Hello,
I’m currently a freshman studying math and computer science at a small Midwestern liberal arts college with pretty good name recognition (not top 20 or anything, but good), and I’ve been disappointed by a few things with my experience.
-My experience with the academics has been that I haven’t had to try very hard to get good grades. As in, less work than my classes in high school. My current gpa is a 3.92 after the first semester, without really trying very hard or pushing myself in any way.
-The location is not ideal – my college is in the middle of nowhere, yet the closest city is my hometown. I feel like most of the people I’m meeting are from the same state, if not the same area as me.
-The school is religiously affiliated, which is not necessarily strikingly apparent, but it does make the whole school give off a “perfect angelic church” vibe that I don’t really enjoy. This sort of boils down to me not feeling like I fit the campus culture as much as I thought I would.
-The school’s music program is very well regarded - it seems like everyone gathers around music and performing, and I really don’t have much interest in that at all.
However, I have met people there that I do enjoy a lot, and I’m worried that if I transfer, I wouldn’t be able to find as good a group of friends as them.
Naturally, I’ve been looking around at places that would improve my situation. Last year I applied to Cornell University (CAS) and was accepted. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to go to a school that big but now I’m thinking it might fit me better? Cornell has very strong math and computer science programs, along with a large diverse student body with many different backgrounds and interests. Another specific thing that interests me is their Video Game Initiative, which would help me make connection in the industry and get practice making games (which is what I want to do for at least part of my life).
Again, I didn’t originally choose Cornell because I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to find friends without the small, liberal arts setting, and also because I was scared the student body would be too cut-throat and competitive.
Also, I currently have a great scholarship at my current college. I would still be able to afford Cornell, however.
So, if anyone has any advice for what I should do in this situation, I would greatly appreciate it. Should I stick it out at my current college, or should I try to transfer to Cornell or some other school?