<p>I'm currently a freshmen (First-year as they call it here) at UVA planning on completing a double major in American History and Foreign Affairs. However, I don't really feel comfortable here. It's an amazing school, and I love the history and such, but I just don't feel comfortable socially. It seems like the majority of people here are rich, white kids from Northern Virginia and frat bros/sorority girls. The pretentiousness here is also rampant. I also feel that people here are more focused on keeping up the reputation of the school rather than sticking to Jefferson's ideals of active learning.
I've been thinking recently of transferring to NYU or possibly Columbia if I can get my grades high enough by junior year. It would be a change of pace and I've heard NYU students are more independent and are go-getters. The only thing is that I'm a Virginia resident relying on financial aid. I would pay a large amount of money at NYU or Columbia and would have to get loans. I'm planning on visiting NYC soon and touring the schools to see if I like them. Is it worth it to give up a cheaper education here at UVA if I'm not completely happy? Or should I transfer to NYU or Columbia and have the possibility of being happier?
If you need more details to give me more accurate advice, I'd be glad too.</p>
<p>Will you be happy after graduating from NYU or Columbia with an exorbitant amount of debt or stay at UVA with a reasonable and managable amount of debt after graduating?</p>
<p>Of course it is up to you ultimatly what you want to do, but if you’re that miserable then look into other schools that are a little more affordable than NYU or Columbia.</p>
<p>Agreed with the above poster. I do not think being saddled with extra debt and student loans coming out of undergraduate, especially seeing as you are using FA, would be worth the trade-off.</p>
<p>If anything, look at a few other VA schools - William & Mary, GMU, etc. There are some solid in-state options if you really want to transfer.</p>
<p>Does anyone know how their financial aid is? If I had gotten in to Yale or Dartmouth when I applied last fall, I would have received almost full rides because of my financial situation. Does NYU or Columbia give out a lot of financial aid to those in need?</p>
<p>I need help!! I am currently a freshman at American University in Washington, DC. In my senior year of high school I was very unsure of where I wanted to go, and I picked AU because I got a freshman internship and the city, and new it was a good school.
My first semester was good and bad, I found a group of friends, who I always hung out with and went out with. And we were all in the same dorm in a close family type of dorm, a little off main campus, with only 125 students. But now (second semester) I feel like I am losing the friendships, and it is awkward with my roommate most days. I feel like I do not fit in with the mold of this school, at all. Second semester I moved on to main campus with my same roommate, which I thought would be easier, and give me the ability to meet new people. But I have not found a close nitch of friends or anyone who enjoys the same things I do, or has the same interests. The campus is very small, and everyone seems to have his or her own group of friends already, also, I do not fit in with the typical AU student (preppy, very wealthy, and Greek). Both of my good (girl) friends both joined the same sorority (not my thing) and I feel left out when they go off with their new sorority friends.<br>
The campus is very diverse and a lot of international students, who tend to stick together. The nightlife at AU is pretty boring on campus, just frat parties every weekend that can get lame and repetitive. There are bunches of clubs, and bars to go out in DC but they cost money, and you need to have a fake I.D. or go to an 18+ place.<br>
I have joined an intramural basketball team, work at AU for events, and an internship with AU for sports marketing. But still nothing has not paid off and I have yet to find people that I click with. And most times I get down and feel very depressed, and lonely. I also, am very unhappy 24/7, nothing makes me happy anymore and it makes it harder to be outgoing. And right now I am not finding the good in college.
I am starting to think I really want to transfer, is this a good decision? Also, I am a very indecisive person and have been thinking almost too much what is the right thing to do. But another thing that I think about is I do not know where I want to transfer too, because I am scared the same thing will happen (socially), not the right fit, not the right college experience. Any suggestions?</p>
<p>If you think UVA, a school that meets need, is full of rich kids, I think NYU will be an even bigger shock. It has a much more prosperous student body with many more full pay students… Columbia may fit you bill with much more diversity, but getting in is tough.</p>