<p>So I'm applying this year to college and thinking more about what I want exactly, but I'm really not all that excited about big State schools and Community Colleges because they all seem to be the same and share similar qualities to high school, of course I;m sure they're exceptions. What I'm looking for in a college is something beyond grades and scores, more intellectual and learning for the sake of learning. I have my eyes set on colleges like St. John's College and New College of Florida (My #1 and #2 choices), among others, but does anyone have a suggestion for other schools. I'd also be nice to find more schools that take your essays more into account than any sort of number. I'm personally more interested in Literature, Philosophy and Journalism.</p>
<p>I think Hampshire College would be a good fit.</p>
<p>Evergreen, Bennington</p>
<p>Your local library and the nearest park bench.</p>
<p>Reed is another such school:</p>
<p>[Reed</a> College Admission Office](<a href=“http://www.reed.edu/apply/news_and_articles/knowledge.html]Reed”>http://www.reed.edu/apply/news_and_articles/knowledge.html)</p>
<p>The title of the article at the link is actually Knowledge for its Own Sake.</p>
<p>Hampshire
Marlboro
College of the Atlantic
Deep Springs
St John College (both campuses)
Deep Springs
Evergreen State
Bard
Antioch (when it reopens in 2011)
Beloit
Knox
Lawrence
Earlham</p>
<p>More Selective Options (slightly more traditional):
Swarthmore
Carleton
Grinnell
Oberlin
Reed
Wesleyan (ish)
Hamilton (ish)</p>
<p>Lots of LACs fit this</p>
<p>"Your local library and the nearest park bench. "</p>
<p>probably the most effective, not to mention cheapest.</p>
<p>reed. brown. most LACs.</p>
<p>COA is only worth applying to if you want to go into the sciences. Bar Harbor and the campus are great though</p>
<p>I think you can find schools that are based on the idea of learning for the sake of developing your mind/views/knowledge (vs. how to train you for a job) but agree that any liberal arts college can provide that if that is YOUR objective. My son is sort of on a path to learn all he can about his subject (biology as it relates to genetics) and doesn’t seem too concerned about where it will lead. It’s a cerebral pursuit right now. He reads books on his own about the topic (tho not on a park bench). His professors seem to encourage his questions. My point is that you can create that pursuit on your own wherever you go (seek out office visits with your professors for discussions). A brain that loves to learn will do so no matter where you take it.</p>
<p>“A brain that loves to learn will do so no matter where you take it.”</p>
<p>Yes, but schools are not all alike, and neither are students. There are schools and students that are best matches for each other, and not such good matches. I applaud the student for trying to find the best match, in order to maximize her/his potential.</p>
<p>Brown is a top-tier university that that emphasizes learning for the sake of learning; that is why there is neither a core corriculum nor distribution requirements. It gives you a lot of freedom in your decision and its lack of requirements allow you to take only the classes that you wish to take.</p>
<p>In addition, the University of Chicago is also an institution that values intelligence and education for its own sake. It really encourages you to think outside the box and to explore new topics.</p>
<p>how hard is it to gain admittance into some of these colleges? iIve never really focused on grades or standardized tests because I feel that they hinder learning more than anything else, that’s just my philosophy. But I also understand that’s the criteria used for most colleges, I only have decent grades and scores. Could I still have a shot at a Hamsphire College or a Univeristy of Chicago?</p>