So, I’ve been mulling over the prospect of transferring out of George Washington University (GW) since late last semester. I came in during the fall (class of '21) as a PoliSci major with an intense desire to live right in the middle of a city for opportunities, culture, bustle, etc. While GW certainly meets these demands and has an excellent PoliSci program (in part because of its location), I am starting to question my happiness at both the university and in my field of study. I’m now more seriously pondering over my interest in film studies; GW has a FS minor but no major. Additionally, despite the fact that I desperately wanted to live in a big city after 18 years in a small town, I find myself wondering what the “traditional” college experience (i.e. not in the middle of DC) would feel like. I want to be in a city and have the conveniences attached to it, but I have also begun to crave the aesthetic of a college campus. Furthermore, I’ve had some emotional issues that are triggered by certain environmental factors at GW. Although it may seem late, the main college I’m considering is Occidental, whose application isn’t yet due. Oxy is located in Los Angeles, but within a residential area. Also, the uni has a media, arts, and culture major that strongly appeals to me. I was initially accepted with generous financial aid to Oxy but opted for GW; however, my shifting career interests (I would love to write media or write ABOUT media – i.e. journalism related to entertainment), and the Oxy major and locale would be a great fit. Given these reasons, do you think transferring would be a dumb move, or a rewarding one?
I’m actually a sophomore at GW debating about transferring as well and I’m a film studies minor. I completely understand your craving for a more traditional college experience because GW is not well known for that. If there are environmental factors, I would highly suggest going to the mental health center and take advantage of their free 6 sessions first of all no matter what. If you don’t have good health, that will ruin your grades and happiness. Second, know that aid is significantly different for a transfer student. You will have to check out Occidental’s policy if you received a lot of merit aid. If you want a college to explore your options, make sure Occidental has both Political Science and Film in case you change your mind or want to pursue both! Let me give you a piece of advice: college is too short to be unhappy. If you need to make a change, then make it. If you are on the fence, fill out the application and turn it in to give yourself more options. And apply to more than one school in case you decide GW is not right for you at all or other schools will be cheaper/offer you more money (ex. good state schools for you). Either option you choose, you will be okay and you’ll make it work. GW doesn’t have a major but the director of film studies here is incredibly sweet and you are allowed to take film classes at other DC colleges to fulfill credits but you do have to go through some red tape to get them transferred. I think there is also a Prague abroad program and the DC film festival as well as the Annapolis film festival is close by and you can always choose to intern there. The GW journalism program is ranked pretty well but it tends to be more politically driven. If you go for a major like FIlm, I think I would suggest trying to double major with poli sci or get a degree in journalism while minoring in film just because you will have an easier time finding a job versus just film in my opinion. Always feel free to reach out to me!