transfer applicant. Consider if there have been major shifts or changes in your academic and career resume that would make a big difference in your admissions chances (major awards, publications, etc.). Also, consider that the time and effort to apply/adjust to a new school may not be justified depending on where you're coming from and going to (transferring courses, financial aid, the application process).
• Lousy roommate? This is something that can may have solutions if working with school administration or with time (rooming with others the next year or semester, or finding a single the next year).
• Classes are too hard or too easy?  Consider changing classes first, not schools.  Do some research: talk to professors and upperclassmen to better gauge if rigor might be a good reason to leave.
• Not making friends right away? This is more common than people think. Already tried to join a bunch of clubs? How about actively going to more events or finding an on campus job? Putting together a study group for a challenging class or sports/gym may also put you in places that will expose you to more possible future friends.

Reasons to transfer:

• You're in a 2 year program and looking to continue your education.
• Your current school is in a location that is no longer a fit for your academic learning or social interests.  For example, you decided that you wanted to study urban challenges, but your rural school is over an hour to the closest major city where you can get hands on experiences.
• Your current school's academic breadth and depth don't meet your career goals.  Perhaps you've decided to become an engineer, but your liberal arts school doesn't have a mechanical engineering program.  Or you're hoping to become a doctor, but there is a weak (or no) program for pre-med students.
• Your school's social life and culture is holistically not in alignment with yours. For example, most students leave campus to connect with the external community more often than stay on campus to build depth to student-student relationships. Or, Greek life rules campus and you hoped to have meaningful connections through clubs and have found that unsuccessful due to the dominance of Greek culture at the school.
• Your current school's method and philosophy of education/learning do not align well with your own.  Perhaps you're at a huge university with lecture classes, but you have a strong need and desire to have deep discussion in learning new material. Or you're a visual learner but all the seminar style classes are not conducive to your learning style.

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