<p>^Syracue is big-time athletics scene. As others have noted Holy Cross might be a very good choice but HC might be a reach. Holy Cross is SAT optional, is need blind for admissions, and great campus-1 hour from Boston. Other schools might be Wheaton, Trinity College.</p>
<p>^ and there it is. Boom.</p>
<p>Thanks for the suggestions. Can anybody tell me anything about some of the colleges which were suggested, in particular Wheaton, Trinity, Holy Cross, and Skidmore. I heard Trinity is not in the best of locations safety-wise. What about the social scenes at these colleges? The high school that I am from is a big 4-A football/basketball fanatic school (though it’s not really my thing and I don’t really go to games). It’s also one of those high schools where everybody is either wearing Abercrombie and Fitch or American Eagle (If you understand what I am talking about) and most students’ parent work in the nearby major city, so even though we are kind of in the middle of nowhere, we are pretty urbanized (this is also a reason that I ruled out Bennington and would like to be close to a larger city). That being said, do any of those colleges I listed above seem like I would be a fit for them?</p>
<p>How about Stonehill?</p>
<p>What/Where is Stonehill?</p>
<p>[Stonehill</a> College](<a href=“http://www.stonehill.edu/]Stonehill”>http://www.stonehill.edu/) Catholic College</p>
<p>Butterfly510, feel free to send me a PM about Wheaton, I have a student there.</p>
<p>I still really recommend the good old Princeton Review book of colleges and universities by state, major, etc, where you can take the time and look at it while riding in the car, sitting waiting for an appointment, etc. So much info. You can then flag colleges you want to look at online, and then go from there. Most libraries have the book. Borrow it. Posting just takes too much time with so many colleges in the Northeast. It’s why the Northeast is considered the most highly educated part of the country based on college degrees --so many colleges, something for everyone, you just need time. Only you know your stats, etc, and on CC, we don’t.</p>
<p>You can also get a lot of information from Princeton Review at their web site. [Test</a> Prep: GMAT, GRE, LSAT, MCAT, SAT, ACT, and More](<a href=“http://www.princetonreview.com%5DTest”>http://www.princetonreview.com)</p>
<p>“Best thing about Worcester, MA is seeing it in your rear view mirror!” </p>
<p>LOL, love that, totally agree!</p>
<p>I would strongly suggest that you take the time to look on [The</a> National Center for Fair & Open Testing | FairTest](<a href=“http://www.fairtest.org%5DThe”>http://www.fairtest.org) to see which schools you are considering are test-optional. That means you DON’T have to submit SAT or ACT scores if your GPA and secondary school record are strong.</p>
<p>Based on your preferences, Bowdoin, Bates, Colby, Fairfield, Holy Cross are all test-optional. They give very good financial aid packages to out of area students like yourself. All are excellent schools with wonderful New England atmosphere.</p>
<p>At some point, if possible, try to visit some schools in the Northeast. Yes, we do consider the education here the best in the US. Just our personal preference. </p>
<p>Keep working on the GPA. Consider the test-optional approach. It’s not for everyone, but if the SAT/ACT doesn’t define you, it will help ease the stress and may result in that big envelope.</p>
<p>Above all…apply EARLY. EA for sure if the school offers it. Fairfield does. If you need financial aid, you may not be able to do ED. But get started on your essays early this summer, and have everything ready to go by October end at the latest. The essay is key to getting in. Students who put it off regret it later. Good luck!</p>
<p>I know those schools are not in New England, but when people say “New England,” they often really mean the Northeast. It sounded like the OP wanted smaller LA schools in the Northeast not too far from big cities, and all those schools fit the bill.</p>
<p>As for Clark, it’s in the eye of the beholder. There have been some incidents there, and Main South is a tough neighborhood, but as one poster said, it’s still much safer than urban schools like NYU, BU, etc. Even a couple of the Ivies are in “tough” neighborhoods. And yes, Hartford is also a town with issues and poverty and crime, so Trinity is not immune. People who are used to sheltered suburban living may feel uncomfortable in any of those environments. Some of us do not, and in fact welcome the urbanity and diversity.</p>
<p>After reviewing which colleges offered International Studies and are test optional in the Northeast, Colby, Fairfield, Connecticut College stand out. They will offer a great New England experience. </p>
<p>In selecting a college with International Studies, don’t forget the off campus experience. Not only do these colleges offer semester or year abroad in other countries, they also offer the option of semesters elsewhere in the US, whether it be in Washington, NYC, Boston or even another college (i.e. Dartmouth for Colby). Colby even has the Jan Plan, where students have a long break from classes to do projects, travel with classes, or research.</p>
<p>I am stressing test optional schools since an 1800 on the SATs is usually considered low for top 50 schools unless they are holostic in their approach, which test optional schools will be.</p>
<p>Northeastern, Tufts, BC, BU, Ivies, Trinity, Williams, Amherst all will want competitive SAT scores and some will want SAT II scores as well. An 1800, unless you are a star in something else (athletics, performance, etc.) is always going to be a far far reach. That’s not to day it couldn’t happen. Your GPA is very competitive and with good essays and activities on a resume should mean good success if your list has reach, possible and probable schools.</p>
<p>Trinity, Yale are in CT, where we have first hand knowledge. Hartford for Trinity means students usually don’t venture outside their four walls. The neighborhood is rough and unsafe. New Haven for Yale means walking is usually safe during day light hours, but after hours you are taking a chance with muggings. New Haven has had major crime outbreaks and we see on the news daily shootings due to the drug dealings. We wouldn’t even let our students apply to either of these schools, we just don’t think it is safe, no matter what the rating or program.</p>
<p>Rugg’s book of colleges offers schools grouped by Major. You can look up International Studies and find more schools grouped according to Most Selective, More Selective and Selective. If the library doesn’t have it or your college counselor, you can get one from Barnes and Noble or any other bookstore.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the info. I have known what I wanted to do (as a major) since beginning high school and have geared my schedule towards that: AP US History, AP World History, AP Comp Gov. and Pol. and AP U.S. Gov. and Pol (A’s in all of those) as well has four years of French and classes such as international business, law, and journalism. </p>
<p>I have researched many of the colleges that have been suggested to me and was wondering if I could get some feedback on these colleges (such as location, safety, over-all experience, financial aid, and social atmosphere). Again, finanial aid will be financing my education so I need a school who is very generous and supportive of need-based aid. </p>
<ul>
<li>Connecticut College</li>
<li>Wheaton </li>
<li>Fairfield<br></li>
<li>Mt. Holyoke </li>
<li>Skidmore </li>
<li>American University (in D.C.) </li>
<li>George Washington University (in D.C.) </li>
<li>Stonehill</li>
</ul>
<p>Mt. Holyoke, if you are looking at a women’s college, is in a beautiful suburban setting. The campus is gorgeous, the dorms amazing, the financial aid is very generous, and their international relations department boasts Anthony Lake (former presidential cabinet member). The school will offer you many, many opportunities to grow, challenge yourself, etc, and the alumni network is impressive and very helpful. Mona Sutphen, class of '89 is in a key position in the White House, and it’s just a school that produces very successful women. (Can you tell I love my alma mater?)</p>
<p>I hadn’t really thought about an all women’s college (I attend a public high school) until somebody suggested Mt. Holyoke. I am sure if I tell my parents I would like to apply there that they would be VERY suprised, but I think it might be a nice, different experience (hopefully with less drama then a co-educational school). I will definitely be looking into it. If you have anymore information on the college, TEACHANDMOM, it would be nice to hear about it from somebody who went there. Thanks!</p>
<p>Butterfly510, what is exact breakdown of your SAT scores?
Do you intend to take them again? </p>
<p>Have you looked at Fair Test Dot Org website? For test optional schools.</p>
<p>New England and New York are known for having great schools, but you need to be more specific if you want a school in a city, like BU or Northeastern, a suburb near a large city, like Clark or Holy Cross, or in the middle of nowhere, like Bennington or Williams.</p>
<p>Fairfield and Conn College are in our state, and both are excellent. Fairfield is in a very upscale area, Fairfield County, which is safe, beautiful, and close to the ocean. It has an excellent reputation, virtually any major, is midsize and job placement is great. The students there are preppy, after all, it is Fairfield County, CT. The only negative is that sometimes they don’t reward a whole lot of aid, but it depends on the student, merit scholarships are given for talent and academics, so it does happen. We have an excellent opinion of this school as an academic, caring school where professors are approachable and the student body is fun and driven, but not cutthroat. It is test optional, but your scores are still in range here.</p>
<p>Conn College is small, test optional, artsy school with an excellent reputation also. It will also have International Studies. It is also close to the ocean, and the students there are more varied, both in geographical area and personality. Some are artsy, some are eclectic, others are preppy, there is a good range. It is completely safe. There is not much to do in the particular area it’s in, unless you go into NYC. You will receive an excellent education there, and as for aid, it will probably be more generous than other schools, depending on your need. It has a great reputation both locally and outside of the area. </p>
<p>I would agree with Mt. Holyoke as a great choice. The aid we have seen given to students is very generous. If you are lucky enough to visit these schools and know one is your top choice, I would encourage you to apply either EA or ED, showing your interest, since applying early will qualify you for the most aid. End of October, all apps should be in. Demonstrate need by emailing college reps, going there, even asking for an interview if one is offered. It will be worth it.</p>
<p>This is outside of New England, but we can also vouch for Drexel in Philadelphia as giving excellent aid packages. They have International Studies which is unique program which is tech rich, co-op experience along with classes, so job placement is great following the program. They participate with many countries, and many students are international as well. They give aid either merit based or need based to almost 70 percent of students and have a huge alumni network. The co-op allows you to work during school for pay which will also help with expenses, while you find out what you want to do and where, be it in the US or abroad. </p>
<p>New England could be expanded to include Middle Atlantic States, as your list demonstrates. For International Studies, you can’t beat being in Washington, DC, but many would argue that the quintessential college experience would be idyllic New England. So you have thinking to do! </p>
<p>Taking the SAT over may also be in your best interest. Subscores usually improve over time and points go up by 100-150 points. That may mean the difference between a scholarship or none, so the fee of $40. or so may justify it. Our students took the SAT three times and subject tests twice. It definitely helped with acceptances even though they were cursing the test by the end of them.</p>
<p>Thanks for the info CTMOM56!</p>
<p>I recommend taking them as many times as you want to! One of my kids took the SATs three times & the 3rd time the score was the highest in CR, Math & Writing. It definitely paid off, too!</p>