<p>I'm currently a freshman at Binghamton University. I have a love/hate relationship with this place. I love its academic reputation. Academically, I'm doing wonderfully here. I feel like the workload is just enough, the competetiveness is just right. I'm making A's in all of my classes, but I'm working hard for them. I've also gotten involved with some student groups and I'm doing extremely well in them. The size of the school is just right. I really enjoy the design of the campus. The school itself offers me, and will continue to offer me, a ton of great opportunities that I would really love to take advantage of. And then there's the price... It's a state school. I'm paying $16,000 per year for a pretty great education. I'm of a single parent househould, and frankly, even this is more than we can afford... but it certainly helps. Honestly, the price was the deciding factor for me with this school, and it would be really difficult to give it up.</p>
<p>Now onto what I don't like so much... My social life is just... ugh. And I know, I know, I can't judge my college experience based on my social life, but it's just not good and I don't see it getting better. I just feel like I don't fit in here. I think my problem has more to do with the lack of diversity on campus. To put it frankly, everyone is either Jewish or Asian. Now, I am the farthest thing from an anti-semite or a racist, but the two ethnic majorities here kind of work their way into student groups and the social atmosphere. So much so that, in my particular circle, if you're not Jewish or Asian, you're almost looked down upon. As a white, Catholic female, I have never been a minority in my life until now. And maybe it's a bratty thing to say, considering the struggles of minorities, but I really don't like it. Here, you feel it; it's impossible not to. </p>
<p>I have a problem with the location too. Binghamton, New York might win the award for worst college town in this history of the world. There is nothing to do but go to Walmart or get drunk at a frat. I'm from Long Island, and was originally planning on going to school in or around NYC or another large city. I ended up here, and figured it wouldn't be that bad, but I've been here for three months and I'm already bored. I also am extremely close to my family, and I have a ton of friends who still live at home. I just feel like four hours is a little too far away. </p>
<p>And... it's just not... collegiate enough for me. It's a great school, yeah, but it doesn't have that feeling I expected from college. It's not a pretty place, for one. There is no one outside on weekends (hardly any upperclassmen live on campus), there is no school-wide cohesiveness or spirit. There are no events that people genuinely get excited for but frat parties. </p>
<p>I just feel like, while this is a wonderful school, it might not be the right fit for me. I know I'm probably just experiencing freshman jitters, and I will obviously wait until the end of next semester to make my decision, but if I decide to transfer, I will have to do my research and start my applications now.</p>
<p>Ideally, I'd like a school with a similar acdemic reputation to this, at a similar price, that has some school spirit, some diversity, and isn't in the middle of nowhere (preferably around NYC). I know that probably doesn't exist (especially in terms of price). But if you have any ideas, let me know!</p>