Should I Transfer?

Transfer Students
1

I’m staring at the transfer application for SVA and wondering what to do with myself. Lol

I’ve already made a post about this - I’m currently a freshman at Ringling. I really like the classes here, they’re very challenging - but that’s about it. I don’t click with the people, there’s not much to do in the area (it’s a very small campus and has less people than my high school); I spend most of my days by myself and doing homework.

My second choice was SVA - still an art school, still has a great illustration program, e.t.c. but in a vastly different area than Ringling. There’s not really a campus, I mean, NYC is your campus. I’m very, very much a city person, I like a lot of action and I like to go out. That’s not really an option here at Ringling - most of the people are closed-off and prefer to just sit and talk and draw, and even if you did want to go something fun there isn’t much to do. The surrounding area of the school is strip malls and regular stuff, I mean you can drive 3 hrs away and go to Disney if you really want lol. Most people don’t have a car.

I’m just really torn because I’m so, so in love with Ringling’s program. It’s a lot more focused than SVA’s, and the classes are much, much shorter (6 hr classes at SVA - yikes). It has a great recruiting program, and I’ve talked to some SVA students who have said that they don’t really prepare you for the job market. Still, it’s an amazing art program and you’re in New York freaking City.

Above are basically the reasons why I picked Ringling. I thought I’d want a smaller school since I am an introvert after all, but after being a month-deep into classes I can tell that I really don’t belong here. I feel like I should be able to get a good education and still have fun doing it, much like my friends are doing at their colleges. I’m definitely learning, but I haven’t had fun the second I got here. I feel so stuck.

Of course I’m able to transfer. I’d honestly rather transfer in the Spring semester because 1, I’d be less behind since SVA has very different courses from Ringling, and 2, I’m the type of person who if I don’t want to be somewhere, I need to get out quick and fast. No waiting around.
I’m just not looking forward to moving all of my stuff out, making the 20 hour drive to haul it to NYC, and so on … sending my transcripts, returning my school laptop, this and that … it just makes me upset for some reason. Like all of the work my parents did to get me here was wasted.

I just feel it in my bones that I’d be happier in New York. I’ve met a few people here, but they really aren’t my “type” as I mentioned and there’s not much to do in this seemingly 10-foot radius. It’s too small and quaint here. My best friend of 13 years would be a 10 minute drive away in NY. I’d have the whole city to explore, a great social scene, while still getting to pursue art, which I love so very much. I’m just worried when the 4 years are over and I might not know what to do for a job.

If anyone knows anything about SVA and how it compares to Ringling, let me know. Maybe I’m all wrong about this. People are also making me feel bad for wanting to transfer, like I don’t have good enough reasoning. Especially my parents – they think I won’t get a good job if I go to SVA, although I know I’d be deliriously happy.

I made a pros and cons list, kind of for myself and for you, dear reader, to help me out.

PROS OF SVA:
-Get to live in my favorite place on Earth
-BFF 10 minutes away, anxiously awaiting my arrival; which leads to more friends
-Parties! Clubs! Fun! Happy!
-Endless restaurants, entertainment, and stores right around the corner

CONS OF SVA / TRANSFERRING IN GENERAL:
-Transfer process … yuck
-Upsetting parents
-Moving + driving cross country
-Can’t bring my dog (so I’ve heard? He’s an ESA btw)
-No meal plan
-Long classes
-Bad facilities??? Less prepared for job???

PROS OF RINGLING:
-Better job market
-Get to have my dog with me come next year
-Good, short classes

CONS OF RINGLING:
-ONE place to eat on weekends
-Small campus, unsafe outskirts
-Barely any students
-Barely any social scenes or clubs
-Feeling of being trapped in a small box, no car, e.t.c.

2

If you’re in love with Ringling, I’d say stick with Ringling. You’re a freshman. This time of year, many freshmen haven’t met their people and don’t have friends for life. How many weeks are you into the semester? Have you had midterms yet? Trust me, you will feel much better if you give it some time.

Living in New York is not what is shown on television. It is a very expensive city. Also, relying on your BFF, who is presumably a childhood/high school friend, as proof of a social scene awaiting you in New York isn’t realistic. Who knows if you’ll click with her friends? Who’s to say you won’t grow apart from your BFF? Many students are close to friends from childhood/high school during the first months of college, and then they begin to grow apart.

You also mention that your parents may be upset. This is something to take into consideration, especially if they’re footing the bill. Transfers typically don’t get good aid.

I will also mention that you not having a car isn’t indicative of Ringling.

Speaking as a student who transferred, I hope you make the best choice for your future =)

3

I mean, the only thing I’m really in love with is the program / classes setup, which is a big part of college but I don’t believe that it should be the only thing to look at.

I totally see what you’re saying. I can’t see us drifting apart - at all, we still talk every day, e.t.c., but even if that did happen I’d still have the whole city to explore and keep me company, rather than the nothing-ness that is Sarasota.

I don’t know, I just really can’t see myself staying here - I think if I like SVA just a little, little bit better, then I won’t have much to regret. I just don’t want to miss out on something that could potentially be the best decision I’ve ever made.

4

Why not do your entire first year at Ringling before transferring ? You might find that you like it & just needed time to make friends & find a healthy routine. If not, then you will know that you tried & that transferring is the better option for you.

5

I’ve considered that, but then I’d just be more behind in SVA’s program and there’s more of a possibility that I’d have to start over as a freshman.

Also, the way things are going here (I’m often too depressed to even get myself up, eat, e.t.c.) I’m not entirely sure I could make it a full year.

6

SVA has about 41% international students versus 16% at Ringling. Relevant because it may account for SVA’s lower employment statistics.

7

Thanks for the info. If anyone has any other info on SVA, let me know

8

So, this:

is different than this:

So those are the only 2 options? being so depressed and miserable in terrible, boring Sarasota, with 0 people who you could find compatible that you can’t get out of bed, or magic NYC where even though you don’t like your job (that would be your actual classes), and your future job prospects seem to be lower, you can have Fun! and be Happy!

Well, guess you are lucky to have parents who will pay for your choice either way.

9

@collegemom3717 : But I think that OP’s statements are genuine and there is a significant difference between life in retirement heaven & in NYC.

10

Fair enough on the difference between places, @Publisher - and Ringling & SVA are not the OPs only options.

But from here it reads as though the OP (1 month into 1st term) is so dazzled by the idea of all the Fun! s/he is missing that s/he is overweighting it in the decision process. From other threads, s/he knew the Sarasota area before s/he went there (& already had friends locally), and explicitly chose Ringing > SVA b/c the program is materially better suited to the career goals s/he has.

Now, hearing about all the Fun! that other students are reporting, s/he is ready to ditch it all, solely to have the fun of NYC. I know that you & I have both seen a fair few posters who see their friends posts from other colleges and start thinking that they are missing out.

Sarasota is obviously not NYC, but it is wall to wall shuffle board, and not without things for college students to do -there is SCF & New College nearby.

11

Woahh.

Another student who posted on a long while back kinda took the words out of my mouth,

"When i made the decision to come here i overlooked some very important things, and bought into the hype that was circling this school.

I overlooked the environment that this school was in, in a wasteland of strip malls, a little ways out of the rich, white, city of sarasota, and just before a very seedy florida ghetto. Its a very bad and stagnant place for any young student to live and grow.

I overlooked the population, its smaller than my hs, about 1200 students, this means decreased opportunities to meet people, make relationships, lead a happy and not miserable life.

for forty thousand dollars, i should be learning, i should be happy, i should be having the time of my life."

You do make some good points, yet, but I think that bashing transferring for a location-based reason isn’t … atypical? People do it all the time? Wanting a better program, different program e.t.c. isn’t the only acceptable reason to want to transfer colleges … which is widely believed and probably why the idea / act of transferring is so taboo.

Didn’t know that my Fun! and Happy! typing! Was! so! Upsetting! but! there’s obviously a lot more to my decision than that, as I mentioned? Where you are can really change how you feel, I know from living in a small town for 13 years of my life, lol.

Wanting a bigger campus, a more inspiring area, more people, more opportunities and things to do isn’t “ditching” a college. Sure, the programs are different, but if I’m happier in a different area what’s to lose? Both schools have amazing programs and alumni, and honestly you get what you put into it - I’m willing to give it 100%.

Yeah, maybe I didn’t explain it well enough, it may have shone through that I just wanna go off-the-walls crazy and party 24/7. That’s not the case. I’m just not happy here, flat-out, and I know this isn’t the place where I belong. I’m not going to force it. And I obviously don’t expect NYC to cure all my problems - depression, anxiety, e.t.c. are mental illnesses and can be treated but don’t go away. I’ll have them no matter where I go. But I’m a very area-based person meaning that who is surrounding me, where I’m surrounded highly influences my creativity and overall mood. Cities are great for that, and I am kicking myself because I’ve wanted to live in one for as long as I can remember.

And you’re right, it is early, and I’m still keeping an open mind about my current school and am not quick to knock it. I might change my mind, who knows, I am only a month in. This is why I’m //considering// transferring, seeing what other people think yadda yadda, this isn’t an announcement.

12

Bump – would still love some help

13

This question could have been written by my daughter but in reverse. She’s a first semester freshman rooming with her childhood best friend at a very large, popular school across state where she already knew many people going in. For her it’s overwhelmingly huge. She’s not challenging herself to meet new people nor is she getting involved. There’s certainly lots to do which was exciting at first, especially when she visited and at orientation when she didn’t know anyone and was motivated to make friends. Now she finds herself a little stifled by her best friend who is miserable. She’s regretting not being at “her own” school and charting new territory. Good luck with your decision. I’m sure your parents will support your choice if they know you are truly being honest with yourself and your goals.