<p>Barnard and Columbia are not renowned for school spirit, owing to their “New York state of mind,” but Columbia participates fully in Ivy League D-1 sports, and there are fraternities and sororities. </p>
<p>@arwarw, maybe it’s just so many years of following the Big Ten 
</p>
<p>This is absolutely not relevant to who’s teaching creative writing at Penn now, but here’s a link to a recent NYT opinion article describing the experience of having Philip Roth as a writing professor at Penn in the 70s. </p>
<p><a href=“Opinion | English Class With Mr. Roth - The New York Times”>Opinion | English Class With Mr. Roth - The New York Times;
<p>I have a D who graduated NYU and one who is currently there. In no way would I describe any of their friends as pretentious or stuck up. I am not saying this in defense of the student body, because I am sure there are students who may be described like that, but it has not at all been my family’s experience. As a matter of fact to my surprise, my D’s seem to think that we are “wealthier” than the majority of their friends. We live in a nearby suburb of NYC, are doing Ok financially, but in no way consider ourselves rich with our standard issue split level house in our (upper) middle class neighborhood.</p>
<p>For one thing both D’s were in talent based programs and many of the students accepted receive talent-based scholarships. Both the vocal performance program that older D graduated from and the studio art major D is currently in, are small programs and everyone knows one another. (I would imagine that creative writing would be similar.) So within a large university, you are part of a small community of students, alumni and faculty which extends into one’s circle of friends.</p>
<p>Additionally, both D’s made friends through the scholars program, another small group within NYU. Younger D (who is both an artist and musical theatre kid) decided to do special interest housing freshman year that involved theatre. The group had a floor in a great dorm and were extremely close knit. I would say those 30 something students are still a network of friends and D is living with 3 of the girls as she goes into her junior year. The group had a mix of theatre and film majors and a sprinkling of everything else (business, psychology, neuroscience, art and English majors). Some were performers, some just appreciated the arts, but they formed a strong bond. Many also formed a creative network. D has starred in a number of student films written and produced by her film major friends. They in turn have collaborated on some performance art pieces that D has worked on and have helped with sound and video for some of her art installations.</p>
<p>So my advice is to visit the school and contact the departments you are most interested in, Many depts. have tours and special open houses. You can certainly bring up your concerns about community, social life, etc along with questions about academics. </p>
<p>I would just not discount any school based on stereotypes if they seem to offer a program that you are interested in.</p>
<p>Take a look at Vassar - only a few distribution requirements so easier to double major. Vassar has a strong sense of community and spirit.
I also agree with the Wesleyan and Brandeis suggestions if you are considering LAC- type schools.</p>
<p>well, it’s about time we asked what your resumé looks like, OP, and what your family is able to afford. Try responding to the first post on this page:</p>
<p><a href=“Before you ask which colleges to apply to, please consider - College Search & Selection - College Confidential Forums”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/1621234-before-you-ask-which-colleges-to-apply-to-please-consider-p1.html</a></p>
<p>Alright, I really want to thank all of you guys SO much. You have given me so much insight into a lot of colleges and went far beyond what I was expecting. I’m blown away by your responses. Thank you, I really appreciate it. Here are my answers to those questions @jkeil911 </p>
<ol>
<li><p>I am apart of the middle class, and while my mom makes a good amount of money we are still kind of tight on funds so I am heavily relying on scholarships and financial aid. </p></li>
<li><p>Like mentioned before, I want to double major in Creative Writing (or english with cw concentration) and a science. Right now, I’m pretty sure its going to be neuroscience. But I’ve also considered epidemiology and computer science.</p></li>
<li><p>Region doesn’t really matter, but like I said- urban area, not too big but not too small. 4 year, yadda yadda yadda lol.</p></li>
<li><p>Unweighted gpa is a 3.9something. By the time I’ll have taken 5 AP classes (Chem, Calc, Spanish, English Language and English Lit), not a lot I know but my school only offers 8. The rest are honors.</p></li>
<li><p>I took the SAT twice. First time was a 2100 (730cr, 710m, 660w). Second time was 2250 (800, 720, 730). My AP scores are okay. I got a 5 on English Language, but a 2 on Chem 
The others I haven’t taken yet. I plan to take 2 subject tests (math 2 and english) in the fall.</p></li>
<li><p>I know this wasn’t included but I figured I mentioned I am heavily involved in extracurriculars. 5 years of marching band (4 on trombone, 1 as drum major- national, state and regional champs), 4 years in the musical (3, maybe 4 if i get one this year, leads), 5 years jazz band, 4 years ensemble, 2 years indoor percussion, 4 years choir and 6 years band. Also 3 years tennis (division champs) and 2 years astronomy club. I’ve been in student council for 3 years and have been apart of 2 all south jersey choirs and 2 all state choirs. Lastly, I’m in math honor society, spanish honor society and am president of our chapter of the national honor society!</p></li>
</ol>
<p>great, thanks. now run the net price calculators at 4-5 of the schools named above and let us know your mom’s ability to pay the Expected Family Contribution. You can find the NPCs on each school’s financial aid page.</p>
<p>I suggest USC: urban, good writing & neuroscience departments, lots of encouragement/flexibility to double major, & incomparable school spirit. :)</p>
<p>I, too, like USC in this student’s case. My niece just graduated from Annenberg and she is the world’s greatest USC booster. Neuroscience is very good. They have 100 full tuition scholarships and 200 half tuition. I’m very impressed with neuroscience at Pomona. </p>