Choosing the Right College…Again
Transferring is certainly not an easy decision. As someone who felt that I made the wrong choice the first time, I went into the second round of applications with far more reservations. The primary concern was simple: what if I chose wrong again?
After a lengthy application process and a slew of acceptance and rejection letters, the stress of getting in became the stress of making a decision. While friends and family sympathized with fears of not being accepted, the difficulty of committing to a college for the second time was not as relatable.
“Why X University?” is a question every applicant answers for dozens of schools. For those I had never visited, I relied on virtual tours and a few testimonials found across the internet. Tufts, however, was different. When I visited campus for a transfer information session, I began to imagine what it would be like to be a student there. Most importantly, I began to connect with the academic culture the admissions presenter described.
At the end of my application process, I was torn between a large public university and Tufts. Their rankings were almost identical, with each providing the courses I wanted to take. There was one difference, however, that makes me incredibly thankful that I chose Tufts.
Tufts is large enough to have something for everyone, but small enough to treat you as an individual.
Transferring is difficult on many levels. While most posts online discuss social challenges, the transfer of credits and graduation progress is a critical issue. As your GPA does not come with you, it’s incredibly important to find academic support during this process. At Tufts, I have had the full support of my adviser and professors in the transfer process.
Though I often imagined myself at a massive public university, I know that I made the right decision. Though it took two years and a lot of paperwork, I know that I found my match. Transferring is difficult, but I’m so relieved that I did. I encourage you to hang in there through the stress of applying. Next school year, you’ll be thankful you did.