I have worked with many college students who want to transfer to a different college. It’s truly heartbreaking to sit down with students who put hundreds of hours of thought and work into choosing a college and have now decided it might not be right for them.

By the time most students talk to me, they believe they have made a firm decision to transfer. Despite their resolution, I typically try to back things up a few steps to determine if transferring really is the best choice. Sometimes, the student just needs a listening ear, an objective outsider’s perspective, and some strategies to realize that there’s no need to leave their current school. Other times, a transfer is the best course of action, and we start making a new plan. 

If you’re considering transferring to a different university, consider the following points to determine whether or not you should take the next steps.

College Life Is Not What You Expected

Many students consider transferring to a new college because they don’t feel like they fit in at their current school. They don’t feel a connection within their dorm, with their classmates, or in any clubs or sports being offered. Isolation in the college setting is awful, and that feeling has caused many students to transfer out of the school they dreamed about for years.

When students come to me with this problem, I can usually offer several helpful ideas. Every college student needs to find their tribe, or the group of friends who just seem to fit together. As the frustration of not finding that tribe becomes overwhelming, students often decide that the school is just not the place for them. But that’s not always the case! Usually, we just need to do some exploration to find the perfect set of friends, and the student quickly finds their groove.

Your Academic Program Is Not What You Expected

Most students do a ton of work to prepare for their academic track long before they ever set foot in a college class. When everything points to a certain academic program, and then the program itself just isn’t working, misery sets in.

Students who are considering a transfer may have already identified a program at a different school that may be a better fit for their needs. When they come to me, we go over the issues in the current major to find out if there are some options at their existing school. There may be a good program that the student just hadn’t considered, and switching majors could save them time and money by remaining in their current college.

Never Rush to Transfer Colleges

The problems that drive students into college transfer often need breathing room and objective examination to determine if they really are deal breakers. Never make a major decision when your emotions are elevated. It’s possible that even after we consider every solution and alternative, a transfer is still the best decision. But it’s really important to do that work before taking a loss in credits and money to move to a new school.

If transfer is on your mind, or you’re just not feeling settled in your university, contact me before you make any serious changes. I will carefully explore all of the issues and possible solutions with you so that you can take your next steps - to stay or to go - with confidence. Keep an eye out for Part II of this topic, where I’ll cover the practical issues in transferring to a new college.