Should I Transfer Next Year?

mewria
Tue, 03 Feb 2009 11:39:16 +0000

I’m a freshman at Columbia University, and I’m not really that happy with my choice to come here. I definitely feel much more settled in and adjusted than I did first semester, but I still feel like I would be better suited to a different experience (not in the city… somewhere with more community… more artsy, etc). I think it might be too late for me to transfer for Fall 2009, so I am considering Spring 2010. Academically, I didn’t do great my first semester, so this would also give me time to bring my grades up.

I know everyone says give it time, I’ll adapt to the school and such- and I have a little bit; I’m not miserable here or anything. I just feel like I’d be doing so much better in a different kind of environment, that I would be happier elsewhere (but then again, I don’t know if I’m being rash- I dont want to transfer somewhere, really miss Columbia and regret my decision). Part of my dissatisfaction might be related to the fact that coming to Columbia wasn’t wholly my choice; my parents really pushed me to come here. But I don’t know if I’m painting some idealized vision of other schools.

If I applied next year, I would try to go to Wesleyan (where I got in last year) and Brown. If anyone can attest to the campus life in either of those places, that’d be really helpful.

Also, do you think transferring that late will make the transition very difficult?