Hello! So i am an 18 year old female who just recently finished her freshman year of college. I studied for two semesters at the Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC. I majored in communications design (my interest is graphic design). But unfortunately, I had a horrible year. I barely made friends and the lack of community at a city school made it so hard to connect with people. I made friends with my roommates and one other kid on my floor but unfortunately, I’m not friends with both my roommates anymore. I’m friendly with people in my major but I just feel so socially isolated. I’ve tried to get involved, I joined a club, etc. but nothing ever looked up for me. I also had some problems with the education since FIT homogenizes a lot of students and I feel that my creativity is stifled. I learned a ton this year but I did not feel passionate whatsoever about much of my schoolwork. My freshman experience was just schoolwork and class with some events in between. But not enough to outweigh the misery. And as I reflect now, I realize that I want a community in a college and a place to grow with new people as well as that traditional college feel. I thought I loved New York enough to pursue this but I was so wrong. I envy those who go to schools such as Penn State, Syracuse University, etc. because they have beautiful campuses, school spirit, and more of a community. FIT is so desolate, lonely, and has absolutely no social life and no on campus parties. Not that that matters too much but the environment is impacting my studies so much. I just can’t seem to be happy here. And plus, part of me wants to pursue art education which FIT does not have as a major. I just am lost and am not sure if these are good enough reasons to transfer. I’m going to give the school one more chance this fall and see how it all goes. I’m not sure things will look up but if not, is this enough to not want to stay? I don’t like the city environment I realized and I want to actually settle at a college/university that I can call home. Also, being in an artistic school 24/7 doesn’t give me the chance to connect with diverse people. My bestest friends from home and my boyfriend are all complete opposites of me and i think i like that about people and am drawn more to them. I think it’d be cool to have friends from all different walks of life besides designers, artists, photographers, etc. FIT is also pretty superficial and pretentious which i am not so that is also another factor that pushes me away. God I am so confused so any help would be absolutely solid.
i’m in a similar boat, and i sadly am probably going to stay with my original school due to costs ): but if i were to do it again, pick out a couple schools you’re into and send in your transfer application. i completely missed a couple deadlines in my own journey, so be sure you jot those down too! if you hate it that bad then it could definitely be worth transferring. you don’t have to be unhappy for the the next three years. but don’t give up this next semester, really try to make the best of it. maybe it’ll get a little better.
anyways. give yourself some options transfer wise, and try to make the best decision then. you wouldn’t have to transfer but at least you’d have the option ya know? good luck.
Can you afford the other options you mentioned? Will you be able to graduate in 4 years?
Thank you so much for your input! I definitely am going to try and visit all different colleges as well jot down deadlines like you mentioned. I’m not ready to transfer right now so I’m going to use this upcinh fall and spring semester to figure out what I want 
Well if it’s a SUNY school, I can afford it. I live in New York already so I’m trying to stay here if I can. My main interest is Syracuse University since they have an art education major but they’re private so not sure if it’ll fit in my budget. I don’t know if ill graduate in four years though. Even if i stayed at my original school, I still don’t know if I would graduate in four years. Thanks for the input!