Brainstorming, would like some help that college books cant give

College Search & Selection
1

<p>So, of course, senior year has almost started and I still need to decide where the hell I want to go to school. I'll be honest, I'm a very strong candidate for almost anywhere. I'm not saying I'd get in anywhere, but when it comes to my academics, SAT scores, extracurriculars and all that, I don't have to RULE OUT any schools. So then comes what I want... so here goes:</p>

<p>-A fairly small school. (I crave attention)
-A school with excellent academics, but chill people.
-A place where class discussion is encouraged. <strong><em>very important to me</em></strong>
-A beautiful campus. I care about my surroundings, an ugly/utilitarian/passing campus, will not do.
-Not overly conservative (I'm left leaning, but don't like crazy liberal places either)
-I'm sporty and plan on participating in varsity track and field as a pole vaulter. I also like to play soccer, so it would be nice to be in a school where the people are athletic (or at least aren't couch potatoes)
-I love the west coast and I'm comfortable in my own area (the north east), but anywhere is fine.
-No core curriculum or a loose curriculum is a plus, but I'm not too picky. </p>

<p>The only school I really found myself LOVING (from what I've read, I haven't visited yet) was Amherst College. Unfortunately it doesn't have pole vault, which is pretty important to me, so my decision on applying there is still pending. Pomona also looks interesting, so if that sparks any ideas for other colleges, I'd love to hear it. </p>

<p>It's the atmosphere I care most about, and that's hard to get from college books when you can't visit lots of places. (I can't). So if anyone could help me in my brainstorming of small colleges like what I described above, I would really be thankful. (I'm starting to panic a little)</p>

2

<p>Bob Jones University.</p>

3

<p>Geez with so many referrals this school will have an amazing number of applicants this season.</p>

4

<p>Colgate, Williams, Bucknell, Middlebury, Lehigh, Washington and Jefferson</p>

5

<p>Maybe Oberlin? People are passionate, no Greek scene, and it fosters conversation in classes. </p>

<p>Have you checked out the ivies? UPenn looks like a good fit, along with Brown (especially with your pref. of a loose core.) Stanford? Claremont McKenna?</p>

<p>I'm just throwing things out.</p>

6

<p>If you loved Amherst, but want a more athletic student body, then you'd probably love Williams College just as much.</p>

7

<p>Stanford, Duke, and UPenn (its social afterall) seem that they have student bodies with academics and athletics that you like</p>

<p>Of course, depends on small. Amherst has like 500 a class, while Stanford and Duke have 1600 a class, while Penn has 2400.</p>

<p>I also can't vouch for classroom discussions being encouraged in regular classes, but I know that these colleges have lots of small classes and seminar setting courses.</p>

8

<p>Swarthmore-very liberal but fits most of your other requirements</p>

9

<p>williams definitely. other top nescac schools.</p>

10

<p>yeah, add williams - smart and athletic bunch of kids, and a pretty active social scene.</p>

<p>surrounding area is a bit barren though, but besides that its a lot like amherst</p>

11

<p>Try Haverford.</p>

12

<p>Williams, Bates, and Colby are generally consider the most athletics schools in the conference.</p>

13

<p>yep check Colby for a great school and sports ...it was a little too sporty for me....also oxy (occidental) in california. amherst is super hard to get into ...my friend told me it was the toughest of those little ivies. do you need a super selective school? I appled to St. Mary's college of Maryland for my safety. its a BEAUTIFUL campus on the st mary's river. its high quality and small for a state school ...like william and mary. (its not a catholic school it is in historic st marys city) check their web site.</p>

14

<p>Brown or Dartmouth.</p>

<p>-A fairly small school. (I crave attention)
Browm has 5500 undergrad and about 1000 grad, Dartmouth is a bit smaller.
-A school with excellent academics, but chill people.
Both Brown and Dartmouth are known for being very social (for Ivies) and not cutthroat.
-A place where class discussion is encouraged. <strong><em>very important to me</em></strong>
Ditto.
-A beautiful campus. I care about my surroundings, an ugly/utilitarian/passing campus, will not do.
Both have gorgeous campuses, though different styles. Brown is more suburban and eclectic and Dartmouth is more rural.
-Not overly conservative (I'm left leaning, but don't like crazy liberal places either)
Both are New England schools so they're predominantly liberal. Brown is not as liberal as people say and Dartmouth not as conservative.
-I'm sporty and plan on participating in varsity track and field as a pole vaulter. I also like to play soccer, so it would be nice to be in a school where the people are athletic (or at least aren't couch potatoes)
Both have excellent athletics to my knowledge, Dartmouth is known for being outdoorsy and Brown is also big on intermurals.
-I love the west coast and I'm comfortable in my own area (the north east), but anywhere is fine.
In New England.
-No core curriculum or a loose curriculum is a plus, but I'm not too picky.
Unsure how Dartmouth's curriculum works exactly but I know they have an interesting trimester thing, Brown of course is famous for the New Curriculum (open curriculum)</p>

15

<p>Second Williams College</p>

16

<p>I think that's six votes for Williams College, LOL</p>

17

<p>William & Mary.</p>

18

<p>Wrong location.</p>

19

<p>Kenyon is a good fit...</p>

<p>most good LACs in the areas you are looking would match what you are looking for</p>

<p>any academic interests that could narrow down the field a little?</p>

20

<p>Also in the east, Wesleyan. On the west coat Pomona.</p>