<p>I am currently attending a historically black college, aka an HBCU. I'm African American, but I grew up in predominantly white areas where the schools had very little diversity. I figured I should experience more of my own race, so I chose Howard. (They also gave me a full scholarship, which was quite an influence on my decision). I realize that I don't fit in here at all. I've tried to branch out, but everyone is really loud and outgoing and loves to party, whereas I am very shy and like things such as...reading/traveling/music stuff. I just don't have a lot in common with most of the people I've met, and I don't feel very comfortable at all. I'm thinking of switching to a college whose student body is more diverse and isn't as focused on partying. As far as academics go, I'd like a college with a good foreign language program. Is there such a place??</p>
<p>Hi,</p>
<p>I’m sorry to hear that you aren’t fitting in at your college.</p>
<p>Before you go about transferring, there are some things you need to consider. :)</p>
<p>As a transfer student, your opportunities for scholarships have mostly passed - those are usually given to incoming freshmen.</p>
<p>So…can your family pay for your “new school”? </p>
<p>Do you know what your EFC is?</p>
<p>In the meantime, I suggest finding some clubs that have members who are more like you. Perhaps a foreign language club, or one associated with your major.</p>
<p>BTW…what is your major? What are your stats?</p>
<p>my major is kinda foggy…right now im going with political science and a minor in arabic. i think im good with money as long as the school isn’t super expensive.
thanks for your help :)</p>
<p>:)</p>
<p>Ok…then…</p>
<p>A major in Poly Sci and a minor in Arabic…hmmmmm…sounds very interesting. :)</p>
<p>What is your home state?</p>
<p>When you say “not too expensive,” what would be your top budget per year for tuition, room, board, books, etc?</p>
<p>$25k? $30k? $35k? more? less?</p>
<p>I’m thinking American University, but that’s going to be about $50k per year. :(</p>
<p>So, that’s why I’m asking what your home state is and what your top budget is. </p>
<p>Do you know your EFC? If not…try this… [FinAid</a> | Calculators | Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and Financial Aid](<a href=“http://www.finaid.org/calculators/finaidestimate.phtml]FinAid”>http://www.finaid.org/calculators/finaidestimate.phtml) Let us know what number you get. :)</p>
<p>Do you see law school in your future? </p>
<p>When we find this out, we can make some good recommendations for you. :)</p>
<p>My younger daughter (we are white) attends Brooklyn College (which doesn’t have dorms at this point in time, which is a downside). It is very diverse. </p>
<p>Of its nearly 16,000 students (12,000 undergraduates and 3,800 graduate students), 46% are White, 30% are Black, 12% are Asian/Pacific Islander, and 11% are Hispanic.</p>
<p>[Center</a> for the Study of Brooklyn - Borough of Brooklyn and Brooklyn College](<a href=“http://www.brooklyn.cuny.edu/pub/departments/csb/csb_history.htm]Center”>http://www.brooklyn.cuny.edu/pub/departments/csb/csb_history.htm)</p>
<p>I think that expenses might be a big issue here. If your parents have $50,000 a year to spend, I would recommend the following:</p>
<p>University of Rochester
Brandeis (has some Arabic courses and although it’s about 40-50% Jewish, the school is committed to diversity)
Brown University
University of Chicago
Fordham University</p>
<p>If you have less money, take a look at SUNY-Geneseo. It’s not that expensive for out-of-state students, and although it’s not particularly diverse, it is a school for serious students who are not huge partiers. It has a few Arabic courses and it probably costs about $25,000 per year.</p>
<p>Since the OP wrote…“i think I’m good with money as long as the school isn’t super expensive,” I’m thinking that $50k schools are too expensive.</p>
<p>I’m thinking that “not too expensive” means something in the $25k-35k range. But, that’s only a guess. 
That’s why we need to know what his home state is. Possibly some OOS publics would fit the price.</p>
<p>Did the poster make an earnest effort to enjoy his experience at Howard, or to find a niche where he would fit in? My point is that if you came to a particular school or setting with a fixed frame of mind, it will be essetially strapped to your back whereever you may transfer to.</p>
<p>I recommend Northwestern University and University of Michigan. Especially the latter if you want to study Arabic.</p>
<p>NYU is the obvious choice here. Expenses may be too much to bear, though, as the school is horrendous with aid.</p>
<p>Otherwise, Macalaster, Georgetown, Boston U, American, Occidental, and George Washington U may be the way to go. </p>
<p>However, for your case, my best suggestion that I can really give you is to STAY AT HOWARD!!! Get off campus and experience life more in D.C. Spend weekends there and volunteer in the city. Take part in activitiees at American, Georgetown, and GW if you can. There is no better place for a PolySci major/Arabic minor to be than DC, and there is no better way to be there than free.</p>
<p>Good Luck!!!</p>
<p>University of Michigan.</p>
<p>While UMich is a great school, it’s too expensive for an OOS student ($50k). He wants something not too expensive.</p>
<p>Consider Temple; Pitt; Rutgers; UDel; UMass; UConn; Clark. Closer to home, Goucher; UMD; McDaniel and Towson</p>
<p>Best of luck</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Of course you do…</p>
<p>That’s unfortunate. Howard is not a small school, yet everyone there is loud and likes to party? My kid attends and her friends are clearly are not loud and tend to shun parties. In fact, they prefer to play Trivial Pursuit, Mad Gab and other games; They tend to explore DC, like attending the Book Festival on the Mall this past fall; Exploring the Holocaust Museum; Trying new and different restaurants and foods; Getting involved with volunteer groups on campus…</p>
<p>It seems to me that you missed an entire (large) segment of the Howard population.</p>