Help me find the right COLLEGE because I can't.

College Search & Selection
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<p>So here's the thing, I'm already at my second college and still am not fully satisfied. It seems whatever college I go to, one factor defers me from enjoying myself at my full potential. I began my freshmen year at the University of Maryland, College Park, but due to a few limitations, I decided to transfer for Spring. Since Spring, I've been at the University of Miami. However, something just does not feel right. It reminds me a lot of my high school with all the superficiality and clicky-ness. So please, somebody help me find a college. I have compiled a list of features that I would like the university to have as well as a brief description of my college/hs academic history so I can get matches and reach schools.</p>

<p>*Location: I would like to get out of the Southeast and relocate to the West/ Midwest. UCLA was my first choice college, because I truly want to be in California, Oregon, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado or Washington. One of the main reasons I transferred from Maryland was because the inability to adjust to the colder climates.</p>

<p>*Respectable reputation- I'm not looking to downgrade to a Cal State school or UC Boulder. I would like to go to a school that is equally as respectable as UMiami and Maryland. </p>

<p>*Down to earth, less superficial student body- Miami has to be the most superficial schools. The majority of the girls feel as if they are the hottest thing to hit Earth with their fake tans and Chanel sunglasses. These kids have no concept of conservation, because there parents just keep handing them bills and bills and they go to South Beach/ Coconut Grove every night dropping $$$! Also, a lot of the guys are very cocky and conceited. The fraternities are NOT fraternities. I just want to go to a school where the kids are middle-class, down to earth who know how to have a good time without spending G's a night. </p>

<p>Amazing Social Life- Miami's social aspect is very sad. People think its a party school, but it has one of the worse social environments. It mainly revolves around South Beach/ Coconut Grove. I want to go to a school where party life takes place on campus and is cheap. A BIG FRATERNITY SCHOOL would be good. </p>

<p>*Moderate size student body/ campus- I'd say 8,000-15,000 undergrads would be the right amount. I want a manageable campus not a campus that is large and sprawling like Maryland. I want a school that has one on one interaction with the professor and student and smaller lecture sizes (20-40 in a class).</p>

<p>I'd say that's about all the criteria that I require.</p>

<p>Brief Academic Information:
High School
Class Rank: Top 18%, 99/540
HS GPA: 3.75 UW, 4.2 W
Classes: All Honors and advance placement (European History, Psychology)
Decent amount of extracurriculars</p>

<p>College Information:
University of Maryland GPA: 3.0
University of Miami GPA: 3.8
Combined GPA: 3.4</p>

<p>Student Involvement:
Belong to few clubs but hold leadership positions.</p>

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<p>Also,</p>

<p>How does the GPA thing work? When colleges look @ me, do they look at the combined GPA or at each transcript (Maryland and Miami)?</p>

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<p>BUMP 10char</p>

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<p>Please someone answer, :)</p>

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<p>My son is also transferring out of UMiami for many of the reasons you mentioned. Sounds like a big state school might be a good choice for you. UCLA or other schools in the UC system sound good. I am not up on what gpa they accept as we are East Coasters, but check the websites for info. Another possibility would be U of Washington. They are a very competitive school to get into OOS, but surely worth a try.
Good luck!</p>

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<p>Your geographical requirements make it a little difficult. What about Texas A&M, SMU, U of Arizona, UCSB, USC. U Indiana may be good.</p>

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<p>Lilymoon, I was accepted to UDubb Seattle for Fall 2007 ( freshmen year) and was close to going but due to the distance factor (8hr plane ride), I chose Maryland because it has the same academic reputation and is so much closer. I loved UW Seattle and I bet the students are so nice, maybe I'll apply for transfer. I also think UW has one of the top 15 programs for International Finance.</p>

<p>OneMom, I was looking @ Rice but no business. SMU is going to have the same kids as Miami as UCSB and USC will also be much like Miami because they attract the same type of kids. I feel that with my grades and accomplishments, I can do better than Indiana.</p>

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<p>UW is a very appealing choice. It was actually my son's first choice out of HS but he got waitlisted and we weren't too happy having him so far away either. The only down sides to UW is that it has a bit of a reputation as a commuter school, although with the huge size I'm sure there are plenty that stay on campus. Also the student body will be mostly Washington residents that went to HS together and remain friendly after college while an East coaster would be a bit out of the loop. Those are really minor points and the positives out weight the negatives in my opinion. Maybe son will go to grad school there, ya never know.</p>

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<p>LilyMoon,</p>

<p>There are a lot of Californians and other west coasters at Seattle, so he would not have trouble making friends. I was so close to going. It's considered to be the UMich of the West.</p>

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<p>Anyone else?</p>

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<p>If you think Maryland is cold, I doubt you'll find the climate in Seattle appealing.</p>