<p>It's really got to be a competitive school. My intelligence was not reflected in my high school GPA (I have a learning disability), and I find myself miserable at my very average college. (However, when I visited the competitive colleges of my friends, I felt welcomed and quite content.) I need an intellectual atmosphere to thrive, basically.</p>
<p>I want to transfer by the end of this year, which means I'll only have a semester of classes under my belt. I'm 100% sure I can get A's in all of them. The classes are Physics 105, Calculus I, Design Principles, Intermediate German, and International Short Fiction by Women (required seminar). My high school credentials are a 2.9 UW and 3.6 W (all honors and AP classes), and a 2020 SAT (which is due to a slightly low math score, 630). My AP scores have been two 5's in AP English classes, a 3 in Environmental Science, and two 2's: US Gov (senior year) and Euro History (sophomore year). I had a couple of extracurrics, my strongest being an environmental academic team.</p>
<p>I need to find a college that has majors in physics and computer science, and at least a minor/program in film studies and studio art. It must be under $20k a year or have generous financial aid (I live in Virginia, btw).</p>
<p>Any help is appreciated. So far I've got William and Mary and UVA, but my chances with those schools are slim.</p>
<p>OP, unless you want to look at some universities in cold climates (South Dakota, etc) or some SUNYs which should be near $20K then you should look in-state. How about George Mason?</p>
<p>George Mason is about the same academic level I’m already at (I go to Mary Washington). I’ve looked at some SUNYs, only a few of them appeal to me.</p>
<p>Comparing Mary Washington to George Mason is like comparing apples to oranges. MW is a small liberal arts university while GM is a large research university. This is purely speculation, but the reason why you are miserable at your current school may not be because of its academic reputation, but because it’s culture doesn’t suit you; I can empathize. At large schools like George Mason you’re much more likely to find your niche of friends than at small schools. Best of luck!</p>
<p>Have you considered VirginiaTech? Rutgers?</p>
<p>ckr: You’re probably right. Mary Wash seems to lack personality. What would you say, comparing JMU to GMU? I have a friend that goes to JMU, and it’d be nice to have a built-in social life.</p>
<p>I don’t know a whole lot about either school, honestly; my college search was centered primarily on west coast schools. I have a cousin studying political science at GMU. She was given a summer internship for a congressman and is active in her sorority, though she does very well academically. She seems to enjoy her time there so far.</p>