Last year, I transferred from my "dream school" to Montclair State University. This decision came with comments ranging from "that's such a stupid decision" to "you are going to regret it, I promise." They all came from people who had never walked in my shoes or knew what I was going through. In my mind, I thought about what my friends and family would think of my decision, if they also thought it was some sort of detrimental mistake. Yet, at the end of the day, it seemed to be the only logical decision.
Senior year of high school, all I could think about was how I was probably never going to get into said "dream school." When the acceptance letter (or email, welcome to 2016) showed up in my mailbox, it felt unreal. My initial reaction, along with the reactions of my friends and family members, was obviously to send in a deposit as soon as possible and be on my way come August 2014. The moment I walked through the university's doors in August, I knew it was the wrong decision. Something in my gut was pulling at me, telling me that I simply didn't belong.
I waited it out for a semester, hoping things would magically turn around and enjoying all of the restaurants, shopping, and sights that the surrounding area of the Upper West Side of Manhattan had to offer. Yet, when the second semester rolled around and things just weren't improving, I began looking into schools to transfer to. Keep in mind, my entire life I had been harshly against going to Montclair for several reasons. 1. I would see everyone I knew from high school roaming around campus (not true) 2. It was a mediocre school with mediocre teachers and mediocre classes (also, not true) and 3. I wouldn't be as successful graduating with a Montclair degree vs. a degree from said "dream school" (REALLY not true).
Putting all of my hesitations aside, I came to the conclusion that Montclair would be the best option for me since I wanted to stay close to home. When I got to campus on my first day, I wasn't intimidated by the amount of buildings and sheer population of the school, but that within an hour, I had already felt like I was home. I had waited my whole life to walk into college and have that feeling; the feeling of wanting to be somewhere and wanting to talk to people and learn and put myself out there.
Montclair proved all of my assumptions wrong within the first few days.
1. I hardly see anyone I know from high school roaming around campus. But when I do, I enjoy saying hi and seeing a familiar face. It is a cool way of saying "look how far we've come."
2. Most of my professors have been incredibly smart and talented people with great senses of humor and real-world connections. While every school has a few duds, the classes I've experienced at Montclair so far have been on par with any "dream school."
3. At my old school, I went to class and did my homework, day after day. I made no effort to join clubs or apply for internships or different positions. No matter what school is on your resume the day you walk into your first job interview post-college, what matters is the in-between stuff, the stuff that sets you apart from everyone in the waiting room.
