Hi, I am currently a freshman at the University of Texas at Austin, and have not had a very good first year. I believe I’ve done everything (but rush) in order to try to feel integrated in the community by joining clubs, sports, service orgs, etc. and have made a few good friends, but still wake up most days feeling unhappy. I am from New Jersey and as hard as I’ve tried to shake off the home sickness, I am very close with my family and the distance really kills me. I was originally choosing between UT and Temple Univwrsity in Philadelphia, both to major in graphic design. I quickly found that the program at Texas was not at all for me, and did not live up to my potential, and have recently decided to switch my major to advertising, which Texas has a great program for. However, although I am enjoying advertising courses more, I still really struggle to picture myself here for four years and even though I might rush next year to see if this helps, the big Greek life and football culture really never seemed like it was for me. Now, I have applied to possibly transfer closer to home at Temple, where I visited in high school and loved it. I would apply for graphic design rather than advertising because they have a well ranked program at their art school. I would also be able to room with a good friend from high school. However, I am afraid of leaving such a good advertising program that I have so far enjoyed at a high ranked school for a less prestigious school that is good for my original major. I’ve always known that I don’t want to go to an all art school like Pratt or RISD because I want a full college experience, which is why Temple seemed like a good balance. I’m really struggling with this decision, as I know that if a school exactly like Texas was just located closer to home and felt more familiar, I would most likely feel fine about it. Please help!
Rutgers?
Rutgers does not have the kind of program I’m looking for in terms of graphic design or advertising, unfortunately
https://admissions.rutgers.edu/academics/find-your-major/graphic-design-bfa/new-brunswick is not suitable?
Other NJ publics like Rutgers Camden and Newark, Rowan, TCNJ, and NJIT have graphic design as well. Is there anything particularly special about Temple’s program versus all of these?
Yes, temples Tyler school of art overall is ranked pretty highly compared to its other programs and those of other schools. It seems to be an alternative to going to an expensive all-art school.
a little further away you should consider the very highly regarded VCUARTS program in Richmond VA. Our NJ daughter attends as a GD major and loves it.
My D is a sophomore at Tyler/Temple and was accepted into the GAID (Graphic and Interactive Design) major this year and she really loves it. We’re from NJ and she usually doesn’t come home much because Philly is such a great city with lots of things to do. The program is super competitive but from what she’s heard the companies hire Tyler graduates because they know the program is so demanding. And Temple is such great university. Everyone who goes there really seems to love the school 
fyi VCUARTS is ranked #2 in the entire country by USWNR as well as being the top public design school.