hi, i’m a current freshman at Duke and am not a huge fan of the environment of the school at all. i do like to drink, party, etc (reasonably), but the social stratification isn’t for me. i have very few complaints academically, but i don’t feel this is a place where i could sanely spend another three years and succeed. is there anywhere i could look to transfer that i could realistically get into and enjoy that wouldn’t be too much of a downgrade prestige-wise/academically?
background: had a ~3.3 engineering gpa first semester that will definitely improve this semester, involved in public schools in Durham, interested in the environment, high school resume is good, unhooked applicant
what i’m looking for: more intellectual environment, more laid-back and inclusive party scene, less social climbing, good financial aid (!!), maybe a more cohesive residential college system that doesn’t necessitate affiliations with frats/srats/slgs