<p>I currently attend Howard University, a historically black college in DC. The main reasons I chose Howard were (a) I am attending on a full-tuition, fees, and housing scholarship (actually the only reason honestly), (b) being located in DC is amazing, especially for someone who wants to end up working in the non-profit/think tank area and (c) relative prestige when applying for MPP programs/law school. </p>
<p>I've been here for a month and a half, and to describe my experience has been absolutely miserable would be an understatement. I'm severely underwhelmed by the lack of intellectual atmosphere in favor of heavy emphasis on Greek life and student organizations. The administration is more often than not impossible to deal with. Almost all of my courses are taught by professors who teach directly from textbooks/powerpoints. After joining a few clubs I still have failed to make any friends. I think it's understandable to say that should the rest of the semester continue this trend, and the first month of spring semester be the same, I am seriously considering transferring for sake of my sanity. </p>
<p>Yet, at the same time, it seems nearly unthinkable to transfer. Despite the fact that I haven't exactly been fond of this place, even during the college application process -- this was a school I knew I'd get a substantial amount of money to attend and my family, given Howard's "prestige," was adamant that I apply -- I have a lot of reasons (largely being that my EFC is ~$500) to stay. In conjunction with the fact that DC is the best place to intern at a think tank (though they don't seem to want Howard students over ones at American, GW, and Georgetown), I've already had access to some professional opportunities I doubt I'd ever be able to find elsewhere.</p>
<p>At the same time, I think it's impossible to put a price on happiness. It's been really rough doing the first month and a half here, and I seriously doubt I can put out four years and still thrive. I'm considering applying to Dickinson (slightly closer to home, will give me good but not equal need-based aid if accepted) and Temple (cheap because I can move back home, not too sure how my family would feel about that though). Am I irrational for thinking that maybe all this distress simply isn't worth it?</p>
<p>I remember you from your other posts…apply to the other schools and transfer if you are not happy. What are you majoring in? Which clubs have you joined? How is it possible that you haven’t met anyone whom you deem worthy of friendship?</p>
<p>If I remember correctly, your stats were decent. Where else did you apply?/Get accepted? There are thousands of colleges…What were your FA packages like at those schools?</p>
<p>Dc2013: have you considered that maybe you’re at Howard University for a reason, one that you may not see clearly until later in your life? Take it from me…when I was your age I transferred thinking it was the best thing for me. Sometimes it may be, but sometimes it’s really not. And there can be a great reward for sticking with the original choice you made. It is super easy to have some amount of buyer’s remorse when you’re in your freshman year. Trust me though when I tell you that no school is utopia. You’ll find your niche there. Be smart. Work your tish off study hard impress your profs pick a club you can join that’s meaningful to you land some great internships and in the process you’ll build a great resume form a couple of great friendships if you’re lucky and in four years you’ll have a bachelor’s degree with no debt…priceless.</p>
<p>I encourage you to stick it out for your entire freshman year, and then you can make a decision in the spring and figure out possible options for transfer. Use this time to do some soul searching. Is this your first time to venture out from your family? Have you had a lot of experiences going away (to summer camp, etc.) before college? If not, some of what you are feeling may be the newness of living an independent life. </p>
<p>I found that the overwhelming majority of my college experience was outside of the classroom. I worked my way through school, and that office work experience gave me a frame of reference as I studied business administration and sociology. I also got a part time job on weekends caring for a handicapped person. Wow, did that open my eyes to counting my blessings. I connected with a church and made a new “family” there, and was involved in clubs on campus. I am an introvert, and chose to attend a school where I didn’t know many people, and it was not easy for me to adjust. I had to go outside my comfort zone every day of my first semester.</p>
<p>Look beyond yourself for opportunities to connect with others. Volunteer, join a club, attend music/sporting events. Take advantage of everything DC has to offer. (Well, not today…it’s all closed!) But, think as if you were going to transfer, what would you want to visit while you have the chance? Then, go out and do it. And take a chance, ask another student to join you in your adventure.</p>
<p>If you spend all your semester just thinking about transferring, it will be hard to “put down roots” and make friends. Transferring mid-year to a new school will not be the best timing for making friends and connections. Most of the social culture is set for that type of interaction at the beginning of the fall semester. So take chances now, and know you have plenty of time to decide later about transferring.</p>
<p>My dd was extremely unhappy the first half of her year, but she started volunteering for clubs and finally made some good friends. Tough it out for now, because you do have some advantages in the DC area, but if by January you’re still not feeling it, start making plans but the money for your education may not be there where you go.</p>
<p>The best aid is offered to freshmen. So do find out more about transfer aid at Dickinson before you expend the energy on applying there.</p>
<p>If you have declared a major, find ways to spend time with other people in your department. It is likely that the coursework will become more interesting and more challenging when you get to the upperlevel classes.</p>
<p>Lastly, if you dislike all the Greek stuff, move yourself into the library/laboratory/study lounge and get to know the other students who are at Howard for academic reasons. Your peer group does exist there. You just haven’t found it.</p>
<p>You haven’t been there long enough to form meaningful friendships. For now, settle on acquaintances that may develop to friendships and other connections. Just maintain some amount of social life. It sounds like you will be giving up a lot to change schools. When you are taking more classes and especially upper division ones in your major, students will be more focused. The other schools you mention aren’t likely to have a better qualify of student necessarily–don’t expect anything to be different for you. If it is so easy you should be in the top of your class. Make that an aim. Sure put in some applications so you have options in the Spring if things don’t change enough for you, but right now I don’t think you can’t see past your nose and you are making your own bed and choosing to be unhappy. Sorry.</p>
<p>I agree with those who are saying you haven’t been there long enough for it to be hopeless yet. The first couple of months at every school, all the freshmen are in total friendship-random-hookup mode. Total social butterfly syndrome. It takes a while for everyone to settle down and find their niche.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, you may not know about this, but you can take courses at any university in DC through the [Consortium</a> of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area](<a href=“http://www.consortium.org/consortium/index.cfm]Consortium”>http://www.consortium.org/consortium/index.cfm). If good old Donn B. Murphy is still teaching it, I highly recommend his Playwriting seminar at Georgetown. Or take American Sign Language at Gallaudet, which was a popular option among Hoyas when I was at G’town. Branch out…you may find that your friend group is right under your nose there in DC.</p>
<p>And if you take some classes and make some friends amongst the students at Georgetown or GWU during your 4 years at Howard, you can get most of the networking benefits of being a student in those schools without even having to transfer.</p>
<p>Even if you don’t take advantage of the Consortium, get off campus. Go to a poetry slam in Adams Morgan. See some bands at the Black Cat. It’s a big and vibrant city, and your people are out there.</p>
<p>That being said, if you do all of that and you’re still unhappy at the end of the spring semester, I wouldn’t worry too much about the aid you have at Howard. If you can get a good aid package there, you can get one elsewhere. Not everywhere, but somewhere. Just make sure to have multiple options. And inquire with all of your transfer options about whether they have scholarships tailored toward transfer students. Many schools do, and those can give you a boost.</p>
<p>The consortium is a great idea, as is a semester abroad or graduating early. I did the latter.</p>
<p>I’m sorry you are disappointed. I was there for almost 8 years in the seventies-eighties, and I don’t know if I would have been able to pull off all those social shenanigans, AND do okay academically elsewhere. </p>
<p>What is your major? Is there still “the valley” with all the science buildings? You might find your peeps there.</p>