Apply to transfer -- just in case?

[DoraBora]

My dd (18, freshman at local CC) has become unsure about transferring as originally planned to a state university for next fall.  She has a part-time job that she adores and is comfortable and happy at her CC.  She is thinking now that she doesn't want to go away for her sophomore year.

 

Her college grades are excellent, and our local CC has terrific transfer agreements with all of the schools in which she is interested.  Would it hurt to apply to those state schools (in TX) if she later decides she would rather wait another year?   

 

I guess I'm asking whether they would be likely to reject her the second time around (applying for admission her junior year), if she had turned them down a year earlier.  Would they even care?

 

[J-rap]

I think if you're accepted, you can often defer a year.  And that's actually kind of nice, because then she knows she's been accepted and doesn't have to worry about going through the whole process again the next year (assuming she still wants to go to the same school).  She could probably look up online whether the school offers deferment or not.

 

 

 

 

[OnMyOwn]

I think if you're accepted, you can often defer a year.  And that's actually kind of nice, because then she knows she's been accepted and doesn't have to worry about going through the whole process again the next year (assuming she still wants to go to the same school).  She could probably look up online whether the school offers deferment or not.

 

But, if she defers, would she still be able to take classes at the CC?  At one point, I had considered having my son apply to colleges and then defer, but then I thought he wouldn't be able to take any classes during that year.

[katilac]

I seriously doubt it would hurt her chances the next year. To be super safe, she could send a very politely worded letter to decline, stating that she will stay at the CC for another year due to circumstances. Send a copy snail mail, and it may get tossed in her folder. 

 

But I honestly don't think it will blip their radar at all. People don't accept transfers for many reasons. Plus, you have transfer agreements in place, so they aren't meant to decline you without reason. 

 

I would want her to apply this year. It's barely the middle of her first semester, she's just settling in and probably doesn't want to think about another adjustment. But things could easily change by next semester! And I push my kids to not make decisions based on the initial disruption to their comfort zone - that's right for my particular kids, who really like the familiar but also love new challenges once they start.  

 

And my personal preference would be for her to transfer sophomore year if possible. If she likes the familiar, another year will just make it harder, and give her less time to adjust at the new school. Many students take much of the first year to adjust to the new surroundings and being away from home, which only gives junior transfers a year or so to be truly comfortable at their school. 

 

I know that many kids do 2+2 with no issues at all. With my kids, I would have them fill out the transfer app and decide later. Then, if they were leaning towards staying home, I would ask them to think about why. Do they want to stay home because it's truly the best decision overall, or do they want to stay home because it's easy and familiar and they know they will succeed? If they stay home, what do they think is going to challenge them and help them grow this year? They might have interesting classes coming up with outstanding teachers, which is legit. They might be getting deeply involved with a particular organization that offers great experiences, also legit. They might finally be able to find all the buildings on campus . . . less legit, lol. 

[katilac]

But, if she defers, would she still be able to take classes at the CC?  At one point, I had considered having my son apply to colleges and then defer, but then I thought he wouldn't be able to take any classes during that year.

 

The vast majority of colleges will not allow you to defer a first-time admit and take classes for credit elsewhere, correct. 

 

I'm not sure how it works with transfers. In the OP's case, I don't think it matters. She doesn't need to defer an acceptance, because they have transfer agreements in place. 

[J-rap]

But, if she defers, would she still be able to take classes at the CC?  At one point, I had considered having my son apply to colleges and then defer, but then I thought he wouldn't be able to take any classes during that year.

 

Oh that's a good question, and probably at the very least you would need to update your application.

[Nancy in NH]

But, if she defers, would she still be able to take classes at the CC?  At one point, I had considered having my son apply to colleges and then defer, but then I thought he wouldn't be able to take any classes during that year.

 

DS applied to transfer to a 4 year last fall, but we found we couldn't afford it.  He learned about a transfer agreement between the 4 yr and a local community college.  He chose to defer enrollment there and enroll in the CC to start.  He had intended to transfer to the 4 yr as soon as possible, but he's happy at the CC and enjoying the program and it's a LOT cheaper!  The transfer admissions rep he met with (when he first wanted to directly transfer there from another 4 yr uni), told him to just keep in touch from semester to semester to let them know what his plans are and that she'd keep updating his transcript along the way if he kept in touch with what he has completed at CC.  The admissions rep told DS his initial application would be on file for a year and that he could apply again in the future, if he decided to continue on at CC.

[G5052]

You need to ask the 4-year.

 

DS was admitted to a selective "public ivy" school, but decided to give the CC a try instead. Just to see, I called the selective school. They said that he'd have to start over with his application if he took any college classes at all after high school. He could defer if he didn't take anything. The person I talked said that if he took classes, he'd have to reapply as a transfer student. She noted that they admit very few transfer students.

 

As it turned out, he graduated from the CC and is at a top-20 school in his major as a junior. The CC had a general guaranteed admission agreement if you completed a 2-year degree, and then a detailed guaranteed admission agreement for his major. Thankfully he met all of the requirements of the detailed guaranteed admission agreement and got into a selective program. He has fond memories of the small CC classes and knowing the professors well, but he's working hard at the 4-year and likes nearly all of his classes.

 

DD heard so much about the community college that she actually didn't apply anywhere else. She's loving it too.

Edited October 11, 2017 by G5052

[DoraBora]

Thank you all for taking time to answer my question.  I will to talk to DD about the things you've mentioned.

 

I don't think deferral is an option at most of these schools anyway, though the idea that they might keep her application on file for a year is intriguing.  I will suggest that she call to find out.  

 

It's her decision, of course, but I had hoped she would transfer to a four year school as a sophomore and would have a chance to enjoy a longer time at a university -- make friends, plug in...  I can see the benefit of staying at the CC until she earns her AA, particularly for the more selective university she's eyeing (Texas A&M), which seems to expect their transfers to be rising juniors (or at least to have very specific coursework complete before applying).  

 

It was just so much easier in my day, when state schools charged $12 per credit hour and I just went where I wanted to go...   :001_rolleyes: