<p>high school sucked but I did well. Well enough to get accepted to all the schools applied. I was an overacheiving journalist all through high school and chose to move to missouri to go to the best journalism school in the country. It ended up being a culture shock moving down here being from a major city. I never adjusted very well. I currently live in a very secluded dorm with other wealthier city kids who mock the mid missouri ways. No real friends I feel like I can go to. I call my family all the time, particulalry my older brother and sister because i feel theyre the ones i can open up to. My interest in journalism has even been decreasing, and thats the only real reason im here. Im very active in the jewish community and there are NO JEWS here. Most people have never met a jew. Im faced with tons of pressure to lead everything here and taking on lots of program planning for things no one will go to anyways. freshman year will be over in a few months and i have no living arrangements for next year, people to live with, or anything. Other thing is I work two jobs down here. Is that bad? when im not at class im working. And im always out trying to meet people but theres just something off. Something that I dont fit in quite well. Theres a southern conservative undertone of the whole school and im a vibrant liberal. Then we have the parents issue. My dad is so proud of me for going here, and so is my brother. they want me to be the best journalist on earth and I know that the reputation here will get me the furthest. Even though my dad says hes only happy when im happy and that i wont let him down by switching schools, theres still a feeling that I failed him. Or that I may be failing myself by not getting the best journalism career. But in the end its how well you write, right? Theres only a slight financial issue. I dont have a huge scholarship here and IM paying out of state tuition. Its kinda hefty as my parents just put two kids entirely through college, paying for both their weddings this year, and my brothers med school. so i feel so guiilty making them work so hard to pay for a school that im not 100% happy at. I think the part of me that can consider staying here is that Ive got it all planned out if I do. I like to be in a rythym and i always like to know what im doing next. its the uncertainty thats scaring me about transfering.and i CERTAINly dont want to come in behind anywhere else after Ive worked so hard to get a semester ahead this year.</p>
<p>then everyoen tells me "OHHH I HATED FRESHMAN YEAR...IT GETS BETTER KID." but does it really? when do you draw the line? It seems im crying an awful lot, and the only place on campus i enjoy most is my bed. </p>
<p>I read like 5 lines and believe me, you should transfer and get out of that nightmarish place. However, if you are willing to transition and accept the "weird" culture as you feel it is, then you can still enjoy your time there. It's all up to you really. If the school can get you the job placement and the education, I would stay and occupy myself with ECs. If not, leaveeeeeeeeeee and find a better school.</p>
<p>You sound like a really nice guy. (or girls?) May I ask what school you are attending? I think that that culture clash is not a big deal. I think if you give it time, and make a little more of an effort you really will be happy. If you just walk around with a smile on, and greet people, and accept them they will accept you. I understand that it may be uncomfortable to be the only Jewish person, but it is great that your involved in Jewish organizatinos and you'll stand out i guess..</p>
<p>Look, every change needs to be given time and effort. Finish out the year, but still prepare to transfer just incase. Maybe try and join a frat / sorority (i duno if ur a guy or girl) and see how you like it Or try and change dorms. If this school is the BEST school for journalism in the country, then I think it makes sense if you just try a little harder to acclimate. I think you can do it. Freshman year is always hard when its such a change. But you need to make sure you really are doing the best you can to reach out to people. Good luck, kid.</p>
<p>and actually as i think about it, i almost dont understand why u chose the school in missouri if u could have gone to like upenn or another great school. id choose an ivy league name if i were u.</p>
<p>I think you should transfer out too. You just sound so unhappy at your present location. Also the fact of being Jewish and wanting a community of your faith to join in with is a huge factor. There are many schools with good journalism programs. You would probably do much better in a more urban environment with more people you could relate to. After transferring, try and just hold one job...lol...and spend some time trying to meet people on campus through Hillel or other Jewish organizations or by joining clubs and organizations on campus. It will give you the opportunity to feel much more a part of the college community.</p>
<p>It is hard to recommend colleges to you without knowing where you are geographically or where you would like to be or what your stats are, but here are some suggestions:
Lehigh U
American U
Boston U
Emory U
George Washington U
Ithaca College
U Miami
NYU
Penn State
U Conn
U Delaware
U Florida
U Wisconsin
USC
U Maryland</p>
<p>To even have a choice of transferring or not next year, you have to start applying NOW. Many schools have March 1 deadlines, some are later, a few even earlier. You'll need to get moving if you want that option in a few months. Don't worry about letting down your father, he's happy when you're happy. And remember, you'll only do your best when you're happy and making the most of whatever opportunities your school presents.</p>
<p>Sounds like you're at UMissouri as they're known for their journalism department, correct??</p>
<p>I heard that American U has an awesome journalism department. It's in Washington DC, so there's the city environment you want- probably a lot of internship opportunities too. There's plenty of diversity, so I'd also imagine that there's some sort of Jewish community.</p>
<p>I'd get on the ball NOW and apply to a few schools and maybe by the time you get word back from them you'll have a more clear idea of what you want to do.</p>
<p>Indiana great Jewish community, active Hillel.
GW is OK, but the Hillel is not very active, 3300 Jews but not too many participate in activities though.</p>
<p>you're right. I get internship offers everyday and im just a frosh (none in places i want to be though like st louis, kc, etc). </p>
<p>I am a girl. I am from Chicago. I'm thinking of transferring to U of I. but i dont know about transferring from Mizzou will kill my journalistic opportunity. But at U of I i might fit in more because more people are from Chicago. But who is to say?</p>
<p>I dont think im smart enough to get into northwestern. I only got a 27 on my act. but ive interned at the chicago daily herald and I won a state medal last year in news writing. So i was thinking of atleast applying. theres no doubt I belong in a larger city but Im scared to do the whole senior-in-high-school thing again. Im all over my Illinois application right now...
Did i mention i want to stay closer to home? Trust me i already looked at the DC schools..</p>
<p>I don't think transferring will kill your career, haha. If you're not happy, then leave and you'll be glad. As long as you work hard, do internships, and write well, you'll have a good chance of getting a job. You'll be more likely to do better if you're actually happy, I think.</p>
<p>...if you feel unhappy, then transfer. college isn't like high school, you're not stuck there until you graduate, you have options. it seems you know exactly what you don't like about it, i'm not too sure why you need someone to validate your opinions. i think you should go with your gut versus searching for an answer on an online forum.</p>
<p>I'm going to second the suggestion regarding Indiana University now that I know you're from Chicago. I think the majority of OOS students are from IL (mostly Chicago area)and NY. It's not a big city, but I think you would find you fit in here much better. There are plenty of "big city" things to do here like opera, sporting events, symphonies, etc. The town and the univeristy tend to be more liberal than one would expect in at a midwestern university. The journalism school is typically ranked pretty high.</p>
<p>There is an active group of Jewish families and students at Congregation Beth Shalom. They are rapidly expanding both membership and facilities. They are located about 4 miles from campus, though, so you might need a car. The rabbi, Yossi Feintuch, is extremely liberal. Nice guy, very interesting.</p>
<p>I think you exaggerate the conservatism of Columbia and the university. I also think you have not made much effort to partake of the entertainment scene in downtown Columbia. </p>
<p>That said, I agree Columbia is not Chicago, in anyone's imagination. If you really think you want big city, however, Univ. of Illinois is a bad choice. There are more cornfields there than around Columbia and the city is less lively.</p>
<p>I suggest finding some new friends and getting out of your dormitory room with the snotty, unadventurous room mates.</p>
<p>If you don't want to major in journalism, there may not be good reason to stay, but if you are serious about that major, you probably are not going to do better.</p>
<p>Transferring will NOT kill your journalism career, period. There are always many schools in which anyone can thrive in any field they choose. Just because Missouri is ranked #1 in journalism doesn't mean that's where all of the great journalists went to school. Heck, from what I've read on these boards, there's debate about whether majoring in journalism is the best way to get into the profession. Ask journalists you know where they went to school and what they studied.</p>
<p>Apply to a few schools now and give yourself some options this spring when you've had a full year under your belt. Good luck!</p>
<p>i don't understand the concept of going to a secluded school to study journalism...i would think that journalism would need internships and the like</p>
<p>So, transfer, becuase no matter how high ranked a school is, (and who knows how they actually got the ranking) you will do better somewhere with a vibrant community that you can actually Do journalism outside the classroom</p>
<p>You post should go to show others that Ranking doesn't make for a happy student...</p>
<p>I agree with midmo. If you are not happy with the atmosphere at Mizzou, I don't think you will love U of I, even if there are more people from Chicago. I think the two schools have very similar social "feels."</p>
<p>cgm, U of MO has been a top-ranked J school for many decades. It runs its own television station and puts out a daily newspaper with wide circulation. Many of its alums are among the most well-known journalists in the US. The J-school is a major draw for OOS students, for a reason.</p>
<p>None of that is to say it is the right place for this poster, but in terms of internships and connections, it is hardly hampered by its (ahem) "secluded" location.</p>
<p>I don't really have enough experience to tell you whether you should transfer or not b/c I'm still in high school, but if you do decide to transfer, definitely consider some schools in the DC area as someone recommended earlier. American, GW, and UMD College Park all have good to great journalism programs, and there are a ton of internship opportunities in DC. I almost wish I didn't live here because I don't want to go close to home but I'm interested in journalism. It's a great place to live.</p>
<p>Anyway, good luck with everything, and I hope things work out for you whether you decide to stay or not.</p>