<p>So I posted a topic about transferring from Cornell the other day and got some good feedback; however, I would like to further outline my situation. I am not having the best first year here (I'm in my second semester at the Hotel School) and I haven't been consistently happy here. I don't know if the hospitality industry is right for me and I haven't been excited to go to a single class all year. Not only that but I've worked extremely hard here, going to all TA hours possible and studying for hours only to get a 2.9 GPA first semester. At first I thought it was the effects of being a Freshman but I've realized that I haven't been myself all year. I was so happy senior year and really enjoyed my high school experience but I haven't met anyone remotely similar to my friends back home. </p>
<p>I really don't party that much and when I did go to the Fraternities, they just weren't for me. Anyway, I visited friends at UNC over break and absolutely loved everything about the campus and the people I met. I attended some classes (none of which I would take but it was still a good experience) and found myself happy every single day there. I'm considering transferring but I'm hesitant for two reasons: 1. I'm giving up an Ivy League degree 2. I don't know if it would be an inhibitor to go to school with one of my closest friends, although I really like all of his friends there and wouldn't restrict myself to just hanging out with him. </p>
<p>Does anyone have any suggestions about this decision? All honesty/opinions are acceptable.</p>
<p>If its about academics, have you considered transferring to CAS? Your GPA will certainly be a roadblock to transferring elsewhere outside of Cornell. Honestly, the Hotel degree is too narrow in scope for anyone who doesn’t have a clear idea of their career path.</p>
<p>I am going to take a stab at this…I think you were happy at UNC because you were visiting a friend. You are not happy at Cornell because you haven’t made connections with people on campus. I don’t know know why, but it doesn’t appear you have close friends at Cornell. You may be depressed because you are lonely and it then spills into your schoolwork. I feel when people are unhappy they can’t do their best work.</p>
<p>As far as going into hospitality business, just because you are in the Hotel school it doesn’t mean you couldn’t do something else. There is a minor in Commercial Real Estate, a lot of finance course, CS courses, and you could certainly take some humanities courses. I think you would have a lot more choices when it comes to courses at Cornell than at any other school.</p>
<p>The danger of transferring to UNC just because you have friend(s) there is that they may not be available once you get there either (they have formed new friendship). What would you do at that point? I can’t believe kids at UNC could be that different than kids at Cornell. Most kids at Cornell do not belong to the Greek life. If that’s not your thing, there are a lot of kids involved with other activities on campus.</p>
<p>It’s not easy to adjust to college life. Sometimes it takes more than a semester to “fall in love” with a school. Why don’t you put a transfer in to different schools, finish off this semester and see how you feel by May. You will find this semester there’ll be a lot less partying at fraternities for people in general. There will be mostly mixers, and non greeks wouldn’t be invited. You may be able to meet more non greeks this spring.</p>
<p>I guess I’m having a crisis regarding the fact that I have no idea what I want. I used to base success on money, but the more I think about it, some of my favorite subjects and topics will not lead me to a high paying job. I know the Hotel School will lead me to a fiscally sound future however I question whether I want to be a part of that industry. </p>
<p>And yes, there are days where I feel depressed however I have plenty of people to talk to and hang around with here and I’m always with people at lunch and dinner. I just haven’t found anyone like my friends at home, who I laugh as hard with and have as much fun with. </p>
<p>I’m no longer transferring though because my parents don’t want me to and yes, my current GPA is low. I’m trying to make the best of the rest of the semester. I feel that I am sacrificing happiness for what people around me want me to do, that’s all. I’ll get through it here, I’m just not having the best time doing so.</p>
<p>Sounds like you should think about taking some courses outside of the Hotel School. Life isn’t about money, you know, and it seems like you are starting to realize this. </p>
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<p>Cornell is a very diverse, dynamic school and not everybody on campus is going to be your best friend. By comparison, at UNC 85% of the students are from North Carolina. Join different types of club and activities, perhaps outside of your normal comfort zone. You’ll find some best friends at Cornell. Guaranteed.</p>