<p>I am currently a freshman at the University of Notre Dame. I am getting mostly all As, but am struggling a bit with my Calc class (probably will end up with a low B or high C). My high school record is very strong, I got a 32 ACT as well as a 4.1 weighted GPA (somewhere in the top 5% of my class). </p>
<p>I am not loving it at Notre Dame. The lack of a big city is getting to me more than I thought--there's nothing to do that isn't university-sponsered. I'm not Catholic (or religious for that matter). I thought this wouldn't be an issue, but I find it hard to relate to many people, because 85% of the student body is Catholic. Furthermore, nearly everyone has the same interests and there really isn't much diversity regarding beliefs, hobbies, etc. Basically, I want to have more fun in college and be at a place that is less sports-oriented and has more diversity (not necessarily racial/ethnic, but diversity of, as I said, beliefs and hobbies). I would like to live in a city (a big city, not Southbend), and would like a school with a bigger party scene (as far as academically elite/strong schools go). Here are some schools I am considering. I am willing to sacrifice at least some prestige for fun/a city/diversity:
Georgetown University
Vanderbilt University
Boston College
University of Southern California
University of Miami (Florida)
George Washington University</p>
<p>Yes, I know Georgetown and Boston College are Catholic, but based on what I have heard, they are not nearly as Catholic as Notre Dame (in student body or in school policy). Also, are there any other schools I should look into? Thanks very much.</p>
<p>One final note: I am a humanities major, at Notre Dame (provided I stay) I will be majoring in probably political science and history--I would like to major in international relations if it is provided at a school (Georgetown was my number one choice while in high school, but I did not get in).</p>
<p>Political science and international relations are typically considered to be social studies, not humanities.</p>
<p>For transfer admission purposes, your college record will be the most important, but if you apply as a frosh for sophomore level transfer, your high school record and test scores will be more important than if you apply as a sophomore for junior level transfer.</p>
<p>Emory is one of the more transfer friendly top colleges and matches most of your requirements. There’s a great deal of ethnic, religious, and interest diversity, it plays in an academically excellent DIII league, and it’s in suburban Atlanta. Though it’s by no means a party school, it’s easy to find parties Thursday-Saturday. Emory has also poured money into its IR program and the humanities are emphasized to an unusually high degree at the school. </p>
<p>In the same athletic league as Emory is Brandeis which meets almost all of your criteria other than a large party scene (there are still parties, but they aren’t as numerous). </p>
<p>Depending on your financial situation, you may want to consider some of the stronger flagships, many of which are located in outstanding college towns and have great academics to boot. These will be easier to get into than the top privates, and may be more “transfer friendly”.</p>
<p>^I second Emory. I don’t think you’d like Nashville based on the fact that you are thinking Boston, DC, Miami, and Los Angeles. Unless you love country music, Nashville is a lot more boring and feels a lot smaller than those four.</p>
<p>^^ I disagree that Nashville is “boring”! My older son graduated from Vanderbilt in May (and we live in DC) and had a fabulous time exploring Nashville. There is a very vibrant music scene (and not just country), a huge bar scene, eclectic restaurant options, etc. </p>
<p>In the 4 years we visited, we never did the same thing twice and still felt like there is so much more to see and do. Nashville is a blast!</p>