A Search For: The Perfect Liberal Arts School

<p>I am:
somewhere in the top 10-15% of my class. 3.8/gpa. 29/ACT.
involved in ecology club, astronomy club (president x2), national art honor society, theater.
I've had work experience (in unrelated fields) since 7th grade.
I'm politically active in environmental conservation and animal rights groups.
I am looking to major in environmental studies (with an emphasis on law) and throw some anthropology in there too.</p>

<p>I am also lucky to be accepted at the schools in which I have applied: University of Illinois, U of Wisconsin, Depaul, Lewis and Clark, and the University of Toronto.</p>

<p>but I'm not interested in them. I visited Baltimore, then DC/Conn/New York/Boston this October. I fell hard for the East Coast a bit late. I am applying to Bard and Conn College. </p>

<p>What is the likeliness of my admisson? Any suggestions for other schools I can reach for?</p>

<p>I don't think that Conn. Coll is a reach for you.....more like a match....</p>

<p>Bard is a terrific place, with a strong environmental studies/social ecology program, lots of animal rights folks too. You look like a great fit for them.</p>

<p>I wouldn't rule out Lewis and Clark. And though it is a definite reach, you could apply to Bowdoin without submitting your ACT score.</p>

<p>You might check out Oberlin. It has a good environmental studies program, I understand. Though Ohio is not on the East Coast exactly.</p>

<p>You Should Look At Lafayette And Holy Cross.</p>

<p>Newsweek thinks Grinnell is the perfect lib arts school. Why did you apply to places you aren't interested in?</p>

<p>I would look at Skidmore, which offers a strong environmental studies department, active student environmental groups, and a beautiful "green" setting in fabulous Saratoga Springs, NY.</p>

<p>travelr, how many months of "green" would a college student actually see while at Skidmore? I would assume if it's not under snow a good amount of time, the grass would be brown from Oct. to May. Other than that, it does sound like a great school.</p>

<p>lelalellen: the doom and gloom weather story is a lot of hype. You really should only count on the white stuff from Dec. until March. </p>

<p>Fortunately, Saratoga and the region offer a lot to do in those months, such as downhill, cross-country skiing and skating, and one is only three hours to Boston, New York, and Montreal.</p>

<p>Ditto Bowdoin, but could be a reach for you. If you could get in there, it might be the perfect place for you. Also ditto Bard which may offer the balance you're looking for. They have an interesting one-day admission program that you should check out.</p>

<p>tray --</p>

<p>Personally, I think that you stand a very good chance at being admitted to both Bard and Connecticut College (with Connecticut being a more solid match and Bard being slightly more of a reach, but still in the match category).</p>

<p>If you are looking for places on the East Coast, given your interests, I would add to your list Wesleyan University and Vassar College to your list. In my opinion, both may be a slight reach with your credentials, but certainly in your ball park. They both have an environmental science/ environmental studies programs and they seems like they would fit your other interests as well (better than either Lafayette or Holy Cross, in terms of fit).</p>

<p>If you are attracted to Bard, then I think that both Wesleyan and Vassar would also appeal to you.</p>

<p>Good luck and I hope this helps.</p>

<p>tray, Did you take the SATIIs? Many, but not all, LACs require them. My son had similar interests and he ended up at Williams. He also looked at Hamilton, Wesleyan, Conn College, Skidmore, Swarthmore and Kenyon. Other than Williams & Swarthmore, I'd say all of these are possibilities for you as long as you, moreso if you are male. This is critical: you must put together a knockout application. Strong essays and recommendations are very important. You need to get your passions and personality across on paper!</p>

<p>Some of these schools have EDII programs which would also give you a boost (but be sure to visit first). Sometimes a last minute add on is just the right place. You still have a month to pull together your applications. Go after your dream!</p>

<p>Will you be submitting an arts portfolio (slides)? If yes, then I'd assemble a whole arts package including slides, a recommendation from an art teacher or professional, personal statement and a summary of your accomplishment, awards, classes, and any related activities. You could do the same for your environmental work.</p>

<p>look into Colgate as a reach</p>

<p>I would second Bard and Conn Col as being strong matches, probably Skidmore, too, and Wesleyan, Vassar and Oberlin as reasonable reaches. (Momrath,, I think some schools do not require the SAT 2s for ACT students, though that would have to be checked out individually.)</p>

<p>Would suggest Holy Cross-great liberal arts school with very strong alumni network/school spirit. Also Holy Cross is only 1 hour from Boston.</p>

<p>I'm applying at Conn Coll as well - we have similar stats, and i think it's a match for both of us.</p>

<p>Check out Oberlin, Kenyon, Ohio Wesleyan University and Vassar (although the first three are in Ohio, not exactly the East Coast). I believe Kenyon and Ohio Wesleyan are still accepting applications. In fact, you can apply for free online.</p>