<p>I am currently a freshman at Barnard College at Columbia University in New York City. I'm not entirely unhappy, but it was not quite what I was looking for. The all-female dynamic isn't for me, the faculty and students are generally uninspiring and I frequently find myself thinking I made a mistake. I want a bigger, more rigorous school. I will miss New York, but the school community just isn't right for me.</p>
<p>What do you think about this decision? What do you like about ND? Not like? What are my chances?
Thoughts about the social life? Surrounding area?</p>
<p>I have a roughly 3.5 gpa (I honestly don't know...mostly A's and one B in a 3000 level course), am involved in community service, and have no record of suspensions/other disciplinary issues.</p>
<p>I can hardly think of a bigger change in venue. From a women's school to one that is male-dominated (only been coed for 35 years). From a city like NY to a burg like South Bend? From a liberal school to, uh, Notre Dame? From a hands-off administration to a controlling one? From a school where athletics are secondary to one where they rule?</p>
<p>You really need to consider what you want, and why you think Notre Dame would provide it.</p>
<p>I obviously have, because what I have is not what I want. I am comfortable and even thrive in a male-dominated setting (a few of my classes are at Columbia and feature plenty of male interaction). While there will be an immense change, part of the reason New York is hurting my college experience is because there is no community on campus. Everyone goes out into the city. And while this is amazing, I am not making the kinds of connections I want with people from school. Is there a PROBLEM finding things to do on/off campus? I have no problems with conservative campuses. I myself lean towards liberal, but I certainly am open to others' opinions and it doesn't bother me. Barnard's administration was different from Columbia's, and I did like the fact that there was more advising and more administrational intervention sometimes. Columbia's students were often left to float about on their own, which is in some ways good and some ways not. And, though I am not an athlete myself, I LOVE football games. </p>
<p>my brother goes to ND, and he loves it. he wasn't very social in high school, so he really blossomed in ND's environment. he's in band and does all sorts of stuff with his section, etc. There are a lot of dances and things to do on-campus. Football games are definitely AMAZING. the stands are packed with students and the football weekend lasts abut 4 days. they make a huge deal out of football and it's a lot of fun. There's a lot of "dorm pride."</p>
<p>Notre Dame isn't even male-dominated so don't let that influence you...it's like 52% male 48% female!</p>
<p>I transferred after freshman year from the University of Michigan. I was in the same situation as you...and the prospect of switching from a very big, liberal school (or with you, a metropolitan/different school) was also an issue. I have to tell you, though, that you will never EVER regret transferring. You can look back on your undergraduate experience and know that you got more exposure to life than most of your ND classmates (which is one thing that is unfortunate about ND student life...some of the students don't know anything outside of the Notre Dame bubble). I got the best of both worlds, though...one of the best public schools in the country and then the best catholic school in the country!</p>
<p>Notre Dame is the most special place in the country...just take a visit and i don't think you will need any further validation on what ND means to people.</p>
<p>it's a good school. get your GPA up or at least try to. Being a girl will help. I had a 4.0 and was denied even with legacy... and i am male. But i had female friends who got in with 3.5's. i'd say go for it though...</p>
<p>Transfer admissions is determined by your GPA and the classes you have taken, so it is impossible to know how good your chances are without looking at the classes. The best thing you can do at this point is get in touch with admissions ASAP to ask them if you have the wrong classes and to make sure that you take the right classes next semester.</p>
<p>For GPA, it seems like you need a 3.6-3.7 right now for ND if you have the proper classes, so I would shoot for that.</p>
<p>One thing I will say is that I didn't read anything in what you have said that tells me that ND is the perfect place for you. If you are just looking for a bigger school that is more rigorous, there are lots of schools out there. ND is a unique school, much like the school you are at, so you want to make sure that it is what you are looking for. For instance, over 80% of the students are Catholics. Non-Catholics are welcome, but the Catholic atmosphere permeates campus. Is that appealing? If so, ND may be the place, if not, perhaps NYU or one of the many solid schools out there.</p>
<p>I would do two things tomorrow. First of all, I would get in touch with admissions and check your classes. Secondly, I would think about if ND fits what you are looking for better than other schools.</p>