LikeAWillow
03-25-2009, 04:08 PM
I'm thinking about applying to transfer from my current school, Wellesley College, to schools on the West Coast. There are so many pros and cons, and I would really love to get a few opinions. Just for the record, I have a high gpa as well as substantial extra circulars that I think would give me at least a 50/50 shot at most of the schools I'm aiming for: Berkeley, UCLA, USC, Claremont McKenna, and Pomona. I was accepted into USC after my senior year in high school but turned them down; I've never applied to any of the other schools before.
Pros about Wellesley:
IT'S FREE. I was given an amazing financial aid package ( which was the deciding factor for me last year. )
The alumni network is incredible.
My non-major classes are first rate - classes are small and always discussion based.
Wellesley is incredibly well respected, and I know that part of the reason I was offered a wonderful internship this summer was brand name power.
This one is a little embarrassing, but my mom could not be more proud of the fact that I go to Wellesley. I don't want to let her down. :o
Cons about Wellesley:
A large portion of the student body is unbelievably wealthy and elitist- I hope I'm not the latter, and I'm CERTAINLY not the former. I feel isolated and disconnected from my peers.
The institutional policy of grade deflation is counter productive to my ultimate goal of attending Berkeley for law school. I've managed to beat the curve so far, but it's hard to explain the frustration of being informed that a "perfect paper" is a B+ or that an A- is as far as the professor will ever be willing to go.
My major is English, but I've found my classes in the department so far to be the most underwhelming of any I've taken.
Hand holding is taken to the max at Swells- students live in single room dorms all four years, are REQUIRED to be on the meal plan, and are given almost no opportunity to live off campus. I'm rather independent, and I can't help but feel stifled...already.
Pros about transferring to a CA school:
Better weather! Haha, what a horrible first reason, but I've always been in love with California. Winters depress me to the point that it affects my school work.
A chance to grow- the schools I'm applying to are either large or part of a consortium. I don't want my hand to be held. I want a true living and learning experience.
More satisfying English classes. Again, I want to grow, I don't want to coast.
A more laid back attitude and a higher level of diversity (especially socio-economic)
An escape from grade deflation and the satisfaction of knowing that the work I've done is being evaluated fairly.
Cons of the transfer:
I won't necessarily be given the same full ride that I have at Wellesley (although at CMC and Pomona I would be)
Slight loss of prestige depending on the school
Parental disappointment
Even further away from home (although as it is, I'm only able to return for Christmas and summer break, so this really isn't a huge factor)
Does anyone have any thoughts? And thank you to whoever bothered to read all this- it was helpful just to get it down in words.
Pros about Wellesley:
IT'S FREE. I was given an amazing financial aid package ( which was the deciding factor for me last year. )
The alumni network is incredible.
My non-major classes are first rate - classes are small and always discussion based.
Wellesley is incredibly well respected, and I know that part of the reason I was offered a wonderful internship this summer was brand name power.
This one is a little embarrassing, but my mom could not be more proud of the fact that I go to Wellesley. I don't want to let her down. :o
Cons about Wellesley:
A large portion of the student body is unbelievably wealthy and elitist- I hope I'm not the latter, and I'm CERTAINLY not the former. I feel isolated and disconnected from my peers.
The institutional policy of grade deflation is counter productive to my ultimate goal of attending Berkeley for law school. I've managed to beat the curve so far, but it's hard to explain the frustration of being informed that a "perfect paper" is a B+ or that an A- is as far as the professor will ever be willing to go.
My major is English, but I've found my classes in the department so far to be the most underwhelming of any I've taken.
Hand holding is taken to the max at Swells- students live in single room dorms all four years, are REQUIRED to be on the meal plan, and are given almost no opportunity to live off campus. I'm rather independent, and I can't help but feel stifled...already.
Pros about transferring to a CA school:
Better weather! Haha, what a horrible first reason, but I've always been in love with California. Winters depress me to the point that it affects my school work.
A chance to grow- the schools I'm applying to are either large or part of a consortium. I don't want my hand to be held. I want a true living and learning experience.
More satisfying English classes. Again, I want to grow, I don't want to coast.
A more laid back attitude and a higher level of diversity (especially socio-economic)
An escape from grade deflation and the satisfaction of knowing that the work I've done is being evaluated fairly.
Cons of the transfer:
I won't necessarily be given the same full ride that I have at Wellesley (although at CMC and Pomona I would be)
Slight loss of prestige depending on the school
Parental disappointment
Even further away from home (although as it is, I'm only able to return for Christmas and summer break, so this really isn't a huge factor)
Does anyone have any thoughts? And thank you to whoever bothered to read all this- it was helpful just to get it down in words.