Unhappy with my College, Want to Transfer

tommytomato · July 26, 2011, 6:44pm

I'm planning to enroll as a freshman this fall at Loyola University Maryland, but I've been having doubts about my decision lately, and am thinking I may want to transfer after my first semester. I was so apathetic and lazy during the college application period last year that I didn't really put much effort into searching for the right college, and now I feel that I'm going to a school that doesn't suit me. I'm an English/Philosophy major (possible minor in Creative Writing), not into sports, not into partying, and think of myself as more of a quiet, serious person with a strong interest in the humanities.
Loyola doesn't seem to be any of that. A lot of the guys going to this school are sporty business majors, decked out in plaid shorts and collared shirts, few of whom like to read and most of whom spend their time waiting for the weekend so they can get drunk and maybe get laid. Of course I'm generalizing, but it's a somewhat accurate depiction of the kind of ethos there. I want to go to a school where kids like to read, are not really into sports or partying and are kind of serious. I mean I'm not saying I want to go to school with a bunch of pretentious hipsters, but somewhere where I can find more artsy English-y people.

So which schools might it be a good idea to transfer to?

Anyway, here are my high school stats, if they're worth anything.

GPA: 88.01

SATs:

Math: 580
Reading: 610
Writing: 750

Thanks for any help.

Oh, and also, when I'm applying for a transfer, do they look more at my high school grades or my first-semester college grades?

imasophomore · July 26, 2011, 9:25pm

do really well first semester and get involved

make sure you don't get depressed and let that effect your grades

i'd consider some liberal arts colleges if I were you

based on your description of yourself, some I think you should research:
1) Reed sounds perfect for you
2) Haverford
3) Kenyon

vonlost · July 27, 2011, 12:45am

Reed doesn't take mid-year transfers, and is unrealistic with those SATs.

lirong · July 27, 2011, 7:32pm

Since you haven't taken many courses in university, I believe they will value your high school grades more. But you'd better do well in first semester.

bottlecap1990 · July 27, 2011, 9:44pm

Maryland college park

tommytomato · August 2, 2011, 6:02pm

Let's say I spend a full year at Loyola, so that I can get my GPA as high as possible....Are there any schools that might suit me and which wouldn't look at my high school GPA or SAT scores....I'm reluctant to send my high school transcript because I kind of messed up my senior year and got a few C's.

HeMustBeMagic · August 2, 2011, 6:13pm

No matter where you apply they are going to ask to see your HS transcript.

The catch is if you have more than 30 credits (aka 1 year) they wont put as much weight on them. Thus, if you dont wanna submit your HS you could just do well for 1 year and then it wont matter AS MUCH

UMBC (where I currently attend) is great. we have that serious type of atmosphere, the ******s are low in quantity and the English philosophy departments are AMAZING. I'm an English minor and my friend is a philosophy minor. The diversity is what people want to do with their goals, even in common fields, is so refreshing and awesome. You should seriously check it out. PLUS if you do well for 1 year there's a lot of merit scholarships UMBC offers and a program of scholars for humanities students.

tommytomato · August 2, 2011, 6:57pm

Wow, this is sort of depressing. I'm thinking maybe I should just transfer to a worse school like Stony Brook or Purchase or something. Oh well. I just hate the preppy-ness at Loyola. Although, I suppose if I get a 4.0 next year, then colleges won't focus as much as on my high school grades and senior-year.

entomom · August 2, 2011, 8:20pm

[quote]
Although, I suppose if I get a 4.0 next year, then colleges won't focus as much as on my high school grades and senior-year.

[/quote]

For a soph transfer, you apply after only completing 1 sem of college. So the decision will rely more heavily on your 4 yr record in HS & test scores.

brishe · August 2, 2011, 9:17pm

I know that college environment is important, but if you really want to transfer (up), you may want to consider spending two years at Loyola. And think of it this way: no matter the stereotype, there will always be people who break the mold. I'm sure you will be able to find those people. Additionally, when it comes down to it, it doesn't matter that you're around people who like to read, etc. What matters is that YOU do, and that you focus on doing well. A preppy environment won't affect how you perform in college, which should be your number one priority.

vonlost · August 2, 2011, 9:50pm

[quote]
it doesn't matter that you're around people who like to read, etc. What matters is that YOU do

[/quote]
It's just a little easier to work hard if your peers do, too!

brishe · August 3, 2011, 8:23pm

vonlost, I agree, but I think the OP will be able to find the crowd he's looking for at Loyola. Plus, preppy and academic aren't mutually exclusive. HuffPo rated UVA the #1 Preppiest University of 2011, and it's also a top 25 on USNWR.

tommytomato · August 8, 2011, 9:05pm

Sorry to continue this thread but I have one more question.

If I'm very unhappy at Loyola, would it be a really bad idea to come home after 1 semester and go to Hofstra (a much less reputable school near where I live) and commute to school...and then transfer again for my sophomore year to a college that I would actually like to attend?

I've been sort of brooding over this whole college thing all summer. I know I have to give Loyola a chance, but the truth is, I really never wanted to even apply there in the first place.

bottlecap1990 · August 8, 2011, 9:08pm

Yes it would. You will probably suffer even more there. Stay at loyola for a year, keep your GPA high, and transfer to a school you would like to attend.

momtotwins · August 14, 2011, 9:55pm

In my opinion, there is no "perfect" college, and also if you go in with the right attitude, you can decide to be happy wherever you are. You haven't even spent one week at Loyola and already you are planning to transfer. Why not go in with a positive attitude, look for people with similar interests - I am sure they are there somewhere - and see how it goes. You may be pleasantly surprised. If you go in with the attitude that it is not the right fit - it won't be - no matter what.