Right now I attend a 4 year university in Ohio. The school and academics are great, but the social situation leaves a lot to be desired, and I really can't stand it there. I've been there for a semester and I'm supposed to go back at the end of January, but I really dread even the thought of going back. I got so depressed by the end of the semester that I found it hard to leave my bed to study for finals, but I ended up doing okay. Long story short, I just feel that it would be better for me to finish up this year at my CC, then transfer to a different 4 year school next fall. How would medical schools view this?
Transferring from 4yr to CC to another 4yr
- Thread starter ajd95
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Pretty badly if you explain it how you did. Sure, it may not be as social as you wanted it to be. That's life, unfortunately. You're at university to get an education, not to socialise. And phrasing it as you "got depressed" doesn't quite help you either. Depression isn't quite something you want to openly state in an interview.
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I know of quite a few people who did this exact thing for various reasons, ranging from "I just hated my first school" to "I wanted to save money". I think if you find a legitimate way to explain it other than depression you'll be fine. maybe go to a cheaper 4 year school after and you can just say "I really didn't enjoy my time at my first school and I wanted to save money." I think that would be a fine reason.
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How are your ECs, like research and volunteering? How are your professors and classes? Transferring multiple times affects your recommendation letters, long-term volunteering, research, and others. Sending multiple transcripts when you fill out your AMCAS will be cumbersome as well.
If I were you, I would first try and socialize with professors. I am uncertain exactly what is going on with "social situations," but give it a shot and go to their office hours when you feel you want to socialize.
If I were you, I would first try and socialize with professors. I am uncertain exactly what is going on with "social situations," but give it a shot and go to their office hours when you feel you want to socialize.
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I've not seen this in many med school applications but I have seen some students do this including my sibling's kid. We understand that going to CC is just a place holder so you don't fall behind while waiting to start a new school in the fall. I would not expect it to hurt your chances at all.
Socializing is not having an office hours chit-chat with a faculty member but feeling that you have a peer group with whom you enjoy interacting and that has similar values (commitment to studying, religious/political/ethical etc)
Socializing is not having an office hours chit-chat with a faculty member but feeling that you have a peer group with whom you enjoy interacting and that has similar values (commitment to studying, religious/political/ethical etc)
I obviously wouldn't advertise the fact that I was depressed during a med school interview, but it is what is happening right now. I have not found any friends at my university and the students are generally very unwelcoming and have very different priorities than me. I am really dedicated to my studies but I want to attend a school at which I have a balance between school and fun. And yes, CC is simply a placeholder and I would only be going for a semester.
