<p>Im a freshman at SUNY Binghamton, and Im considering applying as a transfer student to NYU, Eugene Lang at New School, Oberlin, or Columbia (applying for kicks). Im trying to find a school with a great writing program that also has alot of cultural offerings (hence NYC). Oberlin is on that list because I was admitted as a freshman and turned it down, which I sort of regret doing in retrospect. I currently have a 4.0 at Binghamton (high school: 92 gpa and 1440 sat), which I guess makes me borderline for NYU and Oberlin, good standing with Eugene Lang, and obviously extreme extreme extreme reach for Columbia. </p>
<p>If I happen to gain admission to any of these schools, it all really comes down to money. I was wondering how generous schools are with financial aid for transfer students. I would imagine that they offer less money for transfers than they do for incoming freshman, right? Basically I can only transfer if I can get a very generous aid package. Last year, Oberlin offered me $14,000. I'd need a package in that ballpark.</p>
<p>Does anyone have any feedback on these issues? Anyone know of any other good writing programs in NYC or Boston or something?</p>
<p>I'd really appreciate anyone's thoughts on these matters. Thanks soo much!</p>
<p>strong creative writing in /near a city - S.U.N.Y. Purchase will be most affordable. Also look at Brandeis (Boston) and Sara Lawrence (NYC) and Johns Hopkins (Baltamore)</p>
<p>would it be worth it applying to columbia? Im not looking for an ego boost or anything like that, I'd just rather devote my energy to other applications if there is virtually no shot of an acceptance.</p>
<p>You have a shot at Columbia. Have you considered Vassar or Brown? Brown takes need into account but you might be able to get $14K and it seems like a good fit.</p>
<p>wow slipper...an unexpected opinion but i sincerely appreciate your optimism! As for your other suggestions, I'm not sure if it would be worth it for me to transfer to those schools (despite their unarguable excellence). One of my biggest dissapointments with SUNY Binghamton is that I feel extremely isolated from the "real world." I've found that the "bubble" that I thought i once wanted to be a part of is actually creating a sense of clautrophobia. Transfering to another school with this kind of closed campus, where life (ie social life like frat parties and bars) is all catered to the university, might only continue this feeling of mine. Ironically all of the schools I applied to as a freshmen (other than binghamton) were small LACs, where I can't begin to imagine how claustrophobic I'd feel there! What are your thoughts? I'm a little mad at you because now I'll have to fill out the Columbia application (otherwise I probably would have given up on that), but I am still very curious about your opinions! Thanks so much.</p>