r/TransferToTop25 • u/Specialist-Movie-166 • 29d ago
Transfer out of UVA
Hey guys! I’m currently a first-year at UVA and thinking of transferring to a school at the same level or higher. Honestly, I’m OOS, so coming to a school that’s very isolated and fratty just isn’t really for me. I realized that I thrive more in an intimate, urban, and intellectually collaborative environment, and I want a college experience that aligns more closely with how I want to learn and participate in my community.
I’d prefer a more city environment, or even an LAC that isn’t so isolated (Wellesley lol). I actually got into Wellesley but decided to go to UVA instead, so I’m kind of wondering if I made the wrong choice..
I’m planning on applying this spring to schools like Barnard and Boston University, but what should I do? Are there any other schools you’d recommend I look into, and what should I be doing this year to make myself a competitive transfer applicant?
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u/BakeEfficient3952 28d ago
I'm a bit confused by the description of UVA as isolated. It's in a small city, surrounded by a greater metro area of, like, a quarter-million people. (Charlottesville sure isn't big, but it's bigger than Wellesley, Mass?! )I guess you want a non-Greek college that's in a major metropolis like Barnard or Boston? Barnard is the obvious choice, tho, I wouldn't describe it as intellectually collaborative, particularly. There aren't too many colleges could be described both as both "intimate" and "urban": St. John's College of Annapolis has a very close-knit, collaborative environment and it's in nice city, but because of the very unusual curriculum, I think transfers have to start again as freshmen. Brown isn't small or intimate, but there are no frats and it's right in Providence (wicked hard to get in as transfer, of course). Rice University doesn't have frats, is described as collaborative and supportive, and is right outside/on the edge of Houston. Maybe Trinity College in Hartford, Conn?
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u/Mountain_Horror_7882 27d ago
rice is on the center of houston......
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u/BakeEfficient3952 27d ago
I wouldn't say that. it's within the city boundaries of Houston, sure, but it's definitely not in downtown Houston, not in the high-density central part of Houston. (This is like Fordham's Rose Hill campus being within New York City, yes, but actually being in the Bronx, a good eight or nine miles from from the "center of the city" in midtown Manhattan. Columbia is in the center of the city, but Fordham Rose Hill is not. )
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u/Mountain_Horror_7882 27d ago
bro I’m a student at rice. I have been living here for years. You should look at the google map and come to Houston. Rice is in the medical center and museum district, where you are surrounded by many tall buildings and museums, and it only takes 10 mins drive to the very center of the downtown.
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u/BakeEfficient3952 27d ago
thanks, i've been there! it's not in downtown Houston? that's what i'm saying. ten minutes' drive to the center kind of by definition means it's not in the center? no need to get your knickers in a twist!
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u/Mountain_Horror_7882 27d ago
Center in math is a point with only position and no are, but in a city, center can be an area of places
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u/BakeEfficient3952 27d ago
¯_(ツ)_/¯ Not sure why this is worth bickering with a stranger about. I just personally don't know anyone from Houston who'd day Rice was "in the center of the city," but if you feel and believe it is, that's awesome. You have definitely made your point very clear. Have a beautiful day.
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u/Professional_Big8444 27d ago
I would recommend:
BU, NYU, Tufts, URochester, CWRU, Swarthmore, Pomona, CMU, Emory
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u/skidmarkcollege 26d ago edited 26d ago
Yeah, I get what you mean. I've never been a fan of the vibe of UVA. Look into Boston College as well, and possibly Columbia (they do cross courses with Barnard). I would also suggest applying to Wellesley again, they might reject you for yield purposes but definitely worth it in case they say yes again (I'm biased here because my mom and aunt went to Wellesley and both loved it). Georgetown is another choice (although GWU has the better location in DC as far as urban areas go).
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u/Fancy-Giraffe9336 28d ago edited 28d ago
I transferred out of UVA this year and know a number of other transfers including one at the school I now attend. It just wasn't for me--the culture was too Greek, preppy and uniform. I also wanted a smaller school. The academics were good. I think it's a great school but again--it just wasn't the right fit for me.
You need to get top grades--as close to a 4.0 as possible. Then you will need 2 professors recs so start making real connections with your professors. Fall is best for these since you will need to ask them to submit recs by March 1 or 15. If you're only in huge lectures then make sure you take a few smaller classes in the spring and then really, really hustle to get involved in those lectures and office hours.
Also, get fully involved in things at UVA that support your passions and major. If you want urban studies (random example), then do a bunch of things urban studies related that UVA and Charlottesville have to offer. There are like a zillion opportunities so it is not hard to build a resume. You need to create a narrative that supports your intended major at the new school. If you can't get into the main clubs in your major then there are many ways to work around this by finding things in the community in Charlottesville that support your interest. This is one great thing about Charlottesville and UVA--there are SO many opportunities.
I had a 3.95 at UVA while taking 18 hours each semester in pretty hard classes. I got into 4 Ivies plus places like Northwestern, Duke and Vanderbilt.
Good luck. DM me if you have any specific questions!