<p>Hi, I'm a junior in a very competitive high school in Massachusetts. Just based on flipping through FISK and a few other college guide books, I have a pretty good sense of what Im looking for in a school. I just need to narrow my search in terms of which colleges to look at.<br>
I'm looking to attend a relatively small liberal arts school and stay within New England, preferably in either MA, NY, CT, RI, ME, NH, VT, NJ, or PA. As of now, I am undecided as to what I will study. I prefer a college in a cool or cold climate (its not that I love the idea of long brisk winters, just that I could not stand to live in a hot climate like Florida). The campus does not have to be "surrounded by natural beauty," as so many colleges advertise. However, it would be nice; as would being relatively near (couple of hours) mountains, lakes, or ocean. Ideally, I want city life within driving distance of my campus. A very small town or rural setting does not appeal to me. A decent size town is fine. I just don't want to be out in the boonies.<br>
I'm looking for a student body of anywhere from 2000 to 5000. However, I would be open to say 8000 students if the school has a smaller community feel. I like to be surrounded by people who are free-thinkers and nonconformists. I also like rubbing shoulders with people who are bright and talented, but by no means do I want to be surrounded by just geniuses. A diverse student body would be preferable.<br>
Individual attention from teachers is important to me. I learn best when I can speak out in class and ask questions (large class lectures do not appeal to me). I also prefer devoting my time to one or two activities rather than many.<br>
I take my studies seriously but also want to have fun. I need time to be alone to do my work by I also need to balance my studies with an active social life. Fraternities and sororities are not to my liking, but their presence would only defer my attention to a school if they dominated the social life there. I would like to go to an academically sound school but do not want a very competitive academic atmosphere (between students, not in terms of the individual trying to do their best), or a work a load that would require late nights at the library. Ivy League status is NOT a requirement. I don't need the highest paid professors to get a good education. I feel that I will get out of my college experience what I put into it.
Could you suggest any schools?</p>
<p>Can you give us an idea of your grades, PSAT scores, high school curriculum (how many years of each subject, AP/honors). It is kind of hard to make suggestions without at least some idea of where you stand in terms of your admissions profile.</p>
<p>However, you've made a great start --- I like how you have really thought about what you like and don't like, and what type of environment you'd be happiest and most successful in. You might want to pick a few schools out of Fiske that sound interesting and are within driving distance and just do a few campus tours to get going.</p>
<p>Although it's hard to say without knowing your academic profile, the schools that jumped into my mind while reading your description were: Vassar, Bates, Skidmore, Wesleyan, Bard, Clark University, Wheaton (Mass), and Brown, as well as Smith if you're female. Obviously, that's a list with a wide range of selectivity but it might get you started.</p>
<p>Swarthmore
Haverford
Macalester
Claremont McKenna
Connecticut College
Holy Cross
Pomona</p>
<p>Middlebury, Bryn Mawr (if you're female), and Bowdoin (no frats)</p>
<p>
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Just based on flipping through FISK and a few other college guide books, I have a pretty good sense of what Im looking for in a school.
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You've made a lot of decisions and know what you're looking for, a rare and admirable quality in a college search.</p>
<p>However I do suggest that you check out your decisions to some extent. Its one thing to read about a particular type of college, another to actually stand in one. Many students find it useful to visit examples of the various types of schools. It doesn't have to be one you're applying to, pick some that are in your area.</p>
<p>Many schools that fit your likes are a little smaller than 2000 kids... </p>
<p>I agree with Carolyn's recs. I might add Trinity in CT, which while less artsy/freesprited is pretty close to your profile.</p>
<p>Going a bit larger, Union is a good school to investigate. Sarah Lawrence might be worth a peek.</p>
<p>Macalester was mentioned and though it is not in NE, it fits all your other wishes. Consider Goucher too, in MD.</p>
<p>Not as urban close but a nice school with a little easier admission standard is Allehgheny.</p>
<p>Thanks for all of your input. In response to your questions Carolyn...I am a male. My GPA is roughly 3.8/9. Upon graduation, I will have taken 4 years of Math, History, English, Science, and Spanish. All of these are at the honors level except for AP US History, which I am taking this year. I have taken into consideration the importance of showing colleges that I am "challenging myself" during senior year by taking AP courses. But after experiencing the world of AP classes and the speed at which one must fly through the curriculum for that ever important test in May, I have decided to go the honors route and take classes that interest me. My PSAT score was a 1620 but I have been using the Collegeboard and Princeton Review Books to study and am confident that I can get my scores up (probably 1900 range). My community service resume is not all world but it does show "continued interest." I have been a Counselor at a Boys' Basketball Camp for the past two years and an assistant coach to an elementary school basketball team for a year. Beyond that, I have run a neighborhood landscaping business with a friend for the past four years. Yes, I have been paid, so it's not community service, but I've been told that it can be mentioned within my recommendations and/or college essay. I have developed very good relationships with my teachers and expect my recommendations to be strong.</p>
<p>Once again, I do not crave Ivy League status, and from what I'm told about not stacking up those APs for senior year, don't expect it. I'm just looking for a good fit, whether it be 1st, 2nd, or 3rd tier.</p>
<p>Brown, Pomona, Macalester, Swarthmore, Occidental, Sarah Lawrence, Vassar (maybe too rural, though), BARD, Wesleyan.</p>
<p>Skidmore, though it is on the smaller side</p>
<p>Brown, Bowdoin, Middlebury, Dartmouth, Swarthmore, Vassar, Haverford, Vassar, Amherst, Williams</p>
<p>if you have the stats to get in.l</p>
<p>Holy Cross and Trinity seem like good matches.</p>