Should I apply to a college if I'm planning to transfer later?

I'm a high school junior considering applying to a college I might transfer from after my first year. Is it a common strategy, or should I rethink it? Seeking insights from anyone who's taken this route!

As someone who has been in the college admissions field for quite some time, I can certainly say that your situation isn't unusual—I've known a number of students who have started at one school with the intent to transfer.

Here are a few things I'd suggest taking into consideration:

Firstly, transferring colleges is not always a straightforward process; you sometimes end up repeating courses or adjusting to a new academic system which can stretch your college years. Moreover, the acceptance rate for transfer students may be lower than for incoming freshmen, depending on the institution.

Secondly, ensure that you make the most out of your experience wherever you start. Engage in campus life, join clubs, develop relationships with professors and colleagues, etc. You don't want to feel like you are just biding time.

Lastly, when applying to your "first" college, don't pick a place you'd be miserable at. Choose a college where you feel you would be happy, at least for a year or two. If you change your mind down the road and decide not to transfer, you'd still be in a place where you enjoy studying.

Just a quick example, let's say you want to eventually be a Computer Science major at a highly selective university, but you're not sure you'll get in right out of high school. Instead of betting everything on your dream college, you could start at a more attainable school that also has a strong CS program, doing your best to excel academically and participate in relevant extracurriculars, then apply to transfer as a more competitive applicant.

To sum up, the "start here, finish there" route is entirely valid, but it comes with its own slew of challenges and considerations. As with all major decisions, a wise move would be to weigh the pros and cons carefully, and perhaps discuss your plans with your guidance counselor or trusted mentors.