I’m looking for a midsize college with around 5,000-10,000 undergraduate students. Something with a creative and academic environment, but not too much of a competitive environment. Does anyone have any ideas? The schools on my list right now are pretty small other than tufts (which is my top choice) but apparently, it’s unlikely I get in.
What are your academic stats?
Do you have any cost constraints?
Also, where do you live (what state) and what is your academic area of interest…if you have one.
Maybe Emory? Elon? Mary Washington? UNC-Asheville? Rochester? SUNY New Paltz, UVM?
Those are all midsize ones on my daughter’s big list (she’s still in the paring down stage). I’m not sure how creative/academic/non-competitive they are, but might be worth checking some of them out.
all great choices - we just have no idea about the student’s background, etc.
I have a 3.87 unweighted GPA and lots of extracurricular, but unfortunately, I didn’t take that many AP’s and honors. Also fortunately I don’t have any cost constraints.
I’m interested in psychology and art history, but I want a school where I can explore a variety of interests.
Thanks! I’ll check them out
Definitely not Emory - if you have little rigor unless you don’t have it because your school doesn’t offer it. Do you have a test score (ACT/SAT)?
Rochester, likely not.
Elon - yes. UNC A yes, UVM yes and the SUNYs listed. College of Charleston, Depaul, Fordham, Emerson.
I think you actually need a LAC - so they will be smaller (sans UNC Asheville and to a lesser extent Charleston).
Maybe an Eckerd, Wooster, Macalester, Kalamazoo, Beloit, etc.
Good luck
Thanks so much! I’ll definitely look into these, do you know anything about Boston university? It’s a bit big, but I might look into it.
Brandeis?
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so do you have an SAT / ACT?
How many APs did you take? Was it by choice or your school offered few?
If you did not take rigor and it was available, BU is likely out. It’s a tough nut to crack. Yes, it’s bigger.
Similar in campus would be NYU and maybe GW.
Other “urban” schools would be Pitt which is excellent - not quite as urban. U of Tampa - which is definitely not for you. Maybe a Fordham could be though.
If the size of BU works, take a look at GW but it might be a reach. But also Pitt which might work out ok for you. I think UNC Asheville was a great suggestion to you as well. Maybe Miami of Ohio too.
Macalester definitely. Very creative atmosphere. It’s small, but it feels vibrant and energetic, and you are part of a consortium (ACTC) where you can cross-register with four other nearby colleges, if you want to be around more and different people.
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I didn’t take a sat or act and I took AP world in 10th grade but then transferred to a school that only offers a different kind of advanced class. In 11th grade, I only took advanced history since they didn’t offer advanced English for 11th graders, and now in 12th grade, I am taking two different advanced history courses and advanced English, but no advanced science, math or language.
That sounds perfect, it’s actually already on my list, but knowing that you can cross-register makes me like it even more! Thank you!
What’s important is if you took the most rigorous schedule the school offers? I can’t tell from the note.
Pitt for urban (or UVM) and Miami of Ohio for more rural could work.
Macalester is wonderful I’m sure but it’s 2K kids - and while cross registering opens up the catalogue, it doesn’t the school size.
The Jesuit schools are a good way to look at a number of schools in the midsize range, and not top-tier selectivity for most of them www.acjunet.edu for a list and to find out more. I would imagine Fordham, in NYC, would have many arts opportunities if that’s what you mean by creative. My daughter graduated from LMU, and my son attends Elon. I would describe both as plenty of artistic opportunities in classes, clubs, etc, and not hugely competitive vibe, both easy to explore other classes and interests. I wonder if you should check out Clark too. It has a strong psych dept and appeals to creative types.
Out of state public schools are horribly expensive.