<p>Note: the gist is, I am trying to figure out what college to transfer to. Any advice of fields to look into is appreciated as well. </p>
<p>For the last several years, I have been trying to find that "perfect college." A campus I like. Professors I like. Peers I like. Classes I like. Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, I have a variety of tastes. Thus, a lot of colleges end up fitting my criteria. However, over the last few years, I have established some "must-haves." So, I'll split this post up into a few sections, since it'll be long. </p>
<p>Must Haves</p>
<ul>
<li>Must be academically challenging. No exceptions. </li>
<li>Encourages creative thinking</li>
<li>Encourages intellectual discussion/people won't go bananas when someone wants to have a rational debate</li>
<li>Looks relatively good when searching for jobs (more on that later)</li>
<li>Interesting, and equally importantly, <em>accessible professors</em> (many colleges are marked off for this reason). I greatly prefer being able to interact with my professors as well as my peers, so smaller classes are ideal</li>
<li>Close, or relatively close to a major city (a 4 hour drive is fine)</li>
</ul>
<p>Now, a lot of people ask what fields I am looking in. The problem is, my interests are not able to be categorized as just "science" or "art." </p>
<p>Here are the things I am passionate about/ love learning about:</p>
<ul>
<li>Anthropology</li>
<li>Psychology</li>
<li>Writing</li>
<li>Editing</li>
<li>Teaching</li>
<li>Anything involving the human body (so occupational therapy, physical therapy, the idea of being a doctor greatly appeals to me)</li>
<li>Economics</li>
<li>Engineering (specifically chemical or electrical)</li>
<li>Music (major passion for music, as well as dance- and I am good at both)</li>
<li>Languages</li>
<li>Debating (I am constantly considering becoming a lawyer)</li>
</ul>
<p>Right now, my primary focus is in cultural anthropology because I think that is an area I can have a lot of impact. Medical or biological anthropology both appeal to me greatly. </p>
<p>Personal qualities-</p>
<ul>
<li>Ambitious</li>
<li>Competitive </li>
<li>Insatiably curious</li>
<li>Constantly generating new ideas</li>
<li>Spontaneous</li>
<li>Scattered, unless working on a project</li>
<li>Inventive</li>
<li>Dislikes boundaries</li>
<li>Constantly dipping toes into everything/jack of all trades (which is terrible)</li>
<li>Extroverted </li>
<li>Dislikes being controlled/controlling other people (unless deemed necessary)</li>
<li>Sometimes has difficulty keeping in opinions (working on that)</li>
<li>Individualistic </li>
</ul>
<p>What Other People Will Tell You</p>
<ul>
<li>Know-it-all</li>
<li>Argumentative</li>
<li>Intelligent</li>
<li>Too smart for my own good</li>
<li>Very nice</li>
<li>Very mean</li>
<li>Very polite</li>
<li>Idealistic</li>
<li>Misanthropic</li>
<li>Genial </li>
<li>Runs around with too many ideas in head</li>
<li>Mad-scientist</li>
<li>Sometimes too theoretical</li>
<li>Nit-picky </li>
<li>Obsessed with semantics</li>
</ul>
<p>So, hopefully, even if that information is just skimmed, someone can provide me some colleges to look into. Currently, I am looking at Whitman, in Walla Walla Washington, as it seems to fit my individualistic nature. </p>
<p>Some colleges I have considered: UNC Chapel Hill (in state, cheaper), NC State (same reason, and both have good programs), Harvard (looks good in academic fields, which I am pursuing), MIT (great programs), CalTech (smaller, great programs), Harvey Mudd (unique combination of liberal arts and science, is also academically challenging), Ann Arbor (top anthropology programs). </p>
<p>My apologies for the ridiculously long post. In the event that someone is trying to help me, I wish to have provided enough information for them to use at their own risk.</p>