<p>I'm in the process of scouting for colleges. I definitely want to go somewhere in New England, and I would really prefer a rural location (I'm not a city person...). I'm considering majoring in history, so although that's not for sure, it's something to consider in choosing the right college. One that's caught my eye is Williams College, which I understand is very rural indeed. Suggestions? </p>
<p>Another factor is the intellectual seriousness of the school. How does Williams stack up, or another place you know of? I also like cold weather, so those stormy winter that seem to deter other people are a plus in my opinion. Finally, although I consider myself a conservative, I don't mind going to a liberal school (or even a very liberal school) as long as there is diversity of thought on campus. I'd be happy even if there's just a vocal minority of conservative students (and perhaps professors?), and an administration that's at least somewhat open to political diversity.</p>
<p>A few of other colleges I'm looking at are Mount Holyoke, Colby, Middlebury, Bowdoin, and Boston College (which, I know, isn't in a rural area).</p>
<p>I think Williams will stack up pretty high on the intellectual seriousness, haha.</p>
<p>If you're going for Mt. Holyoke, add Amherst into the mix too. Maybe Bates? Since you have Mt. Holyoke and Boston up there, try Wellesley, which isn't really rural either. I'm unsure of the political views in most of these places, but I think students are diverse in what they believe and are accepting.</p>
<p>Also maybe Colgate? Bennington if you want a safety, but I think this is a hard-core liberal school (I don't really know, so check on it). Also maybe Connecticut College and Hamilton in New York.</p>
<p>Bates is in Lewiston, a small city, not rural although the outlying areas certainly are. Ditto Bowdoin but Brunswick is smaller (and nicer) than Lewiston. Colby is in Waterville, town of 20,000. Surrounding areas are rural but are you going to have a car to go exploring the fields and forests? Williams is definitely rural, almost remote. Conn College is in New London, definitely not rural. Bennington is rural. Williams is academically excellent, as is Amherst, but although Amherst has rural areas the college is not in a rural area and then there is UMass right there - 20K kids. Hampshire is in Amherst on rolling green hills with their own barns and animals....??!!!</p>
<p>Definitely look at Bates, Bowdoin, and Colby. The University of Vermont is in Burlington, which is technically a city but mostly a rural location. Wesleyan in Connecticut is in a small town, I wouldn't call it rural but it's definitely not a city. University of Connecticut is pretty much in the boondocks, but there's so many kids there that it's kind of like its own city. In New York, though its technically not New England, several of the SUNY schools, Hamilton, Colgate, Cornell, Union, and Hobart and William Smith all come to mind.</p>
<p>Williams is as good as they get and indeed very rural. With grades for Williams you should also look at Dartmouth. A step below look at Colby, Colgate and Middlebury for a very rural feel.</p>
<p>Middlebury is very rural. And very beautiful. Some of these schools are rural but close to bigger cities, like Bowdoin, which is about a half hour from Portland, Maine. UVM is in Burlington proper, which is not as much of a city as Portland, but very charming and on lake Champlain.Amherst has the advantage of all the other great schools near it, and thus a thriving community of students.
ALSO, these schools that are being lumped together are NOT the same, esp, in terms of competition. Some might be reaches, others safeties. I'd make tiers like so:
1.Less than 20% acceptance rate: Williams, Amherst, Swarthmore, Dartmouth, Middlebury, Bowdoin, Cornell
2. Less than 30%-Wes, Bates, Colby, Mt. Holyoke (all girls, as you prob. know) Colgate, Union. Hamilton
3. +30%-UVM, UMass, Wm. Hobart and Wm. Smith
Hampshire </p>
<p>Also, UVM, UMass, are much bigger than the rest, as you probably realize.</p>
<p>GSR, Williams is academically rigorous and intellectually serious. Although most (maybe all?) eastcoast schools lean left, meaning most of the administration, faculty and student body would vote democratic, Williams would offer a balance atmosphere and a conservative wouldn't be an endangered species.</p>
<p>If you like Williams you might also take a look at Hamilton. Kenyon is in Ohio, but also has a lot of overlap.</p>
<p>Middlebury has never historically had an acceptance rate below 20%; maybe this one past year it was. Same with Cornell and Bowdoin. While a good school, I don't think Union has an acceptance rate below 30%, unless it really dropped in the last year.</p>
<p>Williams gets my vote. Hard to beat for the individual looking for a rural campus with dynamic personalities, beautiful infrastructure, great facilities, and resources in abundance.</p>
<p>I don't know what your stats are--some of the above schools are pretty selective. You might want to check out Quinnipiac in Connecticut--I know several students who have been very happy there.</p>
<p>"Both Middlebury and Bowdoin had acceptance rates of less than 20% this year."</p>
<p>They're still not exactly in the same class with Dartmouth and Williams, which is more what I was getting at. I still think all four plus Colgate, Hamilton, Colby, Bucknell would be good choices for someone seeking a small to medium size northeast rural college experience.</p>