<p>Hey guys!!</p>
<p>I’ve posted this on a few other forums, but wanted to get you all’s opinion. I know this topic has been gone over hundreds of times, but I, of course, had to make yet another one of these threads. I apologize.</p>
<p>Imagine you’re really, really hungry. Super hungry. Haven’t-eaten-in-days hungry. Then imagine you’re given three whole meals. All delicious, all tasty, all yummy. Your stomach growls. Your three favorite foods, right there, staring you in the face? Awesome.</p>
<p>But hold up. The catch? You can only eat one of them.</p>
<p>Not so awesome.</p>
<p>That’s how I feel right now. How do I decide where to apply early decision/early action? How can I choose from these three wonderful foods?</p>
<p>I know each is extremely different. The equivalent of comparing apples to oranges. From Williamstown to Chicago, Open Curriculum to structured Core, these three have it all. But that’s what I have to do. I’ve visited all three, am going on second trips to all three, and need help.</p>
<p>A little background on me. </p>
<p>I’m an athlete.</p>
<p>That means I’ll be competing for one of these colleges. It also means I have to choose between them in a few months (October 31st.) I come to you guys asking for your opinion. I want to make sure I choose the right place. This is four years of my life—I just want to be happy for them.</p>
<p>I love nature.</p>
<p>I’m a backpacker. </p>
<p>Nature soothes me, centers me, makes me a better person. I know some kids at Williams who hike up Mount Greylock every weekend. I can’t picture anything on Earth making me happier, or making me more content.</p>
<p>I love to write.</p>
<p>Amherst seems like the best bet here. I mean, if I want to major in philosophy or English, what better place to do it than Amherst? I know both of the other schools have incredible humanities programs, but for some reason I peg them as more science and math focused. Is this true, or am I simply reinforcing stereotypes? Is Amherst truly my best option?</p>
<p>But… Fundamentals.</p>
<p>I love Chicago’s Fundamental’s program. It FITS me, somehow. It’s one of those gut feelings—I can’t explain it. All I can say is that Fundamentals makes this though decision even tougher. Or is this type of option available at Amherst and Williams? Some kind of create your own major?</p>
<p>I love tight-knit communities. </p>
<p>While Williamstown isn’t appealing to everyone, it’s a dream come true for me. I go to a private school with around a hundred kids in my class. So Isolation? Cool. Trees? Even cooler. Being stuck with the same people for 4 years? Coolest thing imaginable. That’s how true, lasting friendships are formed.</p>
<p>I love to learn.</p>
<p>Don’t get me wrong, I’ll learn at any of these three. They’re all incredible, difficult, and rigorous institutions. All of them love learning, all of them have nerds, and all of them would suit me perfectly. Just… the life of the mind? That’s pretty epic. My vision of a perfect evening is sitting with friends, talking about the meaning of life. From visiting Chicago, I felt like my nerdy side would not only be embraced, but cherished. It’d be allowed to grow. My love of learning would turn into an unbridled passion. </p>
<p>But I’m also laid back.</p>
<p>I’m not the kind of person who’s uptight, studies all night, and wears fancy clothes. I drink coffee. I don’t think about what I wear to school. I like having a good time. I got that ‘vibe’ from Amherst—that relaxed, calm, soothing atmosphere I love so much. I didn’t get that from Williams or Chicago.</p>
<p>I want to go to Grad School. </p>
<p>Isn’t Williams amazing at grad school placement? One of the top feeder schools in the country? I could be wrong. Or maybe Amherst’s better for my interests, with their strong humanities. It just seems like Amherst and Williams have the edge here, with the amazing relationships students develop with teachers and all. Also, Chicago has a reputation for being kick-your-ass hard. Destroy-your-GPA hard. And while the idealist in me doesn’t care about grades, if I’m looking at grad school, suddenly that meaningless number becomes a lot more important. </p>
<p>Thank you guys for reading my rambling (Probably not the most engaging thing in the world.) Any thoughts, advice, comments, or clarifications are more than welcome. Thank you.</p>
<p>Oh, and before I forget! To make matters worse, I look damn good in both purple and maroon.</p>