How To Know If Transferring Is The Right Decision For You

As a transfer student, I know deciding whether or not transferring colleges is the right move for you can be an extremely difficult and a hard decision to make. Transferring colleges can be overwhelming, making it difficult to decide if transferring will be worth it in the end. While transferring colleges is not a one-size-fits-all decision, here are two signs that transferring might be the right option for you. 

You are not satisfied with the school itself

Having trouble making friends or struggling in classes is a common thing that most students face, especially in their freshman year of college. If the reasons you are thinking of transferring are for any of those reasons, I would suggest you wait it out. Meeting people and settling into classes takes time, and transferring to new schools might not be the solution you are looking for. On the other hand, if you are not satisfied with the school itself, then it may be time to look at new schools. In my personal experience of transferring, I enjoyed my friends and classes at my previous college, however, the school itself was not the right fit for me. Nothing, friends or school-wise, would have changed my feelings towards the college; it was simply the college itself that I did not enjoy. If you know the school itself isn’t for you, then transferring might be the right move; however, if you are struggling with external factors, I would suggest waiting it out and giving it more time.

The school’s academics and resources don’t align with your personal and academic goals

Another major deciding factor in my decision to transfer was that the college I was previously attending did not have the academic opportunities I was looking for. I knew I wanted to explore scientific research and have lab opportunities, however, the college I previously attended did not have those types of opportunities. If the college you are currently attending does not have the opportunities you are looking for, then it might be a sign you should look at different schools that can better support your academic and career goals. In the end, you want a college that has the right opportunities for you, and if your current school does not have the right academic and social opportunities you are looking for, then it might be a sign that transferring might be beneficial.

Even though transferring might not be for every student, it is important to follow your instincts and listen to your gut feelings. While starting fresh and entering a new school might be intimidating and challenging, it may be worth it in the end.