<p>I am transferring from a community college to a rigorous private school this fall. To anyone who has made this transition, how long did it take you to adjust, academically and socially? What did you find most difficult? (Or did you take the place by storm?) Any idea on what to expect would be greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>In the same boat, glad you made this thread.</p>
<p>What I’m expecting is a rough month or two before a solid core of friendships start to form. I’m anticipating much, much less diversity and far fewer students of my own socioeconomic status, but I’m hoping there won’t be a completely homogeneous culture in that sense and that there will be plenty of interesting people to click with, class differences notwithstanding.</p>
<p>Academically I feel very confident. Perhaps a mistake, but I’m hoping for much more challenging coursework where I’ll have to work harder, but also be able to enjoy it more, get into it deeper, be able to discuss heavier theoretical issues (social theory nerd here) with classmates, have access to better research resources etc. I genuinely believe I’ll be able to thrive and succeed, if maybe not at the level of perfection I’ve done in the past – at least I will know there IS room to do my absolute best in, and that would mean a lot and serve as motivation all in itself, you know?</p>
<p>Most difficult will definitely be the cultural thing. I love Yale already, but I know I’ll just have to brace myself for people that play water polo instead of, you know… running away from police cars (hey, at least we’re both into sports of sort!). There’ll be the kind of people my old friends used to rob – except now I’m living with them. It will be strange. I already have a lot of anxiety about how exactly I’m supposed to act, where the line goes for behavior I’m immersed in (is it ok to cuss? do I have to stop wearing bum clothes?).</p>
<p>I hope to update this thread some distant, turbulent time in the future and muse over how right, wrong, and naive I was. And hopefully you’ll do the same!</p>
<p>Meanwhile, I’m subcribing to this thread.</p>
<p>I am worried how I will do at Northwestern. I want to get a 3.5 GPA or above.</p>
<p>Which schools are you guys attending?</p>
<p>I’m wondering what Brown is gonna be like.</p>
<p>taromakino, already worried about your next step, huh. This year I am forgetting about grades. I am finally where I want to be. If pursuing my interests and not tests scores (not always the same thing in my experience) does not get me into Harvard grad school, their loss.</p>
<p>If you’re a good student, it won’t be as hard as you think as least academically. I transferred from a CC to Case and I just completed my first year. I did fine academically (3.84 GPA). Socially, I was fine too but honestly, I commuted since I’m married. You just have to be friendly and join clubs (that’s always a good way to make friends).</p>