<p>I’m a sophomore at NYU, and I've been thinking about transferring since 2nd semester of freshman year. NYU is very impressive academically; the city, most of the students, and New Yorkers in general are what makes for an unpleasant atmosphere in my opinion. I'll only bore you with more about why I dislike NYU if someone asks or PMs me.</p>
<p>Anyway, I always thought that small LACs were too sheltered for me, but now I’m wondering if that’s the right environment. I really just want to be at a school where I can be challenged and not bothered or pressured to have a wild social life. I think Swarthmore looks like the most ideal fit, and I’ve been looking at Hamilton and Vassar as well. I might apply to Penn just for the hell of it, since I liked the atmosphere when I visited in high school but was waitlisted RD. I know that all of these places are hard to get into, and I'm not completely desperate to leave NYU, but I want to at least try.</p>
<p>My only reservation about transferring is that since I would be coming in junior year, I might not be able to study abroad. I know that a lot of schools have residency requirements, and studying abroad is something I definitely plan on doing at some point (and NYU has great programs abroad :/ ). I could always do it in the summer, I guess, but I don’t know if it’s worth it to give up that opportunity.</p>
<p>It would be great to hear any opinions from people transferring from NYU or to LACs, opinions of the schools I'm looking at, or just your thoughts on my situation. Anything is appreciated. Just FYI, my first year GPA was 3.76, my high school GPA was 3.8, and my SAT scores were 2200 (CR720/M700/W780).</p>
<p>call the Swarthmore admissions office and talk to them… ask any and sll question you have…don’t worry about calling them everone at Swarthmore i have talked to from fromer Presient Bloom to Dale a grounds keeper have be very nice people…</p>
<p>i transferred in to NYU, but here’s my opinion about the study abroad:</p>
<p>if you REALLY want to study abroad, i would highly recommend sticking it out at NYU. you can PM me about the study abroad programs (i did paris, and so did my roommate, and i know someone in prague right now). for some people i know, study abroad was the only reason they stayed here. it just seems like you’re disenchanted with the atmosphere in general, but i feel like NYU’s programs abroad are top notch, especially if you’re going somewhere unique (i.e not London). (no offense if you were thinking of London, i’ve just heard bad things about London.)</p>
<p>is spending a year abroad possible at all? maybe splitting the year between two abroad sites? it would minimize your time in NYC, but you would still be at NYU.</p>
<p>I transferred out of NYU to Wesleyan as a sophomore and it is, without a doubt, the best decision I have ever made. The education that I’m getting here is FAR more personalized and better suited for me, not to mention the people are incredibly welcoming, passionate, and nothing like the highly competitive, unnecessarily cut-throat atmosphere I experienced at NYU. The study abroad is great here too and I would tell you to definitely consider Wesleyan! There are a ton of other NYU transfers who I have bonded with. </p>
<p>It’s just an all around great atmosphere, although I will admit that it is a little hard to adjust to campus life. But once you do, you’ll realize why everyone thinks the college experience is so great.</p>