Big University vs. Small Liberal Arts - Where to transfer from NYU?

Transfer Students
1

<p>I posted a similar thread about a month ago, but I have somewhat revised my thinking and I'm wondering if anyone can help me out.</p>

<p>The Story:
I am a current freshman at NYU debating whether it was the right choice.
Reasons for considering a transfer:
-NYU is huge. I meet people and then not see them again for three weeks. I find myself eating meals alone a lot, as my floor is not social and I rarely see people I know in the dining halls.
-No campus. When I chose NYU, I didn't think this was a big issue. Now that I am here, however, I feel like it is. Yes, we are in New York with all sorts of things to do and see, but I feel like dedicated NYU events are lacking, as having a campus is a prerequisite for campus life.
-Very little school spirit. Kids here wear sweatshirts of other schools more than they wear NYU ones. Seriously.</p>

<p>The Bottom Line:
I love New York City and I could see myself living much of my future life here. But I feel like I jumped the gun on 'the rest of my life'. I have the rest of my life to live in NYC, but this is the only time I'll ever be a college undergraduate. By being at NYU, I feel like I'm missing out on certain aspects of undergraduate life I will never again get to enjoy (strong campus community, football games, a quad, social floors and residence halls, smaller feel, frat parties, etc.)</p>

<p>The Decision:
Do I...
A.) Apply for a university somewhat smaller or equal in size to NYU that has a campus, school spirit, but still near or in a metropolitan area (USC, BC, Brown, etc.)</p>

<p>B.) Apply for a liberal arts college a lot smaller than NYU with smaller classes and more of a community feel (tufts, vassar, pomona, etc.)</p>

<p>C.) Stay at NYU</p>

<p>Any and all comments greatly appreciated! Thoughts, schools I should consider, or even students at some of the schools mentioned - perhaps what I find at NYU is common of campuses everywhere. Thanks!</p>

<p>Disclaimer: To prospective NYU freshman and transfers, don't think I'm saying NYU is a bad school. I just don't know if it is right for me. But I know plenty of people here who love it. This is just my opinion.</p>

2

<p>well LACs and other big schools are totally different. you need to decide which you’d be happier at. based on what you said about there being way too many people and not seeing people you know for weeks, i think you’d be happy at a LAC. my friend transferred to smith from a big state school and she says everyone there is really close and loves their school. if you can, maybe visit some of the schools you’re considering and talk to current students and see which type of experience you want.</p>

3

<p>i go to a large university of about 16,000 undergraduate students. i havent seen some of my friends in weeks so i will second what you’re saying. sometimes i wish i went to a smaller college as well. i also go to school in a large metropolitan area. just a note: bc isnt really near boston. its about a 30 minute train ride to boston.</p>

4

<p>I would apply to a variety of schools if you think you could be happy at each of them. Applying to transfer is a pain, but you can always decide not to transfer.</p>

5

<p>what are you talking about? i live right next to BC. Its 2mins away from boston. Brighton is part of boston and BC is right on the border of brighton and chestnut hill. Chestnut Hill is actually shared by both Boston, Brookline and Newton. BC fits all the criteria of a college the op is looking for.</p>

6

<p>i go to northeastern and i consider the area i’m at boston… haha. bc is a 30 minute train ride from me</p>

7

<p>I am from a small but respectable liberal arts college. I did not apply to NYU for the very same reasons you want to leave the college. I now deeply regret my college choice. Small liberal arts colleges have poor recruitment. Socializing, feeling good, happy, loved etc. are all very important but you cannot sustain any relationship without money. Even NGOs do not want volunteers, they want money. In short, everything from family to morality is tied to money and a college like NYU with a prestigious name and good on-campus recruiting can ensure you have plenty of it in the future.</p>

8

<p>Thanks for the info everyone - all great stuff. I think what I’ll end up doing is applying to 4-6 or so schools over winter break (some LACs and some larger universities - not sure which ones yet, any ideas?). </p>

<p>As far as the posters talking about BC - a school like BC is close enough to a metropolitan area for me. Basically anything that’s within walking distance of some kind of urban area or public transit to get to such a place is what I would want - aka not something in the middle of nowhere, but not necessarily right in the center of a city.</p>

<p>meghdoot - you bring up a great point. My counterpoint would be that I plan on going to grad school eventually, either right after college or within a few years - and I would likely choose a grad school with good recruiting. Also, many would probably argue that it’s not about the result, but about the process, referring to what would be the best fit school.</p>