Activism Focused Schools & Liberal Arts

College Search & Selection
1

I’ve been looking into schools like the University of Chicago and Ohio Wesleyan with good activist clubs and organizations prominent in the foundation of most students’ lifestyles but I can’t find an ideal match for me personally. I live in the St. Louis area and would like something preferably in the midwest but am, of course, open to other options. As I stated before, I am really into activism, another plus for me is also a residential campus. Yet another thing I am looking for is a pre med program but also strong literature and liberal arts is a 100% must have.
The only problem I have with the University of Chicago is its acceptance rate, which is 8% and I am not exactly a student that exceeds expectations on paper (my GPA and ACT are barely above average and I am not particularly active in my community).
My problem with Ohio Wesleyan is the very strong roots in Christianity, I am Pagan (don’t worry, I don’t worship satan, not at all). I just feel it would be easier to be in an environment and school with little to no religious affiliations; not many people are educated on my beliefs, let alone comfortable enough with them to live in say, a dorm, with me.

Also a totally separate thing I am just curious about: Color Guards/ Winter Guard in universities and how to find them

I understand this is a lot of information and I in no way expect anyone to go out and research all of this and find me my perfect school or anything. I have done a lot of research myself and have just been unsuccessful. If you know of any of these characteristic in any schools that would do me WONDERS.

2

What kind of activism? If political, what politics?

3

If you are not yourself active in your community, what draws you to that? If you don’t have exceptional grades, why think you will do well in competitive premed and get into med school where you need top grades? You don’t say your academic qualifications so I will let you evaluate if these are in range for you or not. All schools have premed as it is only a set of classes and lit and liberal arts are main dishes at all colleges except tech colleges perhaps. Some to investigate: Oberlin (Ohio), Hampshire (Mass), Earlham (Ind), Evergreen State (WA), Rhodes (TN). If hose don’t work look at some of the less selective Colleges That Change Lives.
http://www.ctcl.org/

Also, I would add not to overlook state colleges. Where there are large populations there will usually be an activist segment and the momentum and resources to do things.

4

Don’t automatically bypass colleges with religious affiliations. In some instances, the affiliation will scarcely be noticeable. In others, it will inform their commitment to justice and community service. DePaul is Catholic, but models itself after Saint Vincent de Paul, who established charities in the Paris slums. They even offer a “Queer Studies” major. Many Protestant denominations have liberal, tolerant, humanist outlooks. I think Quaker colleges like Earlham and Guilford would satisfy your requirements nicely.

5

Look at Oberlin- southwest of Cleveland.

6

Here are some less selective colleges with a liberal arts mission that are noted for having socially active students:

Knox College (IL)
Beloit College (WI)
Loyola Chicago (IL)
St. Olaf College (MN)
Lawrence University (WI)
Case Western (OH) - relative to places like UChicago, anyway
Denison University (OH)
Kalamazoo College (MI)
College of Wooster (OH)
St. Olaf College (MN)

Selective colleges in the Midwest with a liberal arts mission and active students: Wash U in St. Louis, Oberlin, Grinnell, Macalester, perhaps Carleton (definitely liberal arts, not sure about the activism)

Some smaller to medium sized colleges/universities outside the Midwest that also have socially active students: (medium selectivity) American U, College of the Atlantic, Colby College, Gonzaga, Occidental, Hendrix, Whitman, Bard, Hampshire, Rhodes, Trinity, Clark U; (quite selective) Claremont McKenna, Reed, Pitzer, Rice

Midwestern public colleges and universities reputed to have socially active students and/or a public service mission: Indiana State, Ohio State, UW-Madison, Utah State, UIUC, Michigan State, Minnesota, Purdue, Iowa State

Some other choices: Notre Dame, Columbia, George Washington, Northwestern, Boston College, Tufts, Emory, Syracuse, Johns Hopkins, Brandeis, Tulane, UGA, Adelphi, UPitt

The magazine Washington Monthly [ranks colleges based upon their contribution to public good](http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/college_guide/rankings-2014/national-universities-rank.php), which they define by social mobility (recruiting and graduating disadvantaged students), research (producing cutting-edge scholarships and PhDs) and service (encouraging students to give back to their communities and country). A lot of the Midwestern publics are on this list.

7

If you are interested in environmental issues, College of the Atlantic is an option. I think many of the Colleges That Change Lives would be suitable for you.

8

I don’t see U of Chicago as a fit for you for multiple reasons. First of all, I wouldn’t consider it an “activist” college. They are working too hard to have a lot of time for those types of activities, and it isn’t really the predominant tone of the school anyway. Second, GPA is very important in pre-med – tough to get the needed GPA at U of C, and tougher if you are not a truly top notch student. And they won’t admit you anyway if you aren’t coming. There are a lot better suggestions for you being made on this thread.