While I have had plans to attend another university for graduate school (Stanford hopeful over here), I would have never thought that I would be applying to another college so early. Instead of waiting for the dreaded GRE scores to come back and graduate school decisions, I have taken it upon myself to apply to another institution to complete my undergraduate career.
Transferring schools can be an exciting transition because you are able to start fresh, make new connections, and have a different college experience, here are the five reasons why transferring to another college is not exactly a walk in the park.
1. The application process
It may have been a while since you were a senior in high school, but you probably remember the stress that came with applying for colleges. Having to write essays, hounding your teachers to write your recommendation letters, and wondering why the heck do the colleges have to know everything about you except your blood type and bank account can be a pain. Imagine doing this all over again trying to convince another college to like essays that you wrote the night before the admissions deadline and recommendation letters that might not enhance your application.
2. Fees
Sending transcripts, submitting applications, accepting your admissions offer, going to orientation costs money that unfortunately makes your wallet unhappy. According to usnews.com, the average application fee was $41 and Stanford University having the highest at $90. In addition, I remember that I had to pay a $200 fee to accept my admission offer at St. Mary's.
3. Leaving budding friendships behind
In addition to events at St. Mary's like Homecoming and Oysterbake, the friendships I have made here will be something that I will regret leaving behind. This is one of the hardest things about transferring because after developing friendships with some of your peers, keeping in touch can be challenging when you don't see them. This is not to say that you cannot maintain those friendships though.
4. Waiting on decisions
Playing the waiting game is never fun. You keep refreshing the Mystatus for any updates on your application and seeing if they accepted you. You feel like you could refresh for hours if you could. "What if the admissions committee lost my records?" or worse..."What if I was waitlisted?!"
5. Credits not transferring
After refreshing that Mystatus page about a million times...you finally get your decision! "CONGRATULATIONS -INSERT NAME HERE-, YOU HAVE BEEN ADMITTED FOR THE -INSERT YEAR- SEMESTER!" You finally let out that breath you've been holding, smile and then celebrate. All your worries are over and now you finally look forward to graduating on time like you planned...right?
Sadly, that's not the case for everyone, especially not you right not since you got a C- in Physics and not a C.
