What to Do if You Don't Get In
From wait-listing to community colleges, you can find ways to alter course in midstream if your initial choice doesn't work out
Agreements differ from state to state—Lane, for example, has dual-enrollment programs with both the University of Oregon and Oregon State. "The earlier a student can identify the public university they want to transfer to, the better we can coordinate and advise them about what they need to do to make the transition as smooth as possible," Spilde says. That way, in terms of years, two plus two really does make four.
Transfers: Once More, With Gusto
What if you arrive at the college you thought you wanted, and once you're there it turns out not to be the fit you'd hoped for?
Ann Stouffer was excited about going to Boston University: big East Coast city, excellent business and management program. But the six-hour drive back to suburban Philadelphia seemed awfully long, and she missed being on a team—she'd played three sports throughout high school. She went home for winter break and thought it over.
"Having made close friends and figured out that I could go out for the lacrosse team the next semester, honestly, I could picture myself staying and being happy," she said. Instead, though, she applied and was accepted at Temple University in Philadelphia (another big city, another strong business program)—and made the lacrosse team. "I'm very glad I transferred," she says.
Transferring is often more straightforward than it sounds: In general, colleges look for the same qualities in transfers as in incoming freshmen, and application guidelines are similar. NACAC's yearly space availability survey contains information about spaces for transfer students, too.
TIP
If you do opt to stay on a wait list, write or call with any new info you think will help—a stellar final transcript, a special award or achievement. And let your college know you're not just toying with it.
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Reader Comments
The earlier the better...
I too am a high school senior, working through a British system. I was supposed to be returning to the States for college, but by the moment i realized i had to apply, i had already missed a whole lot of dead lines! Since I am opting for medicine, wasting time isn't exactly the best idea, so now I am going for community college which seems like a pretty good option, considering my position. So, i would suggest the same; TRY TO APPLY EARLY!
Think Community College
Your recommendation to consider community college is a great one! Too many people think of these local colleges as a lower-class vo-tech option when, in reality, they offer smaller classes with highly-qualified faculty. I earned transfer credits at significantly lower cost at a two-year school, then transferred to a university as a junior and avoided the “cattle-call” entry-level classes.
A better solution
I am a high school senior (09) and I opted to apply early in my senior year to schools that had rolling basis and for those that had the typical september date did those as soon as possible. The earlier you apply the less chance you have on being wait-listed because the college or university can tell you ahead of time what you need to work on if your not at their standards yet (Ex: Low SAT or ACT scores, not enough extracurricular activites, etc) I got into all my college choices even the ones that said they have have applicate rates. And don't procasinate or else you'll fall behind and next then you know your senior year is almost over.
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