How do you know whether to transfer or "wait it out"?

Freshman here, not enjoying it. I didn’t have a top choice/dream school so to speak, but I did choose my current university over one “better” one and one cheaper one because I thought I’d like it better, but it’s been not what I thought, both academically and not. My parents really want me to transfer, either to the state flagship I turned down before or private schools I didn’t get into/didn’t apply to, none of which seem particularly appealing.
I’m willing to consider transferring, but how do people even figure out whether that’s right for them? (or where to transfer to, if it is?)

I don’t have a transfer kid - but I’m not sure anyone can truly know unless they’re horrified.

Academics may or may not be more stringent elsewhere. Or they might get tougher as you progress. You can always ask professors for “extra”.

If it’s not intolerant to you, you might come back, put yourself out there more (clubs, etc).

Transferring is likely not easy - you have to start again.

Best of luck.

You don’t have to be horrified to transfer.

I transferred after my freshman year, and went from a small private college to a public university in my state. I wasn’t unhappy, and I was doing well. I had lots of friends and was active in choir, theater, hand bell choir, drill team. I was plenty busy.

But I just didn’t want to return to this small private for another year, so I put out transfer applications.

If you really think you might want to transfer, do the applications. See what happens.

Do continue to make connections at your current college…and then see how you feel once your acceptances to transfer come in. You may decide to move on…and you may decide not to.

7 Likes

If you really think you might want to transfer, do the applications. See what happens.

Right, but that’s the thing, I don’t know how to tell whether I do. Like, okay, I’m not happy now, but what are the signs that switching schools will change that? And I have no idea where I’d even apply, unless I just go with my dad’s list.

When our kids applied to college, we told them that if they wanted to, they could ,transfer. But we were only available to answer questions…we were not leading the discussion, finding schools, etc.

What are you look if for in a college that you think is missing?

2 Likes

Do you have an intended major or academic areas of particular interest?

1 Like

I’m studying mechanical engineering.

I’m looking for more engaging/challenging classes- outside of math, everything so far feels not exactly “easy”, but low expectations, I guess? My science classes and electives feel like easy high school classes, and my intro to MechE lecture last semester was all about stuff like “you guys know what a resume is, right?” and “you have to learn to do group projects in college”, not much to do with actual engineering.

What are you doing for fun? Since your classes are so easy, you should have time for some good recreational things, or some volunteer work, or a job.

1 Like

I’m in a few clubs, I lift weights, I was thinking about a job but the offerings are pretty limited. There’s not really a ton of stuff to do around here, tbh.

Is your school ABET accredited?

I’ve only heard of kids getting strained academically in the major - from the get go.

Have you spoken to professors - asked for headier assignments? Have you sought research opportunities ?

1 Like

Some engineering students don’t find the first year particularly challenging in engineering, but then it really picks up! Count your blessings that your freshman year is not making you stressed about grades and the like.

See what is available at your school maybe related to your major.

Or just do some things for fun.

If you don’t feel like you can find what you want…perhaps start researching other colleges…

Yep, ABET accredited and a really great reputation for engineering. I was actually nervous thinking it was going to be too much, everyone else would have taken AP calc and physics, be way ahead, etc. So far, nope :woman_shrugging:. I assume it has to pick up at some point, but it’s just weird and not what I expected.

Any tips for researching? All I’ve done is poke around on the same college search websites I did last year (minus naviance), and turned up the same results since my searchable criteria (location, major, etc) haven’t exactly changed.

You know different kids than me!!

My neighbor’s kid jokes all those that can’t hack it go to business.

My son laughed that in his geography elective, all the bus kids complained because there was over 30 mins of homework a week.

I hope the OP finds the rigor they seek.

I talked to an adult from my high school recently and she said everyone’s freshman year feels like “what am I even paying for?” lol. I don’t think her kids were engineering majors though.

Hugs to you. It sounds as though it is not really an academic match for you. There are Engineering schools in our state and a close by state that have been too easy for a significant cohort of kids from the top High schools in our area. They are ABET and rank highly for public engineering , get a lot of love on CC, but they are just not challenging for some kids(easy 4.0 and feel similar to HS classes, well past the first year). Some kids have chosen to transfer out and have been much happier; others have chosen to stay and be the stand-out top kid or two in their department and get great recs and research and opportunities for being a top kid. Peer fit and academic environment matter: don’t be afraid to apply to transfer and see what happens. The trick is to stay engaged in your current school in case it doesn’t work out.

4 Likes

Does your college allow students to take a leave of absence? Perhaps that could be a consideration for the 2024-2025 academic year. Get a job, do some thinking about what you are doing and what you want to do. IOW, buy yourself some time to make a decision.

3 Likes

What science classes are you taking? My kid is a freshman in chemical engineering and also feels like his classes are easy. He got out of the normal freshman chem, writing, calc, and physics with his APs. He knows it will get really hard in junior year. First-year courses within engineering departments are all like unit conversions and what does a so-and-so engineer do, and can you work in a group and use excel/matlab, etc. This doesn’t differ much by school and kids who did great in HS are usually kind of bored/annoyed with FYE courses.

Are you in an honors program? Those classes are usually engaging for your gen eds.

I second the recommendations to do research. Look at the profs in the engineering depts, and also other depts that may enjoy help from MechE major. Ask your advisor for their advice on how to approach those professors to ask about working in their labs. And when you get a position, ask your professor and/or lab mates for some reading material. I promise you’ll find it challenging :wink:

1 Like

All your kids must not be down south. I hear the opposite - but maybe because many are starting calc 2, next level physics etc due to AP. Bama, Auburn, Rice, Florida and more….