I’m really trying to research campuses/social life/culture/etc. and making sure I choose the right school and am surrounded by like-minded people is exceedingly important to me. Getting a quality education is important to me, but I’m choosing to go out of state because I’d like college to be a breath of fresh air from the small town I live in and have the opportunity to be surrounded by new people and make new friends and connections.
I’m really not looking for a typical college experience (football games, extremely prevalent Greek life, binge drinking cheap beer, you get it.) I also do not want to be on an extremely conservative campus. Somewhere in the middle would be nice! I see myself as kind of an old soul and don’t feel like I fit the mold of a typical undergrad student and don’t have the desire for meaningless parties with immature guys/girls, tailgating at sports games, etc. (No offense to those who are - just not me!)
After researching colleges, I really feel like NYU would be the perfect option for me in terms of being surrounded by like minded people. I’ve read that NYU attracts independent, mature, professional, driven students and Greek like/athletics/etc isn’t extremely prevalent on campus. I’d love to go to New York and I love the city, but realistically I’m hesitant because I need sunshine and more than just concrete and buildings all. the. time. I would love to go to a university in California, preferably southern and near the city and/or beach.
If anyone has any suggestions or knows of any colleges that would potentially sound like a good fit for me, please be my sigh of relief and help me with my research/decision process!! Thanks so much in advance!
(Also, I’m getting my AA at a CC and plan to transfer to get a bachelors in psychology if that helps.)
What’s your budget? NYU costs ~$70k/year and is stingy with aid (I’m not sure transfers get any). CA colleges cost in the neighborhood of ~$35-55k. Have you asked your parents how much they’ll pay per year?
I live in one of the most liberal cities in America, if I wanted to attend a liberal arts school I would probably stay in state. I also would like to be at a relatively large campus if possible.
You can get lots of sunshine in NYC. There are lots of parks where people run and roller blade and sunbathe and bike. The area where NYU is located is in Greenwich Village with many low buildings. You won’t find lots of tall skyscrapers in the Village. Based on what you wrote about yourself, it sounds like you might like schools like Hampshire, Bennington, maybe Bard and Sarah Lawrence. The last two are close to NYC.
I think at “relatively large campuses” you will find a more typical college experience that you really don’t want. You are more likely to find the vibe you want at a quirky liberal arts college. If you want big and you have the stats then Univ of Chicage might be more intellectual and less spirited
There are lots, lots, lots of colleges where you can go and be surrounded by intellectual, mature, diverse students. NYU is simply one of them.
I agree that small liberal arts colleges might fit the mold a little bit more - my mind immediately went to Occidental College, in sunny Los Angeles. Urban, a little more quirky, small selective college. Another school that comes to mind is University of Southern California, because you said you want warm weather. Of course there is a strong sports culture there, but it’s also a top school with lots of smart students and an urban setting. Or what about Rice in Houston or Emory in Atlanta? Another campus is Northeastern, even though Boston gets pretty cold in the winter.
I personally am NOT a fan of “quirky liberal arts colleges” so I understand OP’s concern. That said, there are dozens of larger schools that fit his/her criteria: state colleges and universities with urban campuses along with private schools located in cities. I’d start looking at all campuses within large cities, then seeing what their transfer policies were like. OP hasn’t told us the budget but if $70K per year seems doable, then there’s plenty of options to choose from!
@citymama9 most state universities actually. At virtually every state flagship, the overwhelming majority of students are not affiliated with greek life. Even at schools which have well attended sports, the home games typically only take up about 7 weeks of the year and many students opt to do anything else but tailgate.
Remember that most state colleges and universities are not places like the University of Oklahoma, but rather Southwestern Oklahoma State University, Cal State Fullerton, Northern Virginia Community College, etc. The stereotypical college experience described by the OP largely does not exist at these schools.
@citymama9 , drinking and partying will be everywhere (including NYU!) though there are schools where it’s less prevalent, especially in urban universities with nontraditional campuses/life, commuters and a weak greek life. (As at NYU.) Here are a few right off the bat: University of Colorado, Denver; Boston University; Northeastern University; University of Illinois, Chicago.
For that matter, Cal Berkeley’s frat/sorority scene can be easily ignored, and its football is only “big” when it’s “good,” San Francisco State is also fairly sports-light. Bottom line: find me a bigger urban campus and I will show you a variety of lifestyles including non-hard-partying, intellectually oriented students.
You seem confused in post #4 – the phrase “liberal arts college” is not s political designation. The term “liberal arts” refers primarily to non-professional subjects (humanities, pure math & science majors, etc). Majors like engineering, business, and nursing are not generally offered at liberal arts colleges. Psychology is considered one of the liberal arts.
That said, larger campuses are more often associated with big sports and a party culture. If you want more of a “life of the mind” experience, you might want to rethink this.
And don’t make me laugh to list UColorado as a non-party school. It is very much a party school.
@intparent, I said the University of Colorado, Denver. Big, big difference between Boulder. Since I live about 10 minutes from one and have worked at the other, I sort of know.
If NYU appeals to you, also consider Temple. They are less expensive, have a good record for transfer admissions, are located in a stimulating and relatively affordable city, and - while it isn’t always sunny in Philly, it’s warmer than many places in the northeast. USF, in Tampa, or UCF (Orlando) are other possibilities. Maybe UNC in Charlotte or Greensboro . . .