Not feeling FIT or NYC.

[Devimyx]

So I am a 2nd semester illustration student at FIT in NYC. One of my biggest concerns about going to FIT even before I applied was living in the big city. I hate the atmosphere that some kids would kill for. But I went here because it was close to home (Long Island), and seems very focused on the business aspect of illustration.
Basically I want to look into transferring to other schools (for next spring or Fall 2011 after I get my associates degree from FIT), especially ones that will give me more of a fine arts experience.
FIT is also primarily a fashion school and I sort of wish I was surrounded by more artsy hippie kids rather than the high-heels-crazy-eye-make-up fashionistas that go to FIT...Don't get me wrong, I get along with them! It's just...not what I was expecting, I suppose?
Soooo, what schools do you recommend for art/illustration/etc. that AREN'T in a big city and preferably in the Northeast region?
Oh also when I was applying to schools back in high school I got into every school I applied to, if that helps anyone in thinking: pratt, UArts (philly), Hartford, Purchase.
Does New Paltz have a strong art program? I know they don't have illustration...but are their fine arts good?
Thank you for reading :)

[Rocketshark]

Have you tried limited you college searches for smaller? The one I go to is in a much smaller seaside city that's a 30-minute train ride from Boston, and a friend of mine goes to the New Hampshire Institute of Art since she loves the outdoors/woods. They might not have the reputation of FIT, PRATT, or Uarts, but what's most important is what you put into your work and how comfortable you are, so that never bothered me.

[Pezz]

I'm going to the Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art in Dover, NJ... that's in the Northeast, and Dover is definitely a quaint town. However it's atypical and doesn't produce a bachelor's. Depends on whether or not that little piece of paper that says "I have a degree" is better to you than a little piece of paper that says "I have a diploma".

The whole school is based around "Draw 10 hours a day every day." and has typical art classes. However, there's no "atelier" like atmosphere there - it's all based around modern art formats, so Photoshop painting and coloring is taught as well as oils, gouache, penciling, inking, airbrush, sculpture in polymer clay etc... There are classes on sequential storytelling and such too. It's right for me, just thought I'd throw it out there. :)