<p>I've been accepted to: Hendrix, Knox, New College of Florida, Beloit, College of Wooster, Earlham, Smith, Bard and Kalamazoo. I've been offered a free trip to visit both Kalamazoo and Earlham and live close enough to Smith and Bard to visit by car.</p>
<p>I'm conflicted. I'm not sure which to visit, which to cross off my list, etc.</p>
<p>My current academic interests are: studies in gender and sexuality, international relations, public/social policy, public health, politics, urban studies, sustainability, sociology, and Spanish</p>
<p>Which of these schools stand out, if any, as the most academically challenging? Which provide the most academic opportunities? Which have the strongest advising programs?</p>
<p>Which have the strongest internship/career services?</p>
<p>I'm a serious student and have high goals for myself but would also like to develop a richer (fun!) social life with open-minded peers who share a love of learning and interest in the world.</p>
<p>I LOVE Earlham, and know quite a bit about some of the others - but I think Emilybee is exactly on the mark, in virtually everywhere area in which you have expressed an interest or concern.</p>
<p>I hope to God that my daughter is writing the same post next year at this time, she has every school that you mentioned on her list except for New College. You are a lucky girl!</p>
<p>I say definitely Smith, it is the standout on your list.</p>
<p>Are finances a consideration? If so, you definitely need to look at which options give you the lowest amount of loans when you graduate. All things being equal, I actually think the four you are thinking about visiting are all good choices. Smith is the best academically, but you should visit and make sure the “vibe” is for you.</p>
<p>Smith, without a doubt. Congrats on all your acceptances but everything you want and prioritize in your post is everything you will get at Smith, plus more. Good luck.</p>
<p>Of the schools I know from your list, Smith and Earlham are great. But I’d put a word in for visiting Bard, which stands out in all the areas you mention as well, and offers that love of learning, rich (fun) social life and international civic engagement. (And there’s something to be said for studying gender and sexuality in a school that isn’t single sex.) Since you are near enough to see it, I certainly wouldn’t rule out Bard without a visit.</p>
<p>I agree with everyone else that Smith is the answer to the questions you asked. But if you have strong reservations about Smith (you live next door, it would be significantly more expensive, you really really don’t want a single-sex college), then Bard, Kalamazoo, Earlham would be reasonable alternatives to consider. Maybe some of the others, too – I know much less about them. An academically strong and ambitious classmate of one of my kids chose Beloit over some more famous schools that offered her less aid, after doing a lot of research.</p>
<p>I see Smith as a cut above all the other schools on your list.</p>
<p>Having said that, I think Smith is a unique cultural environment - which is appealing to some and not appealing to others. I don’t just mean the single-sex aspect of it, either - having visited several single-sex schools with my D (who now goes to one), Smith is the most “differentiated” in terms of unique personality. Since you live close by, I’d suggest visiting it and making your own assessment.</p>
<p>Kalamazoo is worth a visit, IMO, esp. since they are paying you to visit. It was different from other schools we visited. Very strong intern/extern program, and most of the students on campus spend a year abroad. It is built in to the school culture. Lots of kids there double major because they become fluent in a second language. It’s a very friendly place and it seems very supportive of its students’ goals. The girl who led our tour was majoring in Spanish and doing pre-med, and had worked in a clinic in South America as part of her year abroad, if I"m remembering right. I was very impressed. The main drawback of the school for the daughter who visited was its tiny size.</p>
<p>I must put in a word for College of Wooster. Their senior I.s. research is 2nd to Princeton. Of course, Smith is brilliant but I hope you look at Wooster closely before saying no- especially if it has a good aid package. Good luck! My D is in the midst of decision angst too.</p>
<p>No one here can answer your question - we don’t know you and listing your interests helps only minutely. Smith is a fine college if you don’t mind an all-girls school. Of course it is part of the 5-college consortium so you could take classes in Amherst, UMass Amherst, Hampshire, and Mt. Holyoke (another all girls school). Bard is another excellent choice, similar in many ways to Smith except it’s co-ed. Beloit and Knox are not as academically challenging on paper at Smith or Bard but the kids might be a bit more down-to-earth and interesting given that you’re from the northeast. A minor point is that Knox is on a trimester if that matters to you and is a difficult commute. I don’t really know the others you mentioned.</p>
<p>What I suggest you do to try to eliminate one or two schools is to really look into the courses that are offered, the majors/minors offered and the requirements, gen ed courses required, the major electives and general electives. Do some research beforehand, it will help you decide which to eliminate. Good luck!</p>
<p>What wonderful choices you have! Since Bard is close by, I’d suggest visiting - it’s quite strong in the areas of study you mention and a visit would help you decide if the campus atmosphere is a good fit for you. (Disclaimer: my D2 attends Bard, so this is not an entirely objective opinion!)</p>
<p>Review your reasons for applying to those colleges. Consider the locations- the city/town and distance from home. Consider the area of the country and environment you want to spend 4 years of college at. Look at the student body characteristics and the courses in the fields of interest to you. None of those would ever be on my radar so all I can offer is a scientific approach.</p>
<p>Smith, Earlham and Kalamazoo- each one has its strengths either academic or social or a mix. (My D goes to Hampshire so I am biased towards Smith as well as other schools with the “Colleges that Change Lives” designation.") Although Smith might win with its academic rigor, I would probably (in your place) go with Earlham or Kalamazoo because of the more cooperative/less competitive vibe among the student body. YMMV</p>