I am a committed member of a class of 2022 at a University (very very selective college that I don’t want to disclose) that I am unsure I will fit in at. I didn’t really like it all when I visited, but I was admitted at very few schools, and this school was the only one that offered reputable programs in my field of interest (but even with that some of the things didn’t work out.) In high school I had to push myself, honestly more than I should’ve, and I feel like I wasn’t able to put my physical and emotional health as a priority. I know that people say that “it’s about how you make the most of it,” and even though I know that’s true to an extent, I feel that I’d really like to be in a community that I could be more invited in. I feel that I’ve worked insanely hard (maybe if I had worked a bit smarter I wouldn’t have been in this situation ) and really want to be happy in college. However, if I were to reapply for college admission, I was wondering if I would be allowed to apply for a freshman class position instead of a transfer, or if I could apply as a transfer, relinquish all credits, and place as a member of the class of 2023. I feel that if I transferred schools, I wouldn’t be able to get the full experience I am hoping for and that I wouldn’t be able to make as good friends. Financially, my parents say they that it’s more important for me to be happy and that they’d be willing to pay for a fifth year of college (but I’d honestly just want to work and earn that year’s money and pay my parents back for it–come on, I can’t be that mean to them.)
You haven’t even started college yet. You chose the college for sound reasons. Remember those reasons. Or ask for a gap year and see if you still feel the same way next year. Or look at the NACAC list of colleges which still have places available, some of which are excellent schools.
You should not start any college thinking you will not be happy there. Do not apply to a college you don’t like, if you do decide to reapply. If you start over again for next year, you will be applying as a freshman. You will never be considered a transfer student until you actually take classes at a college.
It seems to me that you don’t feel ready to go, and are very uncertain. If you can get past your doubts and realize that you are likely to find friends at college, then start in September and make the most of it. If your doubts are too nagging, take a gap year at your school so that you can reconsider, or start the process over again for next year.
You can only start as a freshman if you don’t start college. Talk to your parents about taking a gap year…but don’t run from something (that college), but run to something (some skill/goal you want to attain)
I’ve kind of given up on the whole transferring thing. If worst comes to worst I’ll think about this in February. If I need to I don’t see why the college would have qualms with me relinquishing all of my credits and starting from scratch. Even if this wasn’t allowed–maybe I could transfer anyways and things would be okay. At the end of this, no matter what happens, I remain committed to being human–even if it means failure.
There are a few places where you have to start as a first year student no matter how many credits you have earned before because of the nature of their programs. Other than those, you don’t get to “relinquish” your classes. The place you transfer to determines which, if any, courses transfer, and as what.
Keep in mind that all your friends are about to go off to college. With that being said your friend network will dramtically change. It may make you feel isolated. College is very different than high school. What would you do instead if you delayed college for a year?
I do know of a student who was able to reapply (as was accepted) as a freshman after having started elsewhere. There was a limited # of credits she was allowed to have at her original school in order to be considered. a freshman at her new school. Surprised me, but it was allowed.
Ask you school if they allow you to defer a year. Also if you take one class regardless of the result you can never apply as freshman again. If you go to your school with the desire to transfer and feeling it is a bad place for you - it is my opinion that it will a self fulfilling prophecy. And you’ll shortchange yourself.
If you don’t want to go. Don’t. Work for a year and reapply again and be thoughtful about your selections. But don’t go just to go. Successful transfers are students who really excelled where they were originally attending. You’ll have a hard time at a very selective school if your are not 100 percent in the game. Just my two cents. And good luck!
Yeah I have looked up a lot, and I see almost no one transferring and redoing their freshman year. However, I do see a lot of transferring happening and a lot of folks feeling lonely. Maybe I’ll just play it out for four years. Eh–should’ve worked harder on the SATs and AP USH test and had more ECs instead of loading up on summer math. Even if college sucks, I can live a good life I guess.
) and really want to be happy in college. However, if I were to reapply for college admission, I was wondering if I would be allowed to apply for a freshman class position instead of a transfer, or if I could apply as a transfer, relinquish all credits, and place as a member of the class of 2023. I feel that if I transferred schools, I wouldn’t be able to get the full experience I am hoping for and that I wouldn’t be able to make as good friends. Financially, my parents say they that it’s more important for me to be happy and that they’d be willing to pay for a fifth year of college (but I’d honestly just want to work and earn that year’s money and pay my parents back for it–come on, I can’t be that mean to them.)