Should I transfer colleges?

[lavenderish]

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I just finished my first semester at a top 30 liberal arts college. Long story short, I failed gen bio and chem because of a severe depressive episode.

I spoke with my dean and I have two options at this point:

1. Take a leave-of-absence spring semester, do summer school, retake bio and chem in the fall.
2. Take classes at a community college and/or get a job spring semester, retake bio and chem in the summer at my local state school, transfer to state school in the fall.

Ideally, I would like to retake bio and chem in the summer and come back to my college. The only caveat is that the college doesn't offer bio and chem in the summer and to return next fall I have to do summer school there.

Money isn't an issue because I'm on a scholarship so the price of staying there vs. going to the state school is pretty much the same.

I'm so stuck. Any advice?

 

[carpediem22]

I just finished my first semester at a top 30 liberal arts college. Long story short, I failed gen bio and chem because of a severe depressive episode.

I spoke with my dean and I have two options at this point:

1. Take a leave-of-absence spring semester, do summer school, retake bio and chem in the fall.
2. Take classes at a community college and/or get a job spring semester, retake bio and chem in the summer at my local state school, transfer to state school in the fall.

Ideally, I would like to retake bio and chem in the summer and come back to my college. The only caveat is that the college doesn't offer bio and chem in the summer and to return next fall I have to do summer school there.

Money isn't an issue because I'm on a scholarship so the price of staying there vs. going to the state school is pretty much the same.

I'm so stuck. Any advice?

Are you happy at your current college? Transferring is not an easy thing to do socially, and if you are prone to depression it may be better for you to stay where you feel well-supported by your college administration, friends, and professors. However, if you are miserable at your current college, that is a different story. I will say that big state schools are nothing like small liberal arts college. You will be more of a number, and no-one will hold your hand. If you think you can thrive in this type of environment (especially when you will be coming in not knowing anyone and without an established social circle), go for it. Otherwise, think seriously about the type of educational environment you want.

If the only reason you are thinking about transferring is because you would have to take bio and chem in the fall rather than the summer, that is not a great reason and I wouldn't do it. If you have to take courses a little later than your pre-med cohort it is not the end of the world. I transferred and ended up taking classes off-track, and it was just fine.

PM me if you have any specific transfer questions or if I can be of further help.

 

[Govols22]

Personally, I wouldn't take Bio and Chem during the summer. Taking two science courses during the summer can be rather difficult and intense. Manageable yes, but considering these are classes you are retaking, I think it would be wise to make sure you are mentally up to the task regardless of where or when you take these classes.

Sometimes a change of scenery helps, sometimes it doesn't. It really depends on the Pro's and Cons of each school. Is one school closer to home than the other? Do you have close friends at either school? Go wherever that makes you happy first and foremost, if your past depression was a result of your current school, then it might be best to move on.