How easy/hard is it to transfer after 2 years?

Parents Forum
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<p>Son is contemplating going to near-free-ride school that isn’t super-competitive in his major (U of AL, major comp sci). His (just revealed) plan is to “transfer after a while” to a more urban, possibly more competitive school.</p>

<p>AL is a gorgeous campus, he’s in honors and he wants a ‘traditional’ college experience. </p>

<p>He’s likely bypassing 2 schools that are top-10 in his major in the country (would end up w/ $100k plus in debt at either).</p>

<p>I’m okay (!) with whatever he decides and will support whichever path he takes.</p>

<p>However, just wondering how realistic this “transfer in a while” idea is? He’s thinking of transferring to Rutgers, maybe, or (I think) trying for one of the more competitive schools. I told him – for any chance of that – he’d need practically straight As at U of AL. </p>

<p>But, even w/strong performance in 1st 2 years – not sure if transfering (& specifically, transferring from U of AL) would be a likely option? </p>

<p>I think he’s trying to split the difference (experience at gorgeous college for less than community college cost + don’t make a 100 % 4 yr commitment to being far away/rural + upgrade the academics after a while). I can definitely see the logic to this. But, not sure how tranferring works – do they look only at gpa from college?</p>

<p>Know this is a long post; thanks much for any thoughts!</p>

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<p>I guess my first thought is that this will play out as it will. It could be that the idea of transferring is offering him a safety valve for his doubts about the “prestige” of U of A. My guess? In two years, he will be happy and all ideas of transferring will have vanished. If not, he can always pursue it then and see what his options are. No way of knowing now.</p>

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<p>You are right that he will need top grades to transfer. But that’s a good motivator to stay on top of it, even if he does not “love” the school he’s at.
If he transfers after 2nd year, only college grades will count. Transferring credits in his major could be tricky (depending on the school).
UIUC is one of the top schools for CS, relatively inexpensive, and could be not too hard to transfer to.</p>

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<p>The University of Alabama is ranked among the top 50 public universities in the nation for the eighth consecutive year in U.S. News and World Report’s annual college rankings, fall 2008.</p>

<p>The University of Alabama ranked 12th in the nation among public universities in the enrollment of National Merit Scholars in 2007.</p>

<p>Seven University of Alabama students were named to the 2008 USA Today All-USA College Academic Team, the most of any school. This year’s team brings UA’s total for the last six years to 31, a figure that tops all other colleges and universities. In addition to this year, UA had the most students on the list in 2006 with six and in 2005 and 2003, both with five. In 2007, UA tied with Washington University-St. Louis for the most team members with four. In 2004, with four students on the team, UA came in second only to Harvard.</p>

<p>Enrollment at The University of Alabama is at a record high of 27,052 for fall 2008. The entering freshman class, at 5,116 students, is the largest in UA history.</p>

<p>The University of Alabama has a dramatic impact on the economy of Alabama, returning three dollars for every one dollar invested in the University by the State. UA each year contributes $1.8 BILLION to the state’s economy.</p>

<p>U.S. News and World Report perennially ranks the UA School of Law among the top 50 in the nation. Close to 99 percent of the 2007 graduates of the UA School of Law who took the Alabama bar exam in July 2007 passed.</p>

<p>UA’s undergraduate business program ranked 29th among public undergraduate business schools in U.S. News and World Report’s annual college rankings, fall 2007 and 52nd when private universities are included.</p>

<p>The Center for College Affordability and Productivity ranks The University of Alabama seventh in the nation among public universities in a study published in Forbes magazine, May 2008. Criteria included student evaluations, graduation rates, the percentage of students winning top national awards, and professional achievement of graduates.</p>

<p>The University of Alabama College of Communication and Information Sciences’ doctoral program in mass communication is ranked seventh nationally by the National Communication Association. The most recent U.S. News rankings for communication graduate programs placed UA’s advertising program 12th and telecommunication 14th in the nation.</p>

<p>UA is regularly ranked among the top 100 public universities in Kiplinger’s annual list of colleges and universities that combine “great academics and affordable tuition.”</p>

<p>The doctoral program in health education, a joint program of The University of Alabama and the University of Alabama at Birmingham, ranks seventh in the nation according to a recent study published in the Journal of Health Education.</p>

<p>The University of Alabama debate and forensics program has won 16 national debate championships.</p>

<p>The University of Alabama’s graduates and students include 15 Rhodes Scholars, 26 Goldwater Scholars, 11 Truman Scholars, 13 Hollings Scholars, two Javits Fellows, one Udall Scholar and one Portz Scholar.</p>

<p>One in five freshmen is enrolled in UA’s Honors College for fall 2008. These 1,065 scored in the top 2 percent nationally on the ACT.</p>

<p>For over a decade, UA has been one of the top public flagship universities in the Southeast in enrollment of African-American students. For the 2007-2008 academic year, African-Americans represent 11 percent of the student body.</p>

<p>UA is #1 in the nation in enrollment of minority doctoral students under the Southern Regional Education Board’s Minority Doctoral Scholars Program. A total of 17 SREB fellows have completed their doctorates at UA, and 22 SREB doctoral fellows are currently enrolled in this program that encourages minority students to pursue doctoral degrees and become college-level professors.</p>

<p>This year alone, more than 900 University of Alabama students will receive a total of more than $2.3 million in scholarships provided by the National Alumni Association. The UA National Alumni Association is among the nation’s leading public-university-based comprehensive associations, ranking among the top 10 in alumni support.</p>

<p>Founded in 1831, The University of Alabama is the state’s first university.</p>

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<p>the above post was just some stats o UA that may surprise people.
but here is a link to the part of the forum regarding transfers…might be some info there also</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/transfer-students/[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/transfer-students/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>I don’t like to see kids start their college experience expecting to transfer, unless attending a cc. I think it prevents them from fully bonding with their school and programs because they know it’s only temporary. They are barely in the door and it’s time to start researching schools again. On the other hand, I agree with dbwes that if he is really happy and allows himself to engage with his school, there is a good chance he will forget the transfer plan, so he should be prepared to get a degree from whatever school he chooses, it just might happen.:wink: Transferring is not always easy emotionally, socially and academically. I don’t think planning to transfer should be used as a way to avoid making a decision.</p>

<p>If he does intend to follow this path, he should take a look at the transfer sites of the schools he may be interested in attending to see the admissions requirements and also the transfer credit policies.</p>

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<p>Jolynne, is there someone at Rutgers or UT admissions where he could ask this question? Their responses/reactions would be the most meaningful to your situation. My understanding is that their are certain “feeder” schools that universities like more than others, at least in our area. </p>

<p>Your son should just keep in mind that just as there is an element of uncertainty about the initial admissions process–grades and test scores are just part of the equation–there will be the same element of uncertainty for a transfer application. Banking on the transfer is (1) risky, and (2) may make it harder for him to really enjoy his first year or two.</p>

<p>As for the prestige thing, we faced a somewhat similar dilemma. As you know, our son will be going to WVU next year, which ranks well below UAL in the eyes of cc from what I can tell and if you hang out on cc long enough that bias/collective wisdom does leave a pit in one’s stomach sometimes. However, in our case we had no choice. S2 was adamant that was where he was going, wouldn’t apply anywhere else, end of discussion. Like your son, he has picked a difficult major so clearly doesn’t plan to major in beer drinking and couch burning, but the social aspects of the school (i.e. football and basketball) were an important consideration for him. It will only cost us $2,000/year in tuition, so it does make it easier to like, in my mind.</p>

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<p>Probably the most difficult part of transferring is that they have to do the application during a semester at college which is usually very intense. Transfer applications to selective schools require solid essays and good reasons for transferring. Kids I have known (including my daughter) do not tell anyone that they are considering the possibility.</p>

<p>Having said that, I think he is just looking for reassurance that if he makes this choice and it’s not as good or as rigorous or he regrets it, it can be remedied. And the answer is yes, it can and you can do it. It’ll be a little difficult and time consuming, but if you really want to, it’ll happen. With that reassurance he may be able to embrace the decision to go to Alabama.</p>

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<p>Another wrinkle about transferring (besides the need for doing very well at School #1) is that sometimes the number of transfer students that School #2 accepts may differ from year to year and could be very small in the year OP’s son is transferring. For example, I believe that Harvard hasn’t accepted transfers for the last 2 years.</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/476694-seen-harvard-forum-no-transfer-admissions-harvard-year-next.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/476694-seen-harvard-forum-no-transfer-admissions-harvard-year-next.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>Thanks for that input! I do think part of the thought of transfering is a bit of a ‘safety-valve’ in order to validate choice of less-prestigious school.</p>

<p>Thank you for those great stats, parent56! I know it is a beautiful, friendly place w/wonderful chances to excel.</p>

<p>UIUC is one school son got into (honors, also) & it’s great for comp sc. But it’s–unfortunately–not relatively ‘inexpensive.’ OOS total cost is $44k a year. Sigh. Just can’t swing that, even if I were to work full time & allocate a good portion of my net to son’s tuition. Even if we’d saved diligently, I really can’t imagine we’d have had some $120k banked for son by now.</p>

<p>TheAnalyst–we are in a similar boat. I’m hopeful that son will take every opportunity offered to him at U of AL, if he does go. Just crossing my fingers that he makes it a wonderful experience. So true (as said often, here) that college is what you make of it. </p>

<p>Thanks again for the great suggestions (will check transfer info on school sites) and encouragement!!!</p>

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<p>Wow that’s surprising about UIUC…</p>

<p>BTW, my son applied there, and as one of their top applicants was offered a scholarship that made the tuition equivalent to in-state (this was 6yrs ago, so things might have changed… but it might be worth asking about…)</p>

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<p>JS, the Val. of S1’s class went to Wake Forest, hated it and left after first semester, did Spring semester at local directional state u. and applied for transfer to flagship (UNC). She got in and has loved it. She is headed for Med. school next year after transferring twice inside of one year. </p>

<p>I am in the camp that is betting your S is talking of possibly transferring (safety valve)just in case some might be specualting that he could have done better than U of AL. </p>

<p>Once he gets there with thousands of other kids who are thrilled to be there, he’ll prob. jump right on the bandwagon in a sea of Crimson screaming “Roll Tide Roll” and forget that he ever felt differently.</p>

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<p>nngmm–I did check into the instate tuition possibility at UIUC believe me! Was told they have nothing like that, now. Other state schools do (son applied).</p>

<p>Packmom–I have a real feeling once son goes (if he does; seems likely) he’ll totally & completely love it. I’m ready to buy a U of AL flag to fly outside the house. Hub is already wearing the hat he got on our visit down there. There’s such spirit at these Southern schools (for school/team/state) that is really unfamiliar to us (NJ)…it’s fun! (I guess it could also be that neither hub nor I follow any professional sports teams…suppose I’ll have to learn the rules of football, now, lol…!).</p>

<p>Thanks again!</p>

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<p>UIUC is pretty expensive for oos students at $26K tuition (not including any surcharges for certain majors plus $15K in room, board, fees, books, etc. I was a bit surprised also.</p>

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<p>I was going to say exactly what dbwes said.
I think he’ll end up perfectly happy there, but having the “option” open to him makes him feel better about his choice.</p>

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<p>ellenmenope–it sure is! I ran some figures (made big spreadsheet yesterday of 10 accepted schools). I first mistakenly calculated UIUC w/instate figures & was ready to book a flight or drive w/son this weekend. Then noticed out-of-state figure. Um, no. </p>

<h1>theorymom-thanks, I hope so! And hope that all kids here will be happy, whatever their choices will be for next year!</h1>