Transfer from Oxford College Emory Univ [after first semester]

Transfer Students
21

Not sure, but I doubt that Washington University in St. Louis accepts mid-year transfers, but contacting the school admissions office should be fruitful.

Based on the scant information shared in this thread about your daughter, I would encourage her to consider three different majors at Washington University in St. Louis (very nice location/beautiful campus/wealthy school). The three majors are:

PNP = philosophy-neuroscience-psychology

PB & S = psychology & brain sciences

Behavioral Neuroscience/Cognitive Neuroscience

A minor in Music may also be of interest:

Other elite schools which accept Spring transfers (need to verify):

Rice University (need 12 semester hours of credit and, at least, a 3.2 GPA

NYU

U Michigan

Notre Dame (requires at least a full academic year of credits)

Boston University

U Texas at Austin

Boston College (November 1 deadline)(requires just 9 credits)(test optional for transfer studentsā€“so a high standardized test score, while unnecessary, could be a huge boost) (has a Psychology & Neuroscience major)

U Wisconsin

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22

I believe Tulane also takes spring transfers.

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23

Correct - application deadline is 10/15.

But agree with what many originally said. Itā€™s only been a month at Emory and many of the challenges outlined at Emory are going to be similar going into any new school.

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24

This is so true and it will be even harder walking in as relationships have been or are being formed.

In theory itā€™s too early but if someone wants to leave, I get it.

Often times itā€™s the kid and not the school - the student has a hard time adapting away from home (thatā€™s many) or given cliques, etc. maybe doesnā€™t find a place to fit in.

Obviously given the structure/location of Oxford and I wonā€™t diminish the entire school, but yes there is a chance that it doesnā€™t work out.

Iā€™d talk to professors, see if maybe thereā€™s a religious group or something at main campus, or even ask to speak to former Oxford students now at Emoryā€¦.clearly this isnā€™t the first student to struggle there (or anywhere) or perhaps they have counselors that can help with ideas. Perhaps a part time job too - to occupy time ?

Has the student asked others to study, etc? Getting in a study group is also a way to meet other kids.

Personally, if I were transferring, Iā€™d go homeā€¦.get into a CC next semester and take my time to find the right fit. Even if there were other acceptances, if theyā€™re in a similar vein size/location wise to Oxford, they might not be the right fit (for re contact). And as many student learns, they leave their elite for a non-elite and it actually works out much better for them.

In the end, the student will create their long term outcome. The school wonā€™t.

Hoping good things for the student.

If @AnonMomof2 is out there, I believe this is the parent whose student had this exact dilemma a year ago - and transferred the following fall (from an elite to a solid, but not elite school thatā€™s a bit larger (but not huge). She might, if available, be a good resource for this parent to connect with.

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25

thank you for your reply-yes BC is on her transfer list. ND was the dream school but unfortunately did not happen.

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26

Yes we saw Tulane takes spring transfers but my understanding is that greek like is huge there and thatā€™s what sheā€™s trying to avoid. Maybe Iā€™m mistaken thoughā€¦.

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I agree that coming home and taking some time to find the right fit is great adviceā€“Iā€™m not sure she will listen to it though, lol. Hard when all friends are off having great college experiences and youā€™ll be commuting to CC.

28

If she likes BC and Notre Dame, how about looking into other Jesuit/Catholic schools that might not be as tippy top - whether a Dayton, Providence, Fairfied, Sacred Heart, Holy Cross, Loyola Maryland, Seton Hall, St. Joseph, Lasalle, LeMoyne etc. Perhaps some of these take 2nd semester transfers?

Or regional depending on your state/area. SUNYs or Ramapo or Connecticut directionals or a Millersville if youā€™re in PA.

My bigger fear is - what if itā€™s the student and many do struggle. If every student who struggled after a month looked to transfer, schools would be half empty. Itā€™d be so much better if she can get through to December, then decide itā€™s not for me. Sometimes at Thanksgiving time-ish, all of a sudden it kicks in. And with a fall transfer, sheā€™ll have more choices in Fallā€¦and a better chance to find a social group than the Spring.

I donā€™t know if youā€™re full pay or not, but if you are getting aid, that could be another issue with transfer - overall cost.

How much is homesickness?

I feel for you - both mine had this, especially my daughter who now couldnā€™t see herself going anywhere else - and as a parent, itā€™s just crushing on you to see your children struggle but unfortunately itā€™s part of the process.

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29

Greek life is prevalent but not overwhelming or exclusionary. The ā€œhousesā€ are used as meeting places and not residential. Tulane is ~62% female and the most recent number I saw was that ~50% of females join sororities. So on a school of 8K students, while ~2,500 females might join sororities another ~2,500 do not. Walking around the school you see lots and lots of Tulane clothing, very little that signifies a Greek house.

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30

Transfer, but she can get whatever she wants to study at any university. She wonā€™t like this but,I have recommended University of Buffalo because:

Itā€™s extremely large.

Thereā€™s a lot to do.

You donā€™t have to know how to ā€œpartyā€ to go there.

Yes itā€™s a public university, but our daughter received an exceptional engineering and CS education there, (she originally went there to do premed because of UBā€™s program that would link her to any of the upstate campuses for medical school).

and itā€™s very underrated because of the weather.

FYI, she got into all the UCs, USC, Johns Hopkins, Yale, but UB has a number of supportive programs and Honors that other universities donā€™t have. Weā€™re from Southern California. We had no idea that sheā€™d end up as an electrical engineer and computer software specialist but those options were there at that school. Thatā€™s what I love about those large schools: they have a lot of studying options.
This daughter is a non-drinker she didnā€™t know a soul at that school. We didnā€™t know a soul on the East Coast. But she was able to find friends, volunteer, work, and have a good experience there. She wore Birkenstocks throughout the winter and hung up a mini surfboard in her room while commiserating with the other dorm mates about the weather. It helped that the airport was 10 minutes away.

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31

I am not sure I would consider CC a good alternative for this student at present, especially if she is not trying to springboard to highly competitive public flagships. It makes more sense to me to finish out the semester at Oxford while compiling transfer applications, see if things get better and have the option to transfer to another 4 year if they donā€™t. Throwing yet another college via CC into the mix within the space of a year just seems unnecessarily disruptive to me, especially as it may not advantage her at all when trying for the ā€œmainā€ transfer.

I just want to add that while in some cases it is just a case of settling down and working through the difficult first few weeks, in some cases it is also a case of realizing you just donā€™t fit where you are. A close relative had a miserable freshman year and an amazing experience after she transferred (ironically, to Emory). Your student has already learnt one or two important things about fit (size/location) by the sounds of things. I donā€™t know enough about Tulane to comment, but I second a post above that considering the Rose Hill campus at Fordham might be a good fit. For campuses that admit spring transfers (or have spring starts) there will also be other newbies coming in. It might be worth enquiring if there are any specific orientation/social programs for these incoming students too.

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32

My understanding is that OPā€™s daughter does plan to finish her first semester at Emory at Oxford (otherwise she might not qualify as a transfer student and enjoy, if needed, the added benefit of applying test optional to some schools).

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33

I was counterpointing a suggestion that she not.

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34

Itā€™s an interesting point - and I donā€™t know the answer - and yes, I suggested she do second semester at CC - just to buy time. Iā€™m not sure if @AnonMomof2 daughter did (took classes or stayed home and worked).

But if a student withdrew now (during the first semester) and re applied to college, would they be considered a new student?

Iā€™d assume so as most say transfers need 12 credits.

They could open the search up wide again - and then maximize merit or aid opportunities a transfer may not have.

Not suggesting it - just thinking out loud.

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35

I donā€™t know, but I do know it would be a semester of fees down the drain.

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36

But that may or may not be anyway - because one doesnā€™t know what will, if anything, transfer.

Iā€™m guessing the money is the least part and I guess what Iā€™m getting at is - perhaps being new vs. a transfer, might make up all that money and then some - for example, schools with auto merit or other merit opportunities that OP might consider - but those wouldnā€™t be in the vein of ND, BC, etc.

Just a thought/question I hadā€¦.

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It varies by college. Some colleges do see any post-high-school college enrollment as invalidating the ability of the student to apply as frosh. So check each college of interest to see what its policy is on whether one can apply as frosh after enrolling in college after high school, even if withdrawing before completing any courses.

This is separate from what the college may require transfer students to have (in terms of credits and specific course work) in order to be eligible for transfer admission.

In other words, here are some things to check for each college of interest (ask directly if not clear on the web site):

  • Under what circumstances could the student apply as frosh (as opposed to transfer) after enrolling in college after leaving high school?
  • If applying as a transfer, what must the student have completed in their prior college(s) (credits, specific course work)?
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38

Hi! I was tagged so Iā€™ll share my daughterā€™s transfer story.

She came from a boarding school, so we never imagined any difficulties. In fact she transferred to boarding school for Jr. and Sr. years after applying during Covid and didnā€™t see it until we dropped her off. The boarding school sends a ridiculous amount of kids to Ivys and top tiers, so her list of schools was very reach heavy- many of her HS classmates were recruited athletes, legacies or under-represented minorities so those numbers ended up a bit skewed. She also didnā€™t want to visit schools when applying because she thought sheā€™d be fine anywhere. She started her first year at Hamilton where her roommate did not show up and they didnā€™t assign a new one, strike one, she got Covid the first week of classes (2023 fall when quarantine was still a thing) strike two. She was very interested in dance and it did not live up to expectations- strike three. I will say looking back she was also in an unhealthy relationship (long distance) with her HS boyfriend strike four. She did not return after Christmas. That left very little time to apply for fall 2024. IMPORTANT things we learned. Every school has different rules for what constitutes a transfer student! The large state school who she had turned down a full tuition scholarship to would not let her apply at all because she didnā€™t have enough credits to be a transfer and she couldnā€™t be considered a freshman because she had attended college. Several others had the same rule. She only applied to 4 schools-still. reachy. I suggested St. Olaf because of what I had read on this forum. We visited and loved it. They are very open to transfers while still only accepting about 30%. Thankfully she got in, got the highest academic transfer scholarship, a room and board stipend and a dance scholarship (even though not a dance major). She re-classified as a Freshman and did Freshman orientation so got the full experience. While home in the spring she worked part time. Since starting there she is now only 1.5 credits behind even after missing a semester so is planning to re-classify again and graduate Spring of 2027 which is her original date (but attending a total of 3.5 yrs). I think if the boyfriend thing hadnā€™t been going on, and sheā€™d had a good roommate she couldā€™ve stuck it out. To her though, at the time, it was not a healthy place for her to be. There is a bigger party culture there and the people she met wanted to go to all the parties which was not her thing. She is very happy and thriving now. My advice is to do the research, weigh pros and cons and do what is best for your kid.

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39

OPā€“ a couple of places that might have the vibe your D is looking for-

Goucher

Clark

Brandeis

Wheaton

American

Not big party schools, reputation for inclusive and friendly students, I know kids who have attended all of these who struggled to find their ā€œpeepsā€ in HS and LOVED their college experience. Donā€™t know if affordable, has what sheā€™s looking for, but nice, down to earth students who are serious about getting an education and have a nice and active social lifeā€¦.

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40

Iā€™m hoping things change but it they donā€™t she can not stay to finish out the year and will need to transfer.Itā€™s more than homesickness (wonā€™t go into detail but a slew of ā€˜thingsā€™) thank you for all of the suggestions..much appreciated.

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