Question: My son is a college freshman and, although he's been at his current college for less than a month, he has made a decision to apply to transfer to a NYC school. It is exclusively an academic-interest transfer. The NY school accepts applications for January admission. Does applying for this academic year show a keener interest or perhaps a too-quick decision?

The answer is Yes. :-)

That's how one of my colleagues often fields my either/or questions. Usually it makes me nuts, but--in this case--perhaps it's apt. College admission officials may indeed wonder if your son is easily dissatisfied and didn't give his current college a chance. On the other hand, they'll probably have some attrition in the freshman class themselves and thus may be eager to fill an empty bed at an atypical time with an enthusiastic transfer.

But, first of all, even if the NYC school accepts January applications, have you confirmed that they will take a January freshman transfer? Some colleges won't. Next, when preparing his application, your son should be sure to cite the specific academic interests that are motivating the move. The more he can convince admission officials that the new school is the right place for him, the better his odds. (If, however, if your son already applied to the transfer school as a high school senior but was turned down, then it is highly unlikely that he will be accepted as a second-semester freshman transfer.)

Finally, before your son makes this big move, help him make certain that it's really for sound reasons. Is the new school truly a better academic fit or is he simply not happy with his present situation? If that's the case, he may want to give it more time while still keeping the transfer idea on the back burner for the following fall, if his feelings don't change.

Hope that helps. Good luck to you and your son, whatever he decides.