<p>I am currently a senior in high school and will be attending college at one of my safety schools: SUNY Binghamton, Syracuse University, and Boston University. My class had always been extremely competitive throughout high school, and let’s just say that my college acceptances did not go as planned. However, I already know that I will be applying to transfer after a year at one of these schools. I have already discussed the transfer option with my guidance counselor, who said that I will probably be among the brightest students at any of the 3 colleges and that it will be easier for me to transfer since I would be competing against a smaller pool of students.</p>
<p>Of course, this is not a knock on any of the 3 schools. An education is an education, and they are all fine institutions, but I know that I would be happier and better-suited at one of the colleges I had really wanted to go to.</p>
<p>The decision I now have to make is choosing between the 3 schools. That being said, does anyone have any advice on which college I should attend in the fall? Are the schools pretty much equal, or does achievement at one school look more impressive than achievement at another? I plan to major in Political Science, if that information helps any. Thanks.</p>
<p>“My class had always been extremely competitive throughout high school, and let’s just say that my college acceptances did not go as planned.”</p>
<p>It’s getting harder every year. Don’t think that it will suddenly become easier next year, because it won’t. Transferring used to be the “back door” route to getting in to baller schools. But then word got out, and now it’s more competitive than regular admission.</p>
<p>That said, if you’re serious about transferring, then the answer to your question is the point where these three roads intersect:</p>
<h1>1 Wherever you will be best able to focus on school (acing classes) and becoming a more interesting & dynamic human being (community/activities)</h1>
<h1>2 Whichever place is the cheapest (because, after all, it is only serving a temporary purpose)</h1>
<h1>3 Wherever you would be happiest to remain if your transfer plans don’t work out. Because sometimes, they don’t.</h1>
<p>“and that it will be easier for me to transfer since I would be competing against a smaller pool of students.” </p>
<p>Wrong. You’re competing against students that are generally much more qualified than freshmen applicants. </p>
<p>Also, if you’re going into college with the mindset that you’re gonna transfer, you’re not even giving yourself a chance to enjoy the place… I have friends at BU and Cuse who absolutely love it. I’m not saying don’t transfer if you end up not feeling happy there, but at least give them a chance?</p>
<p>exactly. I was a very qualified student when I applied last year and I did not get into the schools I intended.</p>
<p>My advice (as someone who has applied to transfer into a new school for Fall 2009).</p>
<p>1) Don’t go to a school and plan on transferring. Your first year will be miserable.
2) Stay optimistic. Pick a school you feel will fit you the best (and feel lucky you have choices!)
3). It is much, much harder to get in as a transfer. BU accepts almost 60% of applicants for freshmen entry and only 32% for transfers. 32% is also a very high number for competitive schools. Most Ivys (except Cornell) accept about 6-7%. Most top tier/competitive schools accept less than 15% of transfer students</p>
<p>I currently have three friends, all very different (one a dancer/latin studies student, one an actor/english student, another who is english/premed) and they all LOVE BU. I feel that BU is a great school and offers enormous resources for no matter what your interests.</p>
<p>Well I was SORT of in the same situation as you last year. Went to a very competitive HS and didn’t get into a few schools that I thought I would. Had the intentions of planning to transfer after my first year. But you know what? I love my school and have no intentions of transferring anymore. And being in that “I’m going to transfer” mentality can definitely make it harder the first year. I was stuck in the “I hate it here, get me out” mode for most of first semester and was kind of miserable here. But I got out of that mindset and decided to try and make the most of my school. And now I can’t imageine being anywhere else! So yeah, don’t be super set on just transferring, think of where you might actually be happy. Excel wherever you are (especially if it’s an “easier” school) and then go to an amazing graduate school. It might even be better in the sense that you can put in a little less effort, have a fuller college experience, and still do well in school.</p>
<p>I don’t think that having such a mindset necessarily means that I won’t be able to enjoy the time I have while I’m there. Not giving the school a chance would be a waste of an opportunity, and I’ve always been the type of person who makes the best of whatever situtation I’m in. I look forward to being in a new environment, working with new teachers, and meeting new people. At the same time, being able to transfer is just a goal of mine, and while it may always be in the back of my mind, I don’t believe it will hinder me from enjoying my experience at whatever initial school I end up at.</p>
<p>However, thank you very much for your insight.</p>
<p>Would any other CCers like to advise me on the matter? Please don’t repeat what has already been said. I understand the importance of giving the school a chance and the difficulty of transferring. My real dilemma is deciding between the 3 schools.</p>
<p>I would suggest BU, even if it may be your most expensive option.</p>
<p>While it may not be talked about much, I’m confident that admissions officials look at where you’re currently going to school and what amount of prestige your current university carries. While schools will accept students that attend community colleges, the bulk of the students that H/Y/P/S, the other Ivies and the quasi-Ivies accept as transfer students come from H/Y/P/S, the other Ivies and the quasi-Ivies.</p>