2 answers
Andraya
Student
Warrenville, South Carolina
2
Questions
Updated
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What if I can't go to my dream college because 1.) I need to go to one in my area first and 2) The college is far away from where I am (which is why number one is included)?
Should I, if it's an option, find a way to stay in touch with them even when I'm at the other college to show them I'm still interested, or should I wait until my time there is over and then just transfer to my dream college and take the courses I want to take there?
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2 answers
Beverly Schott
Academic coaching, advising and teaching
31
Answers
Canton, Connecticut
Updated
Beverly’s Answer
Hi Andraya,
You pose a good question and it seems like you have the answer. Yes, go to a local college first and yes, keep in touch with the dream college.
Here are some pointers below.
Best wishes to you in your college journey!
Beverly
Contact your dream college admissions office for advice on transfer paths from colleges near you.
Let your local college know where you plan to transfer and ask the advisors for help in coordinating a plan.
Keep in touch with your dream college--attend open house and other programs to learn more about the college and transfer opportunities.
Earn good grades and be sure the classes are the correct transferable classes for the major you intend to study there.
You pose a good question and it seems like you have the answer. Yes, go to a local college first and yes, keep in touch with the dream college.
Here are some pointers below.
Best wishes to you in your college journey!
Beverly
Beverly recommends the following next steps:
Tammy Prosser
Educator
47
Answers
Buffalo, New York
Updated
Tammy’s Answer
It sounds like you a few questions here and likely a few things to consider. First, yes you should keep the lines of communication open with any college you are interested in attending. Admissions offices refer to this as “demonstrated interest” and sometimes this makes a difference in the admissions process. Always a good idea to communicate and let the school know of your plans to attend.
Secondly, is there a reason why you can’t go directly to your dream school? I know that the college process can seem daunting and the idea of moving far away to might be scary or come with financial hurdles , but you only get a chance to go away to college once. It’s not clear from your question if you are thinking about going to a community college and then transferring into your dream school as a junior or if you are planning ahead for graduate studies but either way, don’t settle. If you are thinking of going to another school locally first, that college should still be on your wish list and be a college where you can grow, learn and thrive. When applying to schools you should keep your options open. You never know what financial aid may be available at your dream school which might make it a reality sooner than you think.
Another thing to consider is transferring. If you go somewhere else first, you still have to apply to your dream school and then transfer there. I transferred schools during my undergrad and it was hard for me. Not all of my credits transferred which meant I had to take additional classes towards my degree requirements. Additionally when I transferred in, even though I was a junior, I had to learn a whole new campus, navigate classes and dining and parking. As a junior, I was starting out in a new place without any network of friends or community. Everyone rise had already built friendships as freshman and yes I made some acquaintances but must people had already settled into friend groups. I also never got to have that true college experience. That was my experience and maybe yours will be different but I’ve always regretted not going away to the 4 year school that I wanted to right away. My best advice would be to go to your dream school right away if at all possible. There are ways to get there and lots of financial aid options to help make it a reality.
Talk with your school counselor about your choices and ask for help in navigating your options! Good luck!
Secondly, is there a reason why you can’t go directly to your dream school? I know that the college process can seem daunting and the idea of moving far away to might be scary or come with financial hurdles , but you only get a chance to go away to college once. It’s not clear from your question if you are thinking about going to a community college and then transferring into your dream school as a junior or if you are planning ahead for graduate studies but either way, don’t settle. If you are thinking of going to another school locally first, that college should still be on your wish list and be a college where you can grow, learn and thrive. When applying to schools you should keep your options open. You never know what financial aid may be available at your dream school which might make it a reality sooner than you think.
Another thing to consider is transferring. If you go somewhere else first, you still have to apply to your dream school and then transfer there. I transferred schools during my undergrad and it was hard for me. Not all of my credits transferred which meant I had to take additional classes towards my degree requirements. Additionally when I transferred in, even though I was a junior, I had to learn a whole new campus, navigate classes and dining and parking. As a junior, I was starting out in a new place without any network of friends or community. Everyone rise had already built friendships as freshman and yes I made some acquaintances but must people had already settled into friend groups. I also never got to have that true college experience. That was my experience and maybe yours will be different but I’ve always regretted not going away to the 4 year school that I wanted to right away. My best advice would be to go to your dream school right away if at all possible. There are ways to get there and lots of financial aid options to help make it a reality.
Talk with your school counselor about your choices and ask for help in navigating your options! Good luck!
Thank you very much!! This makes me feel a whole lot better about my situation!
Andraya