There are a few reasons I'd like to transfer from Fordham to Hunter. The biggest reason is that Fordham is so much more expensive. Even with an AmeriCorps scholarship that matched my Segal Education Award, and an expected need-based scholarship, it still will be hard on my future pocketbook to pay back the loans.
The second reason is that I am very interested in Hunter's community organization method. After taking a few classes at Fordham, I'm pretty convinced of my interest in anti-oppressive, critically-aware social work based within communities. I feel my communication and interpersonal skills could benefit from clinically-focused education, but ideally I would like to work on policy change, program development, and grassroots community organization and development. Fordham has a specialization in Clinical/Community macro practice, but I've really enjoyed everything I read about Hunter's community organization track.
The third reason is that a good portion of the student body at Fordham seems very immature and unenthusiastic about putting in the effort appropriate for a graduate social work program. Fordham accepts around 80% of applicants (one professor let me know it was probably more), and I feel that I personally suffer in the program because I want to learn from my peers, and when they are unwilling to participate I lose out. Maybe this happens in all schools? I'm not sure. I just know that if one school in New York City accepts 30% of applicants, and almost all of the other schools in NYC accept around 70-80%, I will try my best to get into the one that is more exclusive because that student body will, on the whole, be more motivated and willing to participate.
All of this being said, there was one professor at Fordham who motivated the entire class to participate and discuss policy, issues of oppression and social justice with fervor. My experience at Fordham may have been due to a small sample size =) because this professor was great, and brought the ideas out of everyone's brains and into the classroom! She wasn't magic or a genius or anything, she just asked us to read a lot, then spoke about the readings and asked us how we would define specific terms and ideas. The three other professors weren't as good at inspiring conversation. So, my experience at Fordham might have been less about the student body and more about the teachers I chose to take. This professor's name is Dewan - you may not like her as much as I did but I just have to cry her praise.
All in all, school is what you make of it. If I don't get into Hunter, I will take every class Prof. Dewan teaches, and I will develop relationships with professors like her so I can make the most of my time at Fordham.
After reading this over, I feel like maybe I'm being too harsh, or coming to judgement too quickly on the students and my experience at Fordham. Perhaps I'm struggling because I haven't made many connections with my fellow students, and I haven't found students with my interests and experiences similar to my own. As a returned Peace Corps volunteer, and as a student that has been out of school for four years, I'm a bit different than those straight out of undergrad. I really would love to connect with fellow students and professors that want to discuss policy reform, community organization and development, and many other issues and ideas floating within our profession. Whether at Fordham or at Hunter, I will work harder to make those connections so I don't have to whine on an internet forum about my experience =). I hope this post helps someone in some way, not just cathartic venting for me