After spending two years here, I realize I am still miserable at NYU. I hate the city and always feel like I have to lie when people ask “oh it must be so exciting/fun to go to school in New York”. The thought of these four years being the time to “grow and change” and “the best 4 years of my life” make me want to throw up. I’ve learned I’m not someone who can deal with city life, at least not as this point when I’m literally still a kid. I want more of a campus, with a tight knit community feel and gorgeous buildings and the whole traditional experience. I can go to NYC anytime I want but can only experience college once. I also don’t like NYU as an institution, as they make it very clear money is their top priority. Most of the facilities that aren’t stern or tisch are garbage in my opinion and they ignore CAS kids.
Unfortunately I’m very stuck. Miserable and depressive freshman year meant a terrible gpa. I have an obvious upward trend in my grades and I have a high major grade but I still only have around a 3.4. It’s also hard to chase down professors here and I haven’t made any significant relationships with any of them, so my recommendations won’t be good. I’d likely have to go to a school with less of a reputation, which makes me fear for my job prospects in the future. If i were focused on career I’d stay here, but I’m also miserable here and would really want a change.
I’m a fall semester junior. I’d have to probably retake some credits and stay an extra semester in my new college. It’s fine though- I’m only 19 anyway.
I don’t even know if I’ll be happier at a new school. I suck at making friends, though i found a very loving and supportive group here, i don’t really see them that much and their interests don’t align with mine. If i transfer as a junior, everyone has made all their friend groups and it be so much harder as someone who doesn’t know anyone (that’s when i do the worst in social situations). I might still feel lonely only at a school with less prestige, screwing up my future in the process. But I’m also miserable here. I’m truly just conflicted right now.
I would make an appointment with the counseling center at NYU. That person can help you with your conflicted feelings and help you decide what is best.
Three top reasons for attending NYU: Stern, Tisch & NYC = none of which apply to you. Transfer.
P.S. You can always live in a major city for work, but experiencing college in a more intimate & isolated setting is only offered during one’s early adult years.
What is your major ?
Are you receiving substantial financial aid ?
My major is communications and no I am not.
I agree that NYU may not be the best choice for you. Do not worry about things like your career at this point. Take this one step at a time. Fortunately there are many places you can transfer into. You will have a fine career.
You say that you don’t want to be in NYC but that you can come back at any time. I feel that you must live in the NY/NJ/ CT area. Maybe start with that area and draw a 3-hour-or-so driving circle around it. Then apply to schools in that area. Since you don’t have to worry about FA your task is easier.
- Muhlenberg is the first that comes to mind. It's a happy school, small, has community and is creative. Lots of good writers have come out of there -- good commercial-type writers. Als a lot of NYC/ NJ kids go there. You'd still have those connections -- https://www.muhlenberg.edu/main/academics/mediacom/
- Syracuse -- has the campus and school spirit that you're looking for at a larger size compared with Muhlenberg. I think they'd accept you at least into the main school body. Their Journalism and communications school may be harder, but still possible.
- Ithaca is outside of the 3-hour range, but still has great communications program. Also it's smaller, a happy campus and prob would accept you. https://www.ithaca.edu/academics/school-communications
- Emerson -- is similar to NYU in many ways -- downtown major city -- but it's much smaller. There seems to be a community at Emerson and yet it's still a top-level communications school -- https://www.emerson.edu/
- UMass Amherst -- the Five Colleges area offers abundant opportunities. You can register at 5 total schools each with its own flavor and culture. Buses take you from school to school. UMass Amherst offers an array of communication courses https://www.fivecolleges.edu/academics/courses
When you are in the counseling center, start the process to take a leave of absence for the spring semester. If you are truly miserable now and it is possible to get an immediate a medical leave of absence you might consider doing that rather than hanging in there until the end of the first semester.
Even with a 3.4 GPA there are scads of places that would accept you as a transfer student. Look at the big state Us in your own home state or nearby states to get ideas of what might work.