Best Liberal Arts colleges to transfer to? HELP!

Hello! This may be a slightly long post, but I figured I would put this out on here to see if anyone has good tips. Well, I am not enjoying my school currently. I am a freshman where I attend a four-year state university, but I am coming from a performing arts high school. Here, my university doesn’t have much of an arts program which is kind of making me upset. I am studying English/creative writing and the school is known to have a good program, however, I’m unsure I want to be in a state university with 30,000 students. I’m looking for a smaller, arts-oriented campus with more rigorous academics. The problem is…I will be a transfer. That scares me and I know that applying as a transfer has its perks and downsides. I’m also not completely set on transferring, but I need to make a “plan B” in case.
So, my question is: what are good L.A. colleges (particularly in the south/midwest) that have good writing programs and also are fairly small?
My HS stats:
ACT-23 (superscore was 24)
GPA-3.5
ECs- creative writing club, racial tolerance club, radio broadcast, dance, theatre, stage crew, volunteering, student council, and a few others but those are the main ones.

I will have 22 hours completed by this semester. Currently my GPA is a 3.8, but subject to change due to the end of the semester.

Any information would be great.
Thank you!

What can your family afford? As a transfer you’ll basically be full pay.

@“Erin’s Dad” It depends. Currently, I have a fund that will pay for most of my college, but if the university doesn’t accept the fund, then it’s a no-go. My dad (primary financial provider) said he will pay up to 50,000 which puts me in the ball park of schools like St. Edward’s, Southwestern, etc. I’m from TX if that’s any help, too.

Is it not a standard 529?

Not sure about the arts programs at these places, but check out Birmingham-Southern, Millsaps, Furman (a bit of a reach), Samford University, Hendrix (also a bit of a reach) and Austin College. Also, if you’re a young woman, take a look at Agnes Scott and Wesleyan College (in GA).

erin’s dad: yes, it is a 529

I don’t know of any college that won’t accept a 529.

I believe that Sewanee is supposed to have a good writing program. At least it has a writing tradition. I have no idea how your stats match up.

On the other hand, you are apparently a freshman who has been at your current school for at most 2 months? Have you investigated all of the arts opportunities your school has to offer, as well as those in the immediate area? Finding some smaller communities centered around a common interest might make the school feel smaller to you.

@Consolation I have been in school since August 9th due to sorority recruitment which has helped in making friends, however, the school isn’t very challenging. I’ve tried to find some smaller arts communities, but the school only offers theatre (no musical theatre, dance, etc) and the college town is driven by sports. The campus is more conservative than I had hoped. I will try to give it more time, though.

Have a look at public liberal arts colleges such as St. Mary’s College of MD, New College of FL, Minnesota-Morris, UNC-Asheville.
http://www.coplac.org/
As a transfer, you’d most likely get a much lower net cost than you would from a private LAC.