Should I transfer to Barnard from Reed?

calmom
Wed, 15 Dec 2010 17:06:30 +0000

The transfer cohort however, represents exactly that “do-over”. Like freshman year, you are again part of a significant group that is receptive to meeting new people, in a new environment. Consequently, if the school facilitates making these connections, its possible that transferring can improve a negative social situation.



Or, the transfer “do-over” can end up being just as bad or worse than the original situation, with the added day-to-day problem of adjusting to a new school as a junior. The problem is that there is no guarantee, and no going back.

I agree with you that housing can be a big part of the social connectedness issues, but my daughter ended up having bad years (socially) and good ones at Barnard, without too much continuity from year to year, depending vary much on the vagaries of room assignments.

It’s not clear to me whether the OP is unhappy with Reed due to social reasons, or if the primary problem is Portland. I think that Portland has been rated as one of America’s most livable cities – but I think that’s for people who like a quiet, sedate life.