<p>I'm looking for colleges with at least some semblance of alternative culture. This won't at all dictate where I go, but ideally, there'll be some people who share some of the same interests.</p>
<p>If people there like Kurt Vonnegut or David Foster Wallace and the Arcade Fire, or, say Animal Collective, it's probably safe to say there's some sort of alternative culture. :)</p>
<p>(This sounds horribly shallow, but I seem to make friends with people who enjoy the same sorts of things as me. Whodda thunk it?)</p>
<p>Here's my list - please chime in!</p>
<p>Allegheny College - ?
Bard College - I'm gonna say yes.
Bennington College - Probably yes.
Colby College - ?
Geneseo, State Univ. of New York - ???
Green Mountain College - ?
Hamilton College - ?
Hampshire College - Yes, I think.
Macalester College - ?
Sarah Lawrence College - Oh, man.
SUNY New Paltz - ?
University of Rhode Island - ?
University of Vermont - ?</p>
<p>I’ve struggled with the same thing in my college search. While most of the schools that you have mentioned (Bard, Bennington, Sarah Lawrence) do seem to be a haven for those who appreciate the counter-cultural lifestyle, I find myself turned off by the thought of everyone at my school listening to the same music and reading the same 20th century satiric novels. Don’t get me wrong, I probably am one of Vonnegut’s biggest fans, but I wouldn’t want to be in a place where everyone has the exact same interests that I do.</p>
<p>Because of this, I’ve come to the conclusion that a larger university may be the right place for me and–just maybe–you. Considering the accidental intellectual, social, and economic diversity inherent in a student body of 20,000, four years at State U will definitely give me the chance to meet people who have similar interests (through my chosen classes and extracurricular activities) while also forcing me to live and interact with those who can expand my cultural horizons. Rather than every third student I meet majoring in English or History, I will cross paths with engineers, future business-people, and many others who possess skill sets and interest different than my own.</p>
<p>Though there are certainly some large schools with poor student diversity (and I don’t just mean race/ethnicity), many attract diverse students from all over the country and globe who are interested in receiving a great education. A few of the schools you mentioned, such as UVM, Geneseo, and Rhode Island, are certainly good examples of this, as they don’t cater more towards a certain “type” of person, just anyone who has a desire to learn. Thus, people are able to find their own group of friends with similar interests without being suffocating by like-minded individuals. To be analogous: would New York City be as interesting if everyone worked at an art studio and went to indie clubs in Brooklyn? I don’t think so. To me, the fact that this “counter-culture” is only blocks from conservative investment bankers and sports fanatics is what draws people to NYC year after year.</p>
<p>Before you completely disregard my suggestion, just know that I have several friends who, though liberal and artsy, are thriving at large public institutions. They are more than satisfied to have access to the overwhelmingly large selection of extracurricular activities, classes, and–most importantly–people that make up a microcosm of the diverse world we are a part of today.</p>
<p>@Ghostt –
Well, yeah, but people might not know who Clovis Roblaine and the Mystery Trend are, nor The Geraldine Fibbers or the Black Truth Rhythm Band. I was simply giving a jumping off point – don’t test my indie cred. :)</p>
<p>@shantih –
Thank you, that was a very compelling argument for large public schools. The reason I posted is because I go to a semi-large public high school, and I sometimes have difficulty finding common ground with people. I think you make some great points, and I’m comforted by what your friends experienced. Financial aid will probably dictate where I end up more than anything, but you’re probably right – wherever I go, there will be people who share my interests, and I may benefit from those who don’t. </p>
<p>No problem! I’m definitely in the same boat as you as far as financial aid goes, which may be the root of my bias towards public schools…</p>
<p>Obviously there is a large gray area between nonconformist LAC’s and large state schools, I was just trying to give you some ideas from the other end of the spectrum. I’m sure you will be fine wherever you decide to go!</p>