saranac

milkdud,
it sounds to me as if you really could be much happier at another school, for all of the reasons you stated. Yes, it's normal to have some homesickness and not to be delighted with everything, but what you're describing sounds like more than that. Don't settle - be happy!

OniLawliet

Bard and Skidmore are good schools for you to consider trasnferring to. They are both small LACs, with more rigorous academics, in NY, and are easily within your range. Bard is more competitive than Skidmore, but I think you can get in.

Vassar is an astounding school (I'm applying there EDII, with similar HS stats to you, except a higher ACT score when correlated with your SAT scores). Yes, Vassar is highly selective, but if you demonstrate some personality and passion to them, you may stand a shot.

Momwaitingfornew

Milkdud, my sister went to UVM. She absolutely hated the school until near the end of her first semester. Some of the friends she made there remain her friends to this day. Although she found it a tough adjustment, she is a loyal alumna now, with fond memories.

Your academic situation may be the best reason for transferring. Again, you haven't gotten far enough into the semester to judge. What isn't challenging? The professors? The material? The exams? Take a hard look at exactly what is missing.

Andale is right. You have plenty of time. Transfer applications are generally not due until March -- they don't run on the same time schedule as regular admissions.

mandela512

have you thought about Sarah Lawrence? It is in bronxville, NY. seriously ab 20 mintues from grand central station. its about 1200 students and has a great academic reputation. the only thing is that its the most expensive school in the nation (according to princeton review). my friend goes there ands its like 55,000 a year or something. but if money is not a factor then maybe you would like it.

ticklemepink

I didn't really read all the posts but I'm a transfer student. Unfortunately, now that I'm looking back, my situation was unique in that retrospect.

I chose out transfer for 3 solid reasons that I tell people around me:
1) Challenging academics- my other school felt like a piece of cake, I took many APs in high school and was generally pushed a lot.
2) Better major department- I always knew that I wanted to major in history but just wasn't 100% sure until I took a history course in my second semester of freshman year that it was it. Be sure to take a WIDE variety of classes- shop around different departments before actually settling on one. If I had stayed at my old schoo, I would've actually been a Russian major!

3) Psychological distance from home. I try to explain that there's a difference between physical and psychological aspect of being away from home. While my school was 5 hours away by car, it wasn't that bad...until I found out that train takes 10 hours and bus around 13 hours... uh oh, I felt pretty trapped. If I had gone to my other choice- American U- it wouldn't have been too bad since it was just a plane ride home (I was fine when I lived in DC during the summer after my freshman year)

I encourage you to stick it out and just enjoy what UVM has to offer and then think again over Christmas break. Make some resolutions to things that didn't work out and WORK ON IT in the second semester while working on your transfer apps if it still doesn't work out. Also try talking to your advisor and your dean- they probably have heard this story many, many times and have found ways to make their advisees happy by offering different routes to make YOU happy.

I did make resolutions for the second semester- the decision actually became a lot harder than I expected. I was on the verge of developing a new, deep friendship with another girl, had perfect classes picked out, declared my minor, ready to declare my Russian major in the fall, a on-campus job, and 3 positiosn in 3 different clubs/orgs. It's amazing that I gave up SO much to be here at Colgate.

Whether I regret the decision or not, I can't really say because I have changed so much since. Also it might be just me but there's that sentimental feeling that you get when you get closer to you graduation that you wish you were walking across the stage with the people you first met when you started college...

Bwalk0220

Hey, I'm a freshman at Saint Michael's and I've had the same mindset. It seems like most of the kids here are spoiled and don't really care about school, the academics definitely aren't challenging, and I don't like the small size. I understand that you don't like the intimidating size of UVM, but you have a greater chance of finding those great friends there. I wish I went to a larger school for the possibility of a more diverse student body, which SMC doesn't have at ALL.

I just can't understand how all of the people I've talked to were able to let go of their old friends and make even better ones in college. For Saint Mike's, we have Monday and Tuesday off so it'll be the first time I get to go home and I have a million things written down to do each day.

Most people I've talked to have had suggestions similar to Andale's. I'm also going to wait until winter break, but I've started the paper work just in case. You should definitely look into the honors program there if it can offer harder classes and a smaller school environment. As for joining clubs and stuff, it is SOOO much easier to suggest that rather than doing it yourself. I don't know if I'll get into those.

If you do decide to transfer, Conn College was the first tour I went to and I hated it. You should obviously form your own opinion, but definitely tour that one if you haven't yet.

biggyboy

Vassar - reach
Colgate - reach
Bard - reach
Sarah Lawrence - slight reach/match
Skidmore - match
Hamilton - match
Ithaca - match/safety

Bard and Sarah Lawrence are closest to NYC, so that's a great advantage. Vassar isn't too far either. Hamilton and Colgate are probably the furthest. I've heard Skidmore is similar to a very long Summer camp, with lots of artsy Theater majors. But Colgate is amazing. That would be my number one choice in that list. I don't know how they are with transfer admissions. Try getting a high GPA (3.8+) and provide your honest, elaborated reasons for transferring. Visit the school/speak to the adcoms. You should be fine. Good luck. I transferred too, but to a much more different kind of school. I know it can be difficult. My suggestion would be to get involved with clubs/teams you are interested in. They could be a lot of fun/informative and great for social interaction.

ticklemepink

Look, another word for you, don't listen to ANY of the college suggestions for now. It's only going to make your situation worse because you will soon get obsessed over transfer paperwork and not allow yourself to explore beyond your dorm room walls. Besides your priorities MIGHT and CAN change a lot. I originally had big universities on my list because I thought I'd get more out of the diverse, larger population and just simply having a larger campus. I ended scratching them all off for various reasons (too much hidden fees, too much of science focus, too hard to get in...).

Yes, believe me, it's okay to be disappointed around this time of the year because all in the past, the longest we usually have been away from our family has been around 6-8 weeks (camp...) and we usually expect the ending. Unfortunately, this time... its for another 3 1/2 years- oh my, what a long road. But as a senior, trust me, once you really jump in your academics, future planning, clubs, etc to really make what you make of your college career, that time wil fly. FAST. FAST. FAST. In fact my time at Smith was so fast that I almost completely forgot to fill out my transfer applications!

Yes the school is small but you know how many kids would KILL for that? Consider yourself very, very forunate that you won't always have to worry about 500+ lectures, unavailable professors, endless bureacracy.... Take advantage of all of it right now. Besides the honors program, try seeking out any "intellectual" clubs like languages, debating, public speaking, etc. Those kids tend to be more serious and won't be as idiotic as you think they are.

Okay, I'm off the soapbox. PM me with anything.

jsmom

I can understand where you are coming from but I do agree to give it some time. I went to three (!) different colleges.

1) College 1 - Small liberal arts college with lots of wealthy underachievers, classes were easy freshman year - but would have gotten harder as I went along. Due to size of school and how well I excelled academically, there would have been lots of great opportunities for me there. The student body was very friendly and would have made some great lasting friendships. I transferred to "harder" school and to be closer to BF. 2) College 2 - Small liberal arts college - I don't think I would have been as happy at due to coldness of student body - but would have been OK if I had stayed. Transferred due to lack of fin aid. 3) College 3 - Mid size state school - as transfer student I missed having the freshman experience there. There were LOTS of opportunities there and I got a great education, and I would have been happy had I started there.

Give the homesickness some time. Its natural to miss your lifelong HS friends -no one can replace them - I am still close with these friends 30 years later. If the distance from home continues to be an issue, then I feel that's a legitimate reason to transfer. But realize you won't have the same opportunity to meet/make friends as a transfer student. Then look at the four year plan at UVM and if the classes will get harder and what opportunities you can take advantage of there. If you think that all four years will not be a challenge, then that is a good reason to transfer.

Good Luck!

milkdud

im not really THAT homesick anymore. i mean, there are times when i am, but a lot of the time im not. but i still dont like the school. even when im happy i dont like the school. and as a transfer student, i would have no problem making friends with the new freshmen at a new school bcuase im actually too young to really be in college anyway (im 17 turning 18 december 29th). all my friends from home are seniors in high school, becuae i tend to get along well with younger kids anyway becuae of my age. i have friends here, and thats not really even the main reason im considering tranferring. i just really dont like being far away and the academic problem, and people say the classes might get harder but im not even really in freshman classes. my education class has a ton of upperclassmen in it, and so does my race in north america class (which i just got a 95 on the midterm in). i just feel like my reasons for transferring are not due to homesickness. but i know i have a lot of time, and i've been doing my best to get involved and enjoy my time here. and thanks everyone for all the help, its been great

isitseptemberyet

Hi,

What about applying to the Honor's College? Small school within the big school! Separate housing, classes, etc... I think this addresses a lot of your concerns. It's worth looking into.

In the mean time, climb the fire escape on the side of one of the academic buildings (I don't know which one). Apparently, it's the thing to do to watch the sunset over the lake. My daughter got amazing pictures.

milkdud

the problem is that i like my friends and the social life is good (although im not much of a frat person which is what the social life around here really is like), but i just hate the school and wish i were at a smaller one. and honors college wouldnt really help with outside activities which im having trouble finding, and being closer to home. should i transfer even if i have friends?

actrss100

I go to skidmore...its a great school. You should definetly consider it

mmom

I know this may come out of left field, but have you considered joining a Greek organization? It does have a way of making the college "smaller". I have to say, neither I, nor my daughters or relatives were Greek, but I've been reading positive things about fraternities/sororities on these message boards. I'm do know that they are not for everyone, but it could be something to think about. Other ideas would be a service organization or club related to your interests. It may be worth a try.

Opps sorry, cross posted with your above post : " I'm not much of a frat person....."

Sorry. and best of luck, I'm sure things will work out, whatever you decide!

GerberDaisy

I just transferred this year to another college, and now I'm a sophomore, so I hope this helps:

I had a lot of similar reasons that you have--not academically stimulating, not enough classroom engagement (that was a big one for me), a little too far from home, stuff like that.

It's good that you're identifying the things that you don't like, and you probably will end up transferring. Just... give things a shot for second semester. Try to stick out the year. It'll make you a more attractive candidate to schools, and besides, most transfer deadlines aren't until about March anyway. Start researching and visiting schools now, and make a list of the things you NEED your new school to have. Also think of the things you like about Vermont that you want to have at your new school. Researching transfer options is fun, especially when you're not happy with where you are.

Research is probably the most important thing to do right now.

As for "is it too early to be thinking about this?" and "how do I know if I should leave?"... that's why I recommend staying for the whole year. Start thinking about things that might improve your experience. Would having a car make you feel better because you could (theoretically) drive home when you need to? Or would it help if your family came to visit you, or you visited them, more often? Or would a closer relationship with your adviser help you navigate classes/Vermont more effectively? Thinking about ways to improve things NOW, and implementing those things, will tell you if they're enough to keep you at Vermont.