Good Evening, everyone. Currently, I am writing this while trying to complete my transfer applications for next fall. But I am second guessing myself, to paint a picture I am first year undergrad at a small NY school as a IR major. The school however is a majority dance/arts and in my first semester I feel underwhelmed at the amount of support I am getting for my major. While the school has good professors, the schools environment and academic support ignores many of the non arts majors. The schools is facing a very unique change in meshing with a bigger prestigious school in the future, where people like me might get more support. But, I feel this waiting is only regressing the possible opportunities I may have at another institution. Thoughts?
Yes, investigate your options for a better match for you. No harm in researching now.
You can absolutely seek out options to transfer if you feel your academic needs will not be met at your current college. Without knowing particulars, it is hard to opine.
A few very general comments:
-Even if you decide to put in some transfer applications, please do focus on creating friendships, developing relationships with professors, being involved in ECs, etc. at your current college in case you end up staying.
-Understand that merit aid can be more difficult to get as a transfer so if finances are an issue, focus on affordability.
-If you apply to transfer after one year of college, expect that your HS record will be part of the application review.
-Recognize that a successful transfer can absolutely be done, but it is not always easy. Many friendships are formed freshman year. In addition, you will be walking into a situation where most students will already have established routines, understand the demands of the school, etc. while much will be new to you.
Do you know when this will occur? Does the other school have a good program in your major? You might end up at a great university without having to do anything.
I do not see any harm in applying to a few other schools to see whether you get an affordable offer. However, I also agree with @happy1 that there are some potential downsides to transferring. Also you should be doing your best to seek out opportunities at your current school even while you send in a few transfer applications.
I also would be tempted to discuss this with your academic advisor. When talking to them stay calm and respectful and try to keep an open mind.
To put somethings more in perspective, I am one of very few students, I say about nine in my major. Those students I communicate with are very unhappy with the schools treatment in regards to their major. Some either think about transferring like myself or aren’t as enthusiastic in their major at all. With the merger it’s estimating it will be around 2026, but the details on what will change are very hush hush. The schools current environment is not very welcoming, it’s very group based. Academic focus is not much of a priority. Which to me reminds me a lot of high school. Ive had to change dorms once this year due to the things which went on, often effecting my personal and academic life.
At a small school, especially a school heavily focused on an area of interest that is not your area of interest, it is not surprising that the number majoring in your field would be small. I would also guess that the department is small and the number of faculty in the department is small. Do you have a feel or a sense for what those faculty members plan to do with the upcoming changes? Are any planning to look elsewhere or go on sabbatical? Do you have a close enough relationship with any of your faculty members at this point to diplomatically ask a general question like that that could potentially help you make your decision? I agree with others who say there is no harm in looking at other opportunities, especially if you can afford to transfer. Best of luck in this difficult situation
Also if your username is your actual name you should change it.
I thought they addressed their screen name a year or so ago
@SoladaM if this screen name is your real name, and you didn’t change it a year ago, as suggested, I would strongly suggest you do it now. If this isn’t your real name, just tell us and we will stop suggesting this.
To change your screen name, you will need to email admin@collegeconfidential.com to request a username change
Hmmm…. Looks like it was 2 years ago. Hope the current screenname a pseudonym How Do I Change My Username? - #13 by ALIYAH_MADRIGAL
Was just coming back here to say it looks like you hadn’t changed your screenname after all. Please do!
One thought – can you get information about when the merger will be finalized and find out if there is a chance you could switch to the college taking yours over (if it is better for your major)?
Would the merger or buy out physically move you or your school will just become a ‘branch’ campus of the other school.
Don’t know your desires in a school or budget, but many schools offer IR. Does yours have a study abroad or DC semester available ?
That might be a way to buy time.
It may be risky to wait for a takeover vs finding a school that can support you now. A merger might be messy and offer no short term change.
This reply also answers the question above. Merging school is estimating a completion of the merger around 2026 don’t know if during fall or spring. They are planning on becoming a branch campus with that merger. If I were to transfer it would hopefully for fall 2025.
I have a friend who taught at Mills for decades. After the merger they brought in many more students and her classes of 20 became
Classes of 60. Faculty could no longer have the same relationsupmeurhbrheirnstudents as they used to. fWIW
Does the university that your current school is merging with have a better program in your major compared to where you are currently?
A wild idea occurred to me. It might not work. It might not be possible. However, it might at least be worth asking. This wild idea assumes that the university that your current school is going to merge with has a better program in your major compared to where you are right now.
You are going to end up in a couple of years at the university that your school is merging with. Will they let you personally switch to the new school early, with your current financial aid (if there is any)? Will they specifically let you switch for example in September (or maybe earlier if the school is on the quarter system)?
I do not think that it would hurt to ask.
May not end up at the new school as it will be a branch campus - students may have a new university to attend without physically moving.
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