If there is one thing I consider myself to be close to be an expert on, it would be transferring schools. At this point in my collegiate career, I have attended four (yes you read that right, four) colleges/universities. To say the journey has been easy would be a lie, but as they say, what doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger. Throughout my multiple transfer processes I learned some very important lessons about myself and the kind of person I want to be.
1. If it doesn't feel right, it probably isn't.
My hindsight is 20/20, and looking back at the memories I have of the first university I attended, even before I got there, there were times when my gut told me it might not be the right place for me, but I stuck it out anyway. I remember sitting in on an American politics class and noticing how everyone seemed to be dressed similarly, no one said hello to me and they barely interacted with each other. I remember feeling so out of place and confused — this was not at all what I pictured a college class to be. At this point, I had already submitted my application and felt there was no turning back.
When picking a school, it should be all about checking off boxes, the boxes being your priorities. I should have known that the biggest priority of all was staying true to myself and not sacrificing that by trying to fit into a college culture where I didn’t belong. That sacrifice came at a cost, so lesson learned, trust your feelings, and go with what they tell you.
2. Change is good.
For many people, myself included, change can be a terrifying thing. We are straying from what we know to be comfortable and familiar, and heading into uncharted waters. I think the biggest reason people don’t transfer, even though they probably should, is fear of change. I had made my decision to transfer the first time around pretty early in the spring of my sophomore year, but as the school year came to a close, I found myself asking myself, "Is it really so bad here?” “Am I being overdramatic?” “I made it this far, what’s another two years?” But when I took a step back and thought about all the reasons that inspired my decision to leave, I felt reassured and knew I was making the right choice.
3. Instant Decision Days are strange.
Prior to transferring, I had never heard of an “Instant Decision Day,” but when I was looking to transfer for the second time around, it kept popping up on schools I was looking at. Instant Decision Day is when you take all your transcripts, possibly fill out an application and write an essay (although usually unlikely). Maybe you’re required to bring a letter of recommendation, and then you sign up for a time slot with someone in the admissions office, come with all your information and you sit there while they evaluate you. The counselor will tell you right then and there if you are accepted or not. As great as those days are because you don’t have to wait, at the same time they made me feel like a number instead of a person. I felt as though all my hard work applying for schools the first time around didn’t really matter because I could literally watch them crunch numbers and make a decision right in front of me. On there end, it seemed like I was just there to potentially fill an empty spot.
4. Transferring credits is a pain.
A huge factor in transferring is the number of credits you can count toward your degree from your prior school to your new school. I had a couple schools wanting me to do one or two extra semesters, just so I could fill their qualifications. This was so frustrating to me, and I didn't understand. Just because my first university had a different set of core requirements doesn’t mean they were better or worse than my new school’s.
A pervasive example of this is Freshman Writing. At my first university, we weren’t required to take a writing class — instead, writing classes were interdisciplinary and were based on the amount and type of writing that was required for the class. The next few schools I looked at would complain because I didn’t have a “traditional” freshman writing class. If I made it through two years at an academically good school with good grades, I think I know how to write an essay — if not, we have bigger problems on our hands.
5. Transferring is a unique experience.
Because I’ve transferred a few times, I know the importance of finding a good fit, and I know that it is possible. I’ve studied at a liberal arts university in the middle of nowhere Pennsylvania, a theater conservatory program at a large urban campus, taken a few classes at a local community college and now here I am at an artsy state school finally having found my home. I have met a lot of great people throughout my various educational endeavors, and even though I didn’t stay at any of those schools for an extended period of time, I was there long enough to make some pretty wonderful, funny and, at times, painful memories that I will always hold near to my heart.
6. Sometimes your first choice is the wrong choice.
The first university I attended was my first choice school when I was applying, so much so that I submitted my application for the early decision round. Upon getting accepted, I couldn’t have been more excited. I squealed with joy and shed tears of happiness, my parents joining in a shared celebration. Fast forward two years, and I found myself in the position to make a choice — either I could stay at a school that I felt was not cultivating the growth and positivity I craved from my college experience, or I could move on. Knowing there was only so much I could do on my own, I came to the realization that the place had to change as well, and that’s when I knew I needed to transfer
7. Your second choice can be wrong too.
Majoring in theater, I never anticipated I would get into my dream school to partake in a conservatory program, so when I did, it felt like my biggest dream was coming true. As I withdrew from one “dream school” and accepted my slot at another, I was so proud of myself, and truly felt I had made the right decision. Imagine my surprise as the semester came to a close, and I found myself feeling lost and unhappy. Here I was at a top university, studying in a renowned program, and I was miserable. Upon this discovery, I decided I should take time off from school and figure out what I really wanted and take time to work on me, so I did.
8. Taking time is worth it.
Taking time off from school was one of the greatest and most positive decisions I ever made. I learned so much about who I was and what I truly wanted from my academic experience. I had attended two universities that were the polar opposites of each other, took a few classes at a local community college and finally felt ready to explore more options. My best friend’s mom actually suggested I check out Purchase College, so figuring I had nothing to lose, so I paid the school a visit. To me, Purchase is the epitome of what I wanted from a college — small enough, artsy enough and, best of all, they accepted all my credits, and I’m able to graduate sooner than I anticipated. I finally feel like I made the right choice and feel like I belong as I walk around the campus.
The feeling of belonging is one I have come to realize is the most important when choosing a college or university. Summer tours don’t give you a good feeling as to what the school is like when it’s in session and also don’t show you the student body and what it's like. Tours are created to present a pretty picture of campus life — usually one that’s prettier than reality. I learned the most by walking around campuses on my own, looking at the posters and ads hanging around, peeking in on classrooms and even stopping random students for directions.
Every school I have studied at I learned a little more about myself, and because of that, despite not always having a positive experience, I am still grateful. I have come to believe that the concept of a universal “college experience” is a myth. My college experience has not been traditional by any means, and there are times when I feel at odds with it, but then I remind myself that this is my journey, and it is as crooked and beautiful as it should be.
