<p>I know, I know. Such a big question isn't necessarily something that can be deduced over a post on the internet, but I was just looking for some input. I just moved from Oregon to Maine over the summer and am pretty clueless as far as colleges go over here. I'm excited to have so many to choose from, and have made a pretty solid list of places I plan to apply to. </p>
<p>As of now, I plan to apply to Bowdoin, Emerson, Northeastern, BU, Brandeis, RIT, with UMO as a backup. I was also thinking about Wesleyan (in CT) and maybe Vassar? I don't know. Like I said, fairly clueless about colleges.</p>
<p>To give some background about me, my wants and my interests...
- I plan to study Sociology. I'm also very interested in International Studies/Affairs and Peace & Justice Studies and would love to minor in either of them. Ultimately, I'd love to work in social work, for a non-profit or for an organization that promotes human and civil rights on a global level.</p>
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<li><p>Academically, I'm a fairly good student. 4.0 unweighted GPA, top 2% of my class. However, my courseload isn't particularly challenging compared to most people on CC (I took 3 IB classes last year before moving, now I take 2 APs at my new school). Well-rounded extracurriculars (co-founder of a Journalism Club at my new school, Design Editor of the school newsmagazine at my old school, member of National Honor Society, Amnesty International, INTERACT + a part-time job after school/on weekends). My current SAT score is 1980 (720 CR, 610 M, 650 W) but I retook them last weekend and hope to reach ~2100. I have a very good essay for the Common App (with a unique 'hook,' I guess) and strong letters of recommendation. </p></li>
<li><p>As far as environment goes, I would love to be around people who are passionate about what they do and care about current events. I'd probably fall in with the creative, artsy folks, if I had to categorize myself. I don't like pretentious people though, or snobby people in general. I'm not a partier and I'm not into athletics, but I do love to be around people and therefore would love to be active in clubs and other campus activities. I also would love schools that have strong internship placement programs or co-op programs. </p></li>
<li><p>I don't particularly know if I have a preference for a large campus or a small campus, as you might see from my diverse list of schools. I'm really an adaptable person who could probably be happy anywhere. Or at least, I think. I'm going to try and visit some of these campuses to make sure.</p></li>
<li><p>I would like to stay less than 7-8 hours away from home. This leaves me in the New England area, probably extending to New York and Eastern Pennsylvania. I'd love to be in a larger city, which is why four of the schools I plan to apply to are in the Boston area. </p></li>
<li><p>Money is not a /huge/ barrier for me. I'm trying not to look at the sticker price of the schools as a way to determine whether I should apply or not. I believe I'm eligible to apply as an independent student for the FAFSA and will hopefully receive a lot of grant aid that way, no matter what school I apply to. Call it wishful thinking, I guess.</p></li>
</ul>
<p>So, judging from this, would you say my list is well-suited to me? Would you recommend Wesleyan and Vassar as well, or any other colleges? Let me know! :-)</p>
Why do you believe you will be considered an independent student? From your description of school you are not 24, nor does it seem from your post that support a dependent. If that is the basis of your statement that money is not a huge barrier then you need to reconsider. Have you run the Net Price Calculators for each of those schools?</p>