<p>Hi! I'm a junior who is completely undecided on what I want to do. Not just in a History vs English way, but in a "oh pure math is cool but so is string theory and French and Chinese and world history and maybe bio?" way. I'm taking four AP classes (school only lets people take 3 usually) and will graduate with 9 APs and I have a 4.32 weighted GPA, 2220 SAT, and 800 World History SAT II, so I'm looking for a fairly competitive school... But my college counselor somehow thinks that I'm a languages/humanities person (probably since I'm a girl..) and he's only telling me about small humanities based LACs. </p>
<p>Does anyone know of a good college that provides a really wide range of quality courses but isn't too ginormous and doesn't cost an arm, a leg, and a pancreas? (or else has really good financial aid...)</p>
<p>Tell us more Tinuviel. What else do you like? Small or large university? Rural, suburban or urban? Laid back and quiet or spirited and active campus? Great football or basketball games to go to? </p>
<p>With your stats, you could get into many universities. Some of the better universities could give you significant merit scholarships. But it would help if you told us more about your likes and dislikes.</p>
<p>The Open Curriculum means there are absolutely no core requirements, and most majors require 10 or fewer classes. You can take only the classes you're interested in, and you'll have plenty of chances to take classes in string theory or history or whatever.</p>
<p>University of Rochester has an open curriculum like you're looking for. Students have to take at least 3 related courses in humanities, social sciences and math/natural sciences. And it gives quite good merit aid. It's got about 4200 undergrads and 2600 grad students, so it's not ginormous.</p>
<p>Take a look at University of Richmond, also small with good merit aid. Tufts University and Brandeis University, both outside Boston, may work for you as well.</p>
<p>I agree that Brown may fit the bill -- also, my daughter's best friend is just like you and she's happy at Wesleyan, where everyone seems to double major (in part because they also "like everything")</p>
<p>Here's another vote for the University of Richmond, which has a good interdisciplinary studies program, so you can continue being interested in all those areas, rather than being forced to choose just one. I'm sure other college have interdisciplinary studies programs, but Richmond's is the only one I know anything about</p>
<p>Cornell has the most varied and eclectic academic offerings of any of the top schools. Plus, no matter what "college" you are enrolled in, you can take classes in any of the others.</p>
<p>tin, there are dozens of colleges and universities that would provide the education that you are looking for. A true liberal arts education -- and by that I mean a general curriculum -- can be had a large university AND a small liberal arts college. What you need to do is to focus a little more on your wishlist: size, gender, location, and overall personality or ambience.</p>
<p>Distribution requirements (as opposed to a core curriculum, which is more specific) are not terribly restrictive. They are usually there to encourage students to try a wide range of disciplines, not to prevent them from doing so.</p>
<p>Once you understand what you want -- other than an academically challenging and intellectually stimulating environment -- you'll be able to put together a balanced list that includes reaches, matches and safeties by selectivity.</p>
<p>You also need to fully understand the types of financial aid that are available. All private colleges are expensive. The most selective are all in the same price range.</p>
<p>If your family qualifies for need based financial aid, then you can include just about any college or university. The actual amount of aid may vary from place to place, but the process of calculating aid is similar. Ask you parents to use an on-line calculator if you're not sure how much to expect.</p>
<p>If on the other hand you need or want MERIT aid, then your list will be very different. Many fine colleges and unversities offer merit aid to outstanding students, but some, especially the most selective, do not. So be sure to clarify your need before going any further.</p>
<p>And now a plug for my favorite college -- Williams! :)</p>